welcome baby bump!

We just returned from an amazing week away in Colorado......unfortunately, no skiing for me...but I spent some wonderful time with one of my best friends Liz, who is also preggers (due 12 days before me)! We snowshoed, hiked, walked, shopped, "manicure/pedicure(d)," and enjoyed gourmet dinners cooked by my great friend Sarah! The boys snowboarded and enjoyed the slopes for a few days. Noah and I spent a few more days in Denver touring around and exploring such a fun city! A fantastic vacation!!..........and..........
the BABY BUMP has appeared!!! Maybe it was the altitude or the lower oxygen supply....but whatever the reason, my belly truly "popped" out while I was on vacation! I now feel like there is a real baby in there!! How exciting!
No more skinny jeans and tight shirts.......I'm wearing my maternity jeans and bella bands.........and my wonderful parents brought me some more fun clothes when they arrived in Minneapolis Saturday! So nice!!
The last couple days with my parents have been very exciting.....thinking of names, exploring maternity and baby stores and tons of "pre-baby" talk! :-) Noah and I are having a blast!
I think I'll start posting some pics of the baby bump real soon....stay posted!

The beautiful heartbeat!!!

Ugh......what a day.....stayed home from work sicker than sick with a sore throat, tons of congestion and general fatigue! I finally made it out of bed to get a half hour of fresh air with Wally and then head to my 13 week OB appointment this afternoon. Lucky for me...I found out that I can take sudafed to help clear my sinuses!!! I have gained one pound so far this pregnancy....couldn't believe that this was it, considering all that I've been eating! My doctor assured me that the weight will be starting to gain in the few weeks ahead. That's ok....I'm actually looking forward to a little belly.
Today I got to hear the heartbeat of our baby.....wow was this special!!! We had seen the heart flickering on our first ultrasound, but this was the first time that I heard it on the doppler machine! Hearing the Doctor say it was "perfect" was such a wonderful feeling!! I also found out that we'll be able to find out the sex around week 18....!! Only five weeks from now.
Well, back to the couch for some more rest and water......really need to get over this illness in time for our trek to Colorado this weekend! Can't wait.

Baby on the Way!

Noah and I learned in mid-January that we are expecting a little one in September!!! The thrill is so special! After hearing tons of advice from others who have been through this adventure before, I have finally decided that with the start of the second trimester (yeah!!!), it is time to start documenting some of this incredible time!
This blogspot will serve as a way for me to share some of the pregnancy with others!
So far things have been really great....I can't complain. The first trimester was full of fatigue (in bed by around 8-9 every night!), a little queasiness now and then, and hunger!!! No vomiting...yeah!!! It was so much fun to share our news with family and friends.......such excitement!!! The first ultrasound made it all so real, when they told me the heart rate was 171bpm at 8 weeks.....wow, a real baby!!!
Tomorrow is my second OB appointment....the first one in the second trimester! I am looking forward to seeing how much weight I've gained and how the baby is progressing. My jeans and pants are starting to feel a little more snug....looking forward to a little belly soon! :-)