Bump over the Hump

We are halfway on the way to welcoming Number 3 to the world. Our 20 week ultrasound scan yesterday went well: everything normal, bigger than average baby, all looking good. All sounded a bit familiar - but still a relief. Nic came along to watch - not particularly interested. The sonography took forever - far longer than my previous two (20 week scans) in Australia. Must say we were getting pretty bored by it all towards the end: the flip-side, I guess, was that it was extremely thorough and looked at all organs, bloodflow, etc. in great detail. 

Again, as per my request, baby’s gender is and will be a surprise. Most people here seem to be perplexed that we do not want want to know (of course, Paul really wants to know!) It seems much more common to find out in the States... or perhaps that is just Chicago. With the mothers groups I belonged to in Brisbane, and amongst my circle of friends, the to-be-parents who found out a baby’s gender were definitely in the minority.  

I am of the opinion that it  is the most wonderful surprise. Of course, we didn’t go into baby-making with any real preference - nor are we going to abandon a child on the steps of an orphanage if it happens to be the wrong ‘flavour’! On each occasion giving birth, I was much more worried about the baby’s well-being and desperate to hear that cry before even thinking to ask what we had spawned... and of course, concentrating on that feeling of well-being that comes along with a cessation of pain! 

It may sound harsh, but I really do lose interest in a pregnancy once the ‘conclusion’ is known. It is a real let-down for me - as it kind of evaporates all the mystery and intrigue for a really special and once-in-a-lifetime occasion. I prefer to meet a child after it comes into the world, rather than have a preconceived notion of what it might be. It makes no real difference what gender the baby is to prepare for a newborn anyway. A new baby doesn’t care what it wears, sleeps in or looks at (apart from nipples of course). 

Photo: Baby No 3. See if you can tell what it is?!? You have a 50/50 chance of getting it right.