99% "Katharina" She Is

We are rejoicing today, my wife and I with our children, that our youngest—living in the womb—appears to be healthy and whole, growing and developing in all the ways to be expected. The ultrasound technician was also "99% sure" that the little one is a girl. This delighted my daughters, Monica and Oly'anna, who went with their Mom to share the ultrasound experience. Evidently, their very little sister was waving to them from the womb, and, yeah, that was pretty thrilling to them. I was doing my paternal duty in taking Justinian and Frederick to the dentist, so I didn't have the joy of seeing my baby, yet, though I am delighted by the pictures LaRena brought home. The excitement of my daughters when they burst through the door to announce the news was worth it.

Anyway, we've had the name "Katharina" in mind for a baby girl during the previous three pregnancies. Now it looks like we'll finally have our Katie. I've told a few people the middle names we have in mind, but I don't think I'll post those quite so publicly as my blog just yet.

I'm glad to be able to refer to my youngest child with feminine pronouns, and even to call her by the name we intend for her. I simply cannot bring myself to identify a child in the womb as "it." Saying "he or she" all the time becomes awkward, however, so knowing that she's a girl is great. There was definitely some wishful thinking going on, which has now been happily satisfied.

Oly'anna assures me that she'll be okay having a younger sister take her place as my "baby girl." Oly'll still be my girl, but she's hardly a baby anymore, anyway. Indeed, she seems very grown-up already at eight years old, and she's consistently one of the best helpers around the house. I hope I'll be as close to Katharina as I've always been to Oly. Each child is different, with a unique personality and individual gifts, aptitudes, interests, passions, strengths and weaknesses. That remains one of my favorite aspects of fatherhood, not only observing such differences but getting to know my children as individuals and growing in my relationship with each and all of them. I can't wait to meet Katharina, to hold her and look at her and love her. But of course, I do have to wait for several months, watching to prayer and daily commending her to the grace of God in Christ. That is what faith and love do in such a case.

After having three boys in a row born to us, I'll be content with a little less testosterone per capita around the house. I love my boys, and even their rambunctiousness is the promise of zeal for the truth and steadfast, faithful service in whatever stations their Lord shall someday assign them. Girls are a handful in their own right, too, and sometimes their emotions befuddle me, but I enjoy their feminine perspectives and more graceful approach to life. There is a picture of the Church and of the posture of faith in every little lady. What a privilege it is to be a father of daughters. God grant me to be worthy of my post, and to care for my Katharina after the example of her dear Father in heaven.