"For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him:" -1 Samuel 1:27
We had our 20 week ultrasound today. Baby is measuring ahead of schedule by almost a week! This is a very good sign. The brain looks well formed, the hands open and close and the heart is perfectly intact. We are so thrilled! Having had a previous Trisomy 18 baby, doctors keep cautioning me that it is possible to have another but this ultrasound has me feeling very at ease.
I have always wanted lots of children, so when Jacob and I felt like it was time to add another one to the bunch I was really excited--well, excited and a little bit scared. I apologize if I kept it too quiet, one can never be too careful. Now I can shout it from the roof tops! I am pregnant! I am pregnant and I am so excited. There is truly nothing like creating life within your body. It makes you tired and exhausted and it's so uncomfortable but when I feel those little kicks and flutters I just feel so much love and adoration for the little life within me. And this one is no different.
Now, mind you, we would have taken either gender. A boy or a girl would have been welcomed here but we are very pleased to say that our clan is welcoming:
a GIRL!!!
A very sweet, precious little girl. She is healthy and strong and so, so very beautiful. I would have loved a boy, but I have missed my little Brooklyn and my boys miss her too, especially my oldest. I have asked and asked for healthy children and I did ask for a little girl, if not for any other reason than to answer the prayers of a little boy who wanted a little sister--so much!!
Like Hannah in the Bible of old, I say with praise and adoration to God,
"For this Child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him:
Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be
Children are God given. They belong to God. I have said it before and I'll say it again. My children are not mine but I have the privilege and blessing to bring them to this earth and to raise them in my family. And it is my prayer that under my care and the Lord's that they will grow in righteousness and no harm will befall them unnecessarily.
As the words of Brooklyn's lullaby say, "Sleep, little baby, have nothing to fear. Jesus will care for His little one here."
I know God answers prayer. I am so excited to be welcoming a baby girl (if you couldn't tell). Go home today and hug your kids, hug your nieces and nephews, hug your cousins and your grand children-- hug your siblings! We are all children of God and we are all, each, every one of us, individually are such amazing gifts.
For this child I have prayed. And God gave me the petition I asked of him.
and I am so very, very humbled.
And thankful.
Courtney
