Getting Started

It seems to me that, with 101 days left of this pregnancy (potentially), I should be doing something to document this... share with friends and family... record for posterity... something! And so... a blog. Ray will be out of town tomorrow, so I plan to go backward and fill in what has happened up to this point.

Today was a routine OB appointment, and the first one Ray hasn't gone to. Bless him. I got my experience with the yummy (ugh) orange glucose beverage. We'll keep our fingers crossed that I'm not showing any signs of gestational diabetes! The visit was mostly good. I'm up 14 pounds at this point. I'm a little disappointed, I was hoping to keep it under 15 total for the pregnancy, and I still have 3 months to go! However, doc was pleased, feels weight gain is appropriate and steady. He says he's not worried at all. After all, 25-35 is normal gain. And the pregnancy seems to be progressing on target and I'm feeling and looking fairly well.

So we did the Doppler to hear the heartbeat, and just a second after he found it... baby kicked the Doppler. And doc felt her kick it, too! Funny! Heartbeat today was in the 160s.

Movin' and Shakin'

Baby LOVES chocolate milk! (Or is that just me?) That and diet coke are the best ways to get her moving. Some days she moves a LOT, others not so much. Ray still hasn't felt baby move through my tummy, but there is still time for that opportunity, and will probably get easier as baby grows. I feel like I'm carrying very low. There is lots of pressure in my lower abdomen. The kicks I feel are never above my belly button, even though the uterus has extended to about 2 to 3 inches above my navel. A little tidbit I learned at that 4/2 OB appointment is that, apparently, my navel lower than the average person's. Most people's are about 20 inches above their pubic bone. Mine is at 17 inches. Ray and I are discussing options for birthing classes. We're looking at Bradley Method and Lamaze, and decide that maybe Lamaze is a better fit for our personalities. It is certainly easier on our wallet and our schedules. I try very hard not to worry about everything that could go wrong. The ultrasound was reassuring. She looked perfect to us! But I hear stories of mothers who give birth to stillborn babies after the cord gets wrapped around them days before baby is to be born. I try to process these as things that I have no control over... but try to reassure myself, they are not destined to happen to me.

Second Ultrasound...

How excited are we?
In my heart, I've been feeling that this baby is a girl for most of the pregnancy so far. Various friends and family have their own opinions (Tara is convinced it's a boy!)
So all morning before the ultrasound, I prepare myself in case I'm wrong and it's a boy. Either way, we'll be happy - we can't loose with either gender. Ray and I meet in the waiting room and Ray gets a page. The office pool is two to one - but he won't tell me which way.
During the ultrasound, the tech checks out my organs first, then start checking out baby. Size, development, etc. Starting from the head. We see baby's face, lips moving, hands fluttering by head. Arms, little round abdomen, legs, feet. Baby is moving gently and is very patient while we stare in awe (I swear, only a few tiny tears squeeze out of my smiling eyes). Finally the ultrasound tech says, "Yeah, there's nothing there..." and finally finishes the thought with "Yep. I see three parallel lines... it's a girl!"
Baby is about 15 ounces today. Estimated due date is still between August 9th and 11th.
Baby's Face (closeup)

Baby's Spine

Hands by Face & Abdomen

Arms and Legs

Side View