First Trimester...DONE

It is hard to believe that we are already almost out of the first trimester when it still feels like we JUST found out I was pregnant! But we are reaching that week 13. I'm thrilled that all we have heard about sickness ending is true! I haven't been SICK, but the nausea was pretty intense and has finally subsided. I'm also really picking up my energy! These are all good things. Going to bed at 8pm wasn't the best phase.

We had our second doctor's appointment yesterday, and I can't even describe how much more REAL it was this time. Seeing the baby on the screen and actually having him/her look like a real baby. It's just really hard to say how amazing it was to see the profile, the belly, the arms and legs. We also found that we have an extremely active baby! Every time the technician tried to measure the length, the entire baby's body would jump up and down! It was almost as if he/she had the hiccups. It was so cute. Everything appeared to be perfect. I was a bit worried because the whole point of the ultrasound was to measure the neck for the NT screen, which apparently can indicate genetic/chromosomal disorders. That part of the screen appeared totally normal, which we are very thankful for! The second part is the blood work. Once that comes back they can give us a percentage chance for the liklihood of such disorders. We are praying that everything will come back perfect! The heart rate was strong, 152. And NO this does not indicate it's a girl yet:). The ultrasound technician said they are ALL high in the beginning!

We are just thankful for the strong heartbeat and that we can see the baby is developing right on target. Our next appointment is at 16 weeks at which time we will do more bloodwork and listen to the heartbeat. We are really looking forward to 20 weeks when we can find out the sex of the baby!!! We are still playing the name game and more than likely won't settle on any names until we know the sex either way. However, we welcome name suggestions!!! Send them in:)

Again, thank you all for your thoughts and prayers for our house to sell so we can be more at ease during the pregnancy and be able to enjoy each step of it to the fullest!!!

Ring Test

11 weeks today! Only one more week, and we are out of the first trimester! I feel like I just found out I was pregnant yesterday! Obviously, at only 11 weeks, we don't find out the sex of the baby for another 9 weeks. Today, a friend at work suggested the "ring test" which SUPPOSEDLY tells the sex of the baby according to an old wives tale. Basically, you tie a string to your wedding ring and hold it over your belly. If the string goes in circles, you are having a boy, and if the ring goes back and forth, you are having a girl. Obviously this is not used in place of an ultrasound:). Well, we did it anyway...and if we find out it's a boy at our 20 week appointment, I will have faith in this little ring test! It's fun to make guesses about what the baby could be. I hear that mother's instinct is the strongest predictor, but I don't really have any idea either way! We will have to wait and see.

We appreciate in advance all of your prayers and thoughts as we go into next week's appointment. We just pray that this baby will be healthy and grow strong!

10 weeks

So I have begun receiving emails each week from pregnancy center telling me what is happening to the baby as well as to me that week. Apparently this week the baby (affectionately called the bean) is about an inch and a half long. It's hard to believe I have something so tiny and precious in there right now! All of those little organs are growing and maturing, and over the next few weeks the baby will double in size!! Our next doctor's appointment is on April 15th. I can't stress how much I'm dreading the whole "drawing blood" part...but from what I've been told I better suck it up and get used to it. I will be sure to post the ultrasound pictures after that appointment! I can't wait to hear that little heartbeat again.

I have been feeling well the past week or so. No more sickness, but still a tad bit nauseous from time to time. My main issue is being SO LATHARGIC! No one tells you that you will be so tired you could fall asleep anytime, anywhere. Hopefully after I hit the 12-13 week point that will diminish. Thanks for all of your support and well wishes!

On another note...I will be an AUNT this month! So hard to believe it's happening so soon! Here are the latest pictures of my sister who is going to be a mommy very soon!

Reactions and baby stuff!

My parents were a bit shocked when we told them about the baby...and rightfully so. I was lucky enough to get their reactions as they opened the "gift" we gave them...which turned out to be a baby frame with a note that said "insert picture here in 9 months". Priceless!!! Taylor's parents received the same frame...and their reactions were pretty surprised as well! But extremely excited as we all are for this baby!

After the initial shock wore off, they gave me the most PRECIOUS little outfit ever. I think this is leaning toward boyish...(which my husband would LOVE)...but it's considered unisex:)

Here we go!

So...wow...we're having a baby! As most of you have heard by now, Taylor and I got a nice little surprise a little over a month ago. After the whole being terrified feeling wore off, we are now extremely excited! We feel so blessed to be in the position we are right now, and can't complain that God chose now to give us this precious baby. We know that He has a sense of humor...but also has a plan! And this baby is no different. We hope that this will be a good way to keep all of our family and friends in the loop with the pregnancy and the baby once he/she comes! We welcome all prayers and any advice we can get! So here we go...embarking on the biggest adventure yet! Stay tuned!!