Coming Along

Our 24 week appointment went well. We heard the heartbeat, and it was very strong and healthy at 155 bpm. I was given a glucose drink to take home and will have the gestational diabetes test done in a couple weeks. Other than that, it was a routine appointment. Patrick enjoys going to these appointments with me and hopes to continue to make all of them. The next appointment is scheduled for August 25, and we get another ultrasound! In the meantime, we are considering doing the 3-D ultrasound at an ultrasound center...

Gavin has been moving around a lot lately, and I feel him move throughout the day. Patrick hasn't been able to feel him move yet, but he should pretty soon. I continue to feel better, just struggling with all the extra weight. I have a feeling he is not going to be small!

Our nursery is coming together... we are keeping the green wall color and have our crib and glider (which is the most comfortable chair ever) and are working on setting up our dresser (waiting on a couple pieces). I really like how it looks so far with the dark furniture, and I want to keep it simple, no theme, but just green, blue and dark brown. We'll post pictures as soon as the dresser is set up.

It's a.....

BOY!!! We are very excited! He measured exactly at 20 weeks and the doctor said "we're at the top of our class." We got 5 ultrasound pictures, but this one has the clearest full-body picture. We get another ultrasound at 28 weeks, so we're excited to be able to see him again.

I also have been feeling him move more and more. It started off as a popcorn feeling, and now it is a mixture of that and a bubbly, pulsating feeling. It happens sporadically but it is reassuring to have the feeling now.

And, ready for more news... we are 98% sure his name will be Gavin Reed. Patrick and I both really like this name and have had it picked out for a while now. Reed is my mom's maiden name and my sister's middle name, and we thought it went well together. We were thinking Magnus or Sparticus, but changed our minds...

Love,
C & P

The Bump

Here I am at almost 18 weeks. The bump is officially here and is steadily growing. We'll take some more pictures hopefully soon but I thought I'd take a picture now before another week went by. I haven't really felt anything move yet, but should any day now. And, if I did feel something I'm not quite sure if it was the baby or food settling. I'm sure I'll be able to distinguish the difference very soon. More to come soon!

Well, we just had our 16 week appointment today and everything is going really well. No ultrasound this time, but we heard the heartbeat... a healthy, strong 150 bpm. The doctor said he felt the baby moving around a lot and everything is going well.

My nausea symptoms have really lessened this past week, which I am so happy about, but I still get occasional nausea here and there. The newest symptom to join the club is heartburn/acid reflux... as long as nausea stays away though, I am good. I have been gaining steady weight... especially because I eat all the time, but the doctor said I am on track. I still really don't have any cravings, but just foods I can tolerate. I have more food aversions than anything. One thing I do like lately though is tea.... hot tea, sweet tea and chai tea.

Our next appointment is the 20 week ultrasound to determine the sex and we can't wait! It is scheduled for July 3rd at 10:15am. We like to pick important dates for some reason to go to the doctors (Patrick's dad's birthday, my birthday and now my parent's anniversary). Stay tuned!

Second Trimester Here We Come!

We just returned from our 12 week appointment and didn't expect another picture, but here it is! Everything is coming along nicely and both Patrick and I swore we saw an arm and hand waving at us. At this point, the baby is a size of a plum, about 2 inches big, and it's pretty much developed. We found out I have chronic high blood pressure and it is only noticed because of the pregnancy. So, when I enter the third trimester, I'll have to go to the doctor once a week.

Patrick and I have been eating out a lot lately because of my continued nausea and inability to cook, but hopefully it will get better soon. This past week has been one of my worst weeks nausea-wise and I'm hoping it's kicking in just as a big farewell. Our next appointment is scheduled for Thursday, June 5th when I'll be 16 weeks. Two more months until we find out the sex!

We'll keep you updated soon!

To Be Expected...

Thought I’d write a little update on how everything’s going. I’m almost 10-weeks now, and as I posted previously, I had high hopes my symptoms were getting better, but they are not! I have a constant state of slight nausea, with worse waves throughout the day. I am not able to eat many foods, including chicken and the thought of many foods makes me so sick! For someone who is used to eating everything and anything, it is a struggle to be so picky. Patrick has been bringing me waffles in bed each morning so that has helped (waffles are a good thing right now). And, poor Patrick has to fend for himself as far as food goes because I cannot cook.

I’ve been working about 3 days a week for the past few weeks, and working only mornings has really helped me rest. I can’t imagine having a full time job being so sick & tired all the time, so I am really blessed to have this part-time job! The first few weeks were a real struggle, but I think I am now getting used to feeling bad, so it’s made it more tolerable.

I am really hoping for a miracle turn-around by Thursday because I was supposed to go to Vegas for Carrie’s 30th birthday this weekend, but it’s not looking good. But, it is all for the best!

We have cleared out the baby’s room and closet, and it is all ready. Right now it’s painted a light green, so we’ll see if that color stays. Not sure what I want to do with it yet! We don’t find out the sex until about 20-weeks, so that will be around the beginning of July.

Hope everyone is well! More to come soon…

First Appointment

We just got back from our first appointment and everything went great! The due date is November 20, 2008! We really liked the doctor and he put us at ease. The baby is 8 weeks now, and we saw a tiny heartbeat, beating at 160 beats/minute. It is just under 2 cm. about the size of a blueberry. Our next appointment is at 12 weeks, on my birthday, May 7th!

As for me, I have been pretty sick feeling the last couple weeks. I have been resting a lot and reminding myself to take it easy. It is very hard to find food that I don't have an aversion to, and I've been trying to eat almost constantly to prevent feeling worse. I feel a little better today, so I hope this is a sign the morning sickness is on it's way out, but who knows!

Love,
Patrick & Chrissie