1:2 (Edited)

This morning we had an ultrasound. Although there are no guarantees, it looks like we are having another GIRL!!! We are all so excited! Of course, we really have never cared with any of our children what gender it is. We're just happy with whatever we get, and how couldn't anyone be? Kids are wonderful :). I will say though, that now we all are excited; Tyler had a hard time accepting that it wasn't a boy. Last night during family prayers, Tyler was saying the prayer, and he said, "please bless the baby in mommy's tummy that it's a boy named Tyler". hahaha and he was more than a little disappointed today in the doctor's office when the lady doing the ultrasound said it was a girl. But I explained that there's no changing anything now, we don't get to pick if it's a boy or a girl, we just love whatever comes. By the end he said, "okay mom, it can be a girl baby. And we can name her Brynlee". He obviously still doesn't see the problem with naming two children the same name. But anyway, we are even more excited for this baby to come now. And the best blessing of all is that she looks perfect and is growing just great! Nothing appears (or feels) like it's wrong so we are just feeling very grateful right now. Just wanted to share our exciting news!!

Edited to add:

I love ultrasounds. I think it's so amazing that we can actually do that--look at and measure each body part to make sure everything's in order. I loved watching my little girl on the screen hold her fist up by her eyes, or suck on her thumb, and kick me, while feeling it simultaneously. I was thinking about how she's all warm, safe and protected in there--like her own little cocoon--waiting for the right time to emerge strong and beautiful.

Also, I've been thinking about the differences for me when I'm pregnant and when I'm not. I'm not just talking about leg cramps, heart burn, weight gain, etc. Although that does all happen. I mean the differences for me emotionally and spiritually. I become a lot more emotional when I'm pregnant. The first time I was an absolute wreck, crying at everything. Poor Kenny, only a month into being married to me, he had no idea (nor did I) that he had married such an emotional basket case. But now it's not just crying at everything, but it's like I'm more...(oh how do I say this without sounding totally cheesy?) tender-hearted and sensitive. Like I feel more compassion and love for people, and I don't judge as harshly, I'm more likely to give them the benefit of the doubt. It's like being pregnant makes me more in tune to those female qualities that God intended women to have. Only problem is I think I'm much too hard-hearted and prideful the rest of the time, so I just notice it extra when I'm pregnant. My hormones kind of force it on me haha. Does anyone else know what I'm talking about? I don't know if this makes any sense, and I'm not very good at writing down what I'm thinking. It never sounds as good as I want it to.

But anyway, I guess what I'm trying to say is I enjoy these aspects of being pregnant. 1) that I am that cocoon for my little girl, and I get to take such an active part in the miracle of bringing a spirit to this earth. and 2) I get a glimpse of what I should be like all the time, and it gives me something to want to work towards.