Oops

The doctor decided to do the major scan next week, just before we leave for our trip to California. Going for today's scan was still wonderful since Meg was able to be there and experience it all. She was adorable asking questions and writing down her report for her teacher.

Finn is doing great. He's such an active little guy that the tech, Phil, had a difficult time freezing the frame for the 4D shots. My cervix length is fantastic. Fibroids are still hanging out all over the place. And, they changed my bp meds since they might be causing the horrific headaches that I've been having lately. I sure hope that's the case.

So, nothing new to report, except that our daughter is delightful, and our doctor was charming to her (they have the same initials, as he pointed out to her).

Big day

Today is a big appointment. We go in for our 18-week ultrasound, and they'll be measuring every aspect of Finn to see how he is progressing. In an hour, I'll be leaving to pick up Meg so that she can watch and see how it all works. She is then going to give a report to her teacher. Consider it adventures in education.

What else has been happening? Since Wednesday was Meg's last soccer practice, we challenged the U10 team (year older than Meg's) to a scrimmage. Our girls easily won the game. Amazingly cool and good prep for the weekend. After the scrimmage, we had our end-of-the-season party at a local pizza place. I'm going to miss these girls. This is the third season for some of then, second for most. They all enjoy playing together and being a team. One girl was crying that morning because the season was ending.

This last weekend was busy for us. On Saturday morning Meg's soccer team (that I coach ... remember?) played their last game of the season. If you also remember, I missed their first game because I was resting while bleeding. The first game was one of two that they lost all season. (Their second loss was because two girls were out of town and two were sick, leaving us with no subs.) We played each team twice, and this last game was our rematch with the first team. Big game for these girls. As we were warming up, one of the girls collapsed for no obvious reason. She was rushed to the hospital and run through many tests. Some things were eliminated but others still remain. Very serious. Please pray for her and her family.

Back to the game ... Needless to say, our girls were shaken but determined to win for their teammate. They played their hearts out in pouring rain and driving winds. (Brian and Jake were huddled under an umbrella to watch; they only attended one other game, the first one.) In the end, they pulled out a 7-6 win. Woo hoo!

Sunday was another big day for the Walkers. Meg, Brian, and I went to see High School Musical on Ice. We had a blast. Meg and I sang with the music and watched the amazing skaters perform impossible stunts. I would try to describe them but I don't think that I can do them justice. If you know a girl who loves HSM, take her to this fun show.

And, back to today ... if I can, I'll post today about the ultrasound. I may be too busy with work so have patience with me.

You won't believe what I've been holding back from you ...

Our last ultrasound was a week ago, and yet I haven't written in two weeks. I'm not sure why. I have some theories that I might propose later in this post or in another one altogether.

Back to the ultrasound ... our tech's name was (and still is, I'm sure) Phil. Great guy who really knows his stuff. First, we looked at our sweet baby. He's quite active.

Oops, did you catch that? Yep, I said "he." We now know that we are having a boy. When Phil told us, Brian and I both choked up and could barely talk. A boy. At 16 weeks, we were told that we are having a boy. Repeating that fills me with joy and strikes me with terror. Redemption and fear. (I think that's why I hadn't written yet.) More when I can write without tears.

Back to joy, we have also named our little boy, but first we told Meg that she was going to have another brother as soon as she arrived home from school. She wanted to name him Ryan, from High School Musical. Uh, no. When we told her that her brother's name is Zachary Finn Walker, she was ecstatic and claimed that she would call him Finn. Works for me since I have been doing the same. We told Jakey as well, but he's Jake and doesn't care yet.

Back to the ultrasound again ... after viewing the baby and the fibroid farm, Phil performed a vaginal ultrasound. Lovely, I know, but it's the best way to check on cervix length which was great. Then, we talked to our wonderful doc. My blood pressure has been great, and he's pleased with our progress. Lots to cheer about.

As I type this up, I'm watching one of my favorite I Love Lucy episodes, "Lucy Is Enceinte." She spends the episode trying to tell him, but he's too busy to listen. So, she goes to the club and anonymously asks Ricky to sing "We're having a baby, my baby and me" so that she can tell her husband that they're expecting. Ricky has just realized that he's going to be a dad. The very real and sweet emotions that play on the screen always make me cry. According to stories, Lucy's tears were real and unscripted. They even filmed the scene a second time but chose to stick to the original emotionally-charged take. The episode just finished, and I'm glad that I'm typing because talking would be impossible right now.

Our next ultrasound is Monday, November 10th, and this is the big and thorough 18-week one. We're going to take Meg out of school so that she can come watch. She's excited to see her baby brother.

Oh, my. Did I mention that I've been feeling Finn moving around in there? In fact, one evening when I went to bed, little Finn was moving around (this was before we knew Finn was a boy). I lowered my hand to see if I could feel him. I could! I called Meg into the room so that she could feel him. She did! Then, I sent her to find her Papa (Brian) so that he could share in the experience. I knew that if I stood up to get him that we would lose the opportunity. Brian felt Finn as well. Lovely!