BBL

When Joe and I had first decided we would try for Baby #2 I kept a calendar so I could track ideal times to try and more importantly how soon I would be able test so that I wasn’t risking drinking while being pregnant. For those of you who use Google Calendar – you know you can name it whatever you like. Since the nature of the calendar was a bit awkward I kept it vague and titled it, BBL – Baby Boy Leschisin. I figured it didn’t hurt to try and will us a baby boy through the power of mindset.

Those were my thoughts before I was pregnant and then when we found out we were expecting on December 15th, 2011 they turned to whether or not the baby would be healthy. As the baby became a reality I didn’t care if it was a boy or a girl; a healthy baby was the only goal.

We had our 20 week ultrasound this past Thursday and we couldn’t be happier with the outcome. After an hour of scanning and gathering the necessary measurements and images we needed the doctor finally came in and said everything looked great and that there were no signs of health problems. Talk about a different feeling than the first time! I have never been so happy and grateful for anything in my entire life.

While I knew I could handle another child with a cleft I really just wanted to know what it would be to like to have a “normal” pregnancy. What would it be like to not see my doctor every week? How would I feel not having to think about impending surgeries? What do you mean I don’t have to transport two children to numerous dental and speech appointments? I don’t have to think about insurance coverage at every second? What do I do with all that extra time?

After we had got past the important stuff, the perinatologist was ready to announce the sex of the baby. We had all placed our bets ahead of time – winner received a candy bar. Ella was dead set on a girl and not accepting anything but, Joe voted boy and I had mentally prepared myself for a girl with a cleft. The OB had an image on the screen and was showing me as if it clearly spelled out the gender of the baby, but I was a bit clueless so I told her she could tell Ella. As she said, “It’s a boy” Ella’s little nose crinkled up and she immediately said, “I not want a boy!” I am sure her future brother will love to hear her immediate reaction but I guess she’s nothing if not honest.

I couldn’t believe she said boy! How exciting – a HEALTHY baby BOY. Maybe my calendar BBL helped us out more than I realized. The technician printed out some pictures for us to take home and we were on our merry way. We go back in 6 weeks to double check that everything is okay and we have already successfully changed Ella’s mind on how cool boys are.

Now onto other decisions to be made – what do you think people would say if we sent these birth announcements?