My Manly Fetus

My mother and I took a trip down to Portland today to have a semi last minute prenatal appointment at Alma just to follow up on the ER visit. I was hoping but not expecting to squeeze in an ultrasound while we were down there and luckily Laura, my wonderful midwife, was able to get me an appointment for today at 2:45pm. She warned me though that there was a good chance I wouldn't be able to find out the gender since its still a bit early.

So after a bite at burgerville and a walk on Hawthorne we headed over to Epic Imaging for the U.S. AFter I insisted on being shown that all the limbs, fingers and toes were accounted for the tech said he could in fact tell us the gender of the baby....A little boy! And he seems to be quite well endowed for his age. Actually as a whole he was larger than anyone expected. At about 5 inches in length he looked more like a 17 or 18 week babe rather than 16 weeks. The tech said everything looked perfect and that he was very photogenic. He gave us a ton of great pictures. At one point he had his little hand up next to his head and it looked so much like he was waving to us. I'm so proud of him already.

Won't be able to get those pictures scanned until Monday but will have them up here as soon as I can.

The experience made me feel so much more bonded with my baby and I think brought a deeper realization that he's mine and how much he means to me. I'm officially in love.

SIXTEEN WEEKS

Enjoying a warm summer evening on the back porch with a good book and some ice cream.

One of my favorite things lately is laying down before going to sleep and being able to feel the baby move...especially the last few days, the kid's been super active, throwing little kicks and punches. so delightful.

Happy Sixteen Weeks Kiddo.

ER visit

After experiencing dull cramps since Saturday and at the recommendation of my midwife, Laura, I went to the ER yesterday afternoon. Besides it taking FOREVER, it was pretty uneventful. Dr Montana, the Dr on duty, didn't think I needed an ultrasound and while I definitely disagreed and thought that I DESERVED to see my baby and make sure with my own eyes that everything was okay we ended up just doing a doppler monitor and did find a nice strong heart beat that way. The rate was 158 per minute...tucked safely within the "safe range" of 130 to 180. The other things that we were able to ascertain were that my cervix is closed which means those cramps are not a result of preterm labor, (that was the primary concern) and also, this is kind of gross but there were ketones in my urine which means that I'm not getting enough calories. I need to eat more. I still haven't gone above my pre-pregnancy weight and am in fact still 2 or 3 lbs under it. Boring but details that I want to remember for down the road.

Blueberry Coffee Cake - So Yummy!

So since I've never really taken a serious interest in what goes on in a kitchen I've decided that now its time to start learning and will attempt to make at least one new dish a week. Here's this weeks....it's my second try and I think it turned out beautifully. My first one looked gross. The dish I used was too small and it overflowed all over the oven. Messy. Also, I'd like to note that my mom and I picked these blueberries ourselves out in Duvall, WA. It was great! I can't wait for the blackberries to ripen up! :)

FIFTEEN WEEKS

Well we've made it to 15 weeks and things seem to be going fantastically. Just 3 weeks away from being able to find out if my little one is a boy or a girl. I've had really strong feelings at different times that I'm having one or the other...but as much as I wish I knew, I don't. Its driving me a little crazy.

Not too much of a difference from the 14 week pics...i feel like I'm shaped a little different but not really bigger. I haven't gained any weight so I guess that's not surprising.

flutter bubbles

I felt some strange flutters below my belly button and a little to the left today around noon...it felt like gas bubble but just in a place I haven't felt gas bubbles before so I'm thinking that maybe it was the kid moving around. i hope so.

:)

about the size of a lemon

At this point all the important parts are there and starting to function. I'm really excited for my next ultrasound so I can see his/her little arms and legs...and maybe find out the sex. So many things to look forward to.

Summer weekend in Portland

So far this weekend has been one of my favorites ever! We started out yesterday at Petite Provence on Alberta for breakfast with Angie, Aryn and Emily. I told them my news and it went so well. I was worried it would be uncomfortable but it wasn't at all. It may have been the warmest, most love filled reaction I've had so far. We all talked for awhile and I had the berry french toast..it was delicious and I think you should try it! After breakfast Aryn and I stopped at grasshopper and looked around. They have a lot of adorable things. I saw a little black and white striped onesie that I fell in love with. I wish I knew if the kid is a boy or a girl so I could start buying things. I can't wait!!!

Anyway, after this I met up with TVA at Powell's where she was hunting for a birthday present for our friend Jamin. Then off to whole foods for a snack and then we headed over to Jamison Square where the Bastille Day Festival was being held. There were so many beautiful little families and pregnant women and little kids playing in the water. I loved watching the kids play and talking with some of the parents. It was heavenly.

Around 5ish we headed up to NW 21st to meet Chantelle for pedicures, a little shopping and then it was off to the Mississippi Street Fair and finally the Veils concert at Mississippi Studios where we met up with Nicole. A very satisfying day.

A little later today we'll meet up with Nicole for coffee and Monday is breakfast with Marisa and TVA at Dinerant. Our last stop this weekend will be our 12pm appt with Laura on Monday. Then back up to Seattle for awhile.

i can't stop

Fourth of July Weekend!

Just got back to my little apartment after a weekend with my mom, Brad and the kids. It was a lot of fun but I'm glad for some alone time now. Last night we went to a bbq at Brad's mom's house in DesMoines. We could see the DesMoines and the Vashon Island fire works from the balcony. Vashon's show was very impressive.

Today we had lunch w/ my grandma and aunt Donna, who were visiting from Vancouver. My cousins Leah, Brit and Natalie, who I never see, were also there. I wasn't feeling awesome or very sociable but it was nice to see them. Other than that I did a lot of sleeping. I think I'm starting to feel a little better but I still am having some morning sickness and feeling pretty exhausted. I am going to attempt to start swimming this week in the mornings and am hoping that will help boost my energy level. fingers crossed. I've also put together a sort of diet that I'm hoping will help prevent stretch marks down the road and am planning on starting that this week too.

Oh yeah, I discovered that if I lay on my back when my bladder is full I can feel a definite grapefruit sized lump below my belly button. I can actually see it too if my bladder is really full. That discovery made the baby seem so real...I'm so excited!!! :)

To Do this week: purchase body pillow.