Never Let Go.

‘Kieran’s POV’

When you find out that you’re pregnant everyone immediately always asks what you want, as if you have any control over the gender of your unborn child. Most men will say that they want a son first and I can see it in Jamie that he is no different. The way he is with Finley tells me he would love to have a son, but his softer side shows when he is with Josie and both together let me know that he is going to be a great dad. No matter the gender of our child I know that he or she will be loved immensely by our families and the Dallas Stars family too.

Since the beginning of my second trimester I have had the overwhelming feeling that the tiny human growing inside me is a girl. I haven’t referred to her as such as to not offend “it” but I just know that I am having a daughter. Jamie thinks that I’m crazy but my mom and Morgan agree with me, apparently it’s a mom thing “you just know”. But in a few minutes time we are really going to know what baby Benn is for sure.

So here I lay with my shirt pulled up exposing my belly to the world waiting for the doctor to tell Jamie and me what our futures hold. Volleyballs and glitter or bruises and baseball bats? I would say a hockey stick but I am sure no matter the gender of our child they will have skates and a stick before they turn a year old.

“Are you nervous dad?” I ask looking up at Jamie, he looks tired as we scheduled this appointment post practice and he keeps holding my hand tighter and tighter. Jamie shrugs, “I shouldn’t be right? I mean I love our baby no matter what but, it’s just nerve racking waiting.” Bringing his hand to my lips I give it a light peck, “Tell me about babe.” Just then the door opens and the OBGYN enters, it’s time.

‘Jamie’s POV’

Modern technology is so amazing that I just saw my child’s face in 3D while she is still inside her mama’s belly. Yeah, HER face. My beautiful little girl, an angel as beautiful as her mother my perfect baby girl. I didn’t think I was going to cry but when the doctor said those three little words, “It’s a girl,” my eyes couldn’t hold back the tears anymore. Kieran was right and she was slightly gloating as she watched the screen her eyes just as teary as mine.

We watched our little girl curled up on the screen in all of her 3D glory. To me she already looked so much like Kieran and it even looked like she was smiling at us. God, she was perfect and she’s mine. I honestly can’t get over that part, I made that tiny little girl and in 4 more months I get to hold her in my arms, that’s a day that I honestly cannot wait for.

The doctor told us our little girl was healthy as could be, printed us off a few copies of the sonogram as well as a DVD to send to my parents and sent us on our way. Now it was time to tell the good news to our friends and family, and Kieran had the perfect plan if our first born fur child was willing to cooperate.

After stopping by a party store and buying a bunch of light pink balloons Kieran went to work on her “baby chalkboard”. Something she had been using to update our families on Baby B’s progress over the past five months. When she was done we took Knox outside tied the balloons to the board and by some miracle and a lot of dog treats got Knox to sit beside the sign.

Kieran snapped multiple shots of the dog and the sign before he ran off to chase a squirrel through the yard. “Did you get a good one?” I asked watching our silly dog running wild through the back yard. She nodded showing me her phone the sun making for a perfect picture, “its official I’m getting a baby sister!” reads the board the pink balloons really add to the photo.
Kieran and I send the photo to all of our friends and family members, teammates, coaches, and to some of her co-workers. It’s all so real now that we’re having a daughter, a daughter that still needs a name.

‘Kieran’s POV’

Finally knowing that we’re having a daughter has made me baby name crazy and I’ve had my nose buried in my name book and scrolling the internet for hours. For now I’m skimming the L’s to maybe continue the alphabet trend we having going on, I’m not expecting much but you never know. Jamie’s watching game film at the other end of the couch with my feet in his lap, he’s still smiling and I know it’s because today has been such a good day. It’s about to get even better because I think I have found the name for our daughter.

“Hey Jame,” he looks over pausing the TV, “What do you think of Lennan?” He nods a little like he’s thinking it over, “Like John Lennon? The Beatle.” At least he’s not shooting this one down! I could really be onto something here, “Same pronunciation, different meaning.” His face is questioning, “Lennan, spelt L-E-N-N-A-N is Irish for sweetheart and lover.” We’ve talking about names having meaning and one with an Irish meaning is even better or so I think, Jamie’s smiling now and I think he likes it too.

“That’s beautiful, and different. I like it babe, Lennan… how about Victoria for her middle name? Like Victoria BC.” Now that’s perfect, just like our little girl. Closing the book and laptop I set them on the table before scooting over to Jamie, “I love it, Lennan Victoria Benn?” With a grin on his face Jamie’s lips cover mind his hands resting on my stomach, “What do you think baby girl? Do you like Lennan?” Two little kicks strong enough for Jamie to feel seal the deal, our baby girl has a name. A name with a strong meaning, Lennan: Irish for sweetheart and lover and Victoria: French for victory, just like victory green a color very important in the Benn household.

Notes

IT"S A GIRL! So baby girls are just so cute and can we just see Jamie and Tyler playing dress up with her? Like come on! Also I couldn't help myself I really wanted to find an L name and when I saw Lennan was Irish I was sold!

Do you guys like her name? Feedback, suggestions, encouragements, issues? I just like hearing what you guys have to say! xoxo -Ally

It's a Girl