Ultrasound Today

I awoke at 4:30 this morning and could not go back to sleep........Why? I stared at the ceiling, put a load of laundry in the wash and tried to read a book, but my heart just kept racing. Oh yeah, that's right ...... Rachel and I go to Montrose today for our very first ultrasound. Gulp!!!
Why am I so nervous? So far everything about our pregnancy has gone so well, dang near perfectly. Well, aside from the horrible back cramps Rachel had during the first trimester, but all in all, it has been pretty smooth sailing. We have heard the babies heartbeat several times now, initially 8 weeks ago at 160 beats per minute and most recently just yesterday thumping away at 135. He/she is a kicking machine, tickling Rachel's insides at "energetic" levels for weeks now.
Yet, through all this, I find myself staring at the ceiling.......Could it be because this will be one of the most monumental days in my life? Graduations? Check! Marriage? Check! Summit of Denali? Check! But seeing my own baby for the very first time? That is today!!! (I can hear BC now - "I told you so!") Dang, I am sooo excited for this afternoon to unfold.
We are 20 weeks into this most amazing journey - half way!! I think if my love for Rachel grows at the same pace over these next 20 weeks as it has over these first 20, I might just explode. I know some might find us strange, but I find it endearing that we obsess about similar things, although I must admit, she hits new highs on some topics. Overall though, I find comfort in the fact that we are a very healthy couple and Rachel has been a near perfect host for our growing seed, now the size of a banana, or cantelope, or can of Red Bull (depending on which pregnancy website you subscribe to. In our case we get to choose from 3 - yeah, obsessive!), continuing to eat well and maintain a stout exercise routine. She is so in tune with her body that when she tells me she thinks she can tell exactly what position the baby is in at that moment, I believe her. She has given me no reason to doubt and only multiple chances to believe. I am constantly astounded at how cognizant she is of the inner workings of her body and appreciative of how that translates to our baby's health. Now, today, we get to see the fruits of those intuitions and capabilities.
Rachel - I love you!!!