Bigger Hands

After entrusting our son into God's hands, drinking at least 100 ounces of water per day, and two more ultrasounds, we have discovered that my amniotic fluid level has dramatically increased. Thankfully, I never asked how low it was. The average acceptable range is 10 to 25 centimeters. Between 5 and 10 is considered risky. Below 5 is considered dangerous. During my first ultrasound, my amniotic fluid level was measured at 6 centimeters. During my second, the level measured as 16 centimeters, and the third measured as 14 centimeters, both of which were well within the acceptable range.

The ultrasound technician told me during one of the follow-up ultrasounds that the baby's position can greatly impact the amniotic fluid level, or at least their capability to accurately measure the level. It's a somewhat subjective measurement, since it depends on their ability to locate and identify the deepest "pockets" of fluid in four quadrants of the uterus. It could be that the first measurement was inaccurate, the baby's position made it difficult to accurately read, or the amniotic levels were low but have improved. Whatever the case may be, I am definitely relieved.

Nathaniel, our two year-old, is getting more and more into the idea of having a baby. He talks quite a bit about 'Baby Ben.' If you ask him the baby's name, he'll say 'baby Ben-dim-dim.' Daddy likes that much better than his first answer about a week ago. Nathaniel, who loves the movie "Peter Pan," answered us last week that the baby's name was 'Tinkerbell.' Might have made a cute nick-name for a girl, but I think that will have to be a cute story we share at graduations, weddings, etc. in the future. I'm sure Benjamin will have a nickname or two, but 'Tinkerbell' won't be one of them!

On a totally unrelated note, but certainly related to the bigger hands in which we rest, my husband received news earlier this week that his medical evaluation to become a chaplain candidate has finally been accepted. He is one step closer to fulfilling his dream, and what we believe to be God's calling, of becoming an Army chaplain. He also graduates with his first master's degree next weekend, which is very exciting. He has already begun classes for his second master's degree, since he needs 30 more credit hours in order to qualify for active duty as a chaplain. We hope that within a little over a year, he will be finishing his required coursework and applying for active duty. I look forward to handing over the breadwinning responsibilities and trading places with him as soon as possible, and he looks forward to that, too! We are trusting that, just as He has done in the past, God will continue to direct and provide for us.