It's a Boy!

The Lord answered our prayers. We went to our ultrasound last week and were told that our new baby, a little boy, is quite healthy and strong. We are overwhelmed with thankfulness that our son has emerged from this ordeal physically unscathed and that the radioactive treatment I received left no harmful effects on his developing body. Thank you, Lord!

One of J's first comments after we finished thanking God for His mercy to us was one I will always remember with a smile.

"Well, at least I don't have to start saving up for a wedding yet."

I laughed and gave my man a great big kiss in that elevator. Another boy! All the worry and stress of the past months drained out of me in that moment and I felt such elation. I could very well have my own dream come true, we could end up with four boys! I am dizzy with excitement for all the upcoming bug hunts, fishing, and camping trips.

The Bear gives me a big smile whenever we talk about the baby. Sometimes he is concerned about the baby's exact whereabouts. "Where is my baby? Where is my boy?" he'll ask me. I'll reassure him that the baby is still inside my belly, safe and warm. He'll give me a dubious look with those beautiful blue eyes of his and process the information for a bit, then he'll either kiss my belly or sing to the baby. I love when he sings to the baby. Yesterday he sang the theme from Wonder Pets. Today he sang Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

We told Cubby about his new little brother as well. He stared at me for a moment and then asked for another cookie.

Its been along month for us. The Bear managed to contract roseola and I spent most of the month nursing him back to health and getting Cubby through his own little respiratory infection delight. Then we went on a cruise for my Dad's 50th birthday extravaganza complete with nearly all our family members. A vacation with toddlers is not really a vacation but rather an intense wilderness survival experience regardless of location (any place that does not include the toddlers usual surroundings is considered wilderness). I was s l i g h t l y overwhelmed at the thought of a weekend cruise.

Ok. Fine. You want the truth.

I was kind of a mess in the week leading up to the cruise. I was TERRIFIED that one or both of my children would fall overboard and be lost at sea or be poisoned in the Grand Dining Hall by undercooked chicken. This nervous paranoia is pretty typical because I am a) Cuban and b) pregnant.

But it was fine. More than fine. In fact, we had a wonderful time! Yes, it was hard work getting the kids from place to place without incident, but somehow we managed. My husband is a rock star Dad, he truly is. He helps me with everything and I am a spoiled woman. He does things without my having to ask, he always has my back and he (somehow) always knows just what to do. We are very in sync when it comes to the kids. I can't tell you how grateful I am for that. He doesn't have to do it. But he does.

The boys LOVED the cruise. They napped well, slept well at night and ate like thoroughbred race horses. Cubby made the most of the buffet lines and I think both boys averaged around 3 yogurt cones a day! They loved the kiddie water park on the top deck and were absolutely beside themselves to be living on a big boat with the whole family. They had huge smiles on their faces all day wherever we went and were always on the lookout for a family member sighting. I am so proud of how well they behaved. I expect good behavior from them on all occasions and they did not disappoint.

Now we are back to "normal life" here at the bungalow. I clipped some fresh roses from the garden for my kitchen this evening and sat down to write this entry, and from the monitor next to me I could hear the steady even breaths of Cubby deep in slumber and the soft voice of my little Bear singing Jesus Loves The Little Children. It's good to be home.