"We're not having *a* baby, we're having Um Ba-bay!"

A photo of the monitor! The machine was out of film, so the tech said she'd
print some out from saved files when the film arrives.

Much anticipated ultrasound with MFM doctor was first thing this morning. I don't know if I could have made it a minute longer, with my anxiety running high. Charlie held my hand as we walked through the parking garage and reminded me of our life's mantra (one of them at least), "Everything will be okay. No matter what happens in there."

And everything is okay, with Mama and Um Ba-bay.

Mom's stats: (that's me!)

• Blood pressure: 100/64
• Pulse: 72 (nerves, as I'm used to a pulse near 50)
• Weight change overall: +6
• Cervix: 3.83 cm
• Placenta: edging away from cervix in anterior position

Um Ba-bay's stats:

• Heart rate: 150
• Weight: 10 ounces
• Position: Breech, butt down, legs tucked up
• Heart: 4 chambered
• Septum: closed
• Kidneys: 2
• Amniotic fluid: "adequate" (only a qualitative measurement at this stage)
• Head circumference: 19 weeks 4 days
• Waist: 18 weeks 6 days
• Brain: all parts measure within normal limits
• Lips: appear to be cleft free
• Umbilical cord: three vessels
• Genitalia: Male

Um Ba-bay is a boy! Charlie and I are going to have a son. A son.

We didn't think he was going to give up the shot to see the goods, being in the breech position with not much room to open his legs, but the ultrasound tech caught a shot that seemed to show both umbilical cord and penis, and the MFM doctor confirmed later with a better shot.

Um Ba-bay had his mouth open quite a bit and seemed to be trying to stuff his fist in there. His hands remained up near his head the entire time. The numerous shots of his heart, beating, beating, beating, were comforting.

Dr. L reported all measurements are within a few days of the due date, and all looks normal, within normal measurements. The heart is not quite to the point of development at this gestational age to rule out all heart abnormalities, but the 4 chambered heart gave 90%+ probability that all is normal. She also said breech at this stage in the game is normal and nothing to fret over.

Dr. L thought another scan would be requested by Dr. M but she wants him to schedule when he'd like me to see her again. She didn't say why, and I didn't ask. I'd rather hear Dr. M's explanation on Tuesday. So, I'll try not to worry and just be thankful for another peek at our boy and close monitoring.

So there you have it...come February we're having a boy, and he looks healthy.