a non-annoucement

yesterday, I went in for baby's 16 week check up and ultrasound. At this ultrasound, it is possible to find out baby's gender--but only if baby cooperates. Neither of the girls did. Butterfly held the cord tightly between her legs (we joked that baby must be a really optimistic boy or a really mischievous girl) and Ladybug lazily crossed her legs and rolled away from us. Both girls made us wait until the 20 week ultrasound to reveal their gender secret (and even then, Ladybug was especially reluctant). So I was hopeful, but mostly doubtful that baby 3 would be more cooperative that the girls were. So doc started the ultrasound, first finding the top of baby's head (baby is currently breech but with plenty of time to move) and moving down through the body, taking important measurements as he went. We reached the pelvis and Baby 3 had legs crossed and feet drawn up, covering those tell tale parts as much as possible and refused to budge. Baby has beautifully long legs and preciously tiny feet but no secrets to tell today. :( We'll try again in four weeks. I did get to hear the heartbeat, the speedy swush-swush (at 174) that pulls on my own heart strings, the wonderful sound of my baby's life.

Another "non-announcement". This has been an uncertain and difficult week as a close family member has been in the hospital. A bout with pneumonia just over a month ago revealed a shadow. More tests lead to the discovery of a carcinoma, or a tumor. This family member that is so important to me, is an unlikely candidate in every way but surgery to remove the offending lump led to the official diagnosis of lung cancer. So we spent evenings this week at the ICU to be together and offer support. Ironically it was the patient herself who was most calm and optimistic. The ICU waiting room is a difficult place for this family, (both my husband's and mine) who has spent seemingly more than our fair share of time in this sterile and unfeeling place where hope is fragile and unwanted memories rush to our minds. But this story has a good ending. The final test results are in--the cancer appears to have been contained and is now removed. No further treatment is required, only careful monitoring to make sure it doesn't return.

So this post is a celebration. Today I write about two individuals, both so incredibly important and precious to me and both with many more adventures ahead. I can't wait to share with them.