Last Wednesday, we had our anatomy scan appointment! They scheduled us at 19 weeks as opposed to 20 which is when we found out Griffin was a boy.
Going into the appointment, I had a little bit of anxiety over whether we would find a healthy baby or not. I've had a lot of fear surrounding this pregnancy, but it's something I'm actively working on. I really need to do a separate post on that because I know I'm not alone.
I guess I am improving because my blood pressure has been way too high at all my appointments thus far until I hear the baby's heartbeat. I've had it taken at the beginning of every appointment (way high) then at the end (back to normal). However, this time, my BP was great at the beginning, so progress! Yay!
Our appointment was scheduled for 9:15 but there must have been something going on because we weren't called back to the ultrasound room until almost 10:00. Thankfully, Griffin entertained himself and everyone else in the waiting room.
I was able to relax for the most part while we waited and tried to just soak up those last few minutes where the baby's gender was a mystery. I'm trying to do that as much as I can since I'm treating this as my last pregnancy... just in case.
We got called back and let me tell you-- seeing our baby on the ultrasound screen will never, ever get old. It was the most wonderful moment seeing it's little profile. Our ultrasound tech knew we wanted to know the gender, so she got on it right away.
First of all, she did ask Griffin what he thought the baby would be. He answered with, "Baby girl!" Honestly, he's said that since we knew we were pregnant. He's said boy a few times here and there, but his primary answer has been a girl. She told us that in her experience, toddlers are usually 95% right about their siblings. Crazy!
She started poking around and we got our answer very quickly. I think my heart skipped a few beats when she said...
"Well, big brother was right! You're having a baby GIRL!"
It's a good thing I was laying down on the table because otherwise, I think I would've had to sit down. A girl! Our girl! I couldn't believe it! The anatomy scan progressed and it was clear we have a healthy, growing daughter! I could've sobbed and sobbed over how grateful I was.
We got to see her beautiful little profile, her hands and fingers, her arms and legs, and her perfect little feet and toes. Everything looks great and she's measuring two days behind my due date at 9 ounces and 9 inches. And again, the TOES! Have you ever seen sweeter toes!?
After the ultrasound, they showed us to our room for the follow up with my doctor and I had to go give my urine sample. I was so excited and distracted that I actually dropped the cup in the toilet after I had done what I needed to do. Awesome. That was a fun thing to go out and tell my nurse. She was very sweet and assured me that it happens to women more than you'd think.
The doctor came in and talked to us about the scan and reaffirmed everything the tech had told us. We have a healthy baby GIRL! While we were waiting to see the doctor, I made the mistake of saying to Tyler, "Let the shopping begin!" All the color just drained from his face. Poor man. As you can see below, sister has already started to accumulate a few things for her wardrobe thanks to her mama and her grandmothers! Griffin actually picked out that little balloon shirt at Carter's. He picked it up, said "Ooh cute!" and handed it to me. SOLD.
After we left the doctor, we called our parents and brothers and then started telling our friends. Everyone was so excited for us and it just made our excitement grow and grow. We are so thankful for our sweet sugar already!
Prior to knowing, of course a question I was often asked was what I thought the baby was and which did I prefer.
In my heart of hearts, I was pretty confident it was a baby girl. With Griffin, I was 100% sure I was having a boy. In fact, I wouldn't have believed them if they'd said differently. With this baby, I was about 88% sure it was a girl. Tyler thought it was probably a girl, my mom said she thought it was probably a girl, and ALL my friends said girl. I don't think one of them said boy! This pregnancy has been so different than my pregnancy with Griffy, but I know that doesn't necessarily mean anything.
In terms of preference, if you asked my husband and my closest friends, they would tell you exactly what I've said since the day we found out we were expecting-- it truly didn't matter what we were having as long as it was a healthy baby. I know that's so cliche, but after the road we walked this year, it just didn't. I've always said I would love a houseful of boys (five to be exact) but I've also always dreamed of having a little woman in the house to balance us out. We were excited about the prospect of a brother for Griffin but also excited about the prospect of him having a baby sister! We couldn't lose!
We are so completely over-the-moon excited for this angel girl to join our family in January! I can't believe I am going to be blessed with both a son and a daughter. Griffin is so excited and talks to his baby sister in my belly quite often. He also loves to tickle her which feels more like a rabid cat scratching at my stomach, but it's so sweet and he makes the most hilarious squealing sound while he does it, so I can't deny him.
Thank you again for all your love surrounding this baby! We are beyond thankful to the Lord for giving us this grace. We know we don't deserve it and that He didn't have to give us this baby, but we are so grateful that that this baby is a part of His plan for our family!
"Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given."
John 1:16
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