(Part 2)

My appointment was for 9:30 and we got there shortly before that. I signed in and we waited in the huge waiting room for what seemed like eternity, and was almost an hour. They called my name and we went back. This is kind of when I flipped the switch and just checked out. I have developed a pretty good knack for that unfortunately. I just climbed up on the table laid back and held my breath. The ultrasound technician was great. She was very kind and compassionate and she talked through the WHOLE thing so it was not so awkward and tense. She did some measurements and then went to do the baby's head, but she was looking up facing us and she could not get head measurements with the baby in that position. We did get to see her sweet eyes though and even the lenses in the eyes.

She moved down to the feet. This baby girl had her legs crossed for the ENTIRE scan! Let's hope that modesty stays with her! She measured legs and feet, but couldn't get the one leg because she had them crossed, so she moved on to the abdomen, measuring her belly, kidneys, bladder, heart. Everything was measuring perfectly. She then moved to her head. The baby had changed positions and we were now able to measure the head and the structures of the brain. Each measurement was SPOT ON! I began to breathe a little. She then measured the baby's arms. There is a chance that this baby girl could have monkey arms! Her arm measurements were two weeks ahead! They were the only measurement that varied from dates so it may just be a poor measurement or it may just be that she has long arms.

The doctor then came bouncing in. She was smiling and sweet. She checked a few things and assured me that the baby looked no less than perfect. She was measuring just as she should in EVERY way! She was such a kind doctor and I am so thankful that God answered each request even down to the greatest ultrasound tech and doctors. She then told me that the doctor we had been working with in genetics still wanted to see me so I would have to wait a little longer. Honestly, nothing could really have bothered me at that moment. I was ok with waiting all day now that I knew my baby girl was ok. I cannot even explain the emotions and relief I felt lying on that table.

We were then sent to wait in the genetics waiting room, which if you have followed since our diagnosis with Asher, you will recall that I liken that room to Hell. It is a room filled with uncertainty, tension, crying moms, and dads who look like deer in the headlights carrying their own sadness while trying to be strong for their partner. UGH! We sat there and a few couples walked out in tears and my heart just broke for them. I remember being there. I remember wanting to run as fast as I could away from that hospital. I was sitting and rejoicing in the good news I had received and these families were being given the news that would likely force them to run toward God or as far away from Him as they could. I am still praying for these families. My heart truly breaks for them, but knows that God will comfort them if they allow Him.

A few moments later, my doctor opened the door and said "Mrs. Bolte, come on back" I followed him to his office and before we even sat down he said, "I am pleased to say I have NOTHING but good news for you! You really gave me a scare when you emailed, but really, she could not be measuring more spot on." He reviewed all of her measurements with me and said that the measurements they got on Monday must have been miscalculated. He also asked that I come back maybe one more time before the end of pregnancy, not because he expected anything to go wrong, but just for reassurance one more time. He scheduled me for an appointment in May and then said, "I am so happy for you and if you have any questions before we meet again, you have my info, but I expect this baby will be a normal healthy child."

As I checked out the woman muttered under her breath "well we will have to remove that abnormal flag on the chart now." I replied with "aww...that is a good feeling". She smiled, validated my parking and sent me on my way! YAY! Honestly I wanted to dance out of the hospital I was so elated! We headed toward home, again only making a little error in directions and stopped for a celebratory lunch. It was great! Then we stopped at the Grove City outlets and did a little shopping for little miss! It was fun and so refreshing to breathe and fully embrace and enjoy the new thing God is doing leaving the fear behind.

We got home shortly before six o'clock and Howard and I jumped in the car to go get the boys. They had a great day with great friends and I am so thankful that I never had to worry about them for even a moment, knowing they were in the hands of some of the best mommies I know. After picking them up we stopped and grabbed a quick dinner and then headed to Home Depot and purchased the paint which is already on the walls of her room!

I still had a hard time getting to sleep last night though, partly because I was still reeling with excitement from the amazing day God had blessed me with, and partly because I was wrestling with the idea of God's goodness. After hearing our good news, I have had many people respond with, "God is good!" He is that is absolutely a true statement and I really did feel it yesterday. Yet, I can't help but thinking that sometimes we make God's goodness conditional. Of course I wanted the report I got yesterday, but even if I had gotten different news, God would still be good. He was good when he blessed us with Asher and He was good when He called him home. God really is good all the time, even in the tough stuff. I can't even begin to fathom why sometimes we have to endure extreme pain and suffering but even in that God is good and I am thankful that he spared me the heartache that I could have encountered yesterday.

I am beyond grateful that God chose to bless me the way he did yesterday, with all of the right people, all of your prayers, good news, and an all around great day. I am really honestly still trying to put it all into words, but I am so thankful for this opportunity to breathe and enjoy, and part of me can't help but wonder if God had to bring me through this "scare" to show me how to embrace this blessing and truly enjoy her.

So that was my day in a nutshell. I am feeling beyond blessed and am so looking forward to seeing this new baby girl. The painting has begun and the preparing has resumed. We do not know what tomorrow brings, but for today we are going to embrace this good news and soak it in!