Tonight was the night we finally let the cat out of the bag. After an encouraging appointment with the perinatologist on Monday, we decided it was time to let big sister experience the joy we've been feeling for several weeks.
Meeting with the perinatologist was interesting and informative. We began with an ultrasound tech taking a closer look at the baby to see if he/she is growing on target. They had us down for a couple of different due dates, ranging from September 6th to the 9th. My reproductive endocrinologist calculated September 8th based on when I got the trigger shot and all the early ultrasounds. Turns out he was right because our little bundle of joy was measuring exactly 13 weeks 6 days, which was the exact age he/she supposedly was. This news was especially encouraging to Ryan and I because our last little peanut measured small at the 8 week ultrasound. No one seemed to think it was a big deal at the time, but my Momma's intuition thinks that was probably a red flag. This time, the baby's heart was beating clearly and arms were moving freely. Pregnancy is truly miraculous. God is amazing! Little Weaver's heart rate was 157 and everything looked just as it should. I was kind of hoping for early gender detection, but no such luck. We did schedule our big ultrasound for 18 weeks though, so shortly after Easter we should know if it's a boy or girl!
After the ultrasound, we met with the doctor, who was very, very nice, but definitely more of a scientist than an OB. He talked with us quite extensively about our prior miscarriages, but mostly focused on the 17 week loss. While there are no definite answers, it is likely that the late miscarriage was caused by one of two things. Either high thyroid levels or exposure to a virus early on. I could've been exposed to a virus that presented as a cold or even nothing in me, but it could've negatively affected the formation of my placenta or something else to cause a smaller baby. The other option, high thyroid levels, is also a possibility considering my history, although I don't think it's very likely because I was working closely with my endocrinologist through the entire pregnancy. Either way, what's done is done and I recognize that God has used it to reveal Himself to me more clearly than I've ever seen Him before. And for that, I am thankful.
We got some pictures of Little Weaver. My favorite is the one below. His/her head is at the top, looking toward the left, and his/her body is below. The picture is actually rotated because he/she was actually laying flat on his/her back. I simply can't wait to know if it's a he or a she!!
After such a promising appointment, we made plans to tell Gracie the big news. The one person I've wanted to tell for weeks and weeks is the one person I've had to hide it from. I knew she'd been over the moon... and I was right!! Here's what we did...
I ordered a baby carrier for myself and a matching one for Gracie. We both got the Kangaroo pattern of the Boba 4g carrier (found here). While she was resting for her quiet time this afternoon, the FedEx guy delivered them. I wrapped them up and didn't put a tag on either of the gifts. I simply laid them on the hearth to be discovered when rest time ended.
Of course she noticed them right away, what 3 year old would miss presents by the fireplace?! She asked and searched for tags with names of who the gifts belonged to, but no clues were given. I searched for answers with her, but none could be found. Then Kyle and Kianna got involved and neither of them were able to determine who the gifts were for either. We ended up texting Daddy and he explained that the one gift was for Gracie and one was for Momma. We'd open them tonight on a family date to Cheddars.
So while Daddy fought traffic to make it home, Gracie and I got changed and ready for our date. She wanted to wear something fancy, but not as fancy as her Easter dress (her words!). By the time Daddy pulled in the garage, Little Miss was down the stairs! She brought her favorite baby along for the date! Here they are on the way to Cheddars.
Once we'd ordered at the restaurant, Gracie couldn't wait any longer. Daddy let Gracie open her gift first. It was her very own Boba baby carrier. Which for those who know Gracie at all, you know that this was such a great gift for her. See the video below.
She wanted to put it on right away, which of course we let her. She was pretty stoked about the new baby carrier and just snuggled her baby tightly while she waited for me to open my gift.
As I was opening my gift (my Boba baby carrier) Gracie watched intently. She was pretty sure it was a new scale for the bathroom. I have no clue! Maybe she was noticing my extra baby weight after all! Daddy asked her why Momma might need a Boba? She said, "For Nat!" and Daddy prompted her to think of who else might go in the Boba. It didn't take long for her to figure it out, but then she thought I was teasing her! See the video below.
The moment was so special for our family. Seeing the joy in Gracie and feeling that same joy inside me was priceless. It was a lovely dinner full of lovely conversation. We discussed baby names. Miss Taylor (after her "friend" Taylor Dorrel) is at the top of her list for girls. Others include Belle, Annabelle, and Liesl. For boys, she quite likes James, King Rowland, Sven, and Kristoff. Thank you very much, Disney! We also talked about ways that she can help and how big the baby is right now. It was so much fun dreaming with her and listening to all of her questions.
We ended the date with chocolate cake and ice cream... which was divine! Gracie also had 2 cups of water, so she found it funny to drink them both at the same time. I'm sure we'll have a picture like this on her 21st birthday someday! Sheesh!
Then G and I took a turn. It really is amazing how evenly the weight is distributed, even with a heavy 3 and a half year old!
So now that the cat's out of the bag, I don't have to run around in sweaters and scarves anymore. I don't have to try to hide my baby bump and talk in code about pregnancy. However, I do still request your prayers for a healthy baby. Now that we've shared the news with Big Sis, I pray more than ever that things end happily. So please, if you don't mind continuing the support, I know God hears each of your prayers and I feel the peace that He brings from them.
I know Gracie will be such a wonderful big sister. I've often said that God designed her to be an older sister. She's nurturing and tender with little ones... she's also bossy and likes to be in charge... definitely a big sister thing! I look forward to the relationship these two will have as they grow up to become great friends.
