18 week appt. and we know what we're having!

We had a fantastic appointment today. It was my big sonogram, and my parents and brother, as well as James and the kids, were all able to be there. First, I went back alone and the tech checked all the baby's measurements and we chatted while she did those. I explained how James was more nervous this time, unlike with Abigail, since he is working in the NICU and sees so many things that can happen with babies, and can be so difficult. She said she understood he must feel like he sees too much heartache! I asked her to please give him as much detail as possible. She was happy to agree, and encourage him. She said throughout the sonogram that things looked great, and was more reassuring than with Abigail's sonogram, when she said nothing for a long 10-15 minutes! She asked if we wanted to know the sex, and I said we did, and we were thinking it was a boy, though we sure weren't picky.

Though everything looked great with the baby, we did have one concern. There is a reason I keep saying I have felt this baby so strongly, so early, compared to Abigail. My placenta is posterior right now, meaning it's under the baby, and sitting directly on my cervix. We are praying it will move as the uterus grows and shift on up, so there is no problem with delivery. However, if closer to the due date, it hasn't moved, I'll have to have a c-section at 36 weeks, since we cannot risk going into labor and the placenta delivering first. She said there was still time for it to move, especially with the baby still being small and that it's nothing to worry about.

Our little one weighed 10 oz. and has a foot about 3 cm long. Though still measuring a week ahead, at this point, we will not change the due date since that isn't a significant issue right now. She quickly finished all her measuring, thankfully, since my bladder was so full! She brought the family in, and quickly got to the point. She said, "O.k., I'm going to show you what we're looking at, and what the baby is right here." The big flat screen really made it even clearer to see details and it was precious seeing a glimpse of that sweet face. She pointed out a shin, a little bottom, and then there, as clear as can be, the distinctive anatomy I'd seen right when she started speaking. We all cheered and were so happy. Abigail just giggled and giggled. Isaac said, " I knew it!" As I've thought all along, our third little one is a boy!! We're so thrilled and feel extremely blessed. He's just beautiful!!

Our sweet boy cooperated the entire time, and the tech went to great lengths to point out brain ventricles, heart chambers, a perfectly formed diaphragm, limbs, intestines, organs in the right place, facial features, etc. Each detail had significance to my sweet husband, who has seen babies with complications in all those areas, and it was really a blessing that she was so eager to clearly show us so many tiny parts. We saw him keep putting his hand to his mouth, almost sucking a thumb, or blowing a kiss, as my Mom said, and other endearing moments that made the kids just squeal at how real it all was. What a special time to share with them!

We got a DVD of the whole thing, plus numerous pictures, then I had a quick appointment with the doctor. Dr. A. was encouraging as well, saying that we are not too concerned at this point about the placenta, and that hopefully, we will see a change at the next ultrasound. He said it can be serious, but isn't yet - there's just plenty of time. I'm just thankful we have technology to be aware of the situation, so we're not surprised later on, in a dangerous way.

We celebrated with a delicious lunch with the whole family at Diane's restaurant and she was excited we'd chosen her restaurant for our special occasion. I even received beautiful roses from her, as a spur of the moment gift! She treated Isaac and Abigail to a kitchen tour, and I, of course, had to tag along to see everything. It was so great to see how efficiently it runs. I have to admit, I didn't miss the cake baking and icing making at all when I saw tons of freshly baked layers cooling on racks, and the huge mixing bowl of icing. :-)

Afterwards, we visited with James' parents, and were able to share our DVD with Pop and Granny and show them our little boy. They were so tickled to see him, since Granny had not been well and wasn't up to a trip to the doctor's office. Yet another example of why we're thankful for today's technology! After visits to see James' sister at work and another to a dear friend's to show off our pictures, we finally made it home this evening. We're all worn out, but in a good way. It was an emotional, happy day for us. Praise God for His amazing blessing!