Tuesday, July 29, 2008

A pleasant suprise





We had our appointment at UAB this week to check on the baby. We were pretty nervous and anxious, so we decided to go down a day early and just relax and spend time together before we met with the doctors. We stayed in a really nice hotel and spent the day relaxing in the pool and doing some sight-seeing. We ended the day in bed, watching movies, and pigging out on a variety of cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory. As I lay there with my boys and a mouth full of chocolate mudslide cheesecake, I knew that whatever was to come in the morning, that we would handle it together, and for the first time since we discovered the baby's abnormalities, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace.

We woke up early the next morning and headed for the hospital. After a long wait and a meeting with a genetic counselor, we met another doctor for a high intensity ultrasound. The detail was remarkable, and we could clearly see that the abnormalities were gone! It was so amazing. I clearly saw them in the last two ultrasounds, and now, they were simply gone. What a miracle! Our little baby's head was now perfectly round, the thickness of the nuchal fold had decreased, and the brain was formed perfectly, and as if that wasn't enough goodness for one day, we found out we're having a girl!!! There hasn't been a girl born into the Glouner family for over four generations, so we had completely resigned to the fact that we too would have all boys. Sean is still stunned, but I'm SO excited...bows, dresses, and pinkness....YAY!

I must admit, though, that having a girl for some reason seems so much harder; boys are so easy. They're rough and tough and can entertain themselves for hours outside with dirt and a stick, and as long as you teach them to work hard and be kind to others, they should turn out all right. Girls on the other hand are just complicated. I will be the eternal voice of contradiction to her as I try to teach her to become educated and successful but to value motherhood more, to be beautiful and fashionable but to be modest and healthy, to be funny and adventurous but to be feminine, to be strong and opinionated but to be humble and compassionate. I guess I just really understand what a privilege it is to be a woman, and so the challenge seems greater to me.

Well, after we finished at the hospital, we had some lunch, went to the McWane Science Museum (amazing!!), and then met Sean's brother who happened to be in Birmingham for a conference. As we drove home, we talked about what a fun time we had and how grateful we were that we could look back on this weekend as a time we grew closer and made happy memories together. We truly understand the blessing of health, and with that knowledge our hearts are even more full of gratitude for our healthy baby girl.

7 comments:

Beth said...

I know how happy you must be! The power of prayer is amazing. How exciting to have a little girl on the way! Congratulations!

Mandy said...

We are so excited for you guys and are constantly amazed at how the Lord answers prayers so quickly! Congratulations and buckle down - I'm with you about being scared about girls!

Jude and Ashley said...

What great news! I know you must be so relieved. Congratulations!

p.s. Girls are great! I am always saying I wouldn't know what to do if I had a boy. Girls seem so much easier to me!

aunt mimi said...

I am so happy for you guys. What an adorable family you are and a little girl will just make it more so. Oh, don't let girls scare ya. I have been a part of raising both boys and girls and even though they are different, they are both a joy. Heavenly Father is surely watching out for your little family. I love you guys!!

Lyd Stew said...

What happy news! I'm so glad things went well! I don't have much experience with boys, but I can say- girls are fun too! :) I won't say they are a cake walk, but they are do-able! :) I think the hard parts come when their older- right now they are a blast! You will be such a fun mom though! (I can just see you taking glamor shots with her! :) Glad to hear things are going better though! How far along are you? Good luck!

Clarissa said...

I am so happy for you guys!! That is wonderful news about your baby's health and soooo exciting that she's a girl!! Congratulations!

jess and seth said...

I am sooooo happy for you! What a blessing. We've been praying for you quite a bit and I'm glad to be reminded once again how completely Heavenly Father answers our prayers. And you'll be a great "girl mom"--they are definitely more emotional at times, but there's something special about their sweet, nurturing spirits. I've enjoyed raising both . . . so far . . . !