It's a Boy!!

Yes, it's a beautiful, healthy baby boy! He's right on schedule at 21 weeks, and we're so thrilled to know that little Ryan Wayne is on his way. Just like a kid on Christmas Eve, I didn't sleep a wink the night before the ultrasound. I was too excited. Every hour seemed to drag on and on, as if the morning would never come. When it finally did, even breakfast took forever before we could finally get to our appointment at 9:30. Once we arrived at the doctor's, we had to wait almost a full hour before my name was called. We watched everyone in the crowded room get up before us for their appointments. Even people who came in after us. It was driving me crazy. I had to keep telling myself, "you've waited 20 weeks. What's a few more minutes?" And I had to remind myself to be grateful that we could even distinguish the sex at all. That's a pretty recent feature. I knew I had to count my blessings.

Finally our name was called, and I excitedly took Brenton's hand as we went into the office. Once in the chair I was surprisingly calm. All I wanted at that point was just to see my baby and know that he/she was ok. I can't express how amazing it was to see him. His perfect little spine, his arms, both tiny feet and hands, and all four chambers of his rapidly beating little heart. The same little heart I had listened to for the first time only a few months before. It was incredible. I was so afraid he'd be facing the wrong way or have his legs crossed. Not to worry with Ryan. He spread himself wide as if to announce quite proudly, "Check me out Mom and Dad! I'm a boy! It's me, Ryan!" I was amazed at how the second I knew who it was, I felt Ryan become a part of our family. Almost as if I knew all along that it was him, because he is exactly who Heavenly Father wants to come first in our family. I knew right then and there that this is the Lord's plan for Ryan, and for us.

That weekend to celebrate, Brenton took me to BYU's 3rd annual Traditions Ball. We've been to all three, and as long as we're in Provo, we plan on keeping the tradition. Luckily, I had a formal turquoise dress with an empire waist, so there was room for me and Ryan. I'm glad the ball was when it was though. I don't think that dress would have worked even a week later, because I'm getting so big so quickly these days! We had a wonderful time, as we always do. It's not very often I have a reason to dress up, curl my hair all nice and go out dancing. I remember when they had the first one in 2008, Brenton and I were dating at the time. On Easter Sunday he made me a card asking me to go to an enchanted ball with him. It still makes me smile knowing that even when we were just dating, Brenton has always viewed me as a princess.

This past week Spring finally came to Provo. I spent most of yesterday outside cleaning the car with Brenton, cleaning my bike, and weeding our flower bed. The flower bed hasn't been used in almost two years, so it was completely overgrown with grass, weeds, and a huge population of snails. Ick. However, it's still blooming with daffodils and tulip buds. I wanted to clear everything else out to give those pretty flowers some room to breathe. Even with all the work I did, I still only managed to get a little over half of it pulled. I like how my mother says that whenever she gardens she can't help but think of the creation and the Lord's plan, and how she's helping along with it. I love that, and I agree with her. It was hard work, and my back and legs are very sore today, but I feel this urge to help those flowers grow, and do everything I can to eradicate anything that would hurt them. I feel I'm giving them a new start, and there's something very godlike in helping His creations grow.

And now it's back to starting another week. I wish I had more than just one day a week that I could use for cleaning the house, yard, car, garden, and everything else I have to do. Alas, there never seems to be enough time for everything that needs to be done. But I'm doing the very best I can, and I'm happy because of it. The harder we work for the right things, the happier we are. One of the many eternal principles I've learned from watching my parents.