Baby update!

On May 25th, Erich and I went to our 20 week anatomy scan to get a glimpse of the baby we are so excited to meet. Our first priority was making sure that all was healthy and well. Once we knew that all the pieces and parts were measuring right on track and there were no concerns about the baby's health, our attention turned to the excitement of finding out the gender. Erich and I had talked a lot about it and both agreed that there were so many perks and benefits either way, that we genuinely, honestly, had no preference when it came to this baby being a boy or a girl. We would love to have a son, but we adore having a daughter and another girl would only add to our joy. So there was nothing but happy anticipation as we waited to find out who we would be welcoming into our family in October. Rather than find out on the spot, we decided to change things up a little. We asked the ultrasound tech to write the gender on a card and seal it in an envelope (along with an ultrasound photo for proof!). Our 4th wedding anniversary was that week and we had a big date night planned for Saturday night. We decided to hold onto the envelope and open it together on our special anniversary date. I'm a curious person by nature, so that 3 days of waiting were a bit difficult for me. Erich hid the envelope to help me avoid temptation (funny story... he hid the envelope so well that when it came time for us to leave for our date HE COULDN'T FIND IT. No joke. I was freaking out! Thankfully he did finally remember where he put it and all was well). We enjoyed a wonderful dinner out and after we finished our meal came the big reveal...

We were thrilled when we opened that envelope and saw the word GIRL. We love Avery so much and I get teary-eyed every time I think about the fact that she will have a baby sister. My relationship with my sister is one that I cherish with all of my heart and it means so much to me that Avery and this little one will get to experience that bond. Above all, we are thankful for a healthy baby. Having another daughter is just the icing on the cake. I'm currently almost 24 weeks pregnant and we've begun the fun of picking a name (to be revealed soon! We are still finalizing). I'm feeling much more movement (it had been sparse due to an anterior placenta) and enjoying the pregnancy as much as I can between appointments with a chiropractor, massage therapist, my OB, and water aerobics... all to address the back and hip pain that have been making it a little hard to embrace the beauty of carrying this child. I love her much and she's worth every ache and pain, but I won't lie... October can hurry up and get here! We can't wait to meet this little girl.