Love Him To Pieces!

First a little bragging…  I have always known I had a good guy, even before he knew I had him.  It was always funny to me when people told me “how lucky” I was to have found him and “what a great catch” he was.  Do people say this to women because we are the “better” sex and it’s easier to find a good woman than it is to find a good man?  Are they trying to “sell” the idea to me that I’ve got a good one?  Hello, people, I’m a very smart woman.  I knew almost from the beginning that I had found my match, my balance.  That being said, Chad does things now and then to reinforce that knowledge.  At the risk of giving him a big head, or at least larger than it is now, I feel the need to brag just a little.

At 13w5d (last Monday), we had our NT scan with the Perinatologist and got the incredible ultra sound pictures that were posted in the last entry.  That same week on Friday (14w2d), I was scheduled for a regular check up.  Nothing new, nothing exciting, just a check up with my regular doctor.  Chad had worked out of town (Alabama actually) on Thursday and got home around 2 AM Friday morning.  Earlier Thursday when we discussed it, he didn’t know if he was going to come with me for the check up because he was going to get in so late.  When I woke him up (as discussed) to give him the chance to go (after only 6 hours of sleep), he laid in bed for a few minutes then got up happily to go with me.  I had told him numerous times, that he didn’t have to go, there wouldn’t be anything new, he could stay in bed.  (And yes, I only say that when I mean it.)  He just wanted to go and see The Nugget.  I know it’s not a big thing, but it’s the little things that make me love him all the more.

Ok, now that I’ve given him an ego boost, here’s a little funny…  He came in one night this week from grilling burgers and was really excited and had a huge smile.  When I asked him what was up, he responded with, “Now I can get Father’s Day presents...like new grill plates!”  That’s one of the funniest things I’ve heard so far.

Reality Check

It's been weeks since my last doctor's appointment, and that long since I've seen the Nugget.  I'm sure it's a normal feeling to start doubting oneself or the miracle that is continuously growing inside.  I can't feel anything moving yet and I can't hear any heart beat.  I've been trying to keep myself from getting too excited for fear that something may happen and I would fall that much farther.


Today, my reality was again confirmed at the Perinatologist.  We went for the First Trimester Screening at 13 weeks and 5 days - fully elective at this point, but the only non-invasive test we could do to make sure everything was good.  This is what we saw...

The Nugget's length is now 7.56 cm (approx 2.9 inches) from crown to rump.  And yes, his crown is the size it should be, although it looks large (Chad's kid for sure).  The doc said we're right on target for the April 20 due date.  You can also make out a leg and arm.

Nugget's profile - nose and forehead look great (one of the indicator's of a higher chance for Down's Syndrome).  [Sorry about the funny angle.  The photo scanner flipped out after the first, so I resorted to taking pictures of the last 2 print outs.]

Nugget's profile - with little ear.  We also saw fingers, 2 hands, 2 legs, 2 feet.  Nugget's heartbeat is around 150 bpm, which is nice and healthy.

The little booger is deinitely my child.  Kept putting it's arms up in the way and wouldn't turn the correct direction to get the scan of the spcae at the back of the neck.  Stubborn little thing.  The tech did ask if we wanted her to make a guess at the gender.  "Only if you're 90% sure."  So, we still don't know if we're having a Nugget or a Nuggette.  The gender scan should be around Dec 1.  I'm hoping to talk them into letting me come in the day before Thanksgiving.

We should have the actual results of the measurements and finger prick test next week.  I just wanted to share the most recent pics of our little Nugget.

Nugget

Just a quick entry for today, lots to do and so little time.

I had my first dream of the baby last night - a little blond and blue boy (bigger than a newborn, but WAY too adorable).  People were coming by to see him and I intoduced him as "my little nugget."  I think that's going to stick for a while, with either a boy or a girl.

A quick funny part of the dream that may be TMI...
Stop reading now if you're easily grossed out...
He woke up crying, so I picked him up and started rocking him.  He pooted, smiled, then went back to sleep.  Just like his daddy - likes to poot on / around me and laugh.

Bump, Bloat, or Just Plain Belly?

I can’t say I’m surprised that I hadn’t really noticed it was coming.  During the first 6 months of this year, I embarked on a journey to lose 30 lbs and never saw the changes in the mirror, only in my clothing and the scale.  I’m not sure if that means I have a funky mirror that lies to me A LOT, or if I just don’t really pay attention to the way my body looks.

Recently, I’ve been trying to hide my tummy area because I couldn’t really tell if I was getting Baby Bump, or if it was pregnancy bloat, or just my belly expanding from the constant eating I’ve been doing.  This morning, however, I woke up with no feelings of bloat, checked the scale when I got out of the shower, and got dressed for work in a skirt and sweater.  ‘Holy Goodness, where did that come from?!?”  I know my pants have been fitting a bit tighter, in fact I had to unbutton them a couple of days this week at work (go ahead, you can laugh, it’s pretty funny).  But I really did not see this before, it just snuck up on me.  Now that it’s here, I think it’s time to embrace the bump.  I’d rather people know that I’m pregnant (even though I’m not a huge fan of the spotlight) than have people just think all that hard work I put in has gone to the dumps.  So, the next question is, where do I find inexpensive, cute maternity clothes that I’m only going to wear for a few months?

Holy Bottles, Batman!

I’ve never realized how many things are out there for babies.  Not only just types of things, but brands and styles as well.  How does one pick an appropriate stroller, car seat, high chair, or crib for the registry?  Chad and I are both too big to “test” each item to make sure they’re comfortable, so how do we know what Baby will like or be most comfy in?

Then there’s the question of, what do we really NEED as opposed to WANT?  There are MILLIONS of items that seem unnecessary, but may make life with an infant a little easier.  [Even though life with Baby will be a breeze.  We fully expect Baby to be the most quiet, well behaved, unfussy, immediate pleasure ever, who, of course, sleeps through the night.  Ok, who am I kidding, have you met us?  Chad may be somewhat quiet (until he has his adult beverage and the stereo automatically becomes too soft), but I’m not sure I can be fully recognized as a quiet person.  When I have something to say, I like to be heard.  And if Baby is anything like mommy, we may be in a bit of trouble.]

Back to the questions at hand, what do we register for?  And how do we know if we’re getting the best, safest, most comfy model for Baby?  With a little research by Daddy, and Mommy’s good sense of what’s cute, I’m sure we’ll be ok finding things.  Now to figure out what’s actually needed...

The First Few Questions

A couple of the first questions I get asked is "how do I feel" and "do I get morning sickness".  Most days I feel pretty good.  At first I was a bit tired, now it comes and goes.  As for morning sickness, I've only had a few bouts of nausea, mostly triggered by stress.  It really doesn't surprise me, though.  Since at least high school, I've had a bad habit of working myself into a fit of anxiety, sometimes to the point of being physically ill.  The fact that I've always had issues with motion sickness hasn't helped either ("they" say both are related).  Luckily, the prenatal vitamins don't bother my stomach, but the DHA pill I take right before I go to sleep, they taste disgusting on their way back up.  ;o)

These days when somebody asks me how I feel, I pretty much always answer, "hungry."  I haven't had any real food aversions or cravings, but I LOVE me some Mexican food.  I could pretty much eat tacos 5 times a day (and that's mostly before 3 PM).  I am constantly hungry, which worries me a little, but the scale says I'm still doing pretty well.

Other than that, everything seems pretty good.  We'll see how the next 2 trimesters go...

A New Beginning

As you must have heard by now (or you wouldn't be reading this), Chad and I are expecting our first 2-legged child in April!  It's been an interesting road over the past 11 weeks and we couldn't be more excited to share the news with our family and friends.  We've decided to keep a separate blog to update those who would like to follow along voluntarily instead of my bombarding FB friends with all things pregnancy.

Until then, here is the first pic of our little alien.  The little arrowhead shaped blob next to the perfectly round circle is our soon-to-be munchkin. 

Please stay tuned as I hope to update again soon when I have some quiet time.  For now, its time to eat.... Again.