Last Wednesday we had the 20 week ultrasound appointment which was so excited for both Josh and I. We got to see the images of our little baby. At the appointment, the ultrasound tech asked if we wanted to know the gender and we both eagerly confirmed we HAD to know the gender. As she glided the transducer across my belly she found the right spot and announced that we're having a boy. Josh echoed, "We're having a boy!" with such awe that it was beyond precious. I will never forget it! The moment, though, was short lived when the technician tickled us with her comment, "Oh yeah, we've got scrotom." It was everything I could do not to double over in laughter--priceless! Here's a photo of our little boy's head in profile:
Everything looked normal on the ultrasound and apparently our little guy is going to be a bruiser (well, maybe). He's currently in the 90th percentile for growth. Wow! Is it bad that I'm hoping he's closer to the 50th percentile when it comes time for delivery? At the doctor's exam, our boy's heartbeat was sure and strong. We even got to hear (and feel) a big old kick. His movements continue to get stronger and I'm feeling lots of little punches and kicks already.
Our Christmas celebrations were wonderful! We got to spend time with our amazing (and sometimes long lost) family members. (Baby even got quite a few presents--lucky little guy!) At Christmas I was in fine form...absentminded as ever! As my nephew opened his brand new dinosaur toy, I called it an elephant. Oh dear, I better get it together or my kiddo is going to be very confused!
Here's hoping your Christmas holiday was wonderful and your New Year's celebrations are fantastic too!
Last night I felt the baby move--for sure this time! I was listening to music with the baby and suddenly I felt it and there was no mistaking it! What was really precious is that during the song "You Belong to Me" (from the movie Shrek) the baby was really active. Yay!
Winter has officially arrived in Minnesota with 4 inches of beautiful snow (much still picturesquely deposited on the trees) and some startling cold. I'm so fortunate to be pregnant in the winter time...the little bun in my oven is keeping me pretty warm!
Unfortunately, the common cold hit me before the Minnesota chill did. I've been battling an annoying cold for the past week (ick!). Thanks to plenty of rest and vitamin C, it's finally starting to subside.
Our last doctor's visit went very well. My belly measurements are right on. And Josh and I got to hear our little baby's heartbeat--strong and steady at 144 beats per minute. In two weeks (and two days) we have the 20 week appointment and ultrasound. I'm so excited to see how much baby has changed since the last ultrasound--plus this one will be in 3D--Yay!
The doctor said that soon I should start feeling the baby's little movements as 'flutters'. I actually think I may have felt a couple, but I'm not totally sure. I think if it happens more I'll be sure. I keep doubting that it's the baby, but rather my digestion. That's probably terrible of me, but I'm just not confident what a bell pepper sized baby moving inside me should feel like?!
Hoping to spur on movement, I've started playing music to my belly (also at this point the baby is beginning to hear things). It's fun to know that we're listening to the same thing. I do feel a little goofy sitting around with headphones on my tummy, but it's worth it! I'm really excited to play Christmas tunes to baby! I love the holidays--sharing Christmas music seems like the perfect way to pass that along (for now)!
I told my pal, Ashley H., I didn't think my belly was growing enough. Half an hour later, I bumped my belly while trying to close the rear passenger door of her car. It may be growing more than I realize. :-)
I had a dream that our baby is a boy. He had a beautiful smile (like his Daddy) and the same white-blonde hair Josh had as a baby.
I had a dream that our baby is a girl. I don't remember a lot about this dream...wish I did.
I discovered that the smell of flux (in the aluminum foundry at work) does not agree with me. Thankful I had enough sense to immediately evacuate the area...no one likes a puker.
I didn't dream about champagne this week, but I did buy some sparkling pear cider. Yum!
As word spreads of my pregnancy (at work), I've notice people looking at my belly. Thankfully, people haven't focused in on my...um...'lovely lady lumps'. I think they know better than to do that to someone in HR.
My memory isn't what it used to be--I have trouble remembering if I took my vitamins (5 minutes ago) or not. It's driving me a little crazy. I'm getting even better at making lists for myself.
Josh keeps reminding me that I can blame the baby for my clumsiness. (Even though I don't think I've been as uncoordinated as normal.) Special thanks to "The Expectant Father" for that one.
I'm looking forward to my next prenatal appointment on Friday; the best part is that Josh will finally be able to go with me! I'll post an update after. (Next month we have the ultrasound and with any luck will find out the gender of Baby A.)
My wildest pregnancy craving thus far...champagne! (Just as a disclaimer: I would NEVER drink during my pregnancy.)
In the past few weeks, I have a recurring dream...I'm at a liquor store searching for champagne. In one dream, I was specifically looking for champagne with 0.2% alcohol by volume. (Weird?!)
In another dream, I was searching and searching and searching for champagne, but I couldn't find it. Finally, a salesperson helped me find the champagne section. I found honey infused champagne and pear infused champagne. I even found strawberry champagne gel (sounds weird, but it seemed really cool).
So now I'm searching for a great "mock-tail" recipe for champagne--if you know of one you'd make my pregnancy dream come true (sort of).
My first pregnancy craving came to me in a dream...literally! Last Friday night, I had a dream that Josh took me out on a date to a buffet--a donut buffet. (How do I come up with these things?) Anyway, we were enjoying the delicious treats until I found the homemade pop-tarts. Things looked good until I took a dreamy bite and found that instead of being filled with brown sugar-cinnamon goodness it was filled with PICKLES! (That didn't sit too well with dream Jess.) I woke up and remembered that the only thing the Donut Buffet was missing: Apple Fritters!
I'd be lying if I said I was not compelled to immediately seek out Apple Fritters for breakfast. Mmm...delicious!
Last Thursday morning as I was getting ready for work I decided to splash on a bit of perfume. I've been sensitive to some smells, but my own perfume hasn't bothered me. However, the klutz in me came out in full force as I spritzed the perfume on my neck and I did a full sneeze into the 'cloud'. Needless to say, I had a very humbling case of 'perfume sickness'. (Yes, it's okay to laugh and shake your head at me.)
Even before the pregnancy I was prone to crying and now it's worse if you can believe it. Those who know me well will probably find this hard to believe. Last night I cried because I yelled at the dog and felt really bad about it. Last week Josh showed me this video and it destroyed me. Seriously, unless you're made of stone--how could it not make you cry? Enjoy!
My first prenatal appointment was September 26th (8 weeks). I was lucky enough to see the first pictures of our baby and hear the heart beating. There are no words! It was made even more special by the fact that my mom was there with me.
That night we told our dads (the moms already knew) and both were beyond excited. We shared with them the ultrasound photos. My mother-in-law, Nancy, aptly described how our baby looks in the photos...like a little gummy bear. How cute is that?
Almost as cute as that was when Brock (my nephew) asked me, "Do you know you have a baby in your belly?" Oh yes, I know!
On September 3rd impatience got the best of me and I made the quick trip down to the local super store. At the checkout, the clerk looked at my purchase (pregnancy tests and Pepto Bismol) and replied "Uh-Oh!". I must have given him the weirdest look. "Do you think you're pregnant?" he asked. I was so anxious that I think my response was something like, 'I don't think that's any of your business, but I don't think I'd be buying a test if I wasn't wondering.' It didn't stop there...he went on and on about how he thought it would be hilarious to buy loads of pregnancy tests and put them in his unsuspecting friends' homes. Seriously?! Why didn't I use the self-checkout option? When I got home, it felt like forever waiting for the test result. I finally allowed myself to look and there it was..."PREGNANT"! I immediately called Josh who was visiting friends. The two of us just soaked up the moment--both so excited and overwhelmed. Then he asked if I had taken one test or two...to make sure. After I got off the phone, I took another test (for Josh). Yup...still pregnant!
