Sweet Vibrations

Yesterday we had a doctor appointment and we're happy to report that the baby's doing good. We were so concerned up until that point because of the late nights and stress we've been undergoing. What a relief to hear his heart beat and have the doctor tell us that I'm progressing well! My weight gain was on the lower range, but all within normal. He told us the baby is about 1 lb and stretched out he would be 11-12 inches!

We had also been concerned about the baby moving and talked to the doctor about this. With his help we discovered that we've been feeling the baby move all this time! What I thought had been digestion was actually the baby, since the doctor pointed out that my stomach had been moved to above my belly button. I was so overjoyed that the waves and bumps I've been feeling was our little boy. The doctor also told us that a good time to feel movement is after a meal...and almost to reassure us, after lunch that day, we felt several strong nudges from him!

The news we've been waiting for!

Today was our ultrasound and 3rd baby appointment. As usual I mentally ran through my head all the questions I had for the appointments, such as whether flu shots were okay and when my due date was...but mostly my thoughts were consumed with finding out what we were having. It's something that has been lingering intensely on mine and the hubby's mind, especially the last couple days. We were both nervous and anxious to find out if everything looked normal and to finally know what we were having.

My nerves must have really gotten to me today, because as I laid down and the technician prepared me for the ultrasound she asked me a question when my mind was elsewhere. She asked me "What's your birth date?" Without thinking I sadly said "I don't know, no one ever told me." She looked at me oddly and said "Wow, I've never heard that response before" My hubby shook his head and tried to restrain his laugh as he said "No, she's not asking for the baby's birth date, she means what's your birth date." I was so embarrassed! But it was such a relief to laugh about it since I was just so glad that this day was here.

It wasn't long before we could see how much more developed the baby was. It was so amazing! And I began to tear up seeing the spine, marveling at the hands moving up to it's face, and then mistaking it's stomach for it's head. Soon the technician found the angle the made it clear that we were having...a boy!

without a doubt!

front view

baby's profile

arms, fingers, legs and toes!

As we wrapped up the appointment he began to hiccup...and it was so cute that tears welled up again. As amazing as that was, it wasn't the biggest moment for me...it was after we finished up with the doctor, who told us the ultrasound showed that everything looked normal. We were walking to the car and I was holding my stomach...the hubby was referring to the baby as our boy and I said "Our son" and we both stopped and looked at each other. We were in such awe and I felt so God blessed that I really began to cry.

Baby's Heartbeat

Yesterday was our second doctor's appointment. We met with the other doctor who could be delivering our baby and he was surprisingly gentle. At our first appointment we got to see the baby's heartbeat and that day we got to hear it!

The doctor had a handy device that was like a microphone on my stomach. It filled the room with the lovely should of our baby's heartbeat! The Dr. likened the slightly muffled but rapid sound to a train. With a huge smile on my face I could help but silently agree and wonder where I could get one of my own microphone devices for home....

chug-chug, chug-chug, chug-chug, chug-chug.....

Our 1st Appointment

I have to admit, that I practically held my breath all day until I saw that little heartbeat. In these early weeks it's just so hard to believe that there's really something growing inside of you.

Yes, you feel your body changing and the nausea is a constant reminder that something is going on... But there's nothing quite like seeing that obscure image for the first time, with that tiny, rapid, pulsating section somewhere in the middle. I almost cried... until my hubby said "There's our little alien!"