She's Having A...

Today is Wednesday, September 16th, 2009 and we're headed to the doctors office. A late start to a typical hump day, but we're in for a treat.

The love of my life and I are strolling through the parking lot of the hospital guessing at what is ahead. "Will HE have a lot of hair?" asks Amber. "Will SHE really want a cell phone before SHE is 15?" I shutter. "I think it's a boy. I know it's a boy I had a dream about him!" Amber teases. "I don't know, I just have no idea" I whisper.

This is week 20 and we're scheduled for the anatomy ultrasound of our little Peanut.

Meeting us at this appointment is a cast of loved ones. Amber's Mom Sharon (Gamma), her sister Andrea, my Mom Bev (with camera in hand) and my Dad Mark. As soon as we walk into the waiting area the speculation and theories run wild!

"Well since the Hernandez grand kids are all boys, this has to be the change in course and here come the girls!" "Well there has been the idea that if she is carrying low it must be a boy." "Well if shes craving chocolate it is definitely a girl." "True, but Amber hasn't been feeling the baby kick so a lazy baby has got to be a boy." And on and on they went.

"Amber!" That's us! We all get in line and snake our way through the office to the ultrasound room. The big table in the middle is obviously Ambers' spot and I take up a seat next to her while the gang fills in behind us.

The Ultrasound Tech applies the jelly like substance to Ambers' belly and fires up the machine. "Well start with the important stuff" chimes in the Tech "then we'll move onto the fun stuff.". The screen comes to life and there is Peanut! Moving and rolling and waving we've only been in here for two minutes! Someone is very comfortable in front of the camera!

Through the first part of the ultra sound we see two arms and two legs. Ten fingers and ten toes. Bones in the legs and arms are growing right on schedule, and the buds for the teeth are in tact. The stomach looks great, all four chambers of the heart are in and pumping away. A little lower and we're there. "So are you ready to know what you're going to have?" from the Tech. YES! from the room behind her.

"Looks like it's a girl!"

The squeeze from my Ambers hand at that moment I'll never forget. The look in her eye knowing that our little Peanut, as we've come so accustomed to calling her, is now our daughter, Ava Grace.

Honestly I don't remember much else about the appointment and you know what?... Neither does Amber. Just that feeling of knowing was so relieving.

We were both so glad we could share this experience with a few loved ones that day. Now we have a direction, and an idea of what is on the horizon, but at the same time have no clue at all. Dances, proms, designer jeans and boyfriends are all in our future. Looks like I'll need that PowerBall Jackpot more than ever.

Thank you to everyone who continues to keep up with the blog at http://www.jhernandezphotography.com/. This has been such an amazing time in our life and I can't wait to see what the next 20 weeks have in store.

From BabyCenter.com

"You're at the halfway mark - congratulations! Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. She's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — about the length of a banana. (The way your baby is measured changes now.) She's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for her digestive system."