The Joys and Journeys of Motherhood and Baby #2: And The Gender Is......:)

We just got back from our 18 week ultrasound and I am literally floating on cloud 9!!!!

I am thrilled to say and shout from the roof tops.....WE KNOW THE GENDER OF SWEET PEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Through the power of prayer, believe it or not, our technician told us without hesitation!! Not only did she tell us the gender, but I got to see the gender for myself :)

'Excited' is a total understatement for how I feel right now!!!!!!!! I could not be more thrilled with the results from todays ultrasound; I honestly feel like I am dreaming!! lol

Here's a run down of how things went...

It was discussed for weeks with my husband the plans for today's ultrasound; with the exception of how we were getting there. lol

Our appointment was for 3:50pm; at 3:30pm I called Dennard in a bit of a panic asking where he was. Nya and I were ready and waiting at home for him so we could travel there together after work. When he told me he was on the highway (which is about 20 mins away from our clinic), I became a little concerned. There was no way he was going to make it home to get Nya and I and make it to our appointment in time. I was under the impression he was coming home first, he was under the impression we were meeting at the clinic. A simple miscommunication on both ends, but one that could have cost us our appointment! Long story short, we agreed to just meet at the clinic.

Now 3:35pm and in a frenzy to get myself and Nya out the door and on the road, I called the clinic on the way to inform them of my slight delay.

I was able to make it to the clinic around 3:52pm; fewfh!!!

I signed in and Nya and I found our seat. Expecting to be called in at any second and concerned Dennard wouldn't make it in time, my heart sank at the thought that he might miss such an important and special appointment :(

Just then, my knight and shinning armour appeared from around the corner :) I was so relieved that with tear filled eyes, I gave him the biggest hug ever.

Once the tears began to fill the pockets in my eyes, its like they couldn't stop. The reality of the moment hit me and the excitement was overwhelming. I began to fan my eyes trying to compose myself as I laughed at myself from the inside; Dennard and Nya looking on like I was crazy. lol

We were able to snap a few "before" shots of the three of us in the waiting room before my name was called. Once my name was called, I followed the technician to her room and left my little family waiting in the waiting room until she called them back.

I was pleasantly relieved to see that the technician I was assigned to was the lady with whom I had made a connection with earlier for both Nya and Sweet Pea's ultrasounds.

Once in my room, she gave me the warmest smile and we began chatting as I prepared myself on the bed for my ultrasound. She remembered me from before and we giggled and laughed reminiscing on my previous ultrasounds where I have cried with joy.

I was sure to express our desire to find out the gender and how excited we have been to finally know what our little one is. I also told her about the 'Pepperall Tradition' and how anxious my family is to know the outcome of this pregnancy.

I lay on the bed, hands clenched on my chest as I watched the technician do all her measurements of the baby through the ultrasound. At this point, the screen was turned away from me so only she could see Sweet Pea. It's only after she's done doing what she needs to do, that she turns the screen for me to see.

Her measurements and information collection went on for a good half hour. I analyzed her facial expressions and her eyes to see if I could read anything from it as to whether or not everything with the baby looked ok.

I debated on whether I should just lay quietly and let her focus on her job, or strike up conversation in hopes of getting some information out of her. After about 15mins, I decided to break the silence and ask her questions regarding the size of the baby, if everything looked normal, etc.

Technicians are told not to discuss results with a patient, but I was going to try anyhow.

She was more than willing to share her findings with me and reassure me that everything with Sweet Pea looked normal. That's all I wanted to hear!!!

I was in the middle of a sentence when I was literally stopped in my tracks by the most wonderful 'wosh, wosh, wosh' sound of Sweet Peas heart beating. I literally jumped when I heard it :) My technician let out a chuckle and said "wow! that got quite the reaction!". lol

Just then, she turned the screen to me and I saw my precious 18 week old little Sweet Pea; head and body facing towards my spine. He/she was still for a few seconds and then began sucking their thumb and moving around.

She pointed out all their perfect little features and explained to me exactly what I was looking at. Within seconds, Sweet Pea moved again and she said "oh look, here's a leg and here's another leg". Just then it hit me....."I can see the gender of my baby!!!!!!". I shouted out "oh my gosh, I can see the gender!!!!". She laughed and said "Yes!". Right then I told her not to say anything until my husband entered the room; I wanted to find out for sure what the gender was with him.

She left the room and called my husband and Big Sister Nya back into the room. Nya hopped up on the bed beside me and my husband stood behind the technician as she walked them through each frame of the baby and what he/she was doing.

She asked all three of us what our final guess on the baby's gender was before she announced it. Dennard said he saw a "wiggling thing on the screen" and guessed boy, LOL, Nya surprisingly said boy (she has been team girl from the very beginning!! lol) and I said girl.

Right then she told us the gender. It was like the world stopped for a moment and it was just me, Dennard and our Nya....
Dennard and I immediately made eye contact with one another and with eyes a lit and smiles ear to ear, we let out a cheer of excitement!

We were sure not to repeat the gender to Nya, in fear that she may spill the beans before our February 14th Gender Reveal.

The technician gave us 5 print outs of Little Sweets and congratulated us on the ever so exciting news.

We packed up our things and dreamily headed out of the clinic to go home. It honestly felt like a dream; I couldn't believe that we finally knew what our baby's gender was and I COULD NOT be more excited and thrilled about it!!!

Before going to the car, I stopped into a dollar store beside the clinic with Nya to see if we could find a balloon announcing the gender of our little one. Strangely enough, Nya walked right over to the balloons and started sorting through a bin of loose balloons pulling all the balloons in the colour of her baby brother/sister. I didn't tell her what we were there for or even discuss what the gender was; it was crazy to see her gather balloons in the correct colour.

With a big smile on her face and a fist full of balloons, she said "I want these ones mommy!". lol

Its now 9:30pm and I'm still sailing on the news from today. As I prayed for Nya before bed tonight, I incorporated her sibling in my prayer, giving thanks for the two of them and praying for their relationship and future together.

I came downstairs afterwards, and with tears of joy streaming down my face, expressed my genuine excitement with Dennard over the news we received today.

God only knows, I really couldn't be happier :) My heart is so swollen with love and excitement!!!

Now the fun begins.....shopping for Sweet Pea and getting their little room ready in the colours that compliment their gender; woo hoo!!! And you better believe this will all start tomorrow!!! ha ha ha

Just when you think life can't get any better, God has a way of making it even more sweeter!!

Funny Story:

I don't know if other mothers can relate, but when I was pregnant with Nya, the cry of a newborn would send me into a battle of fighting back tears. lol I could be in Walmart, the mall or even walking up the street. When I heard that little cry, everything in my motherly heart just swelled and a wave of emotion would come over me. Yes I was hormonal, lol, but I was just so excited to be a mommy.
I can't tell you how many times Dennard and I laughed together as I fought back those tears. It was like I knew I was crazy, but didn't care! lol

Now fast forward 2.5years. The sound of a newborn crying doesn't have the same effect on me this time around with Sweet Pea's pregnancy; however, I did have a 'newer episode' just a few weeks ago when I took Nya swimming.

If Dennard read this he would probably die of laughter and mock me for years (thank goodness my husband doesn't read my blog; well at least I don't think so?!? lol)

Nya and I were a little early one day for our Parent and Tot swim class. We had some time to spare, so we decided to ahead across the hall and watch a little boys basketball game taking place.

We found a seat by the court window and watched as these little 5 and 6 year old boys ran the court, dribbling the ball and shooting at the net. An overwhelming sense of pride came over me and my eyes began to fill. lol

I know, I know....it must sound crazy for those reading this, it's even crazy for me writing this!! ha ha
But I couldn't help but watch these little boys play the little hearts out on this court and be so proud of them; like I was their mom watching from the sidelines.

It struck up several emotions in me in that second. I just couldn't be more privileged to be a mommy and to have two beautiful children to call my own.

It may not pay a penny, you may not be recognized or awarded, but being a mommy is truly the most rewarding job in life. Nothing can nor ever will compare to that of being a mom. I'm so grateful to wear such an honourable title.

Before Heading Out To Our Gender Ultrasound

Tuesday February 3rd 2015