20 weeks and 2 daughters

If the title of this post or the picture didn't give it away, today we are twenty weeks along. Halfway there! Yesterday our family had a really, really fun morning. Thank you everyone for your kind messages, phone calls and texts. It meant so much to share our news because we are thrilled! More on that in a little bit...

I hadn't intended for Chica to come along for the appointment. Had anything looked unusual or suspect on the ultrasound I would have wanted time to process it with Danny alone. However, some options fell through so we ended up bringing her.

Here's the proud Big Sister waiting for her unwavering sibling prophecy to be revealed to the rest of us. Talk about naming and claiming, the child thanked God for her baby sister before I was ever pregnant.
The technician could tell right away what the gender was. She announced "girl!" and while the Danny and I celebrated, Chica calmly flashed an I-told-you-so face in our direction. She had to wonder why her parents were so surprised at something she had confirmed to be fact months ago.

Let it go on the record, you were right Sweet Girl! You knew it all along. Thanks for bearing with your crazy parents when we tried to convince you there was another possibility.
As the technician went through her checklist, I thanked God for every "normal" box she clicked on the screen. Having witnessed the fragility of such tiny life, I better understand now (than I did with Chica) that not one step of this pregnancy is for certain.

And as for having a girl? Well, I don't know if any words can describe how I feel.

I really, really wanted Chica to have a sister. A sister is a friend built into your family. She can be your role model or your accomplice. She can drive you nuts. She can tease your parents with you and appreciate the truth behind the jokes. She's a common heritage. Another life so intertwined with your own, whose shared roots cover a multitude of temporary spats.

Not only will Chica have a sister, Danny and I are getting a daughter. Another daughter. I've walked with God long enough to get a good view of the ugliness in my heart. No amount of false humility is needed for me to confess my soul and my mind would have flailed in sin for the rest of my days had it not been for the mercy of God.

That being said, I know that I know that anything good in my life is because of God's grace.Grace alone. I don't believe children are given (or taken away) on account of merit. Not one part of me deserves to be a mother. My only explanation as to why God would choose to entrust, not just one but two daughters to our family is this- it has nothing to do with me. Therefore I praise Him all the more. He is lavish love to those unworthy of such.

At our post-ultra sound party at Chick-Fil-A I tried to explain to Danny what I was thinking, but all this bewildered mind could come up with was, "I cannot BELIEVE He would do this for us. Two daughters. Two daughters. I just CAN'T believe this...." And Dan nodded along to his rambling, crazy wife.

Speaking of rambling, how about I cut it off here for today and show you the newest picture of our smallest family member?

Newest baby girl, we love you. And while you already hold a special place in our family, we can't wait to have you in our arms. Rest well and grow. We'll be seeing you soon Little Sister. Our Daughter.

"I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing." Psalm 16:2