Today was my highly anticipated 18 week appointment, and all morning I found myself focusing on...on...on pretty much nothing. Anyway, the morning hours passed, and finally at noon I flew out of my office and into sprinkles of rain. Lovely. I managed to battle my way through the wet weather and weaved between traffic to make it to my appointment on time. Hank met me there, and together we went to the appointment.
The technician took fastidious measurements of our little bun, and I eagerly watched the sonogram monitor for little "extra bits" that would reveal that a rascal, wayward "Y" chromosome had invaded my body. For those who have never had a sonogram, let me tell you that you need a trained eye to determine body part A from body part B. In the mass expanse of blackness, the technician pointed out the heart, the bladder, the stomach (which by the way all looked virtually identical).
Technician: "Oh I'll take about 8 - 10 minutes of measurements, and then we can play around," she said.
Me: Um, can't you just go straight the crotch?
10 minutes later
The technician then prints out these photos of our wee one. I smile. Hank smiles. It's official. We've just met our third child for the very first time. Nothing can ever justly describe this moment because it's so magical, so special. I feel my heart fill with excitement and love for this new little being to be.
Technician: "Okay so did you guys want to find out what it is?"
Me: "Yes." (I look towards Hank) "Yes, we do."
Technician: "This little guy keeps moving around....." (she giggles)
Me: Little guy? Did she just say little guy?
Technician: "Wow! He's bouncing around like crazy....."
Me: *sigh*
She continues to poke and prod at my belly in attempts to awaken our little bun (who had apparently fallen asleep during this time of excitement).
Technician: "You know, this is a tough call. I see a little protrusion....."
Me: Protrusion? As in a PENIS?
Technician: (sigh) "Sometimes these little protrusions are 'engorged labias' and sometimes, they're, well, they're penises. So, um, I'm not going to determine what this little guy is."
Another 10 minutes pass
I was absolutely crushed with the "no results" results, and I was frustrated as I knew I would have to wait another month before I would have another sonogram. When the doctor entered the room for my check-up, Hank (my hero) managed to convince the doctor "to take another peek" at our little bun.
So it was back to the sonogram room. We follow the same procedure, and my doctor looks for evidence of girl or boy. And lord almighty! he was able to DETERMINE THE SEX OF OUR BABY.
Yep! Here are THE RESULTS!! Is that what you predicted?
I'm thrilled beyond belief, and I think all your girlie vibes worked. So thank you, thank you!! He he! (Oh yeah, and I guess Hank did do good with the "XX" thing...so kudos to him!). Anyway, before I close this post, I'll leave you with a FEW MORE PHOTOS of our baby. Isn't she purdy?
![](<a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd-nc/1.0/"><img alt="Creative Commons License" border="0" src="http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights.gif" /></a><br />){kind=link}
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay! Congratulations :o) I almost cried when I saw your little "it's a girl illo" I was so wishing you pink vibes and it worked. Almost makes me want a baby too - did I say that out loud?
Posted by: Yvonne | January 27, 2005 at 01:47 AM
Oh congratulations!!!!!
yay for girls, sugar and spice and all that's nice!!!
Posted by: jen | January 27, 2005 at 02:25 AM
A girl! How wonderful! I love the photos - and the little text labels to help figure out where everything is on her! Congrats! I am so happy for you!
Posted by: thesoulofhope | January 27, 2005 at 04:41 AM
YYYIIIPPPPEEEEEEEE!!
So happy for you two!! Let's buy lots and lots of PINK!!
(I'm not typing too much today, it wouldn't let me post yesterday after I typed the comment!)
Posted by: jes | January 27, 2005 at 06:02 AM
how wonderful!!! i was so tense reading your post, and it wasnt even my belly they were poking and prodding. congratulations leslie, this is so awesome! we can hardly wait to meet your beautiful new daughter!!! im with jes, can we send you lots of pink stuff????
Posted by: hannah | January 27, 2005 at 06:30 AM
Congratulations Leslie. Glad all is well with the newest wee one!!
Posted by: ani | January 27, 2005 at 06:45 AM
Congratulations! Great photos! Not to rain or anything, just wanted to let you know that we were told we were having a girl early in my pregnancy. I just didn't feel it, although never being pregnant before, I wouldn't know if carrying a girl felt any different. I ended up delivering a little boy! We took him home anyway.
Posted by: Elaine | January 27, 2005 at 07:47 AM
Wonderful!!!! Congrats to you and Hank!
Posted by: Jess | January 27, 2005 at 08:03 AM
Congratulations! I've been reading your site for a while and really like it. This is great news for you and your family. I can't wait until I have a baby (need to get married first). Any names picked out?
Posted by: Milly | January 27, 2005 at 08:07 AM
Yay...Congratulations!! I am so happy for you!
Posted by: Charla | January 27, 2005 at 08:30 AM
You're post made me all weepy, I am thrilled for you!! Congratulations!
Posted by: Cassi | January 27, 2005 at 08:54 AM
YES!!!!
I'm with Jes. I am totally compiling pink stuff in my head as we speak.
HAPPY VIBES to you and Hank and BUN!!
Hugs!!
Posted by: Giao | January 27, 2005 at 09:32 AM
Yeeeaaah!! See I told you it was going to be a little Leslie. How exciting! Now you have bookends for Henry. :) Congratulations!
Posted by: alexis | January 27, 2005 at 09:32 AM
CONGRATS!!!! Little girls are so much fun!! Glad to hear that everything is coming along so well.
Posted by: Dawn | January 27, 2005 at 09:46 AM
ok, girls rock too.
Posted by: justJENN | January 27, 2005 at 12:51 PM
Leslie I'm so happy for you and Hank. And I absolutely loved to see the sonogram picture of the little girly wee.
Posted by: Marieke | January 27, 2005 at 02:26 PM
Congrats Leslie! And to second Elaine's experience, I too was once told I was having a girl... and out came a penis attached to a baby. But who doesn't love a mama's boy?
Posted by: Anne | January 27, 2005 at 08:36 PM
I'm so excited for you!!!!!! Congrats and hav e fun shopping for girlie things!
Posted by: rach | January 28, 2005 at 08:05 AM
How exciting! You MUST take a special trip to gymboree for some celebratory shopping. :)
Posted by: Kathleen | January 28, 2005 at 09:27 AM
Congratulations on your new little girl...I hope you have a totally uneventful pregnancy and birth...
Posted by: violetismycolor | January 28, 2005 at 08:33 PM
Congrats to you both! Yeah for Hank being a hero!! I am so happy for you both!
Posted by: Amanda | January 29, 2005 at 07:16 AM
How exciting!!!! Congrats to you and your family. You are incredibly lucky!!
xx
Posted by: Island Girl | January 30, 2005 at 03:03 AM
Just recently started reading your site and really enjoy it - congrats on the baby girl news! It's exciting!
Posted by: Melissa | January 30, 2005 at 09:24 AM
big congrats!!!! i absolutely love looking at ultra-sound pics and i completely understand that feeling as you are lying down waiting to hear the results.
congrats again on your new lil girl in the oven :)
Posted by: elizabeth | January 30, 2005 at 02:21 PM
Oh so exciting!! Those pictures were the best sonogram pics I have ever seen... seriously. I can actually see your baby!!
Most of the time, I just have to use my imagination. :)
Posted by: frecklegirl | January 31, 2005 at 10:17 AM
found this quote and thought of you:
"when the heart is enlivened again, it feels like the sun coming out after a week of rainy days. there is hope in the heart that chases the clouds away. hope is a higher heart frequency and as you begin to reconnect with your heart, hope is waiting to show you new possibilities and arrest the downward spiral of grief and loneliness. it becomes a matter of how soon you want the sun to shine. listening to the still, small voice in your heart will make hope into a reality."
- sara paddison
congratulations!
Posted by: mipmup | February 01, 2005 at 01:15 PM
Just dropping by to say, congrats in finding out that you are having the little girl that you hoped for!!! Looking forward to you updates!
Posted by: Marie | February 02, 2005 at 09:41 AM
I think that calls for a fresh ball of pink wool to be cracked open :)
Posted by: laura | February 03, 2005 at 07:57 PM