The Big Day!!!... It's a BOY!!!!

Thursday, March 4th was FINALLY here! When scheduling this appointment after our Week 15 check-up, it seemed like it would be an eternity before we got to go back. I guess I should thank "busy season" and my test for keeping me so busy that time seemed to fly by faster than normal. Never thought I would say it, but I guess both were a blessing in disguise.

So again, March 4th was HERE! Our ultrasound appointment was at 10:15, so it was really nice to not have to wait all day to get our little 'present'. I think the pregnancy glow definitely hit me on Thursday... I don't think I stopped smiling all day. I had Andrew finally take some preggo pics of me since all the ones before involved me, a bathroom mirror and a black scarf hung as a background or me and my tripod. All of which did not include a face (for very good reason). So here it is, the Emily preggo pic right before we left to go to the doctor. Think I look happy?!?!? :-)





I still had my little "Let's Find Out" card/sign from Valentines, so we thought it was appropriate to take a picture.





I lost the 'appropriate to take a picture' battle when we got to the doctor's office. I wanted to take pictures walking in, as soon as we found out, in the parking lot, etc... okay, that was a bit much. I did get one in the car right before we left, pointing on our little sign to the cute little boy shoes.



First, I will say that this was a full anatomy ultrasound where they would be checking and measuring everything to make sure all looked as it should. Of course, that was our first priority, that everything was there and was developing on schedule. Almost immediately after we came in, the ultrasound technician asked if we wanted to find out, and of course we said yes! Thankfully, this was a different lady than last time. This was a younger woman who was much more upbeat and actually acted like she enjoyed her job. We were glad that she was the one who would be telling us versus the crotchety old lady we had last time. So, back to 'the moment of truth'. Not long at all after she began the exam, she stopped and paused. We were both staring at the screen, and before she even said, "It's a boy!," I could clearly see it for myself (thanks to friends posting ultrasounds on Facebook, I kinda knew what to look for). Right when she opened her mouth, I was in the process of about to ask whether that was what I thought it was. Sure enough, this little guy wanted us to be sure that he was a boy!



It all happened so fast, but I just remember feeling this rush of joy and looking over at Andrew to see him smiling. I wish I could have seen his face at the exact moment he realized what it was too. I just had all these precious images going through my head of Andrew and his "little buddy." I think we were both a little shocked. For some reason, everyone, especially Wanda and I think my mom too, thought it would be a girl. I think we had both convinced ourselves it was a girl too. We would love to have a boy and a girl, so we would have been thrilled either way. I will admit, it is nice to know that the Peters name will continue. Andrew is the only one that could make that happen. I know that if it had been a little girl, she would have him wrapped around her little finger. From my own experience, the father-daughter relationship is so special, and I know it would have been no different for Andrew. I know that he is so excited to have a little boy that can (hopefully) share in his love for hunting and fishing, and will want to go tromping through the marsh, and just be a boy. Obviously girls can do that too (Hello?!? Look at me!), but there is something very special about a man and his son. From everyone I know with little boys, they just tell me how much they love their mommas!!! I can't wait!!! Some other perks of little boys that I've heard is that they are cheaper (in terms of clothing... although the little girl stuff is SO much cuter!) and easier (in terms of drama). So... we'll see! I know we'll have our hands full... this little guy did not want to stay still the entire time. The poor technician was having trouble getting all her measurements since he didn't want to stay put for 2 seconds! He was also facing downward, so we didn't get that cute profile shot of him laying on his back. He did have his hand tucked behind his neck for a while and looked pretty darn comfortable in there!

Here are the rest of the ultrasound shots they printed out for us:

Hand behind the head/"I'm comfortable and not turning around" shot



Head and spine (Seeing all those vertabrae is amazing)



Kind of creepy straight-on face shot (looks like a skeleton since they have little fat now)



Another boy parts shot



"Hi" - Shoulder and arm waving at Mom & Dad



This ultrasound appointment was no doubt AMAZING! I am just fascinated at what the technology can show us. It's hard to believe that ~20 weeks ago, there was almost nothing there... microscopic. Now, there's this little person with all the body parts that we have, just smaller. You could see the all the bones, that little heart beating, the brain... it's just a miracle. That's really the only word that can describe it. I'm getting teary-eyed right now as I type, just thinking about what a special gift God has given us. It's also a little terrifying thinking that in just a few short months he will be here and it's up to us to take care of him and raise him. We are so blessed to have such wonderful families and friends that get to help us and be a part of this journey.

To celebrate, we went to one of Andrew's favorites...



And did it ever hit the spot!!! Yummy... can't go wrong with a bacon, mushroom cheeseburger!!!

It also would not have been appropriate to not buy a piece of camo clothing to celebrate the news that we were going to have a little boy. So, since we've already got the onesie (thanks to Jeremy and Jamie!), we've now got some little shoes to match. They were even Team Realtree (because you know Andrew would not have bought them if they were Mossy Oak... he's very particular!). They are just so tiny, and they aren't even the newborn size. Hunting season falls more once he'll be in the 3-6 month size, so that's what we got. :-)



We are so excited too, that Nick & Sarah are having a little boy. I'm sure that Nick's parents and Andrew's parents are cracking up about what we all have coming for us. A little Andrew and a little Nick, one month apart. One word... TROUBLE! :-) We are also so excited about our other dear friends, David & Laura and Nicky & Kyle. David and Laura just had a precious little girl, Kimberly. Nicky & Kyle are only 2 weeks behind us and find out soon the sex of their baby. There are just so many babies! Watching them grow up together is going to be so much fun!

Now that know what we're having, let the planning begin!!!