Introducing...

Miss Vivien Leigh Grover!

On Friday, we had our 20 week ultrasound and found out (much to our surprise) that we are expecting another little girl! This pregnancy has seemed so different from Amity's that I was really convinced it was going to be boy. However, we are thrilled to have another girl and I am so excited for Amity to have a sister so close in age. Plus, I can't wait to reuse all of our precious little girl clothes!

During a staff development training on Thursday, I got a message from my doctor asking me to call her about the results from my quad screening test. She told me that the test had indicated that the baby was at a higher risk for Down Syndrome and they would like to do a Level II Sonogram some time in the next week. The news, while not conclusive, took us by surprise. We have since heard stories from many people about others who have had the same screening with similar results and the babies were born without any abnormalities. We know that could be our story too but we also know that it may not. Friday's ultrasound indicated that Vivi is developing about 2 weeks behind her projected due date that is based on the ultrasound done at 8 weeks. It could be a miscalculation or it could be that she is not growing on schedule.

While we definitely have moments of fears and tears, God has used His Word and the words of friends and family to give us a real peace and a true anticipation of meeting this little girl. I was very eager to give her a name. After coming up with a list of names I liked, I looked up their meanings to present to Dennis. Vivien has been a recent favorite but, it wasn't until I discovered what it means, that I really began to promote it and it began to grow on him. Vivien means "alive" and we are so grateful for her little life. Leigh is Dennis's middle name. We are NOT naming her after the actress that played Scarlett O'Hara but know that we will get those comments and that is okay! :)

For some reason, this whole situation has reminded me of the Choose Your Own Adventure books that were popular when I was in elementary school. I remember choosing to go in one direction in the book and being directed to skip to page # to find out what happens next. Every time, I would always end up backtracking in the book to see what would have happened if I had made the other choice. What I soon learned in those books was that there were always trials and challenges to be faced no matter which direction you took.

We are in a situation where we really have no choice as to what "type" of little girl is going to be born. If we had the choice to choose a "normal" baby girl, she might later on develop a serious illness or be in an accident or live her life in rebellion...the list could go on. If I really got to choose, I am sure that I would always wonder if I made the right choice and have some regrets.

Thankfully, Edward Packard (the author of the Choose Your Own Adventure series) is not writing the story of our family. Instead, it is our Father in Heaven who, in the words of our hymn this morning:

...has promised good to me, his Word my hope secures;

he will my shield and portion be, as long as life endures.

Thank you for praying for little Vivien!