Glucose Test = Piece of CAKE!

I had the glucose tolerance test this morning, and I handled it like a pro! Of course, I did have my phone constantly beeping me reminders...
1 alarm at 6:30 to remind me to eat at 6:50 a.m.
A phone call from Bret at 6:40 a.m. to remind me to eat within the next ten minutes
1 alarm at 8:40 to remind me to drink the glucose tolerance drink by 8:50
1 alarm at 9:45 to remind me that my blood had to be drawn in the next 5 minutes

But, this time around much less blood had to be taken, and after a brief pep talk to myself and some deep breathing, I was no longer queasy and then a few seconds later she was done taking my blood. Now, just keeping my fingers crossed that I passed! We have the 28 week appointment on Friday morning (1/2/09), and then I think we start going every two weeks until 36 weeks. At that point, we get the joy of going every week, so the updates will be much more frequent from here on out. After the initial picture text that I will send out from the hospital, this will probably be the first place I post pictures after the little guy decides to make his appearance.

the BEST changing table EVER!

So, I truly have the best parents ever! I have been in nursery room planning mode for quite some time, and I mentioned that I really loved the classic changing table from Pottery Barn Kids. The table retails for $300, so I couldn't really work it into the nursery room budget. Well, to make a long story short, my AMAZING dad and mom did visual research on changing tables; saw a picture of the Pottery Barn Changing table, and then my dad made one from scratch!! This changing table is actually made out of higher quality materials than the Pottery Barn model, and it is absolutely perfect. I had no idea that he was constructing this (again, he did this with no guidelines or instructions), and I spent the majority of Christmas day just standing by it in completely awe!!! My mom and dad also found perfect baskets (that they painted to match the table), and my mom made and embroidered liners for the baskets. Check out how great this gift is...

24 week OB visit

So, we had the 24 week Dr. visit today. From the appointment, we learned that the office has 1 specialist read all of their ultrasounds. His report on the 20 week ultrasound stated that ....

• Everything looked consistent for a 20 week baby (translation--still planning on 3/25 as the due date)
• All of the baby's measurements were normal (translation--yay! health baby!)
• The baby was breech
• I have a small fibroid (translation--this means nothing because I only have one and it is small)
• The baby weighed approximately 13 ozs

The rest of the appointment consisted of listening to the baby's heartbeat, measuring my belly, checking to see that I still had ankles (I do), and preparing me for the glucose test. I will have to chug a 10 oz bottle of an icky orange drink and have my blood drawn exactly 1 hour later. Since I had such a great time the last time I had my blood drawn, I am THRILLED to be having blood taken again. Let's keep our fingers crossed that I pass because a failed test means I have to take another icky drink test and have my blood drawn THREE times in one day!

Next appointment for 28 weeks is on January 2 at 8:15! Be thinking VERY happy thoughts for me at 8:00 a.m. when I am having my blood drawn for the glucose test.

20 week appointment

So, this was the big appointment for us because we got to have another ultrasound, and with the baby's cooperation, we got to find out if it was a boy or a girl! For pictures...see below, and you can definitely tell that it is a BOY! This ultrasound was a lot longer than the previous one because they have to have good views of lots of different parts, and it was such a great experience! The little guy was definitely active the entire time. Several times the ultrasound tech would hold her "wand" still so that we could see just how active he was. The entire time he was pumping his arms and legs and wiggling his little bottom. He was so active that at the beginning of the ultrasound, his head and legs were pointing up and his bottom was down low, but by the end, his head had moved all the way to the bottom. The ultrasound tech kept commenting that when she thought she was putting the "wand" (no idea what it is actually called) at a point thinking that she would see what she wanted, he would move and squirm at a different angle and hide exactly what she wanted to see! We got to see every aspect of his little body...although, I have to admit seeing the heart might have been my favorite part. You can clearly see the chambers and see the valves working hard! Bret's favorite part was probably seeing the penis :). He instantly drew up a chair to be really close to the screen...and declared that he wore a pink shirt yesterday and specifically chose a blue shirt to wear today! He also got fairly giddy every time I would refer to baby part's as his feet, his hands, his bum, etc.
The Dr. was able to look over the ultrasound prior to our appointment with her, and she said that we had a really healthy baby. I am also right on track with my weight (to gain approximately between 20 and 25 lbs. He seems right on schedule for me to expect to delivery on my due date (3.25.09) too!

The next appointment for 24 weeks is December 4, and I am getting through my rotation! I've seen 4 and have 3 more to go. So far so good...I like them all!



my first baby boy purchases ;)

It's A BOY!!!!

It's A BOY...and just in case you can't tell...the circle is around the part that tells you it is a boy ;).


And if you still aren't convinced, the ultra sound tech zoomed in on the boy part ;).....oh I can already imagine the fights I will have with the little guy when he realizes what I just made public...

Now for some more parts.....

the fingers!

and toes!
Some views of his little body and face...

This is face with his two little arms up by his head. If the eye on the right looks a little different, it is because I believe his hand came in front of it during the shot. He played peek-a-boo the entire time! The dark spot on his belly is actually his stomach.

This is a profile shot again with his little hands up by his head. If you look below his fist that is on top of his head, you can make out his nose and his mouth which might be open. We got to see a really great shot of him opening his mouth while we were watching the screen!

This is a profile shot...and yes, his head is on the bottom and his bottom is at the top! You can also make out his spine running up his back and a little bit of his rib cage.

Baby Kicks!

So, I've been feeling the baby moving around inside for a couple of weeks now, but I rarely am able to feel the movement with my hand placed on my belly. BUT, tonight (while watching the presidential election coverage), I felt what must have been a mighty kick with my hand just resting on my belly. To show Bret, I pushed a little bit in the area that I felt the kick, and we could actually see my hand moving from the force of the kicks! Only two more days until we find out if the kicks are boy kicks or girl kicks!

Then, there were THREE! This is the ultrasound at 8 weeks! Looks a little bit like an alligator...or a blob

First there were two...