BABY GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Noah and I had our level 2 ultrasound this morning and found out we are having a BABY GIRL!!!! We are absolutely thrilled!! Better yet, the baby looks perfectly healthy and all measurements are right on track for her due date of September 23! I couldn't believe the amazing pictures we were able to get of her feet and her profile! They seemed to measure everything, and Noah and I were just amazed by how much you can see during this ultrasound.....wow!!!

It was so much fun to call family and friends and to have so many loving and exciting responses! Noah and I were already discussing girl names over dinner.....and of course I already have the nursery perfectly designed in my head!! :-)

So looking forward to all of this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

18 1/2 weeks!!!

Two more days until we learn the sex of baby Parker!!!! Our level 2 ulrasound is Tuesday morning at 8am....Noah and I are super excited!!!!

Started looking at baby cribs and registering for some baby gear this week.....wow, can't believe how fast things are progressing!

I attached a new belly pic, as I feel like this baby has really blossomed in the last 2 1/2 weeks!!!

Will update again once we have the first baby pics of our new little one on Tuesday!

17 weeks today!

Just had my 17 weeks appointment today and things are progressing right on target for a healthy baby!!!! The baby was quite active during the doppler today and was kicking the device.....it was hysterical and so fun to hear!!! I have yet to feel these movements, but he/she is definitely squirming about. The heart rate of the baby is 140......so unfortunately that old wives tale of under 140 is a boy and over 140 is a girl doesn't help at all!!!!! I thought this was hysterical.......little "cashew" doesn't want us to have any idea yet! I have officially gained 6.5 pounds per my MD.....and I believe it....definitely have a round little belly. :-) The doctor put in the order for the level 2 ultrasound and the office will be scheduling and calling me tomorrow-probably next Thursday or Friday we'll be able to find out the sex!!! Can't wait!! I also have an MFM appointment scheduled for May 4.....so if baby is too squirmy to see those special little parts next week, then we'll have another chance that day! :-) I'm so happy that things are going so well.....I told my doctor that really my only complaint is waking up 3x/night to pee......but if that's the worst thing right now, I'll take it!!!

Bump growth!

So, the bump is continuing to grow........ I am officially in maternity pants now; other than my scrubs, thank goodness for my work attire!!! I'm looking forward to warmer weather when I can start wearing dresses and roomier clothing! :-) Nothing too exciting to report.....still waiting for those first feelings of a kick or squirm, but I know that it is soon to be here! It has been terribly difficult to get any rest lately, as I'm up to the bathroom constantly at night and then have such a hard time getting back to sleep.....I hear that this only gets worse.....that's trouble!!! Other than that, I'm feeling great! I have much more energy and I'm able to eat anything now without any trouble! Definitely hungry often!

We have our 17 week appointment on Thursday, then will be able to schedule our ultrasound to find out the sex of the baby!! We are so excited for this!!

Here is our first baby bump pic....taken the day before I turned 4 months!

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! :-)