18 weeks old

Today we had our fetal scan with the fetal specialist, Dr Cohen. He took pictures of everything... the face, heart, arms and legs, the head, spine. He gave us a few to take home. Here is a great picture of the baby looking right at the "camera" (such a little ham already!):

He was able to see almost everything except the heart. He said there are 2 angles from which he likes to see the heart, and because of the position of the baby (the baby is currently breech), he couldn't see the both angles. He was able to see all 4 chambers though. Also, the baby kept moving around, which made it difficult to see everything.

Because of my previous history, he also had to examine the length of the cervix, but all looked great. We have to go back in 2 weeks because my BP was a bit high (not surprising after my Colorado trip) and he wants to try to see the heart again. Also, the placenta is in front of my cervix, so he wants to watch that as well.

But overall things look great. The baby is 7 inches and is the right size for its age. So we left with outstanding news!

Fogged in

Ida and I are stuck in Colorado Springs, due to an extremely heavy fog... there is NO way we are making our connection in Chicago :( I am hoping they cancel this flight soon so we can try to drive up to Denver and get a flight out of there (no fog).

We have had a blast here in Colorado Springs for AHA... we have met a lot of New England transplants here, and my guess is that didn't move voluntarily, but got stuck here and decided to stay! Last night we decided that we could totally live in Colorado... it's so laid back and everyone is really nice and it is SUPER dog friendly! But now we may not have a choice lol. But seriously, this place is just gorgeous... and i will totally come back with Steve on a family vacation.

Ida and I also decided that AHA needs to come back to Colorado, as we now have figured out how to do this vacation right! Our hotel was so nice. We were very spoiled there, with our nightly turndown service, fancy chocolates and luxurious bathrobes. It is great to go to conferences and experience hotels we'd never go to on our own!

Shopping for the baby

We have a crib! and a stroller too... so excited! Babci Di and I went to Baby Furniture Warehouse yesterday and picked up a crib (on sale -- score!) and the Phil and Ted's Stroller. They were having a sale where you got the doubles kit for free, so now we have a double stroller for the future. I am really excited about the stroller... it's the one item where I decided it was most important to splurge. Based on our city lifestyle, I think it is really the best investment we could have made. Plus a few friends have this stroller and say it was the best thing they bought.
My mom and I had a blast in the store. Although shopping there could be dangerous. It was filled with lots of really cool, but unnecessary, stuff. I have to remind myself we need to be practical. Plus I have to remember we will eventually move... and I hate packing!

And I found this cool Widget that I added to the right side of this blog. Now I will be able to countdown the days to the lil one's arrival! I can't believe in 5 months we will have a child to bring home. On some level, it's all still so surreal.

17 weeks

Wow it has been a while since my last post. I have been spending my time enjoying this experience rather than writing about it :) Let' s see .. lots to update...

- feeling the baby move - such a cool feeling! My friend Kelly described it best as feeling like "butterflies". It also feels like the baby is tickling me on the inside, which makes me want to giggle. The first few times it was so faint that I barely felt anything, and wasn't sure if it was the baby moving or not. But now it has been happening daily, usually at work when I am sitting at my desk and it is unmistakably the baby. Love it!

- Big Ultrasound - is next Monday! We'll be 18 weeks along, so we'll be able to see everything... including the sex. However I think we have agreed to be strong and keep it a surprise... but I will post pics as soon as I scan them in!

- new Doctor - we decided to switch our OB to someone at the BI. I liked that hospital better (for a hospital), and i feel that Steve and I clicked much better with our new Dr. She seems a lot more supportive and helpful when it comes to approaches to a natural birth, which is the plan. She also has experience with Hypnobirthing, which we hope to use as our birthing method. As much as I want to hire a Doula, I don't think we are in the right place for it for this pregnancy. I hope we will get to experience a birth with one at some point though!

- buying gear - we are lucky to live in Boston with an extremely active Craigslist... we have been lucky to buy a few items at a reasonable price. We have gotten a swing and bouncer/vibrating seat and the Snap-n-go stroller so far. We figured the baby can only use these things for about 6 months, so they can't be too worn! Plus there are just so many things we need to buy new...

- furniture - we may have found some nursery furniture. We really like the lines (and prices) at USA Baby, but the closest stores are in CT. So Steve and I went to a store up here in Reading. We lucked out and found a great crib that is discontinued, thus is on sale. And there are several other brands that match really well with the crib. So "Babci Di" and I are going today to hopefully get the crib and order a dresser. And the stroller we really like is on sale, so we may grab that as well! And Memere bought us a beautiful glider that will match the furniture perfectly. And the furniture matches our BR set, so we will use our extra night stand (or 2) in the baby's room, as we have no room for it in our room anyway!

That's about all I have for now. Going to Colorado this week for a conference... my last "hurrah" before the baby arrives ;)

Seven weeks

So much has happened this week!

First we told our parents this past week. For our moms, we bought onsies that had their "grandmother" name on them -- Babci for my mom and Meme for Steve's. However, I found out later that Steve's mom is actually "Memere", so whoops! Even though I took French in school, I never put 2 and 2 together. Can I just blame the pregnancy brain (again)?? Steve did see the order before it was placed, so I assumed he would have noticed.

We also told my dad, my sister and Steve's sister. Of course my parents' significant others also know. So besides the limited family, Aedin and a few CT friends, we aren't telling anyone until the Doctor appt on the 11th... if I can keep my mouth shut!! Depending on with whom we spend NYE, we may have to share the info as well.

We also had the 1st PG appt this week. We met with the nurse and she took some medical history and a LOT of blood (over 10 tubes), but no official confirmation. So I guess as long as I don't get my period, I am still PG. But my due date is estimated for August 14th and I am officially 7 weeks. My week begins on a Thursday. This is what the baby looks like in my tummy right now:

Week 7:

7 Weeks Pregnant

We also scheduled a tour of the Brigham's maternity ward for tomorrow. I am not really thrilled about delivering with my Dr. I chose to stay with her because she is my GYN anyway, and has been with me for all "womanly" health issues (including the cervical dysplasia). But I really wasn't thrilled about the whole practice and that my Dr may not deliver my baby. Plus I think the BWH maternity ward is very hospital like. I really don't want to give birth in a hospital labor and delivery room. While I'd love to go to a birthing center, I would also be open to a hospital with a maternity suite, and a doula or midwife (neither is available through the practice). BWH does have midwives in another OB group, so we will do the tour tomorrow, and talk with my Dr. at the appt. If I am not thrilled, I will call BIDMC. The other option is to have the traditional hospital birth, with this first pregnancy, and with any other babies, if all goes well, I can go to a birthing center.

Other than that, I am still feeling good. I did have some mild cramping this week, which reassures me that I am pregnant, and I will take that over m/s any day! I have been tired, but with the holiday craze behind me, definitely less tired than I was before. So overall, things are going well!

6 weeks along...

We estimate that we are about 6 weeks along. It's so weird because I really don't feel very different. I know every pregnancy is different and I should feel lucky that i haven't suffered many of the dreaded pregnancy symptoms, like nausea or morning sickness. But I also know that these things are caused by hormones and they are a good sign that things are going well.

I keep laughing that Steve doesn't really believe me 100%, but as we get closer to telling our parents, now I am worried that I am not pregnant either! But 2 BFPs (big fat positives) and a missed period have to mean something is going on!

Our 1st appointment is next Wednesday, so I think we will both feel better after we meet with the nurse. Part of me wants to wait until after the appointment before telling our parents, but I really want to do it in person. They will come over early on Saturday to help us set up for the family brunch we will host this year. So we will tell them before everyone gets here. I am so excited to finally tell them. I hate talking to my mom on the phone and not tell her everything that is going on with me. She asks what is new and i have to just say nothing... when actually SO MUCH is going on!!

I went to my first yoga class today as a pregnant woman. My instructor has guided many women through their pregnancies, which makes me feel confident that she knows what to do and how to modify the poses. I realize that even though I am pregnant, I can not baby myself and that exercise is very beneficial. There are not too many activities i need to avoid in the first 2 trimesters, but some of the asanas she had my practicing tonight seemed a bit extreme to me! But several people have told me I am safe with yoga so I will continue to practice.

At least someone is enjoying this snow!

So up in Boston we have been hit by 2 big storms this week and have about 18 inches of snow on the ground. While it may inconvenience some, it's the greatest thing in the world to Bailey! Here are some pictures of her bouncing around in the park.






I wish I had our video camera with us -- these pics just don't capture her hopping through the snow like a bunny. We have asked for a video camera for Xmas. People keep asking why we need one -- this is why!

I love how she gets so excited when she thinks she is going outside. Since the 1st storm on Thursday, whenever she sees us putting on our jackets, she stands at the door in anticipation. She can't get enough! But when not outside, she'll sit in front of the window to see what's going on.

Having a dog, there are days you just don't want to go outside because of the cold or snow or rain. But seeing her prance around in the snow, and seeing how happy she is makes it all so worth it!

We also went to visit Santa Claws at Petsmart. Unfortunately she wasn't in the mood to pose for us.