Good news all around!

Today was my first OB appt (I graduated from the RE!!) with this pregnancy, and it all went well! I actually met with my OB's assistant, as Dr. Gernhart was in surgery this morning. Anyways, we did a full physical and annual exam (always fun!), and drew 4 vials of blood for a pre-natal blood panel! Some of the tests are redundant, but I know they need the results for their office.

After all that, she asked if I wanted to hear the heartbeat again! Of course, I said YES! So she got the doppler out and started to move it around... and couldn't find the heartbeat! Of course, my heart just sank as she said "let me go get the ultrasound machine." My mind started racing, cuz if any of you know me, I'm a worrier by nature (thanks to my mom!), but she came back and set up the machine quickly. As soon as she had the wand on my belly, I saw this beautiful little baby wiggling around and kicking it's feet!! It was so sweet! She then moved up a little on my belly to show a big black square.. she said, "well here's the reason we couldn't find a heartbeat with the doppler... your bladder is full and was in the way!" Ooops, my bad! :)

So I go back in 4 weeks for my regular OB appt. She did tell me because I am 35, I will be seeing the perinatologist at Methodist Hospital for my 20 week u/s (the BIG one!). Depending of what they think then, I might have to go back to see them alternating with my regular OB. Just because I'm OLD.... huh! ;)

More good news was when I was leaving my OB appt, my cell rang and it was my RE calling with the results of the ultrascreen I had done last week..... and all was NORMAL!!! So they were very happy and told me to keep in touch!

So we are on our way now to a healthy normal pregnancy! OMG, now it's really starting to sink in!!!

Ultrascreen

Today was my 12 week ultrascreen ultrasound where they check for any abnormalities and for Down's syndrome. Everything went well! I apparently didn't have enough sugar or caffeine in me when we got there, the baby was sleeping! The u/s nurse had to kinda poke and wiggle my belly to get it to finally "wake up"! It was kinda funny when it did, it was moving around like "what? what'd I miss?" :) She got all the required measurements and we listened to the heartbeat. It was 161bpm... very happy! And it measures 5.26 cm or just over 2 inches long. It also was measuring a day ahead, so today I am 12w0d.

It was funny, during the u/s, the baby kept sticking it's legs straight in the air waving them around! Then they took my blood and combined with the u/s, they can detect if there is further testing needed for any abnormailites. I will get the reults in a week. It will be a loooong week!

I am still just in awe of the whole process and the whole experience. It's really starting to feel real now!

Belly shots!

I have been taking pictures every week (Except week 10, we were out of town) of my belly to see the difference per week... to me, I can't really see any difference, as today I'm 11 weeks pregnant. So I looked at the picture from 4 weeks and compared it... yep, I'm getting a little bigger!

My pants are getting tight, and I'm starting to use the Bella Band (thank God for those!!) so I can still wear my regular pants, and not have to buy maternity yet.

Well, we are off to the cabin in an hour or so to celebrate the 4th of July with the family... hope you all have a happy and safe 4th!!