Skip to the end if you just want to know the bottom line:)
Though I was contemplating keeping the sex of the baby a secret if we were able to find out, we all know that I'm far to exuberant when excited. Yesterday was "the day" (though I'm sure we'll have plenty more of those to come) we went to the radiology department for our 20 week ultrasound. (Can you believe we're half way there!!!! Yikes!!!)
Steve and I were suppose to meet at the Kaiser facility in Lakewood at 4:00 PM. While in route, I made that call, you know, the "responsibility" call, the call to reassure yourself that everything will be okay and the plans will go according to plan. When he answered the phone I knew the plan had be foiled; I could hear it in is tense voice. The time was 3:15 PM- Lakewoods still a 45 minute drive from Longmont!
I checked in and sat down on the standard lobby chairs. Hesitantly, not really wanting bad news, I picked up the phone and attempted to avoid becoming one of those people in the lobby broadcasting a personal conversation. Naturally, reception was poor- it didn't help that I was whispering with my hand cupping my mouth and phone in an attempt to remain inconspicuous- and Steve was frustrated with directions that took him out of his way looping around to arrive back in square one. We've learned, sometimes saying goodbye is the best suggestion when clarity during conversation is important. Click.
The technicians kept coming out calling people who had checked in moment before me. The clock raced to 4 PM and out came Annie, "Julie Holly" she called. As she escorted me back to a dimly lit room (reminiscent of a spa, I was hoping for heated blankets and soft music) I explained my husband was running late. He called nearly the moment she began and it was clear to Annie who knew the area better than us that he would be LATE- possibly missing the entire experience. She stopped and asked if I would like to reschedule. As much as I didn't want Steve to miss out, I knew that getting an appointment would be impossible as I had filled one of three available times a month earlier for the bed and technician I was currently with! (I don't think I could have gone with more sleepless nights- similar to a child leading up to Christmas.) I made one simple request: please don't tell me the sex until he arrives.
It's important to interject here that pregnant women must drink at least 16 ounces of water the hour prior to this wonderful appointment- no pit stops allowed! I began chugging the h20 while driving to the office and talking with my dad. The sensation went unnoticed while seated comfortably in my car, it was only when I began the walk to the office door that I realized I was in dire straights. I had noticed when I entered the room that there was a door directly across from the bed. Inquisitively I peered at Annie and asked, "is that a magical door leading to a bathroom?" Somehow, she dodged my question in a kind fashion. She worked at distracting with technical information. Surely I would have asked more questions if I wasn't so distracted by my bladder. Oh! There it was! My bladder on the screen with William on top of it! Annie told me how she cried through her ultrasound. I asked, "because you were so excited?" "No, because I had to go to the bathroom so badly it hurt," she replied. I told her I really wished that door was a portal to the bathroom and she announced it was and soon I would be able to use it! Yippee!
All modesty aside, I leaped off the bed the moment she gave permission and raced to through the door. Things were beginning to look up now. A few minutes after I layed back down, Steve called to say he had finally arrived. I gave him directions to the portion of the office I was in, but he said there was a line at the check-in counter. Without hesitation, Annie stopped her task at hand to retrieve my love.
She worked for about fifteen minutes longer all the while explaining the gibberish on the screen and answering our every millionth question. Before we knew it, she had a picture on the screen and was commenting that it was most definitely a boy!
No, I didn't begin to sob hysterically, but tears gently streamed down my cheeks and a perma- smile was plastered to my face. Steve, always a bit skeptical, asked Annie a few different times, "how sure are you?" Her reply: "I've never seen a girl with one of those."
Now, honestly, most people won't go around saying, "I want a girl" or "I want a boy". I was one of those people. Yet in my heart of hearts, I was longing to have a little boy (in a perfect world followed by a girl). I knew that Steve wanted a boy as well. He was a bit nervous of the prospect of having a girl. Oddly enough, the weekend before the ultrasound, he told me if we had a girl, he would be very okay with that. Our family already has two wonderful girls and two of my brothers have nieces on the other side of the family too. A boy would be a nice addition and fun too!
Not only was this a baby boy, but he was older than anticipated! Our due date changed from October 11 to October 2nd! My mom is hoping he'll come on the third, my grandpa's birthday- and I do too. That would be a great legacy for William!
Ah, no more worrying about trying to figure out a girls name! We know William Leighton Holly is joining the family soon!
Steve wasn't so excited about my bright green rain jacket frightening the fish off.
While our husbands fished, LL and I decided to hike/scramble up the closest hill. It was rejuvenating! It only took about 25-30 minutes to make it to the top. Once there we were delighted with the view of Estes Park. But one must never forget- what goes up, must come down. Our creative path up made for an even more interesting way down!
Successfully making it down a slab! Yea!
Laura Lee always looks terrific! Behind her is the "slab" we came down from.
