13 weeks and GENDER REVEAL

That's right folks! Another GIRL for the McVays! We couldn't be more thrilled!

We definitely didn't expect to find out the gender this early. But my doctor wanted to do a chromosome blood panel to test for things like Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, trisomy 18 and 21. I don't think we did this blood panel for Elise but after asking my doctor some questions, I felt comfortable doing it. Then she asked me "would you also like to know the gender?" Before I even really thought about what that would mean I said "yes!" This was at my 12 week ultrasound and I would have to wait almost two weeks to find out the results. I kept this information to myself. I didn't even tell my husband! I wanted to surprise him with good news at the right time. 

The Monday I got home from Thanksgiving, I got the call. I really didn't know what to expect. Before they told me the good news, I wanted any potential bad news, so I asked about the rest of the tests first. All negative. Huge relief. Then they gave us the good news, it's a girl! A definitive answer since there's no guessing in blood work like there is for ultrasounds. I immediately asked my husband to call me. When he did, I told him he was getting another little girl and I could practically see his smile through the phone. We laughed and cried and talked about how amazing it will be to watch these two girls grow up together. My husband has become an expert at being a girls dad. He loves it and has pretty much always wanted two. He definitely got his wish come true. I'm just glad that Elise will experience what it's like to have a sister. They are built in best friends. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Also, notice we have a name for her :) 

Lena Rose McVay. We've been pondering girls names for months and months now. We had a difficult time finding a name that struck us like Elise's did. But my husband came up with her name and at first I wasn't sure. I sat on it for a long time but as soon as I got the call to confirm it was a girl, I just knew who she was. Our Lena. I can't wait to get to know her and her personality. June cannot get here fast enough. 

As far as pregnancy goes, belly keeps expanding! I'm still sick from time to time. But I'll be done with the progesterone today so hopefully we can avoid that from now on. 

I'm back at crossfit and though I get out of breath much faster and I get dizzy frequently, I'm feeling strong and more confident as each week passes. Overcoming my fears of miscarrying due to exercise has been a big hurdle for me. My husband struggles with it as well. We still err on the side of caution more often than not. But we have great coaches watching over me and I feel like I know my body pretty well at this point. 

Loving busting out the maternity leggings today! Probably the best invention ever. I've been feeling lots of flutters lately and even a roll! This is probably my last pregnancy, so I'm enjoying every little moment I can. I'll always miss the kicks and rolls!! We are so in love with this girl already!