Getting right down to it

So...yesterday morning they put gel on my wife's pregnant belly and began the ultrasound. It's unbelievable how you can actually see what's inside her body. I mean, within seconds, we were getting right down to looking at and thoroughly inspecting this developing baby. If it was healthy, we were going to know. If there were problems, we were going to know. The ambiguity was being removed, the pregnancy becoming more real (to me, at least).

I saw the baby for the first time. The baby has arms and legs and a heart, and moves as if it has been given an electric shock. We saw her open her mouth. That's right, her. It's a girl. I suppose that came as a bit of a surprise. But why? Because my Dad said "it's going to be a boy" with so much confidence, or because in my way of thinking it would be easier to know how to parent a boy? Or because B. has had "little boys on my brain" during her pregnancy? All these things put in their place yesterday. The truth trumps speculation. A little girl is God's gift to us, for which we are most incredibly grateful. The miracle and importance of life is very fresh and real to me at this time, along with a recognition that ultimately I am in total dependance on God for life, health and the future. Here's to being in good hands...