IT'S A GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!

Week 18: Baby girl is 5 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and weighs 7 ounces:) The big event this week is that her nerve cells are getting myelinated, which is super important for her development.

This week we've been in FLORIDA:), with an average temperature of 92 and a heat index of over 102, we've been sweltering in the heat but still living it up in the sun and enjoying time with family. This past week, my Aunt L, who works in an Ob-Gyn office, couldn't believe that we hadn't done an ultrasound yet, so she invited R and I to have our first ultrasound on Friday! We were super excited to see our little boo bear and we spent the next few days debating on whether it was a boy or a girl:) I thought it was gonna be a girl, only because R has been so convinced that it's a boy!

On Friday, as the hour approached, I started to lose it a little bit. I guess I am kind of a huge worrier. I started to worry about what if there was something physically wrong, what if there was a genetic defect, a malformation, or something wrong with the placenta or umbilical cord or whatever. My mind just kept racing because I know all of the things that could happen and I had to calm myself down by actually expecting to see the very worst on the ultrasound screen. I decided in my head that if there was something wrong, it is a part of God's will and that we were going to handle it as best we could. That way I wouldn't be surprised by anything.

As I got up on the ultrasound table, I could feel myself becoming so overwhelmed with fear that I was numb. However, within a few seconds, I saw this beautiful little baby come up on the screen. I saw the spine, ribs, a head, arms and legs. I broke down:) It was the happiest moment of my life! The US tech confirmed that she was a SHE and that she was perfect. She pointed out her brain hemispheres, a four-chambered heart, teeth and a tongue, hands and feet. She showed us the umbilical cord and that said that I had a good anterior placenta. I was so happy!!

As we walked out of the appointment, R said he liked the name Ava Rose:) I like it too, but I also like Ella. We will see. Whatever your name is, WE LOVE YOU AND CAN'T WAIT TO MEET YOU<3<3!!!!