Boy or girl? Boy or girl? Since "being" had already been clearly established, boy or girl was now the question!
23. The Doctor, Part 2 (April, 2013)
Kate hated
going to the doctor, mostly because of experience, and the rest on principle.
But there was no getting around the fact that, this morning, she was excited.
Not only that, but she had been counting down the days to this, April 12, as if
it were Christmas! And in a way it was, for a new baby was coming…even if not
that particular day. And the exciting gift that she and Mister would be given
was knowledge of just what sort of
baby it would be! The question she had mused over in her journal a couple weeks
before would be answered: Boy or girl?
At first,
Kate and Mister both clearly desired to have a boy, but by the morning of April
12, Kate felt that she had almost no preference at all. She would be absolutely
delighted with either a son or a daughter, and the joy would be in finally being able to imagine specific
things about their future together. She wondered happily if she would be
spending more time having tea parties or mock battles. Of course, they weren’t
mutually exclusive, but there was no doubt that boys and girls had distinctive preferences and delights. If he was a boy, she would want him to be gentlemanly
and strong and confident in courtesy. If she was a girl, Kate would want to
train her to be gentle (without being weak), resourceful, and courageous in self
sacrifice.
When she
and Mister got into the car after breakfast, they grinned at each other. “Are
you ready for this?” Kate asked.
“You bet.”
There was no awkwardness or shyness. Mister was looking forward to this just as
much as Kate.
Walking in,
the office felt too routine. Shouldn’t there have been at least a band playing?
Perhaps some confetti and cake? No, there was only the standard query for a
name, and the pulling out of a file.
Kate preempted, “And I still have the
same address and insurance...” but the receptionist read off her address and
insurance anyway, and looked at her expectantly. Why did they always do that?
“Yes!” Kate said again,
impatiently.
Since they were there close to
opening time, they did not have to wait very long. When her name was called,
Kate practically levitated (as much as a twenty-week pregnant lady could) out
of her seat. Mister calmly closed his book and stood in the usual fashion. But
he was right behind her as she followed the nurse back to the sonogram room.
Jenny was there again.
“Hello!” she said cheerfully,
“Twenty weeks, huh? You’re looking great!” She spread the covering over Kate’s
belly, got her tools ready, and looked back and forth between Mister and Kate
and said, “So, do you want to find out…”
“Yes!” interrupted Kate.
Jenny laughed and said, “Okay!
Let’s hope Baby is in a good position today.”
She found the head quickly, near
the top, on Kate’s right side. “It’s no problem to be breech at this point,”
she reassured them, “they always swim around and shift a lot.” Kate and Mister
got to see their baby’s face, and nose, and arms. A little hand came up to the
face and went into the mouth and out again. Jenny pointed to a colorful spot
moving on the screen, “See that?” she said, “Your baby’s eating! He just swallowed
and you can see the fluid going down into his body.” She traced the line with
her finger. Kate looked at Mister and glowed. Measurements were perfect, and
everything looked as healthy as could be.
Jenny moved the sensor around and
took pictures of the feet, and the legs, and in between the legs…there was no
doubt at all. He was in a great
position, and Kate knew before Jenny said anything. He was a boy. A boy!!!
When Kate and Mister got back in the car after the
appointment, Kate had an overwhelming sense of awe and joy and responsibility. She looked at
Mister and whispered, “We have a son!”
Hooray! Boys are wonderful! And even though we didn't find out until he was born, I know exactly how you feel. :)
ReplyDeleteVery exciting news, congratulations!
ReplyDelete