May 30 - 26 weeks

The network of nerves in our baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. She may now be able to hear both my voice and Michael's as you chat with each other. She's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of her lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when she's born and takes that first gulp of air. And she's continuing to put on baby fat. She now weighs about a 1 2/3 pounds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel.

As for my lower back that is a little more achy lately, I can thank both my growing uterus — which shifts my center of gravity, stretches out and weakens my abdominal muscles, and may be pressing on a nerve — as well as hormonal changes that loosen my joints and ligaments. Plus, the extra weight I'm carrying means more work for my muscles and increased stress on my joints, which is why I feel worse at the end of the day. Walking, standing, or sitting for long periods, as well as bending and lifting can all put a strain on my back. I feel like an old fart when I have to bend down to put a pan away or if I drop something I feel like it's the end of the world!

On a better note, Daddy felt Brooke kick for the first time tonight!!! After dinner we were sitting on the couch (more like laying for mommy) and I asked him, as I always do, if he wanted to feel my belly. I know that it has gotten frustrating for both of us at times, as I am so eager for him to feel her move, since I have the joy of feeling her daily. I want him to experience that feeling and excitement as well! So he has his hand right on my belly where I had seen it moving just seconds before and I feel a couple kicks...and so does Daddy!!! He said it only felt like a twitch, but nonetheless, he felt our little miss for the first time! :) He felt her move a little more and then tried watching to see if he could my belly move, but I think she must have been getting tired because that was the end of it.



A look from above down at my toes...and they're still there!


Earlier this week, Daddy also picked out and bought his first gift for Brooke. I can't wait to see her in it! It is a pink and camouflage bib that says "D is for Deer". So stinking cute!!! He talks about the two of them hunting and fishing together. I love to hear the excitement in his voice and see the joy in his eyes as he talks about his little girl. He told me she is going to have long, pretty hair too (like mommy)! Sometimes we lay in bed at night and imagine what she'll look like - blonde or brunette, mommy or daddy's eyes, etc. I cannot wait to see our little angel. No matter what color her eyes or hair, we already love her to the moon. 14 weeks from today, she'll be here! Mommy and Daddy are counting down...

May 28 - 6 month appointment

This was my first doctor's appointment without daddy. :( It made me really sad, but I understand that there will be more important reasons to take off from work. His new job is going really well and he does not want to jeopardize anything asking for time off so early. So mommy and baby headed to the doctor's office early Tuesday morning.

First off, I found out that I had gained 5 pounds since my last appointment, which is the most I have put on in between appointments. However, I was assured that is okay, as that only puts me at a total gain of 11 pounds pre-pregnancy weight...and I am going to blame part of that on Memorial Day weekend! :)

No ultrasound this week, but I did get to her our little girl's heartbeat. Doc said it was healthy and strong!! That always makes me smile. She educated me on Cord Blood Banking and after talking to her about the expenses, benefits and options, I said I was still unsure. I wanted to talk to Michael about it. However, I expressed interest in donating the cord, but she told me that at Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital, there was not a way to do that at this time. So unfortunately, if we do not want to keep it, they will have to discard it, unless I find a way for someone to come and get it. She said she has not heard of a way to do this, but is more than willing to do it, if I find an alternative.

She suggested I take a couple Tylenol before bed to help alleviate some of the pain in my hips, but other than that it was normal to be feeling more uncomfortable as I enter the third trimester... With that, she gave me her authorization for a 3D ultrasound, if we choose to get one, and I was done. No blood work needed this go around...that's a first! However, my next appointment was scheduled for 2 weeks - June 11th. At that time, I will do the glucose testing to check for gestational diabetes and I will also do some follow up lab work to see how my thyroid is doing with the new dose of medicine.

Short and sweet appointment. Everything is on track. Back to work I go...

May 27

Saturday, I was up early doing chores around the house. I constantly complain about my feet hurting and being tired, but I can't stand sitting still. I am sure it will only be a few more weeks until that is out the window! Michael insists that I sit down and rest with him on our weekends, but for some reason, I like to fight it.

After getting some laundry done, I finally sat down to catch up on some shows, just as it was time to go to a friend's graduation party. We headed out to Cypress and that was quite the journey. We must have made 3 or 4 stops - getting cash out, gas, drinks & ice for daddy and a snack for mommy...we finally made it about 4 to their house. They have a nice pool, so I was able to enjoy that and play with my friends' kiddos. We had a great time catching up with friends, and actually stayed well into the night. I was surprised with how long I last! People watching, BBQ and pool time can keep me going, even at 6 1/2 months pregnant!

Sunday, we went down to the pool for an hour or two before going over to my grandparents' house. Pa made one of his well-known briskets - they're the best in town! We enjoyed catching up with the family there and sat inside most of the time, as it was too hot to be outdoors. After dinner, we were all stuffed! We stopped by the pharmacy to get some after-sun lotion on the way home. It wasn't until we were applying the hydrating cream that we realized how much sun we actually got in that short time at the pool. Michael's whole chest was red and my shoulders were pretty pink too. First sun of the summer - it always happens!

We started Memorial Day morning by going grocery shopping and getting a cart full of fresh veggies and fruit! :) Then, I somehow managed to talk Michael into joining me at the pool - sunburn and all. He kept his shirt on until we got in the water, but he had applied a good coat of SPF this time around. We took a break to go cool off and make burgers for lunch. We got a new seasoning and Michael was ready to try it out on the deer burgers - it was delicious! We spent a couple more hours down by the pool until a large family came in and took over the whole area... We retreated back to the apartment to wind down from a busy weekend and relax in the air conditioning!

It was indeed a great Memorial Day weekend. So grateful for those men and women who have served to allow us to enjoy a 3-day weekend of freedom!!! God bless America.

May 23 - 25 weeks

Just around the corner is the end of my 2nd trimester...which could be why I'm experiencing new things and revisiting symptoms from the 1st trimester. I am growing, there is no hiding the baby bump these day! I'll found out next week, how much weight I have put on... I purposely do not have a scale at home, because I would constantly be weighing myself! I have been extremely tired - fatigue like I experienced in the beginning, if not more! I go to bed somewhat early, but I guess it's because I do not sleep thru the night. I toss and turn trying to relieve the pressure and pain from my hips.

Head to heels, our baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.

I feel her moving around so much more now, as she is getting bigger it is much more obvious than the little flutters that I once felt. I love talking with other pregnant friends and mothers about the feelings of their little one growing inside. It really is a crazy, yet beautiful thing - nothing less than a miracle that some blessed women are able to help God grow a tiny human to bring into this world! Ahh...pure bliss. :)

Yesterday, we had lunch at Perry's and since I've been craving pork more these days, I no doubt had their house speciality pork chop. It was a lunch portion, but still one huge plate of meat! I barely put a dent in it and got the rest to go for dinner plus some! We went with our marketing team at work, as well as the president of the company to celebrate our award for "Living Our Vales - People". I feel so honored to have been awarded this along with such a great team. It also doesn't hurt to be recognized for your accomplishments!

Looking forward to a nice, long 3-day weekend - relaxing in the pool and spending time with friends and family!!!

May 20 - Baby Registry Done!

Friday, I had the day off and spent most of it doing laundry. I met my parents at the Greek Fest for lunch, and got dinner to-go for Michael and I. We had Greek pizzas and souvlaki - yum! Then, I suggested us going to the movies...we haven't been to the movie theater in probably over a year (at least)! I wanted to go to Katy Mills to get clothes at Motherhood Maternity and I figured we could see a movie while we were there. We decided on Pain & Gain...not too bad, but surely not worth the $20 it is to see a movie in the theater. I got my movie theater fix...and will be good with waiting until they come out on Redbox for awhile! Nonetheless, it was fun to get out and do something. We rarely go out, and I know maternity clothes shopping wasn't Michael's first choice, but he did it with a smile...or he just did it to make me smile! I got a few more pants that fit comfortably, and don't involve me looping a rubber band on the button of my pants and then covering it up with a belly band!

Saturday, I was up early and made breakfast. After lounging for a bit, we decided to go do our baby registry! Another event Michael was really looking forward to it! We were at Babies R Us for about 3 hours and it was not an easy task, but it was finally done. We got some advice from some people, but in the end we decided to go with our gut. It's a learning experience for us, as it is with every new parent. We might not know what bottle she is going to like best, or if she will prefer a bouncer to rocker, but we will have to figure that along the way. It is amazing how many choices there are these days. It's nice, but then again, it seems like it may have been easier when there was only one kind of swing, one brand of pacifiers, one type of pump, etc. Nonetheless, we got our goodie bag and headed out...without a single purchase (that's a first)!

On to Target, we went. After a bathroom break, waiting in three lines and two encounters with some interesting staff members, we had our Starbucks drinks in one hand and the scanner in the other. The main item I knew they didn't carry at Babies R Us, but that I had seen advertised at Target, was not available in-store. Go figure! We found a couple of other items to scan and were ready to get out of there. The few aisles at Target are not nearly as intimidating as the entire BRU store. We still had to go to Sam's for a few necessities, so we returned to scanner, found out they were out of registry goodie bags...and left! Later I ended up going through and getting rid of most of the items at Target, so if you're planning on shopping for Brooke, check out BRU, aka Babies R Us!

I was able to purchase Brooke a couple of new books among our groceries at Sams! I have been reading to her lately. It is the sweetest thing when I feel her kick as I am reading, it is confirming that she hears her mommy's voice! I love it. Michael and I drove thru Chickfila for a quick bite, since we hadn't eaten since breakfast and had been shopping for over 4 hours. After getting everything upstairs (thanks to Daddy), we headed to the pool for the first time this year. My swimsuit was a bit on the small side, but not bad - I've definitely seen worse! It was early in the evening, so the sun wasn't as hot and the water felt great. It was so nice to have all the weight off my joints and bones in the water! I will be frequenting the pool a lot this summer, if I can stand the heat!

After the pool, we got cleaned up and decided to head out to Waller County Cook-off. We had a couple friends who were on a team and cooking all weekend, so we decided to go for some brisket and good times (maybe a beer or two for Daddy). It was a relaxing drive, except for the fact that our GPS never seems to work when you really need it. Scooter Brown Band was playing and the weather was great - I was actually kind of chilly. We ate some great BBQ and spent time with close friends. It was a later night than I am used to, but it was fun after a very long, busy day!

Sunday, we took it easy. I ran a couple errands while Michael stayed home to rest, then we headed back to the pool before the sun went down. We rented Argo and made deer sausage, sauteed spinach and tortellini for dinner. I didn't make it through the movie before I was in bed sleeping... We had a very long and productive weekend. So glad we can check registering off our to-do list....now I just have to make a decision on the nursery colors/theme. There are 2 (maybe 3) that I just love...perhaps this week I will figure it out and let everyone know! Until then...

May 16 - 24 weeks

Our baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week, that puts her at just over a pound - oh my goodness! Since she's almost a foot long (about the length of an ear of corn), she has a pretty lean figure at this point, but her body is filling out proportionally and she'll soon start to plump up. Her brain is also growing quickly now, and her taste buds are continuing to develop. Her lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help her air sacs inflate once she hits the outside world. Her skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

Lately I have noticed more hair on my tummy, but apparently that is pretty common. 47% of pregnant women report an increase in this specific area. I have also noticed some swelling in my fingers and feet lately. My feet are hurting after standing for shorter times and I feel like I get tired very easily, similar to the first trimester. When I wake up in the mornings my fingers feel very swollen, and some of my rings are too uncomfortable to wear at this time. My heartburn has also gotten worse. I thought I knew what heartburn was before I was pregnant, but that doesn't compare to what I experience now. It happens out of the blue - middle of the night, while I'm driving, first thing in the morning - not just after eating something spicy or acidic. I almost ripped my purse apart yesterday on the way home to find my tums; the pain was horrendous and it really feels like their is burning liquid inside me. I know lots of girls who never got heartburn during pregnancy, but for the ones who did said it was constant and very painful. I am going to talk to my doctor about taking something versus popping tums like candy. We'll see...

May 12 - Mother's Day

What a wonderful Mother's Day weekend. I know I am not quite a mother yet, but growing our Little Miss counts for something! :) Michael let me sleep in and I woke up to biscuits and sausage gravy, along with flowers and a card! The card read "Happy Mother's Day from our Princess...to the Queen!" Couldn't have picked a better card. I've always been the princess, but I am more than happy to take Queen to give our little angel the princess title!



Hydrangeas and roses from our daughter and Daddy-to-be!

After breakfast we headed to Deer Park to have lunch with Michael's family. First we showed Michael's parents the ultrasound video; they loved it! Cameron and Alex picked out a bib for their baby cousin; it read "Miss Independent". Very sweet! Then, we went through Michael's clothes and packed up the stuff he wanted to keep. Then we bagged stuff for Goodwill and trash. After loading the car, we went over to his aunt Becky's house. I was showered with more Mother's Day goodies and love from all of this family! After lunch, we headed out, as we had to return to Katy before dinner with my family.

On the way back, we had the infamous conversation about picking a name...again. Michael said he didn't know what was taking so long, because he thought we both agreed on the same name. So after a few minutes of making sure there were no other names that we preferred, we decided on our little one's name! BROOKE LEIGH TAYLOR :) What a huge step. Deciding the name of another person, the name they will be called for the rest of their life...I felt butterflies in my stomach! To think we have not only created this tiny miracle, together we have chosen a name for her! It was such a relief to refer to our baby as she/her when we had the gender confirmed, but to call her by name...it's indescribable. To think, she is OURS...and together, as her mommy and daddy, we have finally chose a name for our daughter!

We arrived at my parents' house, and after giving Grandmere and my mom their gifts, I opened a present from my parents. It was 2 books for our little girl - "Thank You God for Mommy" and "That's How Much I Love You". We loaded up the car and headed to Maggiano's for our reservation. Grandmere requested Italian. :) Jen and Mike met us there. It was quite the feast, as usual, and what is a Hassig family gathering without drama?! Two and a half hours later, we were finally ready to leave.



My mama and best friend!



My beautiful, witty and loving Grandmere!

We stopped by my aunt Amy's to have dessert and see the rest of the family. It was also my cousin Kelly's daughter's 1st birthday! We gave her kisses and oohed and awed over her before leaving.

We got home and cuddled up to watch a movie, which I didn't make it even halfway through. This mama was worn out. It was bittersweet to know that next year, it will not be just Michael and I, but our precious baby will be here too. I cannot wait! Thanks to everyone for all the Mother's Day cards, presents, wishes and love. I feel so loved!

I just read a quote this morning and it really hit home. "Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle." I sometimes gripe about being pregnant, but not everyone is blessed with this opportunity. God chose us to create this little miracle and I feel honored! Days when my feet are swollen, my skin is dry and itchy, my head is throbbing, I can't stop crying, I'm feeling nauseous or I can't sleep...I shall remember this. Our little one is, and always will be, a miraculous blessing!

May 11 - Baby Bumps

On Saturday, we woke up early and were at the grocery store at 8:30 am. We got stuff to make breakfast...and then ended up buying brownie mix and a couple other random things. It really is a bad idea to go to the store hungry, you leave with so much more than you went for!

We had breakfast and lounged for the rest of the morning. I made brownies that we planned to give Grandmere for Mother's Day, as she said they were her favorite! At 3, we had my friend's Gender Reveal Party to attend. They had some yummy food that this pregnant woman thoroughly enjoyed - Greek pasta salad, corn dip, brownie batter dip with fruit & vanilla wafers, sausage & cheese and an amazing cake! We picked up a new trick for cooking sausage, since it was so delicious. Cook it on the grill until it's well-charred all around, then squeeze fresh lemon juice on it. The citrus juice locks in the flavor and pair it with sharp cheddar cheese to compliment. Yum!

Chelsea and Jeff already have a little boy, he'll be 3 this summer. They found out the gender at the party along with everyone else, and baby #2 is a BOY!!!

I am so excited for them!!!! Chelsea is due on October 16th, so our little ones will be just a few weeks apart! Our birthdays are four days apart too. Is it weird that I'm so excited to be pregnant at the same time as one of my best friends!? lol Chelsea had a boy and girl outfit as decoration for the party, and after finding out she was having a boy, she gave me the ruffle bottoms for our little girl! :) They are so cute!!!

 



After the party, we rented a couple movies and Michael made chicken fried deer steaks for dinner. We really had an enjoyable and relaxing day! I know these sort of days of few and far between, so we both appreciated it! Sometimes it's still so hard to believe, but then I look down and am reminded of our little miracle...



My growing bump, at 23 weeks!

May 9 - 23 weeks

With her sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel me dance! And she's now more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango). Blood vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that our baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing her for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as Michael's snoring — probably won't faze her when she hears them outside the womb. Lucky her!

My ankles and feet have started to swell some. Wearing heels has become rare, even though I swore to veteran moms that I was planning to wear heels all the way through! My balance is off and the effort it takes to wear them is just not worth it. I have invested in at least 6 pairs of flats since I've been pregnant! I imagine they're only going to get worse during the heat of summer. Sluggish circulation in my legs, coupled with changes in my blood chemistry that may cause some water retention, may result in swelling, also known as edema. My body will get rid of the extra fluid after I have the baby, which is why extra potty breaks and sweating are common for a few days after delivery. In the meantime, they suggest lying on my left side or with my feet propped up as much as possible. So that means less cooking, cleaning, laundry, errands, etc...right?

The topical creams I have been using for the dry skin on my face and the itchy, red patches on my tummy (due to my skin stretching) seem to be working. I have cut back on the usage, as my doctor recommended, and am using it as sparingly as possible. I have noticed an increase in heartburn, but again hear that is very common among pregnant women. After talking to another pregnant friend about our symptoms, I realized my headaches have not been as frequent. Perhaps that is due to the extra iron I have been taking every other day. Either way, I am happy that they have ceased, even if only for the time being - they are brutal! I have also noticed another increase in fatigue. It could very well be that I'm coming to the end of my second trimester and those wonderful symptoms I experienced in my first trimester could return. I have definitely had trouble getting out of bed in the morning, so I'm trying to get to bed early. And I have been trying to relax more during my free time, rather constantly being on the go and running errands. It's hard...

Overall, mommy, daddy and little miss are doing very well! :)

May 8

Michael had to go back to Deer Park last Thursday to get a few things before starting his new job this week. While he was there, he was able to go fishing with his friend Justin. They didn't catch much, but I know he misses being on the water with his rod and reel.

Meanwhile, I was back in Katy, where my friend Tasha had her baby boy. Riley Keith Stringer was born Wednesday, May 1st. Her water broke on Tuesday and she was in labor 25 hours before having a c-section. He came in at 8 pounds and 21 1/2 ounces, and they are both doing well! She was at Memorial Hermann Katy, so it was nice to get a feel for the hospital, staff, post-pregnancy events, etc. He is such a cutie and I can't wait for him to meet his playmate in September! Congrats to Tasha and Brad on such a beautiful son!

Saturday, we went to Carl's 6th Annual BBQ, an event that our friend has every year to get everyone together for food, drinks and fun! It was great to see some friends that I haven't seen in months and catch up on life. To get out of the sun for a bit, I went by my parents and showed them the ultrasound video of PB. They loved it! Grandmere was clapping and bouncing up and down in her chair. My dad called out each limb as he noticed it - "Oh there's her legs"..."There's her nose"..."That's her hand". It was adorable! We had a long day, but it was great to see so many friends. Michael was adorable talking to people about the baby. He is already one proud Daddy!!!

Sunday, we went to my cousin Kelly & Kyle's house to celebrate their daughter Arden's 1st Birthday. She is a little doll! It was her first time to have cake - how special! We sang Happy Birthday and then she was served a piece of delicious white frosted cake. She was skeptical at first, as she was unsure about the texture of the icing, but once Dad put a piece in her mouth, she couldn't stop! She loved it!!! She got lots of cute clothes and fun toys. It was so special watching her, knowing that in 4 months our little angel will be here. Time is flying...

After the party, we did some shopping for Michael for his first week of his new job. I couldn't resist buying our daughter a new outfit...in every store we went in!! She's spoiled already and it's only going to get worse! We had another busy weekend...before a busy week. It was great to spend time with family and friends.

Monday night, I noticed a "rash" on the side of my tummy. Michael thought it could be from new clothes that I've purchased. I thought it may be stretch marks forming. I didn't think it was an allergic reaction from anything, as I haven't changed any soaps or moisturizers lately. I did figure it was pregnancy related though...and was hoping it wasn't shingles or something similar. I called the nurse at my OBs office on Tuesday when the itch persisted. She referred me to a dermatologist and booked an appointment for me.

I went to see Dr. Czelusta this morning to find out it's a form of eczema related to pregnancy. He said it was probably not the topical eczema I had as a child, but it could be one of three types pregnancy-related. I couldn't repeat the names if my life depended on it - they're extremely long. Regardless of which he type, he would recommend the same treatment. So I got a Rx cream for my tummy that should take care of the itch. He notified me that it could take about a week for it to begin working, but if it got any worse to come back and see him. He was very nice; great referral from my OB! He also gave me another Rx cream for my face, as that has been extremely dry and flaky lately. He suggested that I discontinue the Bio-Oil that I had been using and continue with the daily moisturizer I have been using - Aveeno. He said that applying lotion or cream 2-3 times daily will work just as good, if not better than any other product claiming to reduce stretch marks, such as Bio-Oil or Cocoa Butter. I was also instructed to get some different face wash, so goodbye Clean and Clear!

I have come to realize that I have asthma, rhinitis, hypothyroidism, and now eczema! Someone asked me today if pregnancy was awful, and even though I have a list of pregnancy-related symptoms, I would say NO WAY! Feeling those little movements in my belly, hearing her heartbeat during an ultrasound, buying tiny little onesies, talking to her while she's growing in my tummy, answering questions about my pregnancy, thinking of holding her in four months, dreaming of looking into our little angel's eyes....ALL make it worthwhile! I am so happy to call myself a mother, even if my child is not physically here for another 4 months. The sacrifices I have already made are for the greatest miracle of all!!! So blessed to be on this journey and to have the love of my life by my side.

Happy early Mother's Day to all the mothers in my life...my mom, Grandmere, Ga, my Godmother Milly, my aunts Amy and Chris, my cousins Kelly and Missy, my mother-in-law Kathy, Mamaw, Pam, Becky, Helen, Jane, Peggy...and all of my friends with their own little bundles of joy!!!

May 2 - Lots of new news

Today we went for our monthly doctor's appointment. We found out a LOT!

First, everything looks good from the anatomy ultrasound, although they said they had a limited facial profile, meaning they did not get a clear view of the face. They said we could return for a second anatomy ultrasound, if we so desire, but it was not required. She gave us the orders in case we decide, and we have a couple weeks to think about it. They said the baby measured in the 98th percentile, based on the September 11th due date. However, after looking at the measurements from the anatomy ultrasound and comparing that to the ultrasounds from 8 and 13 weeks, they determined a new due date! That's right, our EDD (estimated date of delivery) has changed AGAIN! PB is now expected on September 5, 2013. Putting us at 22 weeks today!

We also told our OB about our experiences at the hospital and how unhappy we were with the whole experience - the setup of the room, the view of the ultrasound, the lack of confidence the tech had with the gender, etc. She said we could opt to do a gender scan in the office with one of their techs but that insurance did not cover it - it would be one flat rate. If for some reason, it was not able to be determined today, we would not be charged the next time - they would try until they found out for sure. I was ready to know and get an answer 100% confirmed. So they said they would try to squeeze us in between appointments. We went back to the waiting room and about five minutes later, the tech called my name.

I told her the situation from the hospital and she was flabbergasted. On went the gel and there was PB. :) It brings such a smile to my face to see that little baby growing inside me. It's so amazing!!! So we saw a great profile of the face, the little arms and legs...and then PB moved some more. So the tech pushed at my belly a few times to get a good angle and there it was...3 little lines! She said she is 100% sure IT IS A GIRL!!! I was so happy to get a for sure answer and know that our little one can now be called a she! :)


Our baby GIRL at 22 weeks!


With this comes so many more exciting things - picking out nursery colors, registry shopping, picking out a name, and really feeling an extra bond with our daughter on the way! :) EEEKKK... I am full of happiness and excitement. I just wanted to cry tears of joy, but I was surprisingly able to contain myself. I was just so in the moment. She printed out 3 pictures for us and even gave us a DVD of the ultrasound. We now have a movie of the gender reveal!!! I think this is even more special than I had ever imagined!

She has caused me to put on a total of 6 lbs since January, but that is okay! We love her already. :) My asthma seems to be under control and I rarely have to use my inhaler. I am still using the nasal spray every morning to increase nasal breathing and that is helping immensely.

I had more blood taken after our appointment, to check my iron levels and my thyroid. It's been a month since I have been taking medicine for my low active thyroid and we want to make sure that the dosage is working so the baby is in tip-top shape, as well as mommy! After leaving the lab, Michael and I watched the ultrasound video at the apartment, I had a smile from ear to ear! I can't get enough of it. Michael said he didn't think we should show everyone, since you can see her lady parts! :) He also thinks she has my nose! How cute is that?!

Well, since I am now bumped up another week, here's the scoop at 22 weeks...

At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, our baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. Her lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and she's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath the gums. Her eyes have formed, but the irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. 

If you could see inside the womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers the body and the deep wrinkles on her skin, which she'll sport until she adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside her belly, her pancreas, essential for the production of some important hormones, is developing steadily.

Oh my goodness...I am filled with joy and I can't stop smiling today! I am so ready to meet our little angel! Keep her in your prayers for good health...we already know she'll be a beauty! :)

xo

May 1 - 21 weeks

Our baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. It sometimes feels like PB is practicing martial arts as the initial fluttering movements have turned into full-fledged kicks and nudges. I have also started to discover a pattern. It seems that around 9-9:30 am, as I'm sitting at my desk, PB starts some moving around, and then again around 10-10:30 pm when I'm laying in bed. Seems like we may have a night owl on our hands, just like mama! In other developments, our baby's eyebrows and lids are present now, and supposedly if we're having a girl, her "lady parts" have begun to form as well. So I'm not completely sure why we weren't able to see anything (boy OR girl parts) during the ultrasound last week.

Speaking of, we have a doctor's appointment tomorrow and I am hoping we are able to get an ultrasound and maybe a confirmation of the gender. I told the nurse who called me this morning reminding me of the appointment our situation, she said the technician usually does not come in until 9 am...our appointment is at 8 am. She said to talk to our OB about it and she may want to do one. Fingers crossed and extra prayers that we find out, for sure this time, if PB is a girl or not! :)

She will also evaluate the measurements that were taken during the anatomy ultrasound, so they may know what percentile our baby is in and be able to tell us more about her (or him).

On another note, one of my best friends is having her baby today. Her water broke yesterday around noon, but still no baby yet. She was only 5 cm as of this morning (has to get to 10 cm), so they prepped her for a c-section and gave her antibiotics. She's been in labor for 24 hours now, and they scheduled her c-section for 1 pm. I'm waiting to hear back what's happening now... I know she's frustrated and ready to meet her little man, so lots of prayers for Tasha and Baby Riley!!!

We got our pictures from the Gender Reveal Party, that Mallory took...and they are AMAZING! These pictures are priceless and will be forever cherished. Enjoy!!!

At Bear Creek Park Pavilion #1 for the Gender Reveal Party on April 26, 2013.

Sister/Aunt-to-be says GIRL!

Grammy and Grumpy both think GIRL!

  

Pa & Ga predict BOY (they want their first great-grandSON!

Is Grumpy expecting too?

Getting ready for the big Reveal...

  

Cute picture of Grammy and Grumpy - Love Birds!



Priceless.

 

It's a girl...or at least we're 80% sure it is!

Sorry Beau, it's a BOW!!!