We reached the 23 week mark today.  Yesterday brought another visit to the doctor and with it a listen to the heartbeat of our child.  It was probably the sixth time we have heard it.  The rapid “Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.”  Sounding much like a locomotive steaming down the tracks in some old movie.  But underwater.  Each time I hear it, though, it feels like she’s getting closer.

Yes, we are having a girl.

A daughter.

We found out for sure over a month ago during an ultrasound. That’s when the tears came.  Tears of joy.  I could imagine holding her in that moment.  I could see a little girl, in my mind’s eye,  running towards me and calling “Daddy”.   Six months ago, none of this was in our plans.  I think my wife and I somehow felt the time had passed.  We had been open to it the last couple of years and even stopped using any method of birth control.  We left it to fate.  It just didn’t happen, so we figured it wouldn’t or we couldn’t and left it at that.

When the year started we thought we would take a long trip overseas.  Greece or Italy.  Somewhere warm and near an ocean.

“Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!”

That’s the sound of my heart beating.  Faster.  Expectant.  Curious.