1. Gestational diabetes test results negative
2. Baby is mostly head down - still a little "oblique" - but looking good
3. Found out our family doctor is also recommended by our OB as a "pediatrician" (good thing!)
4. Have some hospital visits coming up: Bethesda North and Mercy Fairfield
5. Excited about heading into the third trimester!
December 22, 2010
December 7, 2010
It just keeps getting better!
Seeing our baby via ultrasound: that was crazy, check
Hearing the heartbeat: check
Feeling the baby move: oh yes, check! (This feels really funny sometimes)
Seeing the baby move from the outside: that's pretty cool, check!
Pressing on my stomach and feeling baby's body part: best-so-far-check!!
...The other night after feeling some strong pressure on my right side, I pressed my hand into my stomach. I felt the swift, distinct move of an arm or leg for the first time!
It just keeps getting better :)
P.S. Will and I have been staying up late reading a lot about birth and watching different informational videos. We have read about and seen a lot of neat things you can do. We like our Bradley Method group and instructor so we are looking forward to more Sunday night classes. The more we learn the more excited I am about labor (I know I don't know the pain...). I know things don't always go as planned - but we are staying focused on what we want to happen.
Hearing the heartbeat: check
Feeling the baby move: oh yes, check! (This feels really funny sometimes)
Seeing the baby move from the outside: that's pretty cool, check!
Pressing on my stomach and feeling baby's body part: best-so-far-check!!
...The other night after feeling some strong pressure on my right side, I pressed my hand into my stomach. I felt the swift, distinct move of an arm or leg for the first time!
It just keeps getting better :)
P.S. Will and I have been staying up late reading a lot about birth and watching different informational videos. We have read about and seen a lot of neat things you can do. We like our Bradley Method group and instructor so we are looking forward to more Sunday night classes. The more we learn the more excited I am about labor (I know I don't know the pain...). I know things don't always go as planned - but we are staying focused on what we want to happen.
November 29, 2010
Dangerette likes Graeter's (but who doesn't?)
Dangerette was kicking up a storm last night. Graeter's + lying down apparently makes her giddy. She was kicking enough to rock the mug that was sitting on Jill's belly, and for it to surprise me when I felt it the first time.
We went to Dr. Bowen's office today for the first time. I'm very glad we made the switch. Everyone there seems happy to see you, seems happy about life and the office itself is just in better condition. It just felt more natural, and not in a hippy, live in a tree sort of way. And certainly not in a "this is what it's supposed to be like" sort of way either. I don't have a clue what that is! You felt like you sat down with an amigo, not your doctor. I just walked out reassured and reenergized.
March 25th, a day that will live in infamy. :)
November 25, 2010
Good food, good meat...
Today I caught myself really thinking about what I'm thankful for...
I'm thankful for my health, so I can do things like run when I want, relax when I want, eat what I want, drink what I want and stay out of the hospital (when I want!)
I'm thankful for my wife who loves me, puts me in my place, guides me through life with a gentle hand when I'm being a stubborn ox and laughs at me when I make stupid jokes and act like a 10 year old.
I'm thankful for my job because, while at times might be the biggest stressor in my life, fills me with satisfaction that I'm doing something good and not just trying to make a buck. And I'm thankful for the people I work with. They really make me look forward to going even on the roughest days.
I'm thankful for my family, both my immediate family because they are honest with me and guide me and I can be honest with them back, and my extended family because it is who they are that make holidays like this something to look forward to.
And I'm thankful for Dangerette. She's still in there growing, but that little papaya is going to enrich my life more than any one of the things above.
Off to Thanksgiving breakfast :D (another thing I'm thankful for!)
I'm thankful for my health, so I can do things like run when I want, relax when I want, eat what I want, drink what I want and stay out of the hospital (when I want!)
I'm thankful for my wife who loves me, puts me in my place, guides me through life with a gentle hand when I'm being a stubborn ox and laughs at me when I make stupid jokes and act like a 10 year old.
I'm thankful for my job because, while at times might be the biggest stressor in my life, fills me with satisfaction that I'm doing something good and not just trying to make a buck. And I'm thankful for the people I work with. They really make me look forward to going even on the roughest days.
I'm thankful for my family, both my immediate family because they are honest with me and guide me and I can be honest with them back, and my extended family because it is who they are that make holidays like this something to look forward to.
And I'm thankful for Dangerette. She's still in there growing, but that little papaya is going to enrich my life more than any one of the things above.
Off to Thanksgiving breakfast :D (another thing I'm thankful for!)
November 9, 2010
Half Way There!
What A Day!
Our trip to the doctor this morning for our 20w ultrasound was a lot more exciting than usual. The ultrasound tech moved from the baby’s head all the way down to her feet. We saw the different lobes of the brain, the chambers of the heart, and the rest of her major organs and bones. The tech also took lots of measurements and counted the fingers and toes. Everything appears to be developing well and her digestive system and kidneys are functioning! She is facing my back with her head at the top and her feet towards the bottom. Right now she’s about 13 oz. and right on target for her due date (March 25th). One of the neatest parts for me was seeing her move at the same time as I felt it. It put to rest my questions about whether it was my muscles twitching or the baby I was feeling. She also had the hiccups and you could see her whole body lurch.
Oh… and it’s a girl! It took a while to get the right shot. But with a few prods and pushes the tech got her to move in the right direction.
Between my ultrasound and appointment with the doctor (they were at different times because Dr. Heis was out of the office in the morning) we made a quick trip to Target. Finally knowing if I should be hunting for girl or boy stuff was part of the fun for the morning!
At this point I am reading more about birthing plans and the ins and outs of natural childbirth. I have so many questions but I enjoy discovering things on my own. What I have learned so far is that each mom and delivery is different - so I am going to do my best to prepare and hopefully experience will be a good teacher!
Will is also enjoying this experience. He goes to all my doctor appointments with me and is very involved in the process. As the weeks slip by we are both getting more and more anxious.
Little face and hand
Spine, head, and torso
Our trip to the doctor this morning for our 20w ultrasound was a lot more exciting than usual. The ultrasound tech moved from the baby’s head all the way down to her feet. We saw the different lobes of the brain, the chambers of the heart, and the rest of her major organs and bones. The tech also took lots of measurements and counted the fingers and toes. Everything appears to be developing well and her digestive system and kidneys are functioning! She is facing my back with her head at the top and her feet towards the bottom. Right now she’s about 13 oz. and right on target for her due date (March 25th). One of the neatest parts for me was seeing her move at the same time as I felt it. It put to rest my questions about whether it was my muscles twitching or the baby I was feeling. She also had the hiccups and you could see her whole body lurch.
Oh… and it’s a girl! It took a while to get the right shot. But with a few prods and pushes the tech got her to move in the right direction.
Between my ultrasound and appointment with the doctor (they were at different times because Dr. Heis was out of the office in the morning) we made a quick trip to Target. Finally knowing if I should be hunting for girl or boy stuff was part of the fun for the morning!
At this point I am reading more about birthing plans and the ins and outs of natural childbirth. I have so many questions but I enjoy discovering things on my own. What I have learned so far is that each mom and delivery is different - so I am going to do my best to prepare and hopefully experience will be a good teacher!
Will is also enjoying this experience. He goes to all my doctor appointments with me and is very involved in the process. As the weeks slip by we are both getting more and more anxious.
Little face and hand
Spine, head, and torsoOctober 19, 2010
End of Week 17
We went to Dr. Heis today for a checkup. No ultrasound (we've been spoiled...) but we did get to listen to the heartbeat! Everyone told me that it would be "magical" the first time we heard it, and the science-guy in me thought "Well, it's a heartbeat..." When we heard it, the Dad in me said "Well!! It's a heartbeat!"
Doc said it sounds very strong & it was right around 150 bpm. Good news all around.
We go back November 9th at 9:15 for the almighty 20 week ultrasound and another checkup right afterwards. We'll certainly have more news/pics/video after that!
It's funny how little things make this more and more real: original skeletore ultrasound, then the "bump" and now the heartbeat.
Excited.
Doc said it sounds very strong & it was right around 150 bpm. Good news all around.
We go back November 9th at 9:15 for the almighty 20 week ultrasound and another checkup right afterwards. We'll certainly have more news/pics/video after that!
It's funny how little things make this more and more real: original skeletore ultrasound, then the "bump" and now the heartbeat.
Excited.
September 20, 2010
Danger(ette?)'s Status Update
We visited Dr. Heis today! I was looking forward to hearing how the baby was doing of course, but wasn't nearly as excited about the visit as I was for the first one. We thought there would be bloodwork, measuring, etc. BUT we got an ultrasound and WOW!
After about 30 seconds we saw alot of movement and she was describing alot of things that were interesting, so I took out my phone and started recording. Four & a half minutes later it was done and my mind was blown. It's uploading right now. I'll add a link at about 10:30 when it's done.
You'll get to hear all of her comments in the video, but in case you're not interested in watching, she said that everything is progressing very well and that Danger looks very healthy. From head to butt is about 7cm; with legs a total of 10-11 cm.
She also said that an early guess would be that Danger is actually going to be Dangerette!
It's only 13 weeks so far, but she said that if she had to guess now, she would guess that it's a girl. The ultrasound seemed to back this up. With a view as if you were the seat of a chair, there is an absence of a "protrusion" and what seems to be the formation of female genitals. It's a good thing we decided to find out, because she definitely just told us without seeing what we thought first!
I always sucked at being able to visualize a sonogram, so I'll help you out. First, it totally looks like a skeleton. The head is to the right, ribs to the left. Danger(ette) is looking at you. The right eye is showing well, and you can make out nostrils & a mouth. The left eye is "in a shadow" as she put it. Moving towards the ribs you can't see a neck, and the video captures the heart moving. And the baby moving. Whoa.
After about 30 seconds we saw alot of movement and she was describing alot of things that were interesting, so I took out my phone and started recording. Four & a half minutes later it was done and my mind was blown. It's uploading right now. I'll add a link at about 10:30 when it's done.
You'll get to hear all of her comments in the video, but in case you're not interested in watching, she said that everything is progressing very well and that Danger looks very healthy. From head to butt is about 7cm; with legs a total of 10-11 cm.
She also said that an early guess would be that Danger is actually going to be Dangerette!
It's only 13 weeks so far, but she said that if she had to guess now, she would guess that it's a girl. The ultrasound seemed to back this up. With a view as if you were the seat of a chair, there is an absence of a "protrusion" and what seems to be the formation of female genitals. It's a good thing we decided to find out, because she definitely just told us without seeing what we thought first!
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| Danger(ette) 13 wks |
Update: The video finally finished uploading. Check it out.
September 13, 2010
All quiet on the baby front...
There's a little bit of showing going on. And I mean a little. A little bit of random nausea that comes and goes quickly as well.
We're also just past the magical 12 week mark.
Other than that, we've both talked about how everyday we are reminded that Jill is pregnant because we keep FORGETTING! I used to make fun of Brandon for forgetting that Anna is pregnant, and now I understand. I love thinking about what having a little one will be like.
We're also still deciding whether or not we want to know if it's going to be Danger or Dangerette. Luckily we have until November to decide.
Next appointment is on September 20th. Look for an update then.
We're also just past the magical 12 week mark.
Other than that, we've both talked about how everyday we are reminded that Jill is pregnant because we keep FORGETTING! I used to make fun of Brandon for forgetting that Anna is pregnant, and now I understand. I love thinking about what having a little one will be like.
We're also still deciding whether or not we want to know if it's going to be Danger or Dangerette. Luckily we have until November to decide.
Next appointment is on September 20th. Look for an update then.
August 18, 2010
800 lb Gorilla
... that only we could see!! Man it's hard not telling everyone you know (and sometimes don't) that you're going to have a baby!!
There's not too many times in my life that I've been as excited as I was today when Dr. Heis told us that we'd get to do the ultrasound today instead of Friday. Everything looked good, she said. As good as a peanut with a heartbeat could look. We don't have any risk factors, so that was good.
If you look closely, the head is to the left by the plus sign with the 1 next to it. Butt is to the right. They did a "Crown to Rump Length" measuresment of 2.09 cm, which indicated 8 mths & 5 days age. Excuse me while I blush.
I'm glad babies take 9 months. I think we're going to need every minute to prepare. :-D
There's not too many times in my life that I've been as excited as I was today when Dr. Heis told us that we'd get to do the ultrasound today instead of Friday. Everything looked good, she said. As good as a peanut with a heartbeat could look. We don't have any risk factors, so that was good.
If you look closely, the head is to the left by the plus sign with the 1 next to it. Butt is to the right. They did a "Crown to Rump Length" measuresment of 2.09 cm, which indicated 8 mths & 5 days age. Excuse me while I blush.
August 2, 2010
And then there were three...
After a week or two of symptoms, we found out on Thursday (7/30) that Jill was pregnant!
On her way home from spinning, Jill stopped at Walgreens for a test. I was out running because it was finally a nicer & cooler night. After I was done cooling off in the driveway, we went inside and Jill told me. I was suprised, but VERY excited! After spending alot of time this summer with Alahna, Nick & the Lieslands, my stance on having our own children moved from "I could handle it" to "Yes please!" I don't think Jill's has ever been anything other than "Yes please."
So this journey begins. We decided that the idea of waiting until 12 weeks might cause us to explode with excitement, and neither of us are excellent secret keepers, so we told as many people as we could as soon as we could.
And the timing couldn't be better. If the baby is born when we're predicting in mid-April, 6 weeks of maternity leave will stop right around the end of the school year.
It's also such a blessing to know that we are surrounded by people who love us and have such experience at parenting and childbirth that any questions will not be unanswered for long. Hence this blog; it was a suggestion from Rob, and a great idea. Our family is large and spread apart, so communicating what is happening is easier this way.
I'm just glad we can communicate it. Not being able to say anything these last few days while we told family has made me an anxious dude!!
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