Two weeks ago we had an ultrasound that was considered the "big" one. Every organ, bone, possible defect, etc was to be checked. Mr. Henry was just too content with relaxing that we couldn't get a very good clear shot of his face as well as ruling out everything. One of the greatest things that was unable to be ruled out were all the chambers of his heart. There was no reason for concern at all, but as the ultrasound tech said, she couldn't say everything was fine until it had been checked. So today we got our bonus ultrasound :)
She had told me to drink and eat before. I chugged, and I mean, chugged a large iced coffee and ate before it. What was he doing? Snoozing. With Ady I could drink or eat anything caffeinated or not and she'd be bouncing all over the screen. Not so much with Henry. He's going to be laid back I think, just like his daddy. His position today was easier for her to see everything though. She checked for many things and at the end just simply said, "Well...he's just perfect!". I could have cried tears of joy. There are so many things that could have been wrong. Not that I was worrying, but it is music to my ears to hear that our son is healthy and growing. It is a gift that we most certainly do not take lightly. I urge you, if you've never read my post on how we got to where we are today to go here:
Here are some pictures of my sweet boy from today. LOVE this first one-he's smiling and sticking his tongue out. Looks like he'll be a character, just like his sister :) The second one-I see Joseph. :) And the third one looks absolutely identical to a picture taken while I was pregnant with Ady. Same profile, same position, same pose. Identical. So, we know he'll be cute :) :)
I may be 6 months pregnant, but I still sometimes am in denial. Ady was a miracle. There is no doubt. With Henry, I'm still just floored. I know God can do anything. But twice? Two miracles? Why me? I had no odds. Nothing. Only one quote workable side that was considered quote unusable. All I can say is God is Sovereign. He deserves this praise. I am often asked how many more children we intend to have. (On a side note: I dislike this question almost as much as "So, when are you going to have another?") Maybe it's my sensitivity to this whole conception process, but I don't know how to answer people. I want a house full of children. I intend, as I have as long as the Lord allowed me to feel the desire to be a mother (from probably 5 or 6 years old), to adopt children over the world. There is a burning deep passion that I have for reaching lost children. James 1:27 has always been one of my favorite Scriptures: "....Look after orphans in their distress". It has often been the battle-cry of my heart. I am thankful that the Lord blessed me with a husband who shares in this. He may not have the desire deep like I do, but he is in support of it. This is something that we will pursue many, many years down the road. But just so you know, I'm not finished growing my family just yet. :) God has big, big plans in store for us.
I love being pregnant. I love feeling the kicks and jabs to remind me just how wonderful life is. Just how blessed I really am. I really want time to slow down. I've mentioned this before, but this will probably be our last biological child. While I know God has done more than I could've ever hoped for or imagined, I also know the reality of my health and the fact that the clock is ticking. And I am thankful, just so thankful that I once again get to experience this. I hope someday Henry and Ady will read this blog and know the deepest part of my heart beats for them and that pray each day that they will know just how much they are loved.
Ady is growing with each passing blink. She is very vocal and mimmicks each thing we do. She puts words together for sentences, is counting from 1-10 (this teacher is proud!), knows all her colors, and can count her ABC's. I am so grateful for the time I have been able to invest into her life. (And having that degree in education and some years of experience with Kindergarten and 1st grade have surely helped). I also have a very willing student to teach :)
It is no secret that I love, more like adore, the sun. I know just about every member of our neighborhood pool because I was there everyday for about 8 hours (no joke), the entire time I was pregnant with Ady. I spent most of that insanely hot summer in the pool. And with a cute little pregnant belly you can make all kinds of friends :) The people there have watched her grow over the last almost 2 years and as you can imagine, they love her. She is at such a fun age. She is absolutely fearless of the water (and I guess she didn't really have a choice-she went with mommy every day in utero!).
This week I decided to see if she would jump in to me. I thought she might be scared, but I was wrong. Look at my little fish:
She is so brave and brings my heart so much joy. I suspect that by the end of our family vacation in August, she will be close to, if not fully, swimming solo. Tatay is going to teach her :)
Ady is virtually impossible to hold in the water. She watches the big kids and wants to do what they do. I'm happy at this independence and strong will, but the momma in me is scared and always on guard. I can't, not even for 1 second, turn my head. B-U-S-Y.
Thank you, my sweet readers, for reading about our lives. I am thankful to those of you whom I can call friend. I love the story that is being written for our lives, although it has not been without suffering. I am so eager to hold my precious little Henry in my arms and my sweet Ady in the other arm, and just be still and know. Be still and know....that He IS God.