Baby Earl's Heart

This morning, at the midwife appointment, I was finally able to hear Baby Earl's heart beat. Last time she was too small, and it was kind of a let down because I was so looking forward to it. It was amazing watching her heart beat so fast on the ultrasounds, but somehow hearing it this morning was a new and different kind of miracle. Our hearts were beating in rhythm, though her heart beat was about 2x mine. =) It was so wonderful to hear, I cried. It was just so amazing, and the midwife was so sweet she let me listen awhile longer, even she commented on how cute it was that our hearts were beating together. I so wish I could have recorded it or called my mom, to be able to share the moment but I know it is a special memory, a moment that I will carry with me forever.

As far as me and the baby, the midwife was pleased with my weight gain - as in not too much. It was nice, for the first time they did not hound me about it. However given my family medical history in 3 weeks I have to do a gestational diabetes sugar test - ick! But anything for the baby. Otherwise I don't see them for 6 whole weeks - which is the end of the 2nd trimester! Holy this is going by so fast!

The good news continued through out the day, my parents (with the doctor's approval for mom post-surgery) get to come to my next ultrasound! I am so excited and so glad my dad is taking the day off, they were planning to come that weekend for Snookie's graduation but are now coming earlier to be at the ultrasound! I am so excited! God is good!

Pink, definitely pink!

It's a girl!

Baby Earl is doing great! She weighs 12 ounces, and is developing perfectly! I do have to go back in 3 weeks for a follow up, she was moving around so much they didn’t get a clear view of the bottom of her spine. Doctor says it is nothing to worry about, but they want to be thorough.



Auntie Sandy and Tracy were both able to come to this appointment! (Thank you again for coming!) It is so awesome to not be alone at these appointments, there is always worry that something will go wrong, or that I will get bad news - though I try to stay very positive. It has only happened once, my first time alone at the midwives when they brought up the last LEEP I had, the results were more serious than my gyno had led on at the time and that was scary news to hear on my own. So it is so nice that Tracy took time to come, and Auntie Sandy took half day off from work and drove the nearly 2-hour round trip to be there. I am blessed! We saw her move all over, her little feet and toes, her hands, we even got to watch her as she yawned really big! Doctor says anytime now I will feel her moving around!



My cervix is good and strong, no worries about not being able to carry to term! Placenta is good and healthy, where it should be.

I am so ecstatic! I barely slept last night, just tossed and turned. I think it was the excitement, thinking about Baby Earl, wanting to feel her move... it makes it that much more real for me that this baby is coming in 4.5 months! I really get to be a mom!

More appointments this week, midwife tomorrow and dietitian on Thursday. Still working hard to keep my weight gain in check; up about 10 lbs from beginning of pregnancy, still wearing most of my own clothes - except I love my prego jeans! Though I do need to get out and do more walking, it would be easier if it didn't rain every night after work, but I am feeling good and baby and I are both healthy and that is what matters. I am hungry more now, and still making good food choices at least 95% of the time, I mean c'mon a girl needs her chocolate and ice cream too :)! No weird cravings still, just love my fruits - especially oranges, though I did find that artichokes aren't tasting as yummy as they did pre-baby....other than that I can eat anything.

I just cant stop smiling, knowing Baby Earl is doing well and healthy! And now I get to say I am going to have a baby girl! Woohoo!

Pink or Blue?! Pink or Blue?!

This is it! Today is the day! At 2:45 meeting Auntie Sandy and Tracy at the Women's clinic for the 20-week/2nd trimester ultrasound and we will learn the sex of Baby Earl officially! I am so excited!

I had a great weekend in Lynnwood, just spending time with the fam; Auntie, Snookie and I did some baby register shopping at Babies-R-Us (also registered at WalMart), got to see & visit with Ash, Uncle Dann made 2 great dinners, and a nice big breakfast on Sunday morning, and me and Auntie worked on Snookie's graduation announcements on Sunday. It was so the family time I needed after being home without family last weekend. And I get to see Auntie again today! She of course is already spoiling Baby Earl and continues to spoil me; when I got there she had a present for both of us; a new loofah and body was for me, and burp cloths and the cutest ever pink and black Nike outfit for baby. Then her and Snookie found this adorable pink and white panda, 3-piece outfit while we were out shopping. It is super fun to buy for Baby Earl, she is so going to be spoiled!

So, just 5 hours and we will know what to expect in 20 weeks! Hopefully mom doesn't have to redo the 25+ invitations to the baby shower in 2 weeks that she wrote out yesterday!

Grammie, Easter, 19 Weeks and more...

Well I had a pretty lonely Easter weekend, and with the scare of Adam's accident on Friday and the anniversary of Grammie's passing a pretty emotional one as well. Thankfully Adam is ok though and in recovery, and since I will be in Spokane for 4 days in just a couple weeks I really cant complain too much.

My heart is heavy today though still, missing Grammie so much. Especially now that I have been so blessed with this miracle, she wanted this baby for me as much as I did, for as long as I did. Three years ago today she crossed over to be with the Creator. My heart still aches, though I take solace in my faith and find comfort in knowing she is sharing in this most joyful blessing with me from heaven.




And as the 20th week, and the ultrasound to confirm that Baby Earl is a girl is approaching and just 7 days from today, I have to smile and be thankful for all the blessings in my life.



I am feeling great and anxious to start feeling Baby Earl move around, and am excited for all the great things this month; the 2nd trimester ultrasound, mom's surgery, trip to Spokane & seeing Papa, my first baby shower and then early next month Snookie's college graduation (OMG that makes me feel old!).

So, though it is ok to feel sad and mourn, to aknowledge how much I still miss Grammie every day of my life...I must also rejoice in my many blessings and continue to live a life full of love and laughter that she would be proud of.