21 weeks

We had another 4 week check up today (21 weeks), and oh the joys of waiting.  The receptionist came out to all of us waiting asking which Dr. we were seeing.  All of us were seeing the same one....she let us know the Doctor was about 30-40 mins behind schedule.  Well, considering there were 6 of us, I knew that wasn't true!  So I asked if I could run an errand and be back--so I picked up Madi's dog food, and got a knitted pair of booties that I have had my eye on but the store is only open Thurs. -Sun.  And got back to the doctors office just in time for them to call my name, and then I got to sit in another room for 20 mins!  Haha. Well, everything is great.  Ultrasound is normal (baby's weight is great, enough fluid, heartbeat of 150, has all its limbs and the placenta is healthy).  My wt. gain is right on target for where I am supposed to be to, 11 lbs. to date!  Today was the first time that I had my belly measured too--the fondus is right on track for 21 weeks--so all is swell!  I learned a new phrase from a friend in New Zealand..."up the huff"= pregnant!

"Pop"

Everyone has said that all of a sudden one day your belly "pops" when you are pregnant, and that happened Friday and Saturday.  My belly is definately looking different, and I have the baby bump now!  We had an exciting weekend.  I was baptized on Friday night with 16 other adults.  It was the first time I have been baptized and it was an incredible experience.  It was an emersion baptism, which really implants the experience into your mind!  Then we went to Racine for the weekend to be with the Noelke's.  Lynne's baby shower was on Sunday, and it was so darling.  The decor was pink and brown, like Ellen's nursery is decorated, and the gifts were all so darling!  Many of the women who attended the shower are gifted in the crafting department, and the homemade cards and gifts were adorable.  Lynne looks incredible for being due in a couple of weeks!  

The Kicks

What an exciting weekend!  Saturday we went shopping for maternity clothes.  Hmm, the selection in Madison is not great, so figured out my size and got a few things from Gap maternity (thanks Lynne for letting me know about this!)  PJ says these clothes make me look more pregnant that my normal clothes--they are tighter in the belly region.  We shall see how much longer I will be able to button my jeans!  Also on Saturday my Mozart Effect CD's arrive for "mums and mums to be!"  Trying to stimulate right brained synapses in our growing baby!  Tonight PJ and I went to see a movie and the baby was really active, so I took PJ's hand and placed it on the spot where baby was kicking, and PJ felt it twice--oh it was so fun! 

Ultrasound!

Oh today was so exciting! Our nurse was so wonderful!  I told her that we did not want to know the sex, and she said, we can take care of that!  We saw so many pictures! After a few looks, I still didn't see the fluttering, and asked where is the heartbeat, and then she went to it, and it was so amazing to see!  Then we saw the head, the heart better (a heart beat of 147 and 4 ventircles visable!), the kidneys, the stomach, the umbilical cord (a three vessel one which I guess is good!), the arms and legs, the spine and ribs, the lips nose, and eyes, you could see it all.  Then when we got to the abdomen and the femur(upper leg), she had us look away so that we wouldn't be able to tell the sex! It was so exciting. PJ kept looking-he wants to know! But he couldn't tell what was what anyways, so he had no idea what to look for.  He asked her what it was, and she had a great poker face!  No telling.  I can't even explain the awe that the situation presented.  What a miracle to see this baby growing inside.  It was moving so much, she kept trying to chase it as she said.  It weights about 12oz now, which absolutely surprised me!   Based on that and some measurements, we are about 19 weeks 4 days she says, we thought we were 19 weeks today, so a tiny bit further along.  I have the pics of our baby's first photo shoot at the bottom of this page.  The first is so clear! The black spot is the stomach, and the bony things are the ribs, and as you can see the mouth is open, and you can see the nose! The second is similar.  The third you can see the hands near the face!  The fourth shows the heart really well with the 4 ventricles.

Enjoy! 

Much to be greatful for

We had another 4 week check up today(we are 17 weeks--this changes each Tuesday for any that don't know), and all is very well!  Baby's heartbeat was 150 bpm, and we could even hear it moving!  I am back to the weight that I was before we got pregnant, so she was very glad to see that.

Much excitement has gone on for baby to hear.  My sister got engaged on Thursday 9/18 to Nathan.  He had asked for my dad's blessing the day before, and then proposed at Anandale Golf Couse on the 16th (most beautiful) hole!  They will wed July 2009.  

Also, I will be baptized at Church on Friday, October 17th--I am so excited about this, and think it will be wonderful to share with baby!

Football

I love fall!  We have football--the Badgers and the Pack are undefeated!--, sweater weather, changing leaves--so beautiful!  This brings apple picking, pumpkin carving, and lots of baking, I am so excited!  

Well, this weekend baby Noelke and baby Cassidy(my sister and brother-in-law's baby-to-be) went to their first Notre Dame game.  First of many I am sure.  Lynne is due in 8 weeks, it was so fun to see her progress!  The game was a blast.  We left Chicago in a complete down pour, and got to  Indiana for the game thinking it was a sure bet to be raining the entire time.  Well, the start of the game was 77 degrees!  After half time, the down pour came, and the fans were cheering on the sheeting rain!  It was a blast.  It was a warm, tropical rain--PJ and I joked it felt like we were taking a shower.  

My days have had their ups and downs.  I still have moments where I feel that something will happen again--fears of the last time.  I do have many nights where I wake up at 2, 3 or 4 am, and can't sleep.  I told my dad that it is sometimes nice, I use this time to talk to God.  I am finding out how to  be still and know that He is there.  It refreshes me, and then I just think of how wonderful it will be to see our baby, and I know this experience has taught me to never take a single second for granted.  

Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God."

Breakfast!

So, those of you who know my eating habits (probably most of you since I am so routine!) will appreciate this post!  I was able to eat my usual breakfast this morning!  An egg (sunny side up) on an english muffin with ham!  This has been the first morning since about week six that I have been able to eat real food in the morning.  My supplement has been a protein shake in the morning which is the only thing that would stay down.  It was an exciting morning-so I wanted to share it.  

As for baby--on my way home yesterday over lunch break to go play with Madi, I was at a stoplight and felt a flutter!  Maybe a bit early, but it was not shifting of gas!  I will let you know the next time I feel baby and if it feels the same!