When Jeff and I went in for a 12 week ultrasound, we were simply excited to see our little one and make sure that all was well. After the technician finished and left, the doctor entered and we had an engaging conversation about the factors that cause down syndrome, a question one of my students had been investigating just that day in class. As we finished up, the doctor then offered to guess the gender of our new little baby. I had heard that some doctors were now able to guess at such an early stage, but somehow it felt a little like cheating. Jeff did not hesitate and asked the doctor to continue.
As the doctor explained, at that stage in development, the "goods" will look nearly the same for either sex. In making a determination, the key factor was the "angle of the dangle". Evidently, if the apendage points one direction it means girl and the other, a boy. Within just a moment, the doctor announced his 95% confidence that it was a boy! I wasn't too surprised, really. Just three days earlier, I was getting ready for work one morning and had the sudden and certain feeling that I was carrying a boy. So, imagine my excitement when I learned that Nathan would really get a little brother to play with. As Jeff and I walked out of the hospital, I gave him a high-five and highlighted that we would never have to pay for a wedding!
Less than a week later, we had shared the news with both my family and Jeff's. It's a strange thing to tell family you're expecting, but it was more fun to announce that Baby was a boy. I think several friends and family were unsure what to think about the doctor's theory. When I saw my own doctor a week later, even she seemed doubtful that the first doctor could be so certain.
Then, at 19 weeks, the big ultrasound was here. I was still confident that Baby Davolt would be another boy, but I needed to erase that 5% doubt for the family around us who seemed determined that we should have a girl instead. I know they mean well when they ask, "Wouldn't you like to have a girl?" but of course, how do we respond except that this was God's plan for us. Due to commitments at work, Jeff wasn't able to attend, so the technician generously printed out tons of photos to take home. As soon as the tech applied the ultrasound wand to my belly, we saw clearly that Baby was still a boy.
So, now the fun really begins! It's so much easier to imagine colors for Baby's room knowing he's a boy. Likewise, it is easier to brainstorm names, although boy names have always been harder for us than girl names. I've also started brainstorming a list titled, "If I'm Going to be the Only Girl in the House...". Really, just a few ground rules for us to live by. Rules like "Mama gets to spend as much time getting ready as she needs" and "We will attend cultural events such as theater, ballet or symphony annually at minimum". Feel free to leave suggestions in the comment box below!
As the doctor explained, at that stage in development, the "goods" will look nearly the same for either sex. In making a determination, the key factor was the "angle of the dangle". Evidently, if the apendage points one direction it means girl and the other, a boy. Within just a moment, the doctor announced his 95% confidence that it was a boy! I wasn't too surprised, really. Just three days earlier, I was getting ready for work one morning and had the sudden and certain feeling that I was carrying a boy. So, imagine my excitement when I learned that Nathan would really get a little brother to play with. As Jeff and I walked out of the hospital, I gave him a high-five and highlighted that we would never have to pay for a wedding!
Less than a week later, we had shared the news with both my family and Jeff's. It's a strange thing to tell family you're expecting, but it was more fun to announce that Baby was a boy. I think several friends and family were unsure what to think about the doctor's theory. When I saw my own doctor a week later, even she seemed doubtful that the first doctor could be so certain.
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| Baby Davolt 19 Weeks |
So, now the fun really begins! It's so much easier to imagine colors for Baby's room knowing he's a boy. Likewise, it is easier to brainstorm names, although boy names have always been harder for us than girl names. I've also started brainstorming a list titled, "If I'm Going to be the Only Girl in the House...". Really, just a few ground rules for us to live by. Rules like "Mama gets to spend as much time getting ready as she needs" and "We will attend cultural events such as theater, ballet or symphony annually at minimum". Feel free to leave suggestions in the comment box below!
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