It is with great pride and joy that we show you the first photos of a little person we're told is a girl, our daughter, Kate.
Now you must drop what you're doing and agree with me that she is the prettiest 20-week-old fetus you ever saw, with the cutest hands. OK, since you agree, I will show you another adorable picture, a side view, with some nice, bony legs and arms:
The technician told us, and showed us her reasons for believing, that the baby is a girl. So that means her name is Kate, the name I've always had in my mind for a little girl. Dan is walking around the house now, making up songs with the phrase "Baby Kate" in them. I think he's excited.
What can you really say to sum up the experience of seeing your child for the first time? There just aren't words that do it justice. I am glad that our technician has probably seen a lot of women react to seeing their babies, and therefore didn't make me feel bad when I started crying, looking at the screen. It was just so amazing to see her little face and watch her move. This is how mind-altering it was: There was some really bad country music station playing in the room during the whole exam and I didn't even care. That indicates a major level of distraction for me. A level of distraction that I'm starting to think may last the rest of my life.
The Bible says that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made" as God's creation, and while that's always visible in the mere fact of millions of human beings walking around on the planet, each one unique, I don't think I had really grasped the impact of those words until today. Because while I've certainly been doing my best to do the right things, eat well, and give my baby the best environment in which to be made, I know, now more than ever, that I didn't really have any control over things like how her arms grew, how her fingers were shaped, or how her heart started to beat. That's a miracle, and I didn't do it. I couldn't. Praise the Lord.
So since it is a girl, the spoils of victory and the bragging rights go to Aaron, Daniel, Hannah, Megan, and Kate P. Take a victory lap, guys. I am so glad I asked for y'all to tell me your reasons for your gender guesses, though, because that was some great reading! The two best answers from each camp, as far as how much they made me laugh, will be reprinted here:
From Joshua, fiancee of Dan's sister Hannah: "It will be a boy. If God was not willing to let the tribes of Israel die out, I trust he will not be willing for the tribe of Wachdorf to die out either."
And from Aaron, my brother: "Girl. Here's why: I have a theory that all men want their first born baby to be a boy. We just have too much masculine knowledge to pass on (at least if you are super manly like me). It would be a waste for it all to die with the father. So, here is my reasoning for why you are having a girl. I want you to have a boy, so I can have a nephew to start practicing teaching how to be a man. If I screw him up, who cares? It's not my kid. I also, like all men, want my first kid to be a boy. So, God will intervene and give you a girl, in order to teach me how great a little girl can be and prepare me for the chance of my first born not being a boy. Sorry if you don't like my theory. I can't help that the world revolves around me. It's a big responsibility. Honestly."
There you have it. Further proof that the world does, indeed, revolve around Aaron. Thank you all for caring so much about us and our little baby news. I leave you with one more picture: Baby Kate, as seen from the side, with a foot and hand curled up for added cuteness:
Comments (16)
well, i was wrong, but grant was half-right. congratulations!!
Posted by Kelly | April 17, 2007 8:10 PM
Posted on April 17, 2007 20:10
So Sweet!!!
Posted by Mom | April 17, 2007 8:47 PM
Posted on April 17, 2007 20:47
David is sure that the ultrasound was rigged. I, on the other hand, am so very happy for the two of you. Having 2 boys and 1 girl, I would have to say there is something very special about little girls (when they play, nothing dies)! Congrats!
Posted by The Haas' | April 17, 2007 9:04 PM
Posted on April 17, 2007 21:04
Haley, that's a great post. I regret missing out on the guessing game, but I would have said girl. Really. When was the last time a boy was born to a Providence family? Andy and Megan came close, but little Joey waited them out. Shucks, we had to go out-of-state to get some boy presence around here.
Posted by tim | April 17, 2007 9:14 PM
Posted on April 17, 2007 21:14
Congratulations, Haley and Dan! Oh my gosh. I can't believe it! She's.... ADORABLE! hehe Kate.. I love it--the name fits very well! :P Congratulations, again!!
Posted by Adrian | April 17, 2007 9:22 PM
Posted on April 17, 2007 21:22
"It's a girl!" I excitedly exclaim.
"What is?" answers my clueless husband.
"The Wachdorfs' baby--it's a girl."
"Oh," he answers as he comes over to the laptop to take a look. "She looks like Haley."
I continue reading Haley's post.
"Hmm...maybe that's not really the best compliment for Haley," he reconsiders.
"Huh? What do you mean?" I ask.
"Well, it's just that, you know, it looks all brown and wavy in the picture."
I begin to laugh.
"No, no--it's nobody's fault," he stumbles. "That's just the way the graphics and visualizations look on ultrasound pictures."
I'm still laughing, so I just had to share that with you.
CONGRATULATIONS on your BEAUTIFUL baby GIRL!! I guess I had to be wrong at some point. :) I'm starting to wonder if there really is something to the Kirtland AFB exposure theory. I guess I need to start researching the ratio of girls to boys born to men who work on base. We need answers... :)
Anyway, we are so excited for you! Did they say everything looked okay, or do you have to wait for your doctor to tell you?
Posted by Jennifer | April 17, 2007 9:57 PM
Posted on April 17, 2007 21:57
I'm so happy for you guys. Your retelling of it made me get tears in my eyes. :) She's a total cutie. And has the best name ever! Just sayin'.
Posted by Kate :) | April 17, 2007 10:01 PM
Posted on April 17, 2007 22:01
I sent out a text message to my friends telling them know that the baby was a girl. One of my friends had never met you, but I told him never mind all that... that what is important is that this "Haley" is bearing an infant for me to make my plaything. This is really your primary function.
I love you so much! Kate is so precious- I love the last picture. Tell Dan that I think he could try to work "baby Kate" into "I love my lips" somewhere. Maybe during the scat singing?
Posted by Hannah | April 17, 2007 10:25 PM
Posted on April 17, 2007 22:25
Yay Dan and Haley and Kate!!
It is so amazing to see God's handiwork from beginning to end in the creation and formation of life!
May His grace be abundant upon you and especially upon Kate and may she come to know His love and presence even now as she grows by His hand and under His protection and care.
And for these parents, may God grant you wisdom in the humbling work of raising this precious gift of God, little Kate, and may your faith endure and be strengthened in this next step in God's sanctifying work in your lives!
Posted by Joshua | April 18, 2007 7:08 AM
Posted on April 18, 2007 07:08
Congratulations on your sweet baby girl! I always cry at our ultra sounds. I just can't help myself. I think it's a natural reaction to seeing your baby for the first time and making the whole thing more real..."no I'm not just getting fat, there really is a little person in there!" How amazing. The kids LOVE the pictures too!
Posted by Susie | April 18, 2007 8:48 AM
Posted on April 18, 2007 08:48
I love the pictures, Haley! Let the purchasing of sweet baby girl things begin.
Posted by RT | April 18, 2007 9:27 AM
Posted on April 18, 2007 09:27
That is wonderful! LOVE the name, too! Thanks for sharing it! You really got some great shots of her little face too! She's beautiful.
Posted by Mrs. J | April 18, 2007 10:12 AM
Posted on April 18, 2007 10:12
Wow! What a wonderful post. Kate will be such a great addition to your family. Congratulations, I'm so happy for you.
Geez and Gams, have fun!!!!
Posted by Aunt Emily | April 18, 2007 10:14 AM
Posted on April 18, 2007 10:14
How precious. As I'm sure your mom already told you. That roller coaster you are on right now... Well it might slow down in maybe 25 years. BUT IT IS A GREAT RIDE!!!!
Congratulations to you both!
Love,
Aunt Barb
Posted by Aunt Barb | April 18, 2007 2:22 PM
Posted on April 18, 2007 14:22
Poor little Zeke Bailey...okay, just kidding. That's so great you're having a girl. Andy and I both love the name!
Posted by Megan | April 18, 2007 7:06 PM
Posted on April 18, 2007 19:06
I wish I had put in my vote....I thought it was going to be a girl! Sam and I knew just what to name our little girl as well! I am so happy for you two! Please post some pictures of the two of you soon. Love you and miss you much!
Posted by Shanelle | April 20, 2007 6:48 AM
Posted on April 20, 2007 06:48