the world's most beautiful sound

Today we got to hear a special sound.

One we've been waiting to hear for weeks,

since back in January we discovered we would be becoming a family of four.

One that is simultaneously comforting and exciting.

That's right,

today we went to the maternity unit for my sixteen week antenatal appointment.

I was given the general all clear by the midwife;

blood pressure is fine,

blood results are fine,

urine sample was fine.

And after a general matter about how I'm getting on

and a quick chat about some questions I has following the scan,

I hoped up on the bed for the midwife to find and listen to the heartbeat.

It seemed to take her an age to find it.

I was holding my breath waiting

and just as I was starting to worry

a loud thump came out of the Doppler

as she laughed and said

"Well it's certainly moving about."

She found the heartbeat seconds later;

Loud, clear and strong.

And we all silently listened for a bit;

me, the hubby and the beautiful boy

and the midwife of course.

I'm so glad that we all went.

It didn't mean anything to him

but it's nice to think that the little man heard his little brother or sister for the first time

at the same time as we did.

Hubby thought it sounded just like the little guy's heart beat,

slow and steady.

I actually thought it sounded even slower and steadier than the little man's,

but I think it sounded louder and clearer too

which may well have just been the machine.

The midwife was happy with it

so we were sent on our way.

It's hard to think I won't see her again until 28 weeks

which seems like an absolute age away.

But I guess once you've done this pregnancy thing once

then you're a bit of a pro and they just let you get on with it.

The next big milestone is in four weeks time

when we have the second and last scan.

And we'll be half way cooked by then.

Scary how fast it's going this time.