...but I hate roller coasters!

                                      
Time to bring everyone up to speed.  It's been a very long 2 1/2 weeks, but a very busy 2 1/2 weeks as well.  Bryce finished up his first year of Travel Baseball with about 6 games, and the kids got signed up for Football and Cheer while Jonas is plugging away at school.
Health-wise, I am pleased that I no longer have to go every week to the OB/GYN as my pregnancy induced high blood pressure is finally regulated with the proper dosage of medication.  I did however, go in for a check-up shortly after I passed my kidney stones and had a chat with my Doctor. Those who know me well know that my concern was not about the kidney stones, but rather what was in store for us as we prepared for our 2nd ultrasound which was going to confirm the initial findings and prepare us for the future of our unborn child and our family.  Whether from this writing or speaking with us (Jon and I) you would know that we had accepted all that was going on and prepared to make the best of this situation and any outcome. 

Throughout the next 2 1/2 weeks, I prayed- Prayers of peace, comfort and healing.  I felt a calmness surround me everyday, from the time I awoke, until I lay my head on the pillow each night.  I received numerous messages via Facebook and phone about prayers and thoughts for us and the baby. We also had someone drop by the house and put a meal in the fridge one night for us to enjoy before a baseball game.  I was continuously touched by His grace, the thoughts and prayers from friends and families and the kindness extended to us during this time. 

2 1/2 weeks passed and it's Monday morning.  Grandma arrived around 8:30 and I woke Jon at 8, 8:10 and finally at 8:25 he got out of bed- but was ready to go at 8:30.  I thought I'd be nervous, scared, sad..anything- but just as the past couple weeks- I was calm, relaxed and comforted.  So much so, that when we were running a little early to our 10am appt, I suggested stopping for a quick bite to eat.  In typical "White" fashion, we arrive 20 mins early and get checked in, only to find out at that time that the Ultrasound techs are already running 20 mins behind.  While I found this to be no big deal, the man sitting next to me what literally sitting on the edge of his seat....chomping at the bit...and constanly pointing out the time and how long we had been waiting and how many people went in ahead of us.  Around 10:30 we venture back into the u/s room and got prepared as the tech was finishing up on another person and they were booked and running behind.  After about 10 mins of waiting, in comes Maureen and off she goes.  And just like the last time, this baby does not cooperate with the techs...kicking, punching, moving, flipping, rolling...you name it.  Soooo...Maureen starts having me lay in all sorts of positions, flat, flat with legs up, left side, right side and even partially on my belly.  I never was annoyed and just kept thinking, this is not for me to see the baby but rather for the Dr's to get a good look at what our future would entail.  Now I should mention that throughout the 30 mins of the u/s, you could hear crickets....nobody said a word.  At this time, I decide to break the ice as the silence was killing me, and I came right out and asked Maureen if she could confirm the cleft lip that was found in our initial u/s 3 weeks prior.  Maureen advised that this was against their policy and honestly, she was not able to say anything, so I explained to her what my OB/GYN had told me, which was that they would tell me what was found and help line up Dr's.  With this information, Maureen advised that she would tell the head of their Dept and see if he could come in and talk to us.  I thanked her and then told her that at our initial u/s we did NOT want to know the sex, however given the situation we were in, could she check the sex of the baby and NOT tell us, but prepared to put it in an envelope if the craniofacial difference was confirmed.  She told us that we should turn away, which we did and that's when this baby decided to cooperate and Maureen said sternly, "don't move" and click, click, click- and she said was thrilled with the photos she took of the baby's face and showed Jon. "All done"!! 

We waited about 10 mins and in walked Maureen and an older gentleman who introduced himself, but quite honestly, I cannot recall his name.  He continued by telling us that he wanted to apologize to the 2 of us for putting us thru what he had over the past few weeks, as after he reviewed the u/s photos from today he can clearly see no crainiofacial abnormalities and this baby looks just fine.  He goes on to explain that maybe it was a bad photo and the upper lip was flipped up--he didn't really know.  WHAT?!?!  I thanked them both several times and headed out...in disbelief, happiness, chills, sadness, thankfulness....the list goes on.  I had a permanent smile from ear to ear for the next hour, while we let our family and friends know of our recent news. 

The news we received just a few days ago is still mind-boggling to me.  I could chalk it up to a few things....a  bad photo, human error, answered prayers and even a miracle performed by our Creator, the Master Physician, my Savior- Lord, Jesus Christ.  My faith is stronger that it was yesterday and will be stronger tomorrow. God Is Good!!!

Lastly-  Maureen did not tell us the sex and never provided us with an envelope neither-so we still are anxiously awaiting the birth, to find out what sex will be completing this family!!!