Will Addie still be the baby sister?

Yesterday morning we had "the" ultrasound... you know the one! Where we got to find out if it's a boy baby or a girl baby. It was very exciting for all of us, and Emma even remembered what was happening from the minute she woke up.

I was getting Addie dressed and asked what she hoped it would be, and she answered "girl" which didn't surprise me because as Emma says, "she's shy to boys."

I explained that it would be fun if it were a girl, because then she'd have a big sister AND a little sister, and Emma would have two baby sisters. (Emma frequently refers to Addie as 'my baby sister Addie' when talking to people, including her own mom and dad who are well aware that Addie is her baby sister.) Well, Addie got a sad look on her face, and said, "But I'm Emma's baby sister!"

So will Addie be sharing that role?

The answer is...



NO! It's a boy! So, maybe Addie didn't get her wish for a girl baby, but it won't be the last time her wish doesn't come true. She wants to name the baby "Eight" which I'm sure will be vetoed by the time this baby is born. Keep in mind that Emma wanted to name our last baby boy either "Soapy" or "Washcloth" and we didn't go with those, so it would hardly be fair to go with Addie's top pick.



Anyway, it's a boy and we're thrilled. We would have been equally thrilled with a baby girl. Coming from a family of three girls myself, I would hardly have batted an eye at the idea. But we get to do the boy thing, and we're so glad. I will admit, thinking I may have used my baby girl clothes for the last time is kind of bittersweet, but who knows. We'd love to have more kids, Lord willing, so if another little girl is in our future someday, and the baby clothes are still in style (she MUST be stylin', you know), I'll get to use them again. Otherwise, my sisters better get busy. But who's complaining?! Not me! I get to shop for new, cute, baby boy clothes! (And rumor has it my mom got a 30% coupon for Kohl's. It was information important enough that she had to email my sisters and I to tell us. Thanks, mom!) (Or should I say, thanks, Kimmy-Kat!)



Laying on the ultrasound table yesterday was kind of surreal. We silently watched the black and white image of our baby boy, knowing exactly what that baby looks like in full color, in the flesh. As the technician held up her hands showing us how big around his head probably is right now, I cried, because we know. We've kissed a head exactly that size. We don't dwell on the past, but sometimes it's hard not to revisit that time. However, yesterday as we watched our baby boy kicking and moving his hands to his mouth and stretching his legs, it renewed my excitement for August and new things that are ahead. What a gift we've been given to experience new life again. Thank you, Lord!

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.

Isaiah 61:1-3