It still amazes me that over a year has passed since our darling little special left us forever. We received a letter from the staff at the hospital where Andrew spent the last days of his life alive. The main nurse that took care of the little guy signed the card saying that her and the staff in the PICU (pediatric intensive care unit) were thinking of us and remembering our son. The monks who made his casket also sent us a note a few weeks ago saying that they were praying for us at the one year anniversary of the loss of our loved one. We both thought that these cards were quite kind and thoughtful.
Just days before the one year anniversary of his death we found out that the child I carry is a girl. After our hesitancy with this pregnancy and the struggle we have had with expecting another child so soon after Andrew died, this news was incredibly welcome. The oldest two boys were with us in the room when we found out. They were so happy that they leapt around the room and gave their dad high fives It was wonderful. But so surprising. I had almost given up hope on having a girl even though God told us years ago we would have a daughter.
That was the first doctor's visit during this pregnancy that I haven't cried through the appointment or shortly thereafter. Well tears of joy but no tears of mourning. And the appointment I had yesterday went well. I had a follow up ultrasound because little tiny peanut didn't want to let them see her spine. So this was a diagnostic ultrasound to make sure her spine is forming just fine. And she showed off her spine to confirm that she's forming up just beautifully. She's a little over a pound now and measures at 25 weeks. Which is how far along I am.
I feel her move and wiggle. She even tickles me at times. She's doing well but is not as active as Andrew was or Ryan. Although Ryan takes the cake in just about everything. He lifts up his shirt every day and tells me that he has a baby in his womb. Then again he also thinks mommy has a penis too. It's very cute to see how he understands all of this. He still has to lift up my shirt at storytime at night enough to reveal my belly. He talks to his sister, kisses my belly, gives it hugs but always insists that the baby be out so that she can enjoy storytime with us.
Life is good. God is good and He sustains us. And we are watching the spring come into our family. The boys look forward to the arrival of their sister as do we.
