Happy Day

Our appointment with the genetic councilor went very well. We received confirmation that we are at low risk for having a baby with chromosome abnormalities. She asked us if we had thought about an amniocentesis. Chief and I decide that we would decline as long as the ultrasound went well. We are happy to report that it went very well.

For all of you who want to know the sex of the baby, here it is…you will have to wait 20 weeks like the two of us. An OB resident did the first part of the ultrasound. He was obviously practicing and forgot to tell us when he was down by the baby’s legs. I thought that I saw “evidence” to prove it was a boy but my reading skills were questioned when I said “look at his hand” and was told that it was a foot. When the technician came in she told us when she was below the baby’s waist and we would look away. I told her I thought it was a boy but she would not give me any hints. Now, I am not sure if she was messing with me but I heard her in a whisper say to the resident that “she” wasn’t cooperating with her. I am sure she didn’t mean me. Someone at Chief’s work asked if we received any new pictures because they indicated they would be able to tell the sex from the picture. Good luck…

Nemo really was not cooperating with the tech. He didn’t want to show her his right foot. And when it came time to show his face, he was shy. They had me lay on my side and even had put my head lower than my feet to try to get him to move. Eventually, they got the pictures. I think I even saw a “grumpy” face and commented that he didn’t look too happy. I think we woke him up. Everything looked fine. We saw every (almost every) part of him. For those keeping track of the heart rate it was 150 beats a minute.

The maternal fetal medicine (high risk OB) physician came in afterwards and said that the ultrasound was completely normal. He is growing fine and measuring at 20 weeks and 5 days old. I may have to succumb to the fact that the due date will be changed. We briefly discussed my thyroid and she said that since everything is right on track it might not be necessary to have additional ultrasounds every month. She said that we just need to monitor my hormone levels but I should talk with my doctor to see what she thinks.

I can’t stop thinking about our baby. I can’t stop going over all of the images we saw. I keep looking at my belly. This little baby is in me. I still can’t believe that we are going to have a baby. We are blessed and I am thankful for our little one.

18 Weeks and Counting

Time is flying by. I can’t believe Nemo is 18 weeks old. I continue to feel good and have been walking more. This week my internist increased my thyroid medicine and we will check my levels in 8 weeks. I am confident in her decision. We also found out that the MSAFP test was normal which means Nemo should have no neurotube defects. I am so thankful. The level II ultrasound is scheduled for 2 weeks from now. We still don’t want to know the sex of the baby. I will admit there are days that I really want to find out but mostly I want the surprise at the birth. I still think it is a boy and Chief is toying with the idea that it is a girl.

Speaking of surprises we went to the Farmers Market today and they had Michigan Sour Cherries. Those are the ones you bake pies with. I just love to eat them! I bought 2 quarts and I am not sure that they will last until Monday. If anyone must know, I have a real talent for eating these things. I did stop swallowing the pits due to being pregnant. I figure Nemo doesn’t need pits to be in my system.

After the Farmers Market, I met Chief downtown for Heritage Festival. I don’t think I will be riding my bike much longer. It is a bit uncomfortable. Chief was helping out with the bike corral so I met him there and went to the craft show. I went to the first booth I saw and bought a baby blanket and a soft stuffed puppy. Of course I didn’t bring the checkbook so I walked home, drank some water to cool down, and then walked back. Chief and I then shared some food and went to the beer tent to listen to a Beatles tribute band. I of course did not have beer but it looked really good! We then had “lupper” which is a late lunch/early supper. After filling up, we grabbed our bikes and headed home. Gosh were we tired.

We are going to early mass tomorrow so that Chief can go for a bike ride. I plan on cleaning out some drawers. Maybe we will do some other things but it seems to be looking like a lazy Sunday.

Four Month Check-Up

I was so busy for a few weeks that I have not had time to catch everyone up. I will try to do at least one entry a week because so much changes and I will otherwise forget to tell you what is going on.

We are in the process of registering for baby items. I don’t really know how much stuff we need. We figured out the big things but we are going to be guessing on clothes, blankets, and the little necessities. I have no clue as to what bottle or nipples will be okay for Nemo. There are so many choices and it is overwhelming to me. I might take my friend up on the offer to go with me to help me sort this out. These are the days that I wished we lived closer to family, as our moms, sisters, and sisters-in-law would be great help.

I had to buy a dress for a wedding that we went to last night. Chief and I went to Motherhood and found they are reasonably priced and had very comfortable clothes. I can’t believe how comfortable maternity clothes are. Chief was fun to shop with. I must have tried on three or four dresses and then he found a pair of shorts. I told him they would be too small and I was using that “Bellaband” to hold up my regular shorts that I no longer can zip. Anyway, I tried them on and they are so wonderful. So we left with a dress and a pair of shorts. Later that week during his lunch break he went to the mall to get me another pair of shorts. I thought it was one of the nicest things he has done. How many husbands go to that store during lunch to buy their wives clothes? I know I am lucky.

I went for my 4-month check up on Thursday and everything seems to be going well. The baby’s heartbeat was strong and was running about 150 beats per minute. My thyroid level went up again. We decided to recheck it in 8 weeks and will then decide if I need more medication. I am comfortable with not raising my medication right now but I am a little concerned as to the increase in my level. I am still controlled but with the hormones from being pregnant it is expected that they will continue to increase.

Today is Father’s Day. Chief went running and I rode my bike next to him for 9 miles. We had a really nice time talking and enjoyed the weather. We grilled out brats and burgers for dinner. It was a relaxing day! I think it will be neat to have Nemo with us next year. I often find myself thinking about how things will be with a baby in our lives. I can’t wait to find out.

We plan on visiting our families for the Fourth of July. I know everyone wants to see my “bump”. I have had requests to post a picture but I think it looks better in person. Maybe next month I will have Chief take a picture. For now, here is one of us taken at the wedding last night.