Everything is on track with Baby Boothe! We went in for the 20 weeks anatomy ultrasound today, and it was great. Everything – all hands, feet, internal organs, face–everything looked great. The technician didn’t see anything that would cause alarm. And Baby Boothe was pretty active and wiggling.

But let’s face it. You are tuning in for something a little more exciting than just basic anatomy reports about Baby Boothe. So let’s get down to business.

Baby Boothe is a Boothette.

That’s right! We’re having a baby girl! I’d show you the proof, but that probably would be seen as taboo and violating my child’s future rights as a human being once they appear outside the womb. But let’s just leave it at the fact that we don’t have a lot of questions about the gender, because she wasn’t in a very lady-like position.

Anyways, apparently there will be a lot of pinks, bows, and dresses in our future. And we couldn’t be happier. Lots of fun planning to start doing now that we know. 🙂

On a final note, look at these cute little toes! Already love them!

There is something incredibly amazing and awe-inspiring about being able to feel an unborn child inside of you.

(Baby Boothe 12/27/2012. Two days later, s/he was in the much more respectable pose that I used for our announcement blog.)

The range of emotions that swell up in me each time I feel movement is like I never felt before-at least not all at once.

Part of it is a little mysterious. Like a little secret you hold on to; only you know what’s going on. The reason why I smile in the middle of an otherwise boring training. Or stop and pause for a moment because I want to savor the moment.

Part of it is terrifying. Who am I to be attempting to raise a child? All the “What if?”s and things that could go wrong (and in my life, usually seem to do).  Fear for being responsible for a tiny, helpless being, who one day must be a functioning, contributing member to society in a world that seems to increasingly grow in insanity by the minute.

Mostly, though, it is pure joy. Wonderment. Ecstasy. Because I know there is a little life in there when four and a half months ago, there was nothing but me. Amazement at the rapid growth. The miracle of life. And this time, I get to be a part of it.

Despite all the many difficult symptoms I have/am experiencing, it feels so worth it all. Because I already have such incredible hope and love for this unborn child. Each and every extra wiggle, kick, or stretch I can feel just reminds me that my baby is there, and for now, is safe and doing well.

Now, I just hope I can hold to that thought and joy in four months from now when wiggles are full blown kicks and stretches under my rib cage in the middle of the night!