new ultrasound!

We had an ultrasound with a specialist today. Her equipment is much more high tech than my regular doctor. I can't believe how much the baby has grown in just 4 weeks! He was very active today and was moving around a lot. Several times it looked like he used his legs to push off and jump! :) I'm sure I will be feeling that in just a few short weeks. Michael and I were both in awe just watching him move around.
I actually get to go back on Friday for another ultrasound, too! I guess they are training new nurses on how to use the ultrasound machine and read the results and they need women who are between 8 and 13 weeks to come in and be the "guinea pigs" for the training. I am 12 weeks and 5 days so they asked if I would come back Friday. I said 'HECK YES!" because I love seeing the ultrasound...and they are also throwing in a $50 visa gift card to sweeten the deal. I would go back just for the extra ultrasound experience, but I'll never turn down a free gift card.
Here are some pictures from today's ultrasound.

12 week check up 9/16/2009

We had our 12 week check up. I was a little disappointed because I was expecting to do another ultrasound, but we didn't. We started the appointment as usual, taking weight and blood pressure. The doctor then discussed all of the blood work that was done at the last visit. Everything looks fine. :-) Then the doctor said she was going to try and listen to the baby's heartbeat. My first experience with that jelly on my belly! haha At first all we could hear was MY heartbeat, but after a few seconds, we heard the baby's heartbeat. :) It sounded just like mine, although a lot faster! The heartrate was about 150 which is normal, so the doctor said everything is going well.
We do have another doctor's appointment this Monday with a high-risk specialist. Not because anything is wrong....my regular doctor has all of her patients visit this specialist to get a better ultrasound and take more accurate measurements. So I just can't wait until Monday!

10 week picture

Just posting a new picture. This was me at 10 weeks. This week we go for our 12 week check-up! Hopefully I will have a new ultrasound picture to post. :)

time for the big girl pants...

I broke down and bought maternity pants this week. My jeans were getting just a little too tight for comfort! I couldn't justify spending money to buy a regular pair of pants just one size bigger when I know I wouldn't be able to wear them for much longer anyway. So I went shopping at Target and bought 2 new pairs of maternity pants and a couple of shirts. Who knew that shopping for maternity clothes could be so much fun?? :-) Everything was cute and looked good.
I admit that I get a little freaked out thinking of how much weight I'm going to gain (and have already gained) but I know it is normal. And I eat pretty well (despite a couple sweets here and there) and I have started exercising again...I'm really trying to keep the weight gain at a healthy amount. :-)
Despite the fatigue and morning sickness, I love being pregnant and experiencing all of these amazing changes as we wait for our little one to make his/her appearance. I can't wait to see what my belly will look like in just a few short months! And reading about all of the changes the baby goes through each week really is incredible. It almost doesn't seem possible that a baby can start as two little cells then develop so quickly inside you...I guess that's just all part of the miracle. :-)
It's been a great day so far and I just feel incredibly blessed.

8 week check up :)

We had our 8 week check up today. I was so nervous and excited, I just couldn't wait to see the ultrasound! We had to start the appointment by answering a lot of questions about our health history and checking vital signs and taking my weight. I have gained 1 pound in the last 2 weeks! I think that is a total of 3 to 4 pounds so far! Oh well, I had better just expect that number to rise from here on out...
After all of that, we finally got to go back and see the doctor. She did an internal ultrasound and the baby was immediately very easy to see. Such a difference in just the past two weeks, because we couldn't even see the baby at the last appointment. We saw the little heartbeat on the screen and it was an absolutely amazing experience. Words really can't describe it.
The doctor measured the baby and according to the measurements I am 7 weeks and 4 days, but just counting from my last period, I should be 8 weeks and 2 days. So she is sending me to a specialist who has a better ultrasound machine to get more accurate measurements. Don't worry! That doesn't mean there is anything wrong...she said she sends all of her patients to do the same thing. :-) She also told me that all of my blood work from the last appointment came out normal and the HCG (pregnancy) hormone levels were really high, so everything looked good.
The appointment ended with me having to give at least 8 vials of blood to check for all kinds of things...routine stuff when you are having a baby, I guess. I also got a prescription for more prenatal vitamins and she recommended I start taking B6 supplement to help with morning sickness. We also talked briefly about which hospital we would like to deliver at, but Mike and I decided to visit both choices before making a decision. I'm thinking that whichever one is closest to the house will be the best choice! haha
What an incredible way to start the day! I have been waiting for weeks to see the baby and the heartbeat and there it was. :) It really is a miracle. Can't wait for the next checkup in 4 weeks!

dreams

I had a dream last night that we went for an ultrasound and found out we were having a boy. Could this be premonition? I'm not sure. I honestly don't have a strong feeling one way or the other as to what we might have. Of course, the most important thing is to have a healthy baby. :-) I guess we will just have to wait a few more months to find out! I will definitely find out before the baby is born. I'm a very patient person, but when it comes to something like this my patience flies out the window! :)

"morning sickness" needs a new name...

This week I have felt incredibly ill. Up until now I have felt pretty tired and just a little nauseated. Well, Monday was the end to "mild nausea". I have been sick every morning this week and the nausea/tummy ache has lasted just about all day. I feel a little relief when I am eating and right afterward, but that's about it. To make things even more fun, my stomach constantly feels too full and empty all at the same time. How can this be, you might ask? I have no idea! So I have spent the majority of this week in the bathroom, or laying on the couch. I am extremely grateful to have a job that allows me to work at home so I can take breaks whenever I need to. The only true relief comes in the form of a nap. Ah, and tater tots. I felt extremely happy and content eating tater tots today.
Apparently there was a government study that claims women who had morning sickness had babies with high IQs. Who knows? Maybe I am already helping my baby make it to college! haha I AM in my 7th week and this is the week that brain cells are developing at the rate of 100 cells/minute. Maybe my baby is developing 200/minute! haha
I just keep reminding myself that this is all for a great cause and will eventually be worth every minute. :)
But I still think "morning sickness" needs a new name...