Even more amazing than peeing on all those sticks
There were two possible ways I could approach blogging about today's appointment.
1) Post a quick "It's a
2) Write a lengthy entry and make you wait 'til the end for the reveal.
At first I thought I'd go with number two, until I realized that most people would just skim through the entry until they found the information they wanted, which meant all my carefully crafted prose would go to waste, and who wants that?
In the end, I decided to write the tell-all version right off the bat. But first...
Sugar and spice and everything nice, indeed. And this next statement might sound weird, especially since you're essentially looking at my daughter's ass (I think; some of these pictures are super hard to read), but she's absolutely beautiful.
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It wasn't until Luke and I were in the car to make our 10:30 appointment with the ultrasound tech that I began to feel nervous. Up until that point I'd been solely focused on learning the gender, but once we were on our way to the clinic, I couldn't stop picturing worst-case scenarios about the progress our baby was making. I'm eating much better and have put on a few pounds since my last visit, but what if my lack of weight gain was due to the baby's lack of growth? Why hadn't I felt Freke move yet? What if, lying on that table with my belly covered in goo, we were told the baby had died?
Awful thoughts, but I couldn't shake them. My heart was pounding, my hands were clammy, and I thought I was going to lose the bowl of Fruit Loops I had for breakfast.
Once there, we waited about ten minutes, and then suddenly I was lying on that table, pulling down the waistband of my maternity pants, and breathing deeply in an effort to stay calm. Lisa, our technician, squirted the gel over my stomach (and it was hot! Yikes!), and went into her spiel.
"Now, I normally use 'he' when referring to the baby, so until I say, 'I think it's a...', don't take that to mean anything, OK?" she said.
We nodded.
"Also, I like to make faces when I'm reading the screen, but that doesn't mean anything's wrong, OK?"
Again with the nodding of the heads.
She was a pleasant woman, that Lisa, and the three of us chit-chatted about various gender myths as she moved the wand over my belly, typing notes on the screen and keeping an eye on the monitor the whole time. She kept it face forward, so I tried to crane my neck a bit to see what was going on, with no luck. I motioned for Luke to join me next to the table, and he grabbed my hand.
After a few minutes, a slew of pictures printed from her machine, and she tilted the monitor towards us. There was our baby.
She pointed out various body parts for us to see: head, legs, arms, spine, stomach, from all sorts of angles. I almost stopped breathing when I saw the tiny little heart muscle, beating just as fiercely as it had during my initial appointments through the Doppler. A hundred and forty-three beats per minute, she said.
Then we were on a mission.
"Let's see what we can find," she said, and proceeded to poke and prod my belly for a shot of the good stuff.
It was hard at first, but finally the baby moved into the proper position, and Lisa took a peek.
"Now, there's always a chance I could be wrong, but I think..." Her voice trailed off, and her fingers returned to the keyboard to type those fateful words.
"It's a girl."
And that was it. I started to cry, and I really went all out, with the chest heaving and shortness of breath and the blotchy red face. I couldn't believe it. I was so damn happy to see our baby in action, in person. It was the most miraculous moment of my pregnancy thus far. Not since learning about this little person's existence have I been so emotional.
Luke squeezed my hand and kissed the top of my head, and Lisa grabbed some tissues. She didn't comment on my tears, and I was glad, because I hate when people acknowledge my blubbering. It just makes the blubbering worse.
After about fifteen minutes of watching our baby in action, Lisa was helping me off the table and handing Luke our now-precious VHS tape. We went back to the waiting room for my 11:00 appointment and were ushered in just minutes later.
The actual appointment was great. Measuring within a four-day range of her December 10th due date, our little girl is doing marvelously, and there's no reason not to think I'll give birth to a strong and healthy baby.
Hi there, baby. We love you.
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Now the only question is what to do about her Internet moniker. Freke no longer seems fitting, and I was considering Frekie, but that might be even worse. Freka? Frekette? Your suggestions are most welcome.
First!
Aww hell, I knew the sex before the entry anyway. It pays to be friends in real life.
Congratulations! I'm so happy for you guys (either way.)
Posted by: Molly | July 11, 2007 at 02:21 PM
Molly...all rubbing it in!!
Congrats to your precious little family. She looks beautiful.
And can I just say that now when I look at the ultrasound pictures of Babboo and compare them to what he looked like as a baby, they look the EXACT same. It's weird to think that your sweet little baby girl is living inside of your expanding belly.
It really is amazing.
And Frema and Luke, thanks for sharing this ultra personal time with us, a bunch of strangers.
Posted by: Isabel | July 11, 2007 at 02:25 PM
Congratulations! I'm soooo excited for you! Little girls are so much fun! (Of course, I'm biased but you get what I'm saying.)
Posted by: Whitney | July 11, 2007 at 02:25 PM
Congrats!!! And Congrats again!!!
Posted by: takin chances | July 11, 2007 at 02:25 PM
Congrats! "Seeing" the baby on the monitor makes it all very, very real. Congrats again to you and Luke!
Posted by: Jackie | July 11, 2007 at 02:26 PM
I can't help it. I cried. I am so excited for you and Luke and this precious little third member of your family. Congratulations, Frema!!
Let's call her Freka. I like that it is like a little play on Frema and she's destined to be a miniature version of you.
Posted by: Emily | July 11, 2007 at 02:27 PM
I just had a feeling all day that it was a girl! AHHHH I'm so happy for you!!! YAAAAY!!! I like Freka!
Posted by: Lindsey | July 11, 2007 at 02:28 PM
I'm voting for Freka since that's how I read it anyway.
Congratulaions, Frema family! A beautiful girl she is!
Posted by: Professor Art Nerd | July 11, 2007 at 02:29 PM
Congratulations! I texted Lizzy and she also sends congratulations to you and Luke. And your beautiful daughter. I vote for Freka.
Posted by: Liza | July 11, 2007 at 02:31 PM
Awww, congratulations guys!!!
Posted by: Erika | July 11, 2007 at 02:33 PM
YAY!!!! Congrats Frema!!
Posted by: casey | July 11, 2007 at 02:33 PM
AWE.SOME. Congrats to you and Luke!
Posted by: Lizarita | July 11, 2007 at 02:33 PM
GIRL GIRL GIRL GIRL GIRL GIRL!! Woohoo! Congratulations. I'm so excited for you.
(Molly, go sit your ass in time out missy. That was just mean.)
I like Freka. It's Frema with a little Luke which is exaclty what this little girl is. (Not that Luke only had a small part, Freka could look like a spitting image of Luke, you get what I'm saying, right?)
Oh Luke...boy are you in trouble.
Posted by: Silly Hily | July 11, 2007 at 02:37 PM
She's due on my birthday! Hurray!
Posted by: Rhi | July 11, 2007 at 02:38 PM
I cry easy but still, when you said you cried,I swallowed my food and cried too. Oh my, what a relief.
Posted by: debi | July 11, 2007 at 02:38 PM
Congratulations "Frema" and Luke. Such an exciting time for you both. Welcome to parenthood. Hold on for the ride of your life.
p.s. I have a boy and a girl. Both have their own joys and challenges.
Posted by: CPA Mom and Soccer Mom Angela | July 11, 2007 at 02:39 PM
Oh boy, a Girl! Ditto all of the above excitement!
So, when are you going to post the link to your Babies-R-Us registry so you can be inundated with girly gifties from the internets? (If you can do that without revealing personal information like real names and address, etc?)
Posted by: VirginiaGal | July 11, 2007 at 02:43 PM
I was going to suggest Frekee, but I think I like Freka better.
A daughter. How wonderful.
Congratulations!
Posted by: Angela | July 11, 2007 at 02:46 PM
OH! Congratulations!! I, personally, think you should called her Fremette, as in miniature girly little Frema.
Posted by: PaintingChef | July 11, 2007 at 02:55 PM
Congrats! Seeing my baby during our 13-week ultrasound was the most magical experience of my life, and even the two ultrasounds I had after that didn't give me quite the same HIGH...
It truly is spectacular.
Boy for me, girl for you. Awesome!
Posted by: Gillian | July 11, 2007 at 02:57 PM
How exciting to find out!!! I also am voting for Freka.
Posted by: Katie | July 11, 2007 at 03:01 PM
Congrats! Now you get to go wild with the pink and purple! Woohoo!
Posted by: Jessie | July 11, 2007 at 03:10 PM
I knew it! Congratulations!!
I always got nervous before our ultrasounds, too (having twins meant an u/s every month), but everything was always fine.
Isn't it the most amazing feeling in the world?! Just wait until you hold her for the first time...
So happy for you!
Posted by: H | July 11, 2007 at 03:11 PM
Congratulations!!!!! I am so happy for you and Luke (and little Freka)
Posted by: ashley&family | July 11, 2007 at 03:14 PM
I think Freke is still kind of great, but you gotta do what you gotta do.
I was anxiously waiting for the report when I left work, but I guess it was still a bit early. I'm just now getting to sit down and check in on you after putting Alliclaus down for her nap.
Congratulations! Girl babies are great!
Posted by: Bethiclaus | July 11, 2007 at 03:31 PM
YAY!!! I called girl! So excited. Now, I'll go back and read the rest of the entry. Are you going to reveal possible names?
Posted by: Lucky Gem | July 11, 2007 at 03:32 PM
Congratulations! And....I told ya I have the power!
Posted by: Emily | July 11, 2007 at 04:05 PM
Yay! Girls are so much fun!!
What about Luma??
Posted by: twolinesonastick | July 11, 2007 at 04:12 PM
Congratulations!
Posted by: Nichole | July 11, 2007 at 04:32 PM
YAY!! Go crazy with all the pink and purple! Buy barrettes and ponytails holders and headbands!! Congrats :)
I vote for Freka!
Posted by: Rachel C | July 11, 2007 at 04:38 PM
Hey, I am the one who grabbed those tissues for you. I was multitasking, just so you know. I also first suggested "Freka," so NAH! OK, I am done tooting my own horn now.
Also, I think that last picture you posted is the one you thought looked like a teddy bear when it was on the ultrasound screen.
Posted by: Luke | July 11, 2007 at 04:41 PM
I've been lurking for a while since I discovered you through the grand dame of blogging, Amalah.
Congratulations on a successful ultrasound and a baby girl to boot!
I too am pregnant (due Nov. 30) and have been excited to find someone who is going through the same experience at the same time. We had our ultrasound on Tuesday but opted not to find out the sex. Seeing that little wiggling body on screen left me in tears as well.
Best of luck to you and Luke!
Posted by: Schwillig | July 11, 2007 at 04:42 PM
Yay!!! I am so excited for you! Maybe it's just because I really really really want a baby girl someday, but I'm always hoping internet mommies-to-be will have girls. So thanks for having a girl! (I know you did it mostly to please me.)
I, too, vote for Freka. I think it's perfect.
I almost cried when I read the words "my daughter." And by "almost" I mean "totally would have if I weren't at work." Your DAUGHTER! How amazing is that to think about?! I am so happy for you guys!
Posted by: Audrey | July 11, 2007 at 04:47 PM
Congratulations! What a magical day for you two, with many, many more to come.
Yay!
Posted by: SJ | July 11, 2007 at 04:49 PM
Congratulations on having a sweet little girl!!!!! I am so excited for both of you!!!! Pink and purple clothes and butterflies and hearts and all that stuff, yaaaaaaaay!
Posted by: Rachel | July 11, 2007 at 04:55 PM
I love her too.
Grandma Molly
Posted by: mjd | July 11, 2007 at 05:03 PM
I'm going with Freka, just because it was Luke's suggestion (apparently!). Congratulations! You must've had a feeling it was going to be a girl, at least judging from your last post. No more drab yellows and greens! Yay for pinks and purples! Can you believe little Freka will be here before Christmas? I knew I should've bought those "baby's first Christmas" outfits when they were on clearance in January...
Posted by: Marriage-101 | July 11, 2007 at 05:49 PM
Freka. All the way.
I want you to know that I was on the Staten Island Expressway and BAWLED when Liza texted me to tell me it was a girl.
And I also confessed to Liza that I was sure you were having a boy. So, your little Freka once again confirms that I am not to be trusted with gender guessing. I've only been right once. Out of, like, a hundred.
Congratulations Frema and Luke. Your sweet Freka is loved by many, but none as much as by her wonderful parents.
And congrats to the grandparents-to-be as well!
Posted by: Liz | July 11, 2007 at 07:46 PM
yay!!! CONGRATS! Oh my goodness, you just took me back to our u/s day... I'm all teary eyed now!!! SO EXCITING!!!
Posted by: Jen | July 11, 2007 at 08:43 PM
A girl! How exciting! Congrats!!!
Posted by: Jessica L. Tucker | July 11, 2007 at 10:34 PM
I started reading you when Isabel told everyone how awesome TLF was (she was so right, totally addictive!). Congratulations on your baby girl!
Posted by: Brie | July 11, 2007 at 10:35 PM
Odd woman out here, but I vote for Frekette. I was going to suggest it, thinking it was all clever, until I got to the end and saw that you'd already thought of it. That's what I get for reading in the proper order -- I'm going back to reading the last page of the book first!
(PS- CONGRATS OMG ITS A GIRL!!1!)
Posted by: Operation Pink Herring | July 12, 2007 at 12:07 AM
I like Freka. Reminds me of Abba, ha.
CONGRATULATIONS. Baby girl looks awesome.
Posted by: alyndabear | July 12, 2007 at 12:55 AM
MJD sent me. Congratulations on the coming arrival; many blessings to you!
Posted by: Liz | July 12, 2007 at 01:47 AM
Aww, a beautiful baby girl. I'm so happy for you both! Congratulations!!
Posted by: Kathie | July 12, 2007 at 03:22 AM
I would have read to the end of the post, no matter what. ;)
Try to hold out until December 11 so Freka and I can share a birthday!
Posted by: Liz | July 12, 2007 at 08:16 AM
Yea, baby girls are wonderful. Joy of joys.
Posted by: daddy d | July 12, 2007 at 09:12 AM
Oh, I'm so happy for you! Congratulations...she is adorable already!
Posted by: Stacey | July 12, 2007 at 09:20 AM
Awwww, you guys. I vote for Freka. Congrats on your little baby girl!!
Posted by: Fraulein N | July 12, 2007 at 01:37 PM
OK, so I am the 50th person to comment, but the wishes are just the same! I am very happy for you guys and cannot wait to see you soon. Hopefully before the birth. I am so excited for you guys. You're going to be a great mom to your new little daughter! I can't wait to see the pictures of her upon her arrival!
Posted by: jenny | July 12, 2007 at 09:31 PM