30 weeks....10 to Go!

So it's been quite a while since I have posted anything - but I've just been....lazy! I do have lots of new pics to share - and even a few updates, for those of you who are following along.

Things are progressing well with Baby Bryce. I can feel (and even see) him move on a very regular basis. I'll have to admit, it was weird in the beginning, but I am getting used to his daily exercises in my belly:-) He's a bit of a wild child already. My other recent symptoms include leg cramps - the very bad kind. I had to wake Ryan up one night to help me get through one of them, and as soon as he walked away, it came right back. DREADFUL. Other than that, some feet and ankle swelling, and extreme tiredness, I'm doing okay.

Working 70 hours last week almost took me to my grave. After an 8 hour day, I am most certainly ready to retire for the night....but we had a huge project at work, and should we fare well, it could be very exciting. Hopefully all of the hard work will pay off.

My next doctor visit is a week from tomorrow. I am going back for the monthly check in as well as a new ultrasound. They are monitoring my placenta, which is still resting a little low. Hopefully things are inching up...we'll see.

With 10 weeks to go, the nursery is almost ready, minus some pictures on the wall, the closet is filling up, and I am so excited about my two baby showers in the coming weeks.

Below are some pictures from a photo session Ryan and I had a few weeks back. Please note, the belly has grown significantly since then:-) Cheers!

Week 23 and I feel the baby!

So it's week 23, and I'm over half way through. On Friday, I started feeling the first faint feelings of baby inside of me. It felt like gas bubbles to be honest, but I knew, based on the location, it had to be the baby boy moving all around. By Monday, I had noticed that the movement quickly became more pronouced, meaning I could feel baby's every move. And today, he is moving like a wild man. I am convinced that he is practicing to drive a race car or pretending to celebrate in Victory Lane. Ha! I talked to the nurse about it on Monday at my doc appointment, and she suggested that we name him "Dash" because he is so fast. He moved faster than she could track his heartbeat.

Speaking of doctor, the visit went well. It was just a routine visit so I could meet another doc, and ask any questions. When I go back next time (2/23), they'll do another ultrasound to make sure my placenta has shifted up, as well as another glucose test. I pray for a passing score!

And this weekend, we plan to start on the nursery, as soon as the furniture that is currently in the room is moved out. So expect pictures in the coming weeks. Lots of changes going on!

How the baby is progressing:
Now, the baby is likely to be more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango). Blood vessels in the lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that the baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing him for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as the dogs barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't phase him when he hears them outside the womb.

Ultrasound Pics

I know everyone is eager to see the lastest ultrasound pics. Here are a few from the last visit. You'll see his face in 4D, his legs and his foot, and even a shot that looks like he is praying:-)

20 weeks - Half way to the finish line!

Today marks 20 weeks of pregnancy. It's a great feeling to know that I am half way home. We had a doctor's appoitment on Monday, and what fun that was! My mom, sister, sis-in-law, hubby and niece all came in for the ultrasound. We got to see so much more this time around...the baby was not quite as active as we hoped, but we saw his legs, feet, brain development, heart beating, and much, much more. We were really hoping to see his "boy part" again for some clarification, but he was acting a little shy. However, it was quite amazing to see how much has changed since the last ultrasound.

I read just yesterday that he is the length of a banana. Now we're talking! I'll post new ultrasound pics on Monday, but until then, take a look at this growing belly of mine. LOL

16 weeks - An exciting weekend!

So Ryan and I had an exciting weekend! Not only did we get the furniture for the baby's room, and the bedding, we also had an ultrasound done to determine if the baby is a boy or a girl!

After a few minutes of searching, the baby finally decided to cooperate and share the sex with us - and we discovered a little boy! We are both so excited and cannot wait to meet him. As time passes, we become more and more attached to the little being growing inside of me.

Below are pics of the ultrasound and the bedding that we just purchased. Enjoy!





It's a boy! Introducing Baby Bryce...

15 Weeks

So we've successfully made into the 2nd trimenster. I am delighted, as the sickness is supposed to start easing off. I was able to indulge during the Thanksgiving holiday, and eat all of my favorite foods, so it looks like I am headed in the right direction!

I also had my second doc appointment yesterday, where I heard the heartbeat again. It's always amazing, and makes this entire experience more "real." The heartbeats resulted in 150 beats, which is a slight decrease from my first visit. Now I need to study up on all those old wives tales to determine if that means boy or girl! I also had my glucose test done, and I am awaiting the results.

My next appointment is scheduled for 12/29, and I'll get to have another ultrasound. I am hoping to determine the sex even earlier, thanks to my personal Ultrsound tech, and sister, Dawney!

My growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces. he or she is busy moving amniotic fluid through the nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. The legs are growing longer than her arms now, and he/she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although the eyelids are still fused shut, the baby can sense light.

Amazing isn't it? Next, I hope to feel the baby move...I'm waiting for my first flutter:-)

11 weeks - Our First Appointment

We finally had our first pre-natal appointment on Monday. SOOOO exciting. Ryan and I both took the entire day off so that we could take our time and enjoy ourselves. Our appointment was scheduled for 9:45, so of course I begged him to stop for a jelly biscuit on the way:-)

Everything went very well. First, we got to see the ultrasound. TRULY amazing. The baby has grown so much! We saw two feet and two hands and the baby was flipping around....likely thanks to my jelly biscuit. The ultrasound also determined that I was 11 weeks and 4 days long, making my new due date 5/21/2009. Everything looked great...we were even able to see some facial features.



Following the ultrasound, we met with the OB Nurse to determine do's and don'ts, and discuss medical history. Then I met with the doctor. The only concern was my sugar level. It was slightly high, so during my next visit, we plan to do a full blown glucose test.

And the best news of all - I haven't been quite as sick this week. Horray! Hopefully I'm on my way to a peaceful 2nd trimester!