The Blessings Just Keep Coming.....

Yesterday I went to the doctor for my first pre-natal appointment.

YES - I said pre-natal. YIKES!!!

I am just starting my 4th month.....14 1/2 weeks. I had an ultrasound and heard the heartbeat....a strong 154. There is just something so reassuring about hearing that first heartbeat, right? You know you are pregnant, the nausea & exhaustion won't let you forget it! But until you see that little person on the screen and hear that heartbeat, it just isn't as real.

I saw the doctor and they gave me the whole "here is what medicine you can take, foods to avoid, exercise to do, etc." speech (now heard for the 4th time). Everything is normal and the way it is supposed to be, thank you Lord!

I go back in 4 weeks for a normal checkup and then again in two weeks for the 20 week ultrasound. Those of you who are acquainted with the world of pregnancy know that ultrasound is usually when you can find out the gender of your baby (if they cooperate). This is the BIG dilemma around our house right now. We did not know that Blake and Noah were boys until they were delivered. It was exciting for me to not know, which is weird if you know me. I am a PLANNER, detail lover and list maker. But, we loved not knowing. It is so cool to be able to call friends and family afterward and say, "It's a BOY!" and tell his name.

When we were pregnant with Andy, I let two people, my mother-in-law and my sister, Jenny, talk me into finding out the gender. It was nice to know and have clothes ready and the nursery just right, but I confess that finding out in the ultrasound room just wasn't as cool to me. Because I had two boys already, every time someone would ask me what I was having, I would say, "Another baby boy!". You would be surprised at the responses I received - "oh, I am so sorry", "couldn't get a girl, huh?", "I'll be praying for you" and "3 boys - you will have your hands full!" were some of them. I got so tired of hearing those things. I mean - 3 boys - isn't that a BLESSING??? I know plenty of people who would love to have three children of their own without any regard for boy vs. girl.

I say all of that to say, it makes me a little hesitant to find out this time. I have already had many comments about how we must be trying to have a girl. I would love to have a little girl. BUT - if I have a little boy, I am NOT going to be sad about it. I embrace the verse that says, "Every good and perfect gift is from the Lord," James 1: 17.

So.....knowing me, I will probably not decide what to do about this decision until i am sitting on the table in the ultrasound room and the technician asks me if we want to know the gender. Greg will say it is up to me and I know he would rather not know.

Until then, I am looking forward to the nausea going away, having some more energy and getting out my Spring maternity clothes!

We told the boys yesterday.

Noah's response was, "I want a sister." A few minutes later he said, "Mommy, I am going to come up with a REALLY good name for this baby. It just may take me a few minutes to think about it, okay?".

Blake didn't say much. He just grinned. Now he knows why we are talking about moving the bedrooms around!

Andy said, "A BABY? Where?".

No matter if this baby is a boy or girl, it will be loved and well-tended :)