27 weeks

Merry Christmas Baby Shelton!  We cannot wait for your first Christmas!!!

Baby is now the size of:  pot roast!  She is 15 inches long and weighs about two pounds; awww a little string bean baby!  If she were born today, she would have an 85 percent chance of surviving, with lots of medical help.  Oh, and, eyelids have officially opened! 


How I'm feeling:  pleasantly plump; despite comments about how "tiny" my bump may be.   I'm starting to get leg cramps in the middle of the night, which means lots of restless nights.  Apparently the volume of the amniotic fluid has reduced by about half.  This means less cushioning between me and baby, and I get to see little bony knees and elbows poking out of my stomach when she kicks and turns.  On Christmas Eve she kicked so hard that I actually gasped.  She always seems to kick the same spot on my belly, and I think one of these days a small foot is just going to come through the skin.  LOL

Physical differences from last week:  I weighed in a couple of days ago, and I'm up 18 pounds total; this is right smack in the middle of the "normal" weight gain range for this week.  Annnd we're up three pounds from last month...

What's been on my mind:  surprisingly, not a lot.  These past three days have been all about relaxing and family.  We got all the shopping and baking done on time, and we had a great time with our families.  Its very exciting to think about what next Christmas will be like with our little baby! 

What I'm looking forward to:  baby hiccups!  I should have felt them by now, but I still haven't...  And of course, getting the nursery organized.  We must be the only couple on earth that made it this far into their pregnancy without even starting the nursery.

Random thoughts:  my sweet Casey got me a glider for Christmas!  It is so comfy, and I expect lots of time will be spent in the glider once the babe is here.  

26 weeks - Third trimester

Hellooooo Third Trimester, nice to meet ya!  I'm hoping this last trimester doesn't fly by, as the other two have, and that the return of the fatigue is a mere myth (ha!).  

Baby is now the size of an:  English Cucumber!  She is about 14 inches long and weighs about a pound and two-thirds.  As of this week our little baby's hearing system is now completely formed; sound passes easily into the uterus, and this helps her ears develop.  Eyes are almost fully formed, and in a week her fused eyelids will open for the first time.  Did you know that all babies have blue eyes in the womb?  Weird... Apparently baby's eyes don't get their final color until a few months after they are born.   


How I'm feeling: pregnant.  Getting out of my car is now a bit of a challenge; my legs are usually soar by the end of the day; feet are swelling on the daily; yadda yadda yadda.  Its really not that bad, I hope I'm not being too whiney.  Oh, the heartburn was less frequent this week (thank God!); but, unfortunately, I had two bouts of nausea that were rather sucky.

Physical differences from last week:  not much to report here...the babe looks low as usual, and the belly is a little bigger.

What's been on my mind: my thirty-seven item to-do list.  The highlights are as follows:  consider a babymoon (not gonna happen), sign up for childbirth classes, interview pediatricians, register, tour the maternity ward at the hospital, develop a birth plan (that the doctor won't follow anyway), cook and freeze meals for after delivery, and pack the hospital bag.

What I'm looking forward to:  Registering, clicking off my to-do list, CHRISTMAS!!! 

Random thoughts:  the babe is not a fan of jalapenos; I'll keep that in mind as my due date approaches.  ;-)

25 weeks

Countdown to third trimester:  1 week!  Where has the time gone?  It blows my mind that we're almost 2/3 of the way through this pregnancy; it feels like just yesterday I took the pregnancy test.  I really liked second trimester; sure it would've been nice to have the bump a little sooner, but it was nice to feel like I had time.  Now I feel like we have to do 9 months of prep work in 3 months...

Baby is now the size of an:  eggplant!  She is approximately 13.5 inches long and weighs about 1.5 pounds.  Nostrils are officially unplugged, and very soon those little eyelids will pry themselves open for the first time.  Her sense of equilibrium has set in, and she is now able to determine right side up from upside down; maybe this is why she prefers to hang in breech position.  Hehehe.  Our active little baby can now make fists and grab her little feets.  And we've finally got some baby fat!  I fully expect this little baby to be quite the chunker; just look at her parents as babies:

Casey

Tay

How I'm feeling:  bulbous, verrrrrry bulbous; but I still feel pretty good overall.  Shaving my legs is officially challenging.  I experienced heartburn for the first time in my life earlier this week.  That was less than pleasant; fortunately, my darling husband brought me some Tums and milk and that seemed to help.  Apparently heartburn is a very common symptom, and its due to slower digestion.  I'm also having some cramps on the top of my belly and the bottom of my belly.  I'd like to blame growing pains, as I've  been growing rather rapidly the past two weeks; I'm hoping this isn't the start of Braxton Hicks contractions.  Oh ya, and I'm a big klutz; lots of Blonde Moments at work and lots of things have been dropped lately.  (I'm a natural blonde, so I'm allowed to make that comment)  ;-)

Physical differences from last week:  I think my boobs grew again....ugh!  Here is your weekly pic:

What's been on my mind:  registering, cloth diaper brands, snuggling with my little baby, blah blah blah.  Oh I know, during the week I was completely fixated on how our tiny house will not be nearly large enough to hold all of our babies Christmas presents next year.  Let alone presents for more than one baby in the years to come.  I guess we'll just have to move!  Hehehe

What I'm looking forward to:  Wednesday!  I have my last final at 6:30, and after that....I'm a free (wo)man!  I won't have to worry about any scholastic nonsense until next fall.  I will finally have my life back, I will finally have free time, I will finally be able to prepare for this baby! 

Random thoughts:  during the week I was sitting on the couch, and ze bebe was kicking away, so I lifted my shirt up and I just stared at my belly for ten minutes or so; my belly was jumping with every kick.  It was so funny to watch.  Then another time, Daisy was on my lap, and the baby kicked her right in the butt.  Daisy turned and looked at me with a puzzled look.  I think we have a future soccer player and/or kick boxer on our hands.

24 Weeks: Happy V-Day!!!

As of today, the baby is viable to survive outside the womb!  Yay!!!  Now, Baby Shelton, that is not an invitation to come out this very moment or in the near future; but I'm happy to know that if you had to come out now, you'd be safe.  :-)

Baby is now the size of a: papaya!  She is approximately 11.8 inches long and 21 ounces.  The baby's skin is becoming less translucent, but it is still very thin and wrinkly; this is because her body is making her skin more quickly than fat.  Her lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory tree, and cells are producing the necessary substances that will help the air sacs inflate once she leaves the womb.  Also her hand and footprints are forming, and she is starting to kick in response to sounds and touches.  The nurse at my OB's office said the baby is still extremely active (see Random Thoughts).


How I'm feeling:  itchy.  I swear that I bathe, people! But last night I was laying in bed and I had an itch attack.  My belly, lower back, and chest were on fire!  OMG, sooooo unpleasant.  I still feel great though; all my regular symptoms are still present, I've just pushed them to the back of my mind.  I'm scheduled to have my blood glucose test at my next prenatal visit.  The results of this test will determine if I have Gestational Diabetes; I really don't think I do.  Casey and I are very familiar with the symptoms of high blood sugar (obviously), and I'm not feeling any of those symptoms.  Just the opposite actually, I get very light headed/dizzy whenever I stand up too fast or get too hungry.  Oh, and I think my feet are officially starting to swell.  Yesterday I noticed my slippers cutting into my feet.  LOL!  Really its not funny, its pretty hideous, but fat feet are just silly.

Physical differences from last week:  I think I finally had my second trimester growth spurt!  Better late than never, huh?  Well my uterus is now the size of a soccer ball!  Annnnd I'm up 15 pounds.  Surprisingly, I'm not upset.  I mean, I'm not happy about the weight gain, but it is well within the normal range for someone being 6 months along.  If I keep up this weight gain rate, I should end up gaining about 31 pounds total.  I was hoping to only gain 30 pounds total...maybe I should lay off the lemonade.  Any who...here is your weekly pic:

What's been on my mind:  well I got my weekly birthday email this morning, and the first sentence was, "If you don't already know how to spot the signs of preterm labor, now's the time to learn."  Ya, that is a little stressful.  Apparently 12% of women give birth preterm.  I really, really do not want to be apart of that percentage; as much as I want to meet my little baby, we are just not ready!  And, of course, the little one still has some major developing to do.  Also, I downloaded a to-do list from The Bump during the week, and OMG the list is huge!  Naturally I have done nothing towards this list (yet). 

What I'm looking forward to:  school being over and getting that baby to-do list checked off!  SO MUCH TO DO. 

Random thoughts:  Allow me to share a funny story...I had my monthly prenatal visit on Thursday, and when the nurse put the doppler on my belly, Baby Shelton became verrrrrrrry active.  She kicked four times in less than a minute.  The nurse kept moving her hand, and the baby kicks would follow her hand.  I just burst out laughing; I usually do anytime she kicks a few times in a row.  Lately it feels like my belly has become a dryer, and the baby is just constantly tumbling around, kicking up a storm.  I actually saw the baby move under my skin yesterday morning.  I have been waiting for weeks to see this!  At first it was a tad creepy, like something out of a sci-fi movie, but it made me very happy nonetheless.    

Team Green it is!

Sorry to disappoint folks!  I went to the ultrasound school this afternoon for attempt three at gender determination, and naturally the baby was still in breech position.  I told you I wasn't hopeful, and I meant it.


Believe me, WE TRIED EVERYTHING.

• Full bladder
• Half-full bladder
• Empty bladder
• Jumping jacks
• Eating and drinking
• EVERY POSITION IMAGINABLE
  

I have experienced few sensations more uncomfortable than a half-full bladder, but it was worth the effort. 

We would have loved to have known who is in my belly, but its not the worst thing in the world.  While the tech was trying to catch a money shot, the baby was kicking in response to the probe, and it was the cutest thing to watch the kicks on the screen and feel the kicks at the same time.  That moment made me fall even more in love with our little one. 


So we're officially batting for Team Green, and that means...GREEN COOKIES FOR EVERYONE!  Yay!  I'm going to list all the peeps I have down for a bet either way: 

Casey, mama, dad, Fallon, Cole, Bonnie, Alan, Derek, Zack, Julie, Meg, Stacy, Jenn, Kristie, Liz, Carrie, Shelby, Emma, Georgette, Denise, Beth, Linda, and Rebecca.  (If I missed you, email/text/comment and I will surely get you your cookie)

And now, I will leave you with a pic of Baby Shelton:

Good night peeps!

PS - Today marks the day we announced Baby Shelton to the Facebook world.  Crazy stuff, its like official now.  LOL

23 Weeks

Baby is now the size of a:  large mango!  She is over 11 inches long and weighs over 1 pound.  Blood vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the daily sounds she hears are preparing her for entry into the outside world.  Thats why dog's barking, vacuuming, and other common loud sounds don't startle babies; I find that kind of interesting... 

How I'm feeling:  Pretty good.  I'm still ravenous, my back still aches, and my belly itches all the time; but all in all I'm used to these sensations and they don't phase me anymore.  My feet are starting to swell towards the end of the day, and as a result my shoes are usually off when I'm at my desk.   

Physical differences from last week:  I don't feel any bigger this week; I keep waiting for my second tri growth spurt.  I'm starting to toss and turn more during the night, and I get short of breath more often than before, so there must be something going on in there.  Here is your weekly pic: 

What's been on my mind:  Same old, same old.  I'll spare you all the redundancy of me listing everything on my to-do list. 

What I'm looking forward to:  Viability Day!  V-Day is next Sunday, and I cannot wait!  V-Day (or 24 weeks) means that the baby is viable to survive outside the womb, should I go into labor exceptionally early.  Its kind of a big deal for pregnant ladies ;)  Not that I want to go into labor yet, NO NO NO!  Our little one needs to do some more growing, and Casey and I are far from prepared.

Random thoughts:  I hope everyone had a nice Turkey Day!  Ze bebe and I thoroughly enjoyed all the food and time with family!  Now its time for the Christmas baking frenzy to begin!  Oh, and, Casey felt the baby kick!  Eeeee!  We were relaxing on the couch, and the baby was kicking away, so I yanked his hand and he felt two little thuds. 

Tomorrow is attempt #3 at gender determination.  So if anyone has any spare thoughts or prayers you'd like to send our way, it'd be much appreciated!  We're hoping for our money shot, but not expecting one.

22 weeks

Baby is now the size of a:  spaghetti squash!  She is eleven inches long and weighs one pound; she now looks like a mini newborn - not an alien.  The facial features are completely developed, however her irises are still without pigment.  That totally just got me thinking about who's eyes she'll have.  Apparently the pancreas is under construction this week, developing lots of essential hormones.  Ah yes, and nipples have sprouted (good for you, dear!).  She has settled into sleeping cycles; she sleeps about 12 to 14 hours a day.  Her most active time is usually mid-day (after lunch) and occasionally late evening (right when I crawl into bed...ideal).

How I'm feeling:  large, hungry, veiny, bewildered...  My fingernails grow at the speed of light; I get bloody noses almost daily; and Casey and I counted five new freckles on my belly this morning (ew!).  Apparently blood flows through the umbilical cord at a rate of 4 miles per hour, hence my big BLUE veins.  I still have lots of back pain and its definitely unpleasant to bend down, but, overall, I still feel pretty darn good.  

Physical differences from last week:  still not weighing, and still not planning on starting.  I still wear my size two pants, but now there is a full belly panel in them.  Hehehe.  I guess what I'm trying to say is I don't totally hate my body (yet).  Here is your weekly pic:

What's been on my mind:  pff...uh...school, nursery decor and furniture, master bedroom decor and furniture, our black hole of a master bath, Thanksgiving, all the baking and cooking that Thanksgiving entails, Black Friday, Christmas baking, Christmas shopping, registering, reading my damn pregnancy book (haven't done that since week 15 - ha!).  Too much to do, and absolutely no time.  Three more weeks of school and I'm a free woman!

What I'm looking forward to:  school being over, finishing the house, same old-same old.  You'll notice I'm not looking forward to the gender determination ultrasound #3.  This is because I have become a complete and utter pessimist about the whole thing, and I doubt we'll find out the gender before March 28. 

Random thoughts:  I got my first "Congratulations" from a complete stranger, so I guess this means I really look pregnant now!  A big thank you to the friendly cashier at Safeway.  :-)

Mini Update

I wish this could be a HUGE update, but, sadly, its not.  We went to the ultrasound school last night for our second attempt at the gender determination, and it was a BIG.FAT.FAIL.  The baby was in breech position (AGAIN!), and she or he’s little leggies were closed up like a clam.  For those who don’t know what breech position is (as I did not know until yesterday), it is when the baby’s butt is against my belly and the noggin is up towards my ribs (i.e.:  not ideal for gender determination).  The baby was in this position at the last ultrasound, and that is why those ultrasound techs had such a hard time with the gender determination process. 

The game plan is to have another ultrasound in two weeks.  If the baby still hasn’t moved, I’ll go again; two weeks from that appointment.  If neither of those ultrasounds are able to confirm Baby Shelton’s gender, Casey and I are throwing in the towel, and joining Team Green.  Please don’t think I’m happy about this; I’m actually extremely bitter about being forced to be Team Green.  Don’t worry peeps, if it is Team Green to prevail, everyone that placed a bet will get a green cookie.  Ya, I’m sweet.

21 weeks!

Good morning, good morning!  To you, and YOU!  I am in a great mood for some unknown reason.  As I'm typing out this blog post, I'm digging into second breakfast and listening to Bobby Flay teach me how to grill a 25 pound turkey (idiot!).


Baby is now the size of a:  banana!  The baby weighs 10 1/2 ounces, and her length from head to rump is seven inches.  Fun fact:  10 1/2 ounces is also the size bear cubs are when they are born.  The baby has started to put on weight, her main project for the rest of the pregnancy.  She regularly drinks amniotic fluid for hydration and nutrition, urinates in the fluid and breathes in and out; have no fear...the fluid pool refreshes itself every three hours.  Eyebrows and eyelids are fully developed; her eyelids are still sealed, but her eyes are active.  Taste buds are formed and they actually work!  Apparently there are studies that show that after birth, babies are most interested in tastes they've already experienced through amniotic fluid.  Clearly our baby will be a fan of flaming hot cheetos, rice cakes, and juice.  Yes, I am one of the 19% of pregnant women that crave citrus juices.  Kind of a weird craving (whatever!).


How I'm feeling:  Pretty good; I'd like to say my energy has returned!  My back still hurts, but I've accepted that won't be going away anytime soon.  It feels like there is a massive bubble in my lower back that needs to pop; I'd love to do a back bend for like a half hour straight.  There are lots of gross things happening while pregnant; just because I don't go into every dirty detail on the blog, doesn't mean they're not happening.  I recently said to Casey, "I think I gross myself out more and more everyday."  Um, lets see...what else...lots of baby kicks!  They still catch me off guard.  I can never tell if I'm feeling the kicks internally or externally; I'll call Casey over and put his hands on my belly, but he can't feel them.  Boo!

Physical differences from last week:  Well my uterus is now 8 1/2 inches long, and the weight gain range for this week is 10-15 pounds.  I'm more than confident that I fall within that range  :-/  Apparently many women start to get swollen feet around this time, I am happy to report no swelling has occurred to date.  Here's my pic:

What's been on my mind:  Our ultrasound tomorrow!!!  Everyone PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE pray that this little baby cooperates and gives us the money shot we need to determine the gender!  Can you imagine being forced to be Team Green?  That would suck.  Our appointment is at 6:30 tomorrow, and we are going to an ultrasound school.  My mama bear will be attending this visit; it'll be nice to prove to her that I'm really knocked up and not just a fatty pretending to be (not that she had any doubt, I am just weirdly self-conscious).  I shall report back tomorrow evening with the results of the ultrasound AND the official winners for the Baby Shelton Gender Bet!  You thought I forgot about the bet, huh?  No sir!

What I'm looking forward to:  See above.  Also, our home improvements.  With the return of my energy, we've set out lots of plans for the house, and we actually made some progress yesterday.  The garage is completely 100% organized; its a piece of art really.

Random thoughts:  Its officially time for me to start doing Kegel exercises.  Oh joy!  And...Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and OMG what a perfect holiday to be pregnant!  I am going to eat until our two hearts are content...and then I'm going to eat some more.  Yay for my mommy's amazing food!!!!!!!!!!!!

20 weeks - Half baked!

Halfway there friends, wahoooooooooo!  We even have a timely post to celebrate.  :-)

Baby is now the size of a:  cantaloupe!  Almost seven inches long and ten and a half ounces, my big girl!  Apparently she swallows several ounces of amniotic fluid a day (lots of good practice for that little digestive system); taste buds are up and running; permanent teeth are forming behind baby teeth; and she can differentiate between morning, noon, and night.


How I'm feeling:  overwhelmed (haha).  Okay, fine...I'm feeling large; lots of shortness of breath; lots of bathroom breaks; I have a very hard time getting out of bed and bending down; and HUNGRY (yes, even now at 9:22...).  Really, its not bad though; I hope I haven't been too whiny about this pregnancy or the symptoms I've endured.  I hope that I haven't freaked anyone out; ya know, in a way that makes them nervous for their future pregnancy.  Let the record show that I really love being pregnant.  It is an amazing feeling to have a little person growing inside of you; I especially love feeling our baby's kicks and flutters.  It really just feels special, and like a privilege.   

Physical differences from last week:  welp, my uterus is now level with my belly button; it feels pretty weird.  From now on, the top of my uterus will grow toward my rib cage at a rate of one centimeter a week - oh my!  My veins are noticeably (and freakishly) big and blue.  Oh!  And my boobs are disgustingly huge (in my opinion); I am actually embarrassed to look in the mirror anymore.

What's been on my mind:  school, home improvements, IKEA purchases, birthing classes, touring the hospital's labor and delivery ward, and registering.  Really people, that's just the tip of the iceberg.  Each of those things leads into their own wild and never-ending to-do list and/or reminds me of something else that needs to be done.  Today, my day consisted of lots of accounting homework and lots of home improvement talk.  After almost a year in this house - a year full of DIY home improvement projects - we're talking about renovations we never imagined for this house, AND even redo-ing some of the things we've already finished.  Well, friends, as of today we have about four months until our sweet baby's debut.  NOT A LOT OF TIME PEOPLE.  The excitement of meeting our little one is quickly trampled by that three page to-do list that is burned in my brain.   

What I'm looking forward to:  our next ultrasound, duh!  We're thinking about canceling our current appointment and going to one of those ultrasound schools (we're all about cheap people).  The ultrasounds are free, because they are done by unlicensed students.  No need to worry though, there is a licensed teacher supervising and confirming all observations made by the student.  I'm also looking forward to all of the nursery purchases and home improvements coming to an end (ha!  Like that'll ever happen...)!

Random thoughts:  Nada.  Its way past my bedtime, good night my devoted followers!  

19 Weeks

I'm late, I know, I'm sorry friends.  Lets face it, I'm ALWAYS late. 


Baby is now the size of a: mango!  She is over six inches long and weighs almost nine ounces.  Go baby girl!!!  At this point she has developed her preference for her right or left hand; her brain is working on getting the five senses functional; she can hear us loud and clear; also, she can apparently feel my stress (so sorry for that, dear; Lord knows I'm constantly under stress).  She responds to my stress by becoming more active - which I'm feeling thank you very much - lots of kicking, rib grabbing, flutters, etc.  I swear this baby is having a love affair with my lower left rib. 


How I'm feeling:  Oh lets see...I officially have an itchy belly; my back hurts 99.9% of the time, and I cannot stay in the same position for more than fifteen minutes without shifting or stretching; and ravenous.  Also, my office had a fire drill on Wednesday...we had to walk down 19 FLIGHTS OF STAIRS; I am still in agony.  I know this has nothing to do with my pregnancy, but you asked how I'm feeling... 

Physical differences from last week:  Umm...9 pounds heavier...ya...that just happened.  Really its not that bad (I keep telling myself that), its perfectly normal for 19.5 weeks.  If I gain a pound a week for the rest of this pregnancy, I'll cap out at 29-30 pounds; which I'm allowing myself.  Casey made this wonderful side-by-side comparison to show you all how large and in charge I've become:

What's been on my mind:  Baby names.  Now that we're pretty sure its a girl, I kissed Gabe goodbye, and I am on a quest for the perfect girl name.  I always thought that I wanted Lucy to be my first daughter's name, and maybe I still do, but at the moment I am consulting baby name finders in my (non-existent) free time.  You will all, of course, know her name just as soon as I do.  :-)

What I'm looking forward to:  Getting our butt's in gear and finishing the darn house!  We're starting to slowly chip away at our three-page to-do list on the weekends.  In another month school will be out of the way, and we'll be able to devote all free time to getting ready for this baby!  Yayayay!

Random thoughts:  I'll use this section to tell you about my most recent prenatal visit.  Lemme tell ya, these visits really lose their glamor after the first visit or two.  I met the OB, and I hate her.  Now, I know I tend to hate A LOT of people, but I think its totally deserved in this case. Strike one: she INSISTED that I get a flu shot.  I have never gotten one before, and I didn't plan on starting while I was pregnant.  People, my arm still hurts!  Strike two: she has decided that even though my baby is measuring with a due date of March 28, she wants to use my phantom menstrual cycle/the first OB's estimate and stick with April 6.  I am thoroughly annoyed by this.  The April 6 due date was calculated by my first OB; if I hadn't told my current OB about that visit, she never would've come up with it on her own.  Her logic was full of holes and unclear.  So I'm still counting based on the March 28 due date, why the hell wouldn't I?!  Strike 3: her lousy sense of humor, assumption that Casey and I are Irish (because of our hair), and her uninterested behavior.  She made bad jokes incessantly, many of which were about Irish people, because you know, all people with red hair HAVE to be Irish.  When I finally got around to asking my questions, she directed her attention to the TV behind my head.  Bottom line, this is not the person I want at the foot of my vagina on D-Day.  I'm not going to change doctors, AGAIN, but damn, can't anything work out in this pregnancy?!  

18 weeks

Geez louise I am reallllllllllly late with this post; I'm now closer to 19 weeks than 18.  This week has been rather hectic.  Last night in my Statistics class I compiled a to-do list of all the little things Casey and I need to do between now and March.  The list is THREE pages long.  It makes me cry a little just thinking about it.  Alright, enough whining....

Baby is now the size of a: 7 ounce lobster tail - wow, I kind of want to eat my baby.  Her (maybe his) eye balls are becoming more sensitive to light and can detect light through my belly, especially if I shine a flashlight at my belly.  You know, because I do that a lot...perfectly normal.  There is still enough room in my belly for her/him to kick and twist like crazy.  At the ultrasound she was head up and very active (*cough, cough* NOT ideal for gender determination...)


How I'm feeling:  Tired, lots of lower back pain, and a new, unpleasant sensation:  crushed lungs!  Every few minutes my belly and chest get really fluttery and constrict, it gets hard to breathe, and I get light headed for about 30 seconds to a minute.  Me thinks ze bebe is encroaching on my lungs.  I'm also feeling a lot of baby kicks. Earlier today, I swear this kid was using my left rib as a monkey bar.  Omg, sore much?!  Oh ya, and I'm HUNGRY.  I'm hungry right now, and almost every half hour throughout the day. 

Physical differences from last week:  To me, the belly seems more round and hard.  This morning I was looking at my belly button and I think it looks wider.  Ya, ya kind of a weird observation.  Whatever.  Here's a pic at 18 weeks and two days:

What's been on my mind:  The baby's REAL gender.  A big part of me thinks its a girl; I think its unlikely that the technician was wrong.  The circumstances make it totally plausible that its actually a boy; afterall, they thought it was a boy for the first half hour.  But in the end, those techs are trained to determine gender and she probably knows what she's talking about.  That small part of me that recognizes the possibility that it may be a boy keeps me from fully committing to day dreams and plans for a little girl.  Casey doesn't want me to get attached to either gender until our next ultrasound, because he doesn't want me to be disappointed (again).  

What I'm looking forward to:  Our second opinion ultrasound.  Casey scheduled it for November 17 at 3:00.  Ugh, great another two week waiting game.  We wanted to wait until I'm at least 20 weeks along, so that the baby would be more developed and bigger, but geez that seems a long ways away.  Apparently the earlier the ultrasound, the more similar the two genders appear, as the baby is less developed.  I guess the optimal time to have the anatomy scan is 22-24 weeks; but, seriously, who the hell is going to wait that long?!  Especially in our situation!  So friends, mark your calendars.  We WILL get to the bottom of Baby Shelton's gender!!!

Random thoughts:  I need a lobster tail.  Stat!

Gender Updates

Hello friends.  I know you are all itching with curiosity about our baby's gender, after all...cookies are on the line.  I wish it were as easy as just saying, "Its a boy!" or "Its a girl!", but I don't do things the easy way. 

So here's the story...

Casey and I could not have been more excited for the ultrasound on Monday.  We left work early, and arrived at the ultrasound facility way early.  We were lucky enough to be called back after only a mere 30 minutes of waiting, and before the ultrasound started, the tech offered us a DVD of the ultrasound.  I *thought* we were in good hands. 

Well after a half hour of heart and brain measurements, the tech decides to venture down south and says, "I think I see something hanging between the baby's legs; I think its a boy."  Casey and I look at each other, extremely excited, and just sort of squeeze each others hands to keep from screaming.  The ultrasound continues...for another 45 minutes...

For those of you who aren't terribly familiar with the anatomy scan ultrasound, the entire ultrasound is supposed to last 30 minutes tops.  This was one of several indicators that our ultrasound tech wasn't the brightest bulb.

The other indicator was the tech's unwillingness to answer any of my questions.  I lost all confidence in this broad when she finally stopped prodding and said, "I'm not sure I'm seeing what  I saw before, this might be a girl.  I'm going to go see if I can find another tech to help me with a few pictures."

She leaves and comes back with another tech.  The new tech begins prodding again, and says, "You'll have to excuse Rachel (the first tech), she isn't very familiar with this machine.  We've upgraded to all new machines, and Rachel hasn't trained on this one yet."

The second tech continues prodding, takes the necessary pictures, and then attempts to determine the gender.  She took a few snap shots of the pelvic region and pointed to a little bump, and said, "That's a lady bit, I think this is a girl." (alright, that's not a direct quote...but I'm not using any dirty words on my unborn child's blog)

Rachel later said, "That must have been a toe hanging between his legs."  Well friends, you tell me how one contorts their body to have a toe dangling between their buttcheeks!

Casey and I are still trying to understand how a little bump indicates that its a girl.  We're also still trying to understand how we got stuck with the new girl on the old, crappy ultrasound machine for such an important procedure.  Needless to say, we were not exactly thrilled with the experience.  We plan on having another ultrasound done in a few weeks to confirm the gender.  We are not comfortable shopping and planning a nursery based on yesterday; neither of the techs were confident. 

As I type this lovely blog post, Casey is reviewing our ultrasound DVD and comparing ultrasound shots with Google image.

So there you have it, those who guessed boy kinda won, and those who guessed girl kinda won.  I'll update you folks with something more concrete in a few weeks.  Also, sorry for the delayed weekly birthday post.  I'll try to post tomorrow night. 

17 weeks and a bet!

Baby is now the size of a:  Turnip!  He is just over 5 inches long, as wide as my palm, and weighs almost 6 ounces.  His bones continues to harden, and if an x-ray were taken today, you would be able to see his skeleton.  The baby's body is now covered in a thin hair called Lanugo, which he will shed later in third trimester.  Lastly, his eyes have begun to move side to side beneath his fused eye lids.  Oh, oh!  And....I felt the baby kick!  I was at work and I felt two little taps under my left rib; at first I thought, what the heck was that, and then I realized it was my little pumpkin.  :-) 


How I'm feeling:  Pretty good.  I started taking my thyroid supplement, and my energy has improved somewhat, but the weakness has not.  I've also developed a new, unpleasant sensation...round ligament pain (a.k.a.: growing pains).  In first tri I felt a few tugs here and there, but now it seems like my whole belly hurts all.the.time.   

Physical differences from last week:  I still refuse to weigh myself, unless in a doctor's office, but there was this development...Casey said, "Honey, you finally look pregnant!" 

What's been on my mind:  The baby's gender!  Only 8 days, geez louise its like waiting for Christmas!!!  Thinking about the baby's gender inevitably leads to daydreaming.  I visualize the nursery, and then I start thinking about our little family doing things like Disneyland, the beach, Zoo Lights, going to visit our family in Connecticut; and before you know it I've spent fifteen minutes zoned out at my desk...

What I'm looking forward to:  See above.

Random thoughts:  We have so much to do, ugh!  I have two friends that I reference for my pregnancy, and both had accomplished so much more by this time in their pregnancy.

 

The Bet:  I decided to start a bet with Casey, our families, our friends, and even some coworkers about the baby's gender.  Out of 17 peeps only two say its a girl (yes, this makes me very happy).  The winners will get a delicious blue or pink cookie, baked by yours truly.  Wanna bet?  You can email me or just comment below.     

Hypothyroidism

I know it's not time for Gabe's weekly birthday, but I received some rather sucky news today and I thought I'd share it with my devoted followers.  My OB called me today with the results from my blood tests; turns out I have Hypothyroidism.


What does that mean, you ask?   My thyroid is less active than it should be, and the rest of my body is working overtime to try and compensate for it.  The thyroid regulates the metabolism, and during pregnancy my thyroid influences the baby's thyroid (uh oh).  Luckily this condition was detected sooner rather than later, and there are medications that can supplement my lazy thyroid - that are completely safe during pregnancy - and remedy the situation.  Oh ya, and those darn vampires at the lab get to draw my blood biweekly for the remainder of my pregnancy!  

Symptoms (that I've had the pleasure of experiencing):   Headaches, extreme fatigue, irritability, difficulty sleeping, weakness, and sensitivity to the cold.  This really explains why I haven't felt that Second Tri energy boost; why sometimes its hard to just walk, when my limbs feel as if they are just dead weight; and why I've been extremely irritable (sorry Casey and Mom).

Fun facts about Hypothyroidism:  This condition is most common in young pregnant women.  Here I thought my age would be an asset throughout this pregnancy, and maybe even guarantee a low-risk pregnancy.  Haha, nope!

I shall keep you posted my friends, I assure you this won't be the last time we talk about Hypothyroidism on the Growing Baby Shelton blog.   I'm not really the kind of person to suffer in silence, and I really, REALLY hate having my blood drawn.

16 weeks

That's right folks, we're skipping weeks 14 and 15.  I had a prenatal appointment last Monday with my new OB, and O-M-G I measured 15 weeks and 1 day!  Since I didn't get around to posting sooner, I'm now in my sixteenth week!!!

The moment the ultrasound probe hit my belly, the screen lit up with our baby.  The doctor looked at us and said, "My God that baby is HUGE!  And active..."  While he tried to measure Gabe's crown to rump length,  Gabe would not stay still.  He was bouncing around in my belly, swinging his arms, as if he were in a bounce house.  He even did a little flip and grabbed the placenta.  It took all my strength and concentration to keep from crying, so I ended up shaking and giggling like an idiot.  Every time I laughed, Gabe bounced or flailed in response.   

 It is a great feeling to be a whole week and 3 days further along than I thought, but there is a possibility that Gabe is just bigger than average and I'm not actually further along.  Regardless, I like the idea of being further along, and I like my new due date, March 27, so we are sticking with this new calculation until told otherwise. 

Baby is now the size of an:  avocado (or a small gerbil, but that is just creepy to think about)!  He is 4.5 inches long, and weighs about 3.5 ounces.  His ears and eyes have moved closer to their final position, his neck and legs are more developed and stronger, and his little heart is now pumping 25 quarts of blood each day.   


How I'm feeling:  significantly less nauseous, but still tired (still not the baby's fault).  I have been having a lot of back pain and a lot of cramps the past few days.   I also feel fat (see below).

Physical differences from last week:  Before my prenatal visit on Monday, I hadn't weighed in since July...well friends, I'm now four pounds heavier from when this wondrous journey began.  Boo!  It is rather sucky to see your weight go up after three years of counting calories compulsively and working to maintain your weight.  Here is my 16 week bump, sans makeup at 7:00 this morning:

What's been on my mind:  my bouncing baby.  That ultrasound image is burned into my brain.  I wish I could have had a DVD made of that ultrasound.  Just thinking about my little avocado bouncing around like that all.day.long, in MY belly, makes me cry (happy tears). 

What I'm looking forward to:  The big ultrasound is coming up in two weeks!  I cannot wait!!!  Thankfully our lives are so busy that time usually flies by.  I cannot imagine the moment of truth.  I cannot imagine my response or the feelings I will have at that moment.  I can, however, imagine heading straight to the Buy Buy Baby immediately afterward, and then to Home Depot to get pink or green color samples.  

Random thoughts:  Wanna know what Heaven tastes like? Chocolate covered Acai (and/or possibly Blueberries) berries.  I don't like chocolate.  And I don't like Acai berries or Blueberries.  Well the evil candy lady at work put out a bowl of chocolate covered things and wow.  They are magical; heavenly, if you will.  I suggest all peeps go try these wonderful things immediately.   

13 weeks - Second Trimester

It has been an eventful week folks.  I had a birthday.  I met my Nestie nephew.  I switched OBs.  Hmmm...am I forgetting anything?  I hope not...

First, my birthday.  My sweet baby gave me a wonderful birthday present; although a tad belated, I am beyond impressed with his ability to gift from inside the womb.  Are you all itching with curiosity?  Gabe gifted second trimester!  As of today I am officially in second trimester, and I could not be happier.  Thank you Gabe  :-)

Second, I met my Nestie Bestie Meg's son, Ryan Edward, over the weekend.  He is the tiniest, sweetest baby I've ever met.  It was so amazing to hear Meg's birth story and meet her little guy; I cannot even imagine the day we meet our little peach (and its only six months away)!

Third, my OB.  After much thought, I've decided to change doctors.  While I really love the practice I started with, their location and hours are not convenient for me at all.  Now that I am working in Downtown Phoenix, it is not reasonable to drive back to North Scottsdale at least once a month for the next six months.  I did some research, and I found an OB less than five miles from my office, that delivers at the hospital near my office and also at the hospital near my home.  Now I'll be covered if I go into labor at work or at home, and it will be very easy to schedule appointments without having to miss much work.  I'm scheduled to see my new OB on Monday, and I cannot wait.  I'll have an ultrasound, and this will be considered my "first official prenatal" visit.  Yayayay! 

Baby is now the size of a:  Peach!  His ears have developed to the point that he can hear me when I talk or sing; he apparently has the hiccups very often - this strengthens his diaphragm to prepare for breathing; he now has fingerprints.


How I'm feeling:  I want to go ahead and say that the bodily functions of pregnant women are absolutely disgusting.  I won't go into detail - no, I'm not talking about bathroom habits - but this is just nasty and uncomfy.  I'm still tired, nauseous, and my food aversions are suddenly on overdrive.  Apparently around week 14 or 15 the placenta will take over the hormone production, and my nausea and fatigue should disappear completely.

Physical differences from last week:  Just feeling fat and wide as usual.  My wonderful mama and mama-in-law bought me some maternity clothes, and let me tell ya, they are heavenly.  I just love not feeling like a sausage, squeezing into my non-maternity clothes, when I get dressed in the morning.  Here is a picture (I need to figure out the side-by-side comparison):

What's been on my mind:  The sex of our baby.  I am really, REALLY hoping that at this next ultrasound we will have a wonderfully talented technician, and our baby will be positioned ever so conveniently, and the technician will say, "Would you like to know the sex of your baby?" 

What I'm looking forward to:  Meeting my new OB.  Seeing the bambino on the big screen again.  Getting a real baby bump (not just a bloated, I ate too many Flaming Hot Cheetos bump).  Shopping for gender appropriate clothes - that unisex stuff is just terrible.

12 weeks

Baby is now the size of a:  squash ball, awww!  His crown-to-rump length is 2-2.5 inches.  His most dramatic development this week:  Reflexes.  His muscles clench, and his mouth is making sucking movements.  I read that if I poke/rub/prod my belly, Gabe will actually squirm in response.  That image is just so cute, and it reminds me of those videos I posted last week. 

How I'm feeling:  Extremely nauseated; I made the mistake of saying, "I haven't vomited once in the past twelve weeks" and I totally jinxed myself, its like my body just has to prove me wrong.  Other than that, all other symptoms seem to be slowly disappearing (except my trips to the bathroom, no, those have also increased - very embarrassing).  I'm still tired (I blame my schedule, not Gabe), but the bloat seems to have decreased.  My belly is hard as a rock now!  

Physical differences from last week:  We're not in Kansas anymore!  My uterus has officially left my pelvis, oh my!!!  That means that that bump is not just bloat anymore, its Gabe too!  Wahoooo!  Side note:  it is just embarrassing to wear fitted clothing; I look like such a chunker.  Also, my blood volume is significantly higher (it doubles throughout the duration of pregnancy), and my hips are widening (oh joy, as if they weren't wide enough before...).  Here is a pic for your viewing pleasure:

What's been on my mind:  Telling my supervisor that I'm pregnant.  Every day I walk into that office, and my pregnancy is on the tip of my tongue.  It is (was) so hard to not tell her.  Even though I've only known her for three short weeks, I really like her.  She is very sweet, and we talk a lot.  Also, there are two other pregnant ladies in the office; an underwriter and a fellow underwriting assistant.  And it is just no fun being the closet pregnant lady!  So I finally told her today, and holy God it feels good to have that off my chest.  She was very supportive and excited, she even hugged me.  Here I thought she'd be furious about losing two UA's to maternity leave a mere three weeks apart, but she promised it wouldn't be a problem and not to worry.

What I'm looking forward to:  Going to the doc.  Now that my supervisor knows, I can schedule an appointment (since I'll have to leave work early and make up the time).  Telling her also gave me a reason to get our insurance situation organized.  I'm also looking forward to finding out the sex, but I know I've got at least another month before that happens.  Boo!

Random thoughts:  I am really looking forward to next week's post about Gabe's birthday present to me, yayayay!

11 weeks - waaay late!

Good morning peeps!  I'm sorry for another late post.  I really hope I can get a hold of my time management, and make work, school, and blogging all fit into my schedule. 

Baby is now the size of a:  large lime!!!  Gabe is almost fully formed; his fingers and toes are no longer webbed, his bones are hardening, and hair follicles, tooth buds, and nail beds are forming.  He's also becoming very active!  He is kicking and stretching like a mad man; unfortunately, I won't be able to feel all of his little somersaults and hiccups for at least another month or two.  I found these amazing videos on the baby's development, and I think you will all enjoy them, they are so interesting.  Each video is only a minute or two long, so your attention spans are not in jeopardy, I promise.  The second video focuses on his growth this week through week 14:

http://www.babycenter.com/2_inside-pregnancy-weeks-1-to-9_10302602.bc?scid=mbtw_preg07:986&pe=2Uz0WBl

How I'm feeling:  Well lets see...I have more energy, more nausea, and my hormones are off the charts.  Only one more week until second trimester, and all this first trimester nonsense will be behind us - except for the hormones, they'll be on overdrive for a long while.  Oh, note to self - and any other pregnant ladies - avoid tear-jerker movies like the plague.  I watched Dear John last night, and I cried at least three separate times.  Not cool.

Physical differences from last week:  You tell me  ;)

What's been on my mind:  I really, REALLY want to know the sex.  Every old wives tale points to boy, and I know that really isn't the most reliable guide, but I just want to know!!!  I can't wait to start shopping for little boy or girl clothes, and start planning the nursery. 

What I'm looking forward to:  Finally telling my supervisor that I'm pregnant.  I'm more looking forward to having this secret off my chest, than actually physically telling her.  There's another underwriting assistant that is also pregnant, I think she is 3-4 weeks ahead of me, so it'll be really fun to get to know her more and go through this together. 

Random thoughts:  We bought  a fetal heart rate doppler!!!   I am so glad we did, it is just the most amazing feeling to hear your baby's heartbeat.  The first time we used it, it took us a good ten minutes to find the heartbeat, but now we're practically pros!  The heartbeat has been under 150 bpm every time, another indicator that its a little boy in my belly  :-)

10 weeks

Oy ve!  I'm a little late with this post, but my week has not left much time for blogging.  I started my new job on Tuesday, and my evenings have been consumed with classes and lots of homework.  Needless to say, TGIF!!!

So anyways....I'd like to call your attention to a fun little fact:  we have reached double-digit weeks, people!  Yayayay!  For some unknown reason, this feels very substantial to me; its not like we're clear of first tri yet, but hey, its progress. 

Baby is now the size of a:  Plum, and weighs approximately 0.2 ounces!  Awwww  :-) 

How I'm feeling:  Ummm bloated.  I haven't weighed in for 3 weeks (because I'm scared), but I know I've gained.  I know this because today was Casual Friday in my office; i.e.:  I had to wear jeans (and maternity jeans were not an option).  My jeans were verrry uncomfy.  A few pairs wouldn't even go over my butt, a few pairs buttoned but gave me a muffin top - very sexy; alas, one pair buttoned...barely...like I said, uncomfy.  

In other news, I'm still exhausted, still getting killer headaches - that I can't treat, and still having random stints of morning sickness.  Oh ya, and still not complaining  ;-)

Physical differences from last week:  Feelin thick...

What's been on my mind:  Fetal heart rate dopplers.  I really want one.  I probably won't see my OB until November (insurance reasons), and I'd just really like to be able to hear Gabe's heart beat and know that he's okay in there until then.  Those bad boys can be pretty pricey though, so we'll see if I get around to making that purchase.    

What I'm looking forward to:  Finding out the sex (I think this answer will become pretty standard until that big ultrasound). 

Random thoughts:   The Phoenix Zoo/Fisher-Price is hosting an event for expectant mommies next Saturday at 9 and 11 am.  I want to go, but I don't have anyone to go with  :-(

9 weeks

I'm 9 weeks along as of yesterday, and I'm happy to be yet another week closer to double-digit weeks.   Second trimester, here I come!


The baby is now the size of a.....large green olive. Keep growing, baby!

How I'm feeling:  Mostly bloated and exhausted, but I'm used to both of those feelings now.  I have very little nausea, mostly its my prenatal and calcium vitamins that make me sick.  Seriously, those pills are *huge*.   

Physical differences from last week:  Um nothing new here...  Still bloated like I just finished eating a Thanksgiving dinner - and let me tell ya, that feeling never gets old (insert eye roll).  

 What's been on my mind:  I get very stressed, very quickly, when I start to focus on the fact that I am pregnant.  I am reminded of how much we need to accomplish before the baby arrives, and just how little we actually know about pregnancy.  Thankfully we have some time to become prepared, and I have a book on pregnancy, and of course my great friends and family are very supportive and tolerant of my never ending questions and concerns.

What I'm looking forward to:  My next prenatal visit.  The first visit was unplanned, and completely last minute.  I had an ultrasound, but it was not considered my first official visit.  I've delayed scheduling the next visit, because I'm starting a new job and I'll have new insurance.  Additionally, Scottsdale OBs think its really clever to operate only during regular business hours.  This means that my next visit, and every visit for the rest of this pregnancy, will require that I either get to work late or leave early.  I wasn't exactly looking forward to breaking the "I'm pregnant" news to my new boss, but now I'm really dreading it.   

Random thoughts:  I really need to dye my roots.  One could say, I am "rootastic" at the moment.  But I'm really procrastinating dying my hair, because the first ten weeks of pregnancy are the most crucial to the development of the baby.  I don't want to jeopardize his health for the half inch of growth. 

8 Weeks

Well 8 weeks and 1 one day, but who's counting?   

How I'm feeling:  Huge.  Embarrassed.  Ravenous.  Exhausted.  I know I'm barely two months along, but this is not the body I'm used to.  I hate getting dressed in the morning, and pants are officially my worst enemy.  After I lost all that baby fat from high school (read:  35 pounds), I emptied my closets and drawers of all clothing over a size 2/small.  This is not ideal people.  I'm also feeling slightly embarrassed, because most women are not this bloated/bump-like at 8 weeks.  I've only seen two other baby blogs with bumps this early.  Oh ya, and I'm hungry all.the.time. and I eat constantly.  A week ago, I was rarely hungry (thank you nausea), but now I'll finish one meal or snack and my stomach is growling within minutes.  I'm still tired, but I'm used to it at this point; I've accepted that I'm dead weight after 8-8:30.  I had a three-hour Statistics class last night and that was painful. 

Physical differences from last week:  I'm seeing a bump; Casey is seeing a bump; my parents and siblings....not so much.  So you tell me, is this a bump or is this a bump:

Keep in mind, if you say its not a bump, you are essentially telling me I'm a fat, bloated lady  ::sobs::

What's been on my mind:  Too much to post about...

What I'm looking forward to:  Second trimester.  My bloat/bump will be justified, all worries will have departed, and we'll find out if this little raspberry is a little boy or little lady.  :-)

7 Weeks & Our First Prenatal Visit

We had our first prenatal visit yesterday!  Yay!  It was very exciting/relieving/nerve-wracking/AMAZING.

My family doctor recommended an OB/GYN in North Scottsdale, and I am in love!  The office is beautiful, the staff is friendly, their philosophy is completely in line with our needs and goals, and they even have a midwife on staff!  I was really nervous for this appointment, as it was very last minute due to a scare we had on Monday night, but they made my appointment same day and worked to calm our fears.  We had our first ultrasound:

They confirmed that my due date is actually April 6, and that I am 7 weeks today!  I was a little sad to not be as far along as I had thought (or further), but my sadness was quickly replaced by relief and amazement when I saw the baby's heartbeat on the screen.  His heart is very strong, 140 bpm, and he is currently the size of blueberry!

Now you may or may not have noticed my assumption that this baby is a boy....  Casey and I have this feeling that this baby is a boy and until proven otherwise, we shall continue referring to the baby as a he.  (If we're completely wrong, sorry future daughter, we'll love you just the same)! 

And now I will leave you with my first belly pic:

No bump yet, just some (unpleasant) bloat....

We're pregnant!!!

Casey and I have known about our little bundle of joy for just over two weeks now, and we are still in shock.  Even though this wasn't a planned pregnancy, we still feel very excited and blessed.

We haven't told the world yet, only our family and closest friends.   I hope this blog will help to keep our out-of-state family feeling connected, I would love nothing more than to be back home sharing this experience with you all.

The story of us finding out is, well, not my proudest moment...

I woke up Saturday morning, and I just had this inexplicable feeling.  I had had a  "Girls Night Out" the night before, and pregnancy was a hot topic of discussion; many friends are trying to get pregnant, or are currently pregnant, or already have children.  I have no idea if this is what spurred my "feeling" or if its just completely ironic.  Regardless, I took a test and at first I misread the result.  It was one of those stupid, cheapy tests with the horizontal lines (not the digital kind or the kind with positive/negative signs).  I just stared at this test puzzled, and when I finally realized two horizontal lines means pregnant, I couldn't breathe.

I stayed in the bathroom for a good ten minutes.  About a million thoughts went through my mind, I had a mini panic attack, and I even cried a little.  When I finally composed myself, I went into the kitchen and hugged Casey.  But I didn't let go, so we just sort of stood there hugging for awhile, and he asked, "Whats wrong, honey?" over and over again.  I didn't reply, but I started tearing up, which I'm sure he felt.  So he finally whispered, "Are you pregnant?" and that's when the sobbing started.


Casey didn't say much, he mostly tried to calm me while I blubbered about all the plans we had for our lives.  He said a few cute things though, "Its not like we didn't want a baby, you just sort of sped up our timing."

But, at this point, we agreed the test couldn't possibly be right.  It was an old test, it was probably expired, and it just couldn't be accurate.  I googled the chances of having a false positive, and there is a three percent chance of that happening, so we were no longer confident in that possibility...  I re-tested and re-tested, and we finally decided we had to tell our parents.  Much to our surprise, they were all very excited.  Having our parent's blessing is what really enabled me to finally be excited for this life changing experience.

We guestimate that our little baby is due April 1, 2011, which would mean I am approximately 7-8 weeks along.  I've visited our family doctor for bloodwork to confirm the pregnancy, but I have not had my first prenatal visit.  I'm looking forward to that in the next couple of weeks.  :-)