20 Week Ultrasound

OK, so I'm actually 21 weeks, but had an ultrasound today. Dr. checked head dimentions, etc. and major organs. We could see all four chambers of the heart pumping away, arteries, veins, kidneys, the stomach as well as eyes, ears, mouth and nose. We watched the baby opening and closing its mouth and moving its legs and arms. Overall, everything looks great and no problems were detected. She said the baby has a 'really nice heart' which is good, and a narrow/small head (which I happen to think is good). The placenta is in the back, which is why I'm able to feel so much movement, and isn't low so all is well.

In other news, my cousin Andy and his wife had a little boy on Saturday, Eli William! Jeff and I have been very focused on baby activities. We picked out some names, registered, chose two shower dates, and picked up the dresser/changing table. We've also been enjoying the string of 60 degree weather!

The pictures don't look that good, but we're happy to know everything is normal at this point!

This is a somewhat creepy 3D image of baby, face and chest.

Front view of the face, legs are scrunched up on the far right.

Foot (top, middle)!

The dark, butterfly shaped thing in the center of the circle is the heart.

Isn't this a nice looking brain?

And look at that femur bone...It's the long straight thing at the very top, middle.

OK, enough for now.

Halfway!?

Well, it's week 20 so I'm halfway through this pregnancy already! (Even though the first 4 weeks barely count.) I thought I should pose for the big milestone, I imagined I'd have more of a belly by now but I'm sure it will show up with time.

The baby is now about 10 inches long, from head to toe! I'm not sure where this banana is hiding in there, but I feel it moving around all the time. It is usually most active mid-morning and after dinner. It can hear sounds, swallow and do all sorts of other party tricks!

I'm still feeling great, staying active and really can't complain about this pregnancy thing-it's not so bad. There is much to do in the next 20 weeks, currently Jeff and I are on the daycare circuit, touring the five facilities nearby.

Monday, Jan. 19 we have our big, exciting ultrasound where we will NOT be finding out the sex. According to the Chinese Gender Chart, it's a boy! Check back for pictures...

A Great Christmas

The baby (as well as Jeff and I) had a wonderful holiday. In addition to many fun times and special moments, the baby got a lot of unexpected gifts this Christmas. Blankets, onsies, hoodies, toys, carriers; thanks to all for the cute surprises! I have a feeling there may be some spoiling of this child in the future.

Jeff and I headed to Green Bay on Christmas for 4 days. It was wonderful to see both of our families. Jeff also got to witness a Packer victory, decked out in Dad's Carhartt apparel...Bruce and Jeff were quite the pair!

My cousin Amy (expecting in April) had a Doppler at her house that she let us borrow. It was fun for my family to have the opportunity to hear the heartbeat a couple of times, thanks so much to Amy and Aaron (and Stephanie who owns the Doppler)!

Also while in Green Bay I decided to admit that the twinges and twitches I had been feeling for a while are indeed the baby. I initially assumed it was gas or something, but it really is the baby moving! For now, I am happy to feel the movement, though I'm sure in the future it will become painful and annoying at times.

Our flight leaving Green Bay departed 45 minutes late on Monday morning, causing Jeff and I to miss our connecting flights. We couldn't get out of O'Hare until the following day, so we had an unexected dinner with Claire in Chicago Monday night. It would have been helpful to have a toothbrush or hair brush in my carry-on instead of the baby blankets and onsies I had packed... We finally arrived home mid-day on Tuesday and headed to the mountains Wednesday morning to spend New Year's with friends Brian and Anne. For the second year, Brian's family allowed Jeff and I to crash their family vacation for four days, so nice of them. Jeff skied and I snowshoed, it was great to enjoy some fresh mountain air and get some exercise over the New Year's weekend!

On Sunday night Jeff got to feel the baby move for the first time, a couple of twitches while his hand was on my belly! How great for him, he thinks it's unfair that I get to feel it and he doesn't. Maybe I should wake him up in the middle of the night in a few months?

Happy New Year!