And It's A...............................

First.. All praise goes to God that the ultrasound today provided every indication that our baby is healthy at this stage of the pregnancy. It's actually very stressful to watch the monitor screen as the magic wand glides over mama's belly delivering pictures of our unborn child. Even as the pictures appear, I'm dependent on the technician to declare the images as healthy signs. Until she says the heart looks good, I'm left to wonder if I'm looking at a foot or an ear. At this stage they all look the same to me. It's much like watching a foreign film. The captions help explain the complete unknown, but even then, you're left to wonder at least a little if the interpretation is accurate.

But everything was present and accounted for. Two arms, two legs, two little feet with all their toes. I couldn't help but recall the doctor pointing out Elliott's "perfect little feet" when he had a similar ultrasound. The heart was there as I said, and with the push of a button you could see the blood flowing in many different lighted colors, only I don't recall any of them being red, which seems odd. We saw the big face, the same one Elliott had that initially made me think there was indeed life on Mars and it was fully prepared to join our family.

And then we saw it. It didn't need captions. It didn't need technician translations. It was the universal symbol for "I'm a boy". I'm sure I smiled. The picture of Elliott running around the house with a little brother appeared instantly. So did a picture of me trying to keep up with both of them, but I somehow managed to keep smiling. Of course I wondered what everyone else has asked when I've told them it's a boy - is Katie alright with this? I guess we all assume a mother wants a daughter.

When I looked at her, the smile was as big as mine. I know if the nurse had said it's a girl, I would have had an equally big smile. We both realize the joy of Elliott is not in being a boy, but rather in his innocent daily discoveries that he so proudly shares with us, often with a grin that would seem to last forever.

So now it's on to preparing for little brother. First, we'll have to come up with a name a bit simpler than little brother. I tried to talk Katie into letting the blog readers pick a name and be committed to go with the most popular choice. She was not keen on the idea. I guess she doesn't trust the taste of our family and friends. I'm sure she would be open to suggestions, so feel free to give them - you never know.

Please continue to pray for Katie and the baby. Up to this point they have both been champs. They will need all of God's provided strength as we countdown the arrival of ??.