Gender Reveal

Dear Lil Boop,

Today was the 20 Week Ultrasound. AJ and I were the first to go at 8:30 this morning. I woke up at 5:30 and couldn't go back to sleep, so I was ready to go and had to prod AJ along to get moving this morning.

We got there 5 minutes early somehow (AJ was moving rather slowly this morning...not unlike most mornings) and she had me pee and then took us back to the ultrasound room. She told us she was going to be looking at a lot of things and taking a lot of measurements.

You were asleep, but she woke you up by tapping on you. She measured your head, looked at your spinal cord, looked at your brain and neck fat. She checked out the bones in your arms, legs, hands, and feet. She measured your heart rate: 136. She showed us your diaphragm, aorta, stomach, and bladder.
She had me roll onto my sides a couple times and had to tap on you every now and then to get you to roll over so she could see what she needed to see. I was mesmerized, it was the longest ultrasound yet and I knew it would be a long time before I got to see you again.

Near the end, she asked if we had any questions. I had been waiting the whole time for her to ask if we wanted to know the gender or not, but it never came, so I asked, "Boy or girl?" She said, "Okay, roll onto your back and we'll find out." I'm pretty sure she already knew, because AJ said she had slipped a couple times looking back, but we didn't know it.

Anyway, it took about 10 seconds for her to show us because you were not shy at all, Lil Boop....

AJ and I were so excited. We were going to be happy either way, but AJ was especially pleased with himself since he's been calling you a boy this whole time. She took a bunch of pictures for us:

Running your hand through your nonexistent hair?

Relaxin'

BOY :)

Cupping your face - lil ham ;)

Profile

Little Feets

Waving at the camera

After the ultrasound we had to go see Dr. W next door. She told us that you are measuring in the 60th percentile, Lil Boop, which is great. I asked her about my weight gain (15 lbs) and she said I am on track as well. I go to see her again in 4 weeks, just a checkup.

We called our family after the appointment, then announced on Facebook and sent out texts. It's been a very exciting day and there's been an outpouring of love from everyone. My heart feels like it could explode it is so full of love.

I feel so much more connected with you now, Boop. And after watching the ultrasounds, I realize that what I have been feeling is you, because I would feel the flutter and I actually got to watch you kick and flail on the ultrasound at the same time.

Before the ultrasound was over the lady said that you were using my bladder as a trampoline, Boop. And wouldn't you know that you were kicking your little feet all over it. I thought I had a UTI because I have been going so much lately. No, it's just you being ornery ;)

Next step: a name. We have a few that we like, but nothing set in stone. I think we are so used to "Boop" that it feels like you already have a name.

The only bad part about you being a boy? If you are anything like your father you won't give a crap about a blog your mommy wrote to you while she was pregnant with you. Why? I think your dad has read one book since we've been together - and that was in high school, and even then I think 90% of the book report he copied off Spark Notes...

We will see. I'm gonna keep writing to you anyway. :)

Love,