It's a Girl! - Part Two

Once we had miraculously viewed our baby for about 40 minutes, I'm asking the technican, "Do we see anything? Are we sure? Did we get the money shot?" She says she isn't 100% positive, but do we want her initial guess? After asking us if we have any gut feelings (yes, we think it's a girl) she says that yes, in fact, she believes it's a girl.

She hasn't seen any boy parts in the 40 minutes of the ultrasound, however, while little miss thing has been so cooperative with everything else, she's just not spreading her legs quite enough to be sure. That's my girl!! We were already late for our doctor's appointment, so she sends us upstairs and tells us we can come right back down afterwards and she'll try again to get a better shot.

Then, commences our routine doctor's visit. I'll take my glucose test in two months (so looking forward to that ::rolls eyes::). We discussed my anterior placenta (placenta located in front of the uterus) and the possibility that I may feel the baby less often. Although, thankfully, I can already feel her in there. Perhaps, though, it explains why, when I do feel her, it is much more of a pronounced pushing than a light tapping or fluttering described by other moms.

The baby is also currently in the breech position which makes me want to freak out because a breech baby does not fit into my birth plan AT ALL!!! However, the doctor assured me that she'll change positions a lot prior to delivery. I'll just be hoping and praying she decides to cooperate and situate herself head first in the next 4 to 5 months.

And, while I was expecting a huge weight gain this month (I finally have a decent bump and I just felt heavier), I've actually only gained two pounds - for a total of 8 pounds in 19 weeks. I guess sticking with the exercise is helping to keep the weight gain gradual thus far. Maybe I'll have a big number next month...because I know it's coming :).

Once we finished with the doctor, we decided to head back downstairs for another look at the baby. But first, we met up with my mom (who works in the hospital). She looked at the adorable pics and brought me a Coke with the hope that a little sugar and caffeine might get the little one moving. I was hoping not to the leave the hospital with a "we THINK it's a girl" verdict.

After the Coke and a small break from the craziness of the past couple hours, we headed back into the ultrasound. More shirt up, warm jelly, wand on belly and there she was - in the perfect position. We saw her little butt and feet, and the ultrasound tech was able to state, in no uncertain terms, that we had a little girl in there :). Of course we were thrilled, ecstatic, high on life... We headed out into the sunshine, called family and friends, and basked in the glow of parenthood.

Josh and I spent the rest of the day together. We had a delicous lunch at P.F. Changs, went looking for nursery furniture (more to come on this soon), checked out strollers and carseats, etc. It was such a glorious day and looking back I am so happy that we made the decision to both take the day off. There is no way I could've gone back to work and focused on anything else. Not to mention that the time together made the whole experience that much more special. I'd recommend it to anyone :).

So...what did we name her??? Well, for whatever reason Josh and I were having an easier time with girl names than boy ones from the beginning. One day I threw out Olivia, and Josh immediately loved it. I think he said something along the lines of, "That's it. Olivia Marie. I love it. It's perfect." Marie is my middle name and he just immediately put the two together.

It was actually in the top 10 most popular names for girls in 2008, but believe it or not, we don't know a single person or child named Olivia. Although, I can't say that was a huge concern for us. We just wanted a name that we loved, regardless of popularity.

And, another funny thing about her name that neither of us had ever considered... My mom actually mentioned this the day of the ultrasound. Her initials will be OMG. No, seriously... I prefer to think of it as, "Oh My God, Olivia is so amazing!" LOL :).

It's a Girl!!!!

That's right. Josh and I have been blessed with a daughter. I'm having a hard time putting into words the amazing-ness that was our day yesterday, but I'm going to try. And, I feel like I've already shared the news with most of the world, so if you're hearing this for the 3rd or 4th time, my apologies - bear with me.

Yesterday, we were scheduled for a 10:15 ultrasound and an 11:30 doctor's appointment (both in the same building). We decided to take the day off to spend the day together doing lots of baby related things. At about 11:00 we're finally called back for our ultrasound with my bladder about to burst. I get situated with my shirt up, warm jelly on and away we go.

And, just a note for future moms-to-be. When the tech starts asking you if you've had the Down's testing done or if you have any family history of Down's, spine abifida or cleft palate, apparently that's just part of the routine. Because when you're already on pins and needles, it will freak you the hell out!! It should be a requirement to get those questions out of the way before they start projecting those baby images.

From there, we had about 40 glorious minutes to gaze at our little girl. Some of it is a lot of technical measurements, but for the most part it is pure blissful awe. Her fingers and toes, her lips, her gorgeous profile. She kept putting her fingers in her mouth and rubbing her face. We even saw her yawn at one point. And, when the ultrasound tech zoomed in to get measurements of her heart, we could clearly see all four chambers beating and moving with efficiency. It was indescribable...

And, while I'm not normally one to get too spiritual on this blog, it has to be said. God may has well have been standing right there in that room with us yesterday because that's exactly how blessed I felt. To be a part of such a miracle happening in my very own body... I've never felt so lucky to be a woman. A woman making a baby with a man she loves more than life itself. I don't know what I did to deserve any of it, but I am so very thankful.


To Be Continued...

The Perfect Gift...

For the child of two notorious winos.

Love it!! :)

18 weeks...

Due to reader request for some of the latest bump photos...here you go :).


Definitely some growth, I would say.

While strangers can't seem to tell... This past Saturday at the gym, one lady heard I was pregnant and said, "oh what, like 8 weeks?" When, I told her I was actually almost 4 1/2 months pregnant, her response was, "Oh my God, you must have abs of steel." Not at all true, but it still made me laugh out loud. Friends and family, however, are definitely able to notice the change in my silhouette.

Right now the little one is about 5 1/2 inches long - about the size of a bell pepper.


I've finally started to purchase a few more maternity things. Some of my shorts were getting uncomfortable when buttoned, so I invested in a black and khaki pair of maternity bermuda shorts, and I'm starting to look into jean options for fall and winter. And, we're officially signed up for our 4 week natural childbirth classes in October and November. Then, there's feeling the baby move of course which is awesome!

And, I still can't believe it, but one week from today we have our big ultrasound scheduled. Hopefully, he/she will be cooperative so we can start talking plans for the nursery, and everything will be growing and developing beautifully.

Things I Am Loving Today...

1.) The fact that this arrived on my doorstep yesterday.

Josh picked up a memory card for me and I still need a camera bag, but I can't wait to start playing with this. Mind you, I have no idea what I'm doing, but still...

2.) Cheerios

Last week, I think I finished off a whole box in three days. I don't know how to describe it, but few things sound better to me than Cheerios and ice cold milk.

3.) Top Chef

While I've loved Top Chef Masters, nothing compares to the original. And tonight, it's back.

Speaking of which, I almost totally missed that Project Runway comes back Thursday on Lifetime. Another one of my favorites to look forward to.

4.) Feeling the baby move

Yes, we have movement!! It's still rather intermittent - one day I'll feel him/her a bunch and the next day barely anything - but I I'm pretty positive it's the baby at this point. Although, it's not exactly as I've heard it described before - popcorn popping, butterflies, tapping, etc. Mine feels more like the picture above. Like if you took a rubber ball or small fist and rolled it along the inside of abdomen. A light rolling pressure if you will...

One morning last week, I rolled onto my back before getting out of bed and felt this rolling pressure on the left side of my lower abdomen. It was even more pronounced than usual. Then, when I looked down, it looked like that side was bulging!! So, I place my hand down there and sure enough it was really hard to the touch - much more so than the right side. So, of course I immediately call Josh over to feel my belly, "feel this side, now this one". It was awesome that while he couldn't feel exactly what I was feeling, he still got to experience some of our child's first movements. I've felt it a few more times since then, sometimes more noticeable than others, and it never gets old :).

When You're the Only Sober One...

You at least have the awareness to remember to break out your camera...

Just when the moment calls for photographic documentation.

I do believe they finished things off with a round of applause from the crowd.

Try not to be jealous ladies... That dancing fool is all mine :).