A few weeks ago I was at my regular OB check up. I was 16 weeks 6 days at the time, and during that appointment she casually said, “Okay! We’ll see you again in about 4 weeks, annnnd let’s plan to set up an ultrasound around then too.”
I think my face must have said everything I was thinking(of course it was, I don’t have a poker face) and she quickly followed up with, “Orrrrr we could set it up closer to three? Or sooner?” Then she tossed out, “OR do you really need to have this done before the end of the year, for insurance purposes?” I decided to latch onto that excuse even though it was totally irrelevant. I just wanted to see my baby ASAP.
Because of the holidays, their only ultrasound tech was going to be gone until after the first of the year, so we set up my ultrasound at the hospital instead. I was okay with that because the guy who works there has done my early ultrasounds with both of my babies now and I really enjoy him, so it worked just fine for us.
Early(for us) on Monday morning the 29th, we got up, ready, and out the door to the hospital to see our baby!
The tech said he was worried when I came in that he wouldn’t be able to get everything he needed because I was still “so small.” I told him that made him my favorite person of the week.
Of course Miss Abigail was there with us! She sat nicely and looked when we told her to.
The tech asked us if he could see the gender, did we want to know? UM YES.
Right away we got the money shot. We told Abigail, “Oh Abigail! You WERE right! It is a sister!” To which she replied, “yeah. I know.” Like, the kid wasn’t even surprised in the slightest. She never wavered(except when we really pushed the fact that there was a very good chance it could be a brother).
The classic “Mom is craning her neck to try and see her baby” ultrasound photo. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was some other location they could put the screen? Right?
Anyway, one of the first things the tech said was, “Wow. She is a mover.” and then a little while later he was like “wooooow, it has been a very long time since I’ve seen a baby move this much during an ultrasound.” To which I said, “I TOLD YOU JIM.” I have been feeling this girl since 15 weeks. Both Jim and my mother in law have felt her from the outside, during week 18. She is STRONG and she is constantly moving, I swear it.
So, my plans are to just sit on the couch for the next five months since apparently once this little firecracker arrives, I never will again :p
We were able to see everything that we needed to and she seemed to be measuring close to on track(a little big, actually) We saw a 4 chamber heart, 3V cord, blood pumping, mouth moving, all of her organs, and of course, her constant motion.
The OB’s office called me the next day to let me know that everything looked perfect and wonderful but that they wanted to reschedule another ultrasound at the end of the month to check the baby for cleft lip/palette. They weren’t able to get a picture of her lips, so they just want to get that and confirm that everything is A-Okay. Of course, that makes my mama heart nervous(even though I know it’s just for “please don’t sue the pants off of us” purposes.) So, if you could please pray that Mabel has a perfect little mouth that would be very much appreciated 🙂
(I distinctly remember during the u/s the tech mentioning that he was trying to get a pic of her mouth/nose and that she wouldn’t let him. His exact words were, “she is fighting me” Whoa boy)
So hopefully she cooperates this time, doesn’t grow a penis in the meantime, and I’m looking forward to getting to see her precious face again!
I can’t say that I was surprised to find out we were expecting another girl. Obviously, I had guessed boy, and based on different things, I would still probably guess that again. But, I also wasn’t shocked at all when he said, “girl”. I only have a little brother, so I guess my brain expected what it knows. Which is, a big sister and a little brother. To have sisters, daughters(plural!) is something unknown to me personally, but I’m so, so, so excited to get to embark on this crazy, girly adventure.
I know this is getting a little long, but I feel that I would be remiss if I didn’t touch on the status of my heart at this point after such a long road to get here. To be perfectly honest, I’m not sure exactly how I feel. Or, rather, which thing is most dominant(I’m pregnant, so I’m feeling LOTS of emotions at all times)
Sometimes, I feel like things are too good to be true and I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop. Why would God suddenly say “yes” after years of saying “no”?
Sometimes, I still feel like I’m dealing with infertility. Things that used to hurt me, still hurt me. Even though I’m pregnant myself(does that sound certifiably insane or what?)
Sometimes, I feel really scared, like if I get too excited or put this pregnancy on too much of a pedestal, it will be my fault if something goes wrong.
Sometimes, I feel like pregnancy is really, really hard. No matter how long you wait for it, it’s tiring and I’m sick and my body is not my own.
Sometimes, I cry every time the baby moves(which, as previously stated, is a ton)
Sometimes, I cry when Jim or Abigail touch my belly.
But, all the time, I’m so, so, so thankful for this baby. We waited and prayed for her, for so long. She was so wanted and her life is so precious. I can’t believe she is real and that soon she will be here. She is Abigail’s sibling, our second daughter, a unique little life, perfectly designed and placed into our family at just the right time. It’s unbelievable, really.
So with that, we just can not wait to hold and meet face to face our sweet little Mabel.
Yay girls!!! That "doesn't grow a penis in the meantime" line made me LOL, by the way, haha! I can totally identify with that fear of having them tell you they got it wrong after you've already totally locked in the gender in your head. 😉
Praying!! My brother has a cleft palate, and he had to have a couple surgeries in the beginning, but he is as normal and healthy as possible. Still praying that your child is 100% healthy with no mouth/lip issues. 🙂 Congratulations! Your husband is definitely out-ranked now! 😉
There is so much happy in this post that I just can't stand it!! 😀 BIG BIG hugs for you this morning, friend. Enjoy this time in your life – it's a precious, miraculous time! XO
Wonderful post! Your excitement is infectious! Congrats again 🙂
Hi Courtney! I've been following your blog for a while (I promise I'm not creepy) and I just wanted you to know that I'm so happy for you and you so deserve this. As someone who personally battles infertility, you truly give me hope that someday I'll have my own bundle of joy. Congrats and enjoy your miracle!!
Yay, so so happy for you friend!
The end of your post had me tears. I know the feeling! So happy for you!
Love this so very much, could not be happier for you!!!!! Xo
I love reading the raw authenticity of your heart, sister! Thanks for sharing. Will be praying for that second anatomy ultrasound!!! xx
So so glad! She seems perfect!!!
So wonderful!!!
I don't know if I'm just overly emotional right now but I am crying happy tears for you guys, and then sad tears for that last bit. I am so incredibly happy for your little family, God said 'yes' after so many years of saying 'no' because THIS was his plan, this was the perfect timing and when little Mabel arrives all of those answers will come to you because she will be the perfect fit for your family. 🙂 I can imagine it is all so overwhelming because it was unexpected and such a surprise but it's going to work our perfectly. My thoughts are with you guys 🙂 I can not wait to 'meet' baby Mabel!
Beautifully said. I couldn't be happier for you. You will be an AMAZING mama of two precious girls!
I will be praying for a healthy anatomy scan at the end of this month. Courtney, this is all part of God's plan. All the no's before this one yes, that was all His doing, His perfect timing. Enjoy every moment {which I know you are} & place your worries & fear to Him. XO
Praying for your next ultrasound!
So surreal and over the moon excited for you!!
LOL I, too, hope that Mabel doesn't grow a penis! I'm sure if the ultra sound guy got the money shot, that you are pretty safe on that one though 😉
Abigail is too funny… "yeah, I know mom" in regards to it being a girl. Like I can just see the attitude in her voice and on her face like "why did you even question me? of course!" haha. Oh, what a great big sister she will be!
The same thing happened with bd… They could not get a pic of her for cleft pallet… I think it is fairly normal especially if you go in a little on the early side for the anatomy scan… But I still understand how it makes you worry! Will be praying!
Oh, how wonderful! It is so fun to see your little peanut on the ultrasound, I'm glad it went well for you and that you get to see her again in a few weeks! I can't wait to find out our little one's gender… that ultrasound date can't come quick enough 🙂
You seriously brought tears to my eyes with this post. Gosh I can't wait to feel that! I am so excited for y'all, Courtney! The ultrasound photos are amazing!!!
Love your heart and that you are sharing all of this with us. It's so nice to see this little blessing grow!
Also, my OB has a TV screen that is mounted in the corner so that when I'm laying on the table during an ultrasound, I see everything on that screen instead of the one the tech uses! I've never thought about how awesome that is, haha!
another girl!! congrats!!! i love that you are already feeling movement 🙂 your belly looks so firm! i am a tad jeal jeal. ha ha! our fertility clinic had the awful neck crank for scans too, but thankfully the OB has a tv hanging from the ceiling at the end of the bed for me to look at now! & i get your nervous feelings sista. its an emotional whirlwind to be carrying these humans. what a blessing! and sometimes, still so hard not to wait for something to go wrong. i have made myself sick worrying every once in a while with this one! sigh.