How to put pen to paper (or finger tip to keyboard in this day and age) and be able to properly express the joy ride and emotions of an ultrasound? The anticipation was like nothing I have ever experienced! We arrived at the hospital a little early and went through the check-in process - mostly typical bureaucratic questions, and a little side judgment about being "partners" and the working assumption that we would be back for the birth. Hmmmm, not worth telling her that we would not, unless we absolutely had to! Yes, we are planning for a home birth, in comforts of our own living room. Yes, we understand these alleged risks but in our minds, there is far more risk in entering the hospital environment unless absolutely necessary. We want this to be our experience and not one driven by a hospital's need to free up the bed and not expose themselves to any potential lawsuits.
Oh, sorry for the little soapbox moment and diversion - ultrasound. Yes! After checking in, we headed to the "Radiation/Ultrasound Waiting Room" and spent about the longest three minutes of my life waiting for the tech to come get us. Oh my god ....... I think my palms were sweating and I was about to hyperventilate. As the moment got closer, the realness of what we were about to see was front and center. Excited? You bet! Scared? Yep! Nervous? Obviously! Total wonderment? Oh yeah!
What was going to be revealed? The ultrasound tech was really sweet and obviously very competent and comforting. I think she was almost as excited about the whole thing as we were and that takes skill and compassion to portray that excitement to each and every set of expectant parents nervously walking through those doors. Back to revelation - the moment the tech applied the ultrasound wand to Rachel's rounded belly, images started flashing on the monitor. And I thought I was going to cry!!! There was our baby. For a dad, it is really the very first opportunity to "see" the child, just as it is for the mom, yet because mom has been feeling the movement, kicks, tickles and pressure on her bladder, the whole experience has up to now been a whole lot more real. For me, to stand there, caressing Rachel's leg and see this tiny human form, kicking, yawning and moving around was the single most incredible moment of my life. I am sure there will be more to come with this little critter, but for now, that very first visual, and the following 40 minutes is the top of the pyramid. Wow!! For me, it confirmed this whole endeavor as REAL. And magical! And to hear the tech exclaim "perfect" and "that is great" so many times left me with such an amazing peace and calmness. Yes, we have a child with ten fingers, ten toes, normal proportions --- everything is "normal". Ahhhhhhh!!! I am relieved and happy! And totally in love! With Rachel and with our kick-boxing gymnast.
Oh yeah .... It is a boy!!!!!!!
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