Ultrasound #3: Peanut's Progress

 

We had our third ultrasound today. Jeff was unable to get off of work but my Mom and Dad (AKA Mimi and Pop-Pop) joined me instead. It was their first ultrasound so they were very excited to see their grand-daughter in all her glory. And boy, did she put on a show for us today!

Here's your traditional ultrasound profile. We were also able to see right away that Peanut is still a girl (now I have more witnesses). She was extremely active today but she stayed still long enough for the tech and doctor to get a good look at all her organs and such. The tech discovered right away that Peanut is hanging out feet first. But she told me not to worry since she will most likely turn around later. Whew!

At one point, the tech said to me, "Are you feeling her move a lot?" and I said, "Well, yes, she is a bit more active than my son was at this stage," to which she responded, "You are in big trouble." I guess that means that the next few months are going to involve a lot of kicking, shoving, punching, jabbing and more from my little darling. And she will most likely be a mover when she is born. Sigh.

The tech loves getting this shot for expectant mothers. You have to have a bit of fun when all you do all day long is scan pregnant bellies. For those of you who can't tell, this is Peanut's hand in a fist. Cute, right? I love it, too.

And finally, here is a 4-D image of Peanut. I know last time the 4-D image was a bit gruesome but this time, Peanut has more soft tissue so she looks more like a real baby and not a creature from beyond the grave. Mimi thinks she looks like Big Brother Noah. I think so, too. Amazing!

So the bottom line is the doctor says Peanut is growing very well, is exactly where she should be for a baby at 23-weeks gestation and everything else seems to be just fine. So since I am classified as an "elderly pregnancy" and I am considered high risk because I am over the age of 35, the doctor wants to see me again next month. So we will get a fourth peek at Peanut on August 31. Mimi has already requested to come back with me. Can you tell she loved it? Pop-Pop was also amazed at what you can see in the ultrasound; he especially loved the 4-D images. Technology sure has come a long way since they had kids, huh?

22 Weeks...More Than Halfway There!

Just thought I'd give you a quick update at the just-over-halfway mark. Can you believe it! Peanut will be here in 18 weeks or less. We are so excited!

So how am I doing? Well, I am less tired than I was a few weeks ago if you can believe it (might be the aftermath of our glorious Maui trip but I think I'm actually gaining some strength). The heartburn I experienced during my last pregnancy is back this time, too. I can't believe how many Tums I eat in a day! I'm starting to get a little bit swollen as my shoes, wedding rings and watch are starting to feel a bit tight. I think it might be time to start wearing my rings on a chain around my neck.

Now we need to start doing the preparations for Peanut's arrival. At this point, we have a queen sized bed, dresser, two night stands and a bookshelf in soon-to-be Peanut's room. So those have to go (if anyone wants some nice and free furniture, let me know). Then we need to paint the room (right now it's a nice neutral beige...not so girlie). And we have to go out and get some big boy furniture for Big Brother Noah so Peanut can use his old crib and changing table. Then we need to make a trip down to Aunt Marisa and Uncle Mike's house to pick up the baby stuff we lent them for Cousin Ella. Oh, and we have to get some girlie clothes and other necessities, too. Ahhh! So much to do! But we can't wait to make a space for our new little girl in our home. That's best part.

We have another ultrasound scheduled for Tuesday, August 2. Mimi and Pop-Pop (that's my Mom and Dad) will be going with me to see their granddaughter and their first ultrasound. So I will post more pictures of our Peanut next week. Stay tuned...

Ultrasound #2: It's a GIRL!

We had our second ultrasound today. It was a follow up to our first screening ultrasound but since I was so close to 20 weeks, the tech and doctor were able to get all the images and scans they needed for the 20 week one. I know this first photo is a bit creepy but it is about the best look we could get of our baby GIRL. That's right, we are having a GIRL! Definitely no "twigs" or "berries" were visible this time. We are all so excited! 

Tutu and Big Brother Noah were there to see the ultrasound first hand. Noah was very interested in watching his baby sister on the screen (he thought it was a movie and kept saying "wow") but after about 10 minutes, we was ready to leave. Hee, hee! That's a 3 1/2 year old for you! Later, when one of the teachers at school asked him about it, he said he saw Peanut on TV and he was a boy. What a silly!

 Here's a more traditional image of our Peanut. Everything looked really great! Her organs are developing nicely, her features are beginning to be rounded, and she is about 1 pound at this point. So she would just about fit in the palm of your hand (or two or three of Noah's hands...he had a hard time wrapping his 3-1/2-year-old mind around that one).

Finally, here is an image of Peanut's foot. Too cute, right? Tutu had never seen an ultrasound before (Aunt Nora is 25 and they were just beginning to do them at that time but only for high risk pregnancies) so it was a real treat to have her in the room when we learned we were having a girl. It was a special moment for sure.

So everything is going well, Peanut is growing bigger every day and we can't wait to see our little girl in November. I am almost at the halfway point (I can hardly believe it)! We will have another ultrasound at the beginning of August so stay tuned for more photos of our baby girl...

Week 18...And Doing Fine!

Not much to report at this point. I'm 18 weeks along, feeling great and getting big. I'm a bit tired but that is to be expected at this point. I am looking forward to our Maui trip next month so I can kick back and relax by the pool. Heartburn comes and goes but I am managing it for now. 

I had an OB/GYN appointment on June 9 and the doctor says that Peanut is growing well and has a strong heartbeat. He says no problem traveling to Hawaii next month. Yippee! We have an ultrasound schedule for Monday, June 27, so we're hoping to get a good view of Peanut and hopefully determine his/her sex. Big Brother Noah and Tutu will be there for the show! So stay tuned for some photos of Peanut on early next week...

Peanut Discussion with Big Brother Noah

Last night, Big Brother Noah and I were talking about Peanut. Here's how the conversation went:

Me: So Noah, Peanut's getting pretty big, huh?

Noah: Peanut is getting pretty big, Mommy.

Me: So what do you think will happen when Peanut gets really, really big and is ready to come out.

Noah: (Pointing to my belly button) Peanut will come out of here.

Me: Really? Do you think Peanut will fit? He/she will be pretty big.

Noah: (Thinking) No, Peanut will come down from the sky.

Me: Really? But then why is Peanut growing in Mommy's tummy?

Noah: Ummm, look, it's Buzz Lightyear...

Oh, boy. I think we need to spend more time reading our friend Cam's wonderful book "Mommy's Having a Baby" because this conversation went nowhere. I think the reality of what will happen at the end of November when Peanut is born is still a mystery to my little boy. Evidence as to why taking Noah to our next ultrasound may be helpful. Just a thought.

By the way, Noah loves giving Peanut kisses and says good morning and good night to him/her. It's very cute. He is going to be the best big brother!

Ultrasound #1

On May 13, we had our first ultrasound. I was almost 12 weeks pregnant and we got a pretty great view of Peanut! Here's a pulled back view...

And here's a close up. Peanut has a lot of room in there and was moving around and showing off for all of us. So cute! No true signs yet of what the sex will be (too early) but so far the doctors have ruled out any abnormalities and say that Peanut is looking great and growing well. Whew!

Our next ultrasound us scheduled for June 27 so we are hoping to determine Peanut's sex then. Tutu will be bringing Big Brother Noah to the appointment so he can get a peek at this "Peanut" we have been talking about for the last few months. 

I don't really have to know the baby's sex but my dear husband does not like surprises and just HAS to know. When I was pregnant with Big Brother Noah, we could not get a perfect look at his "parts" during our ultrasound at 20 weeks and Jeff couldn't stand it. He actually asked the tech if it would help if I stood up and jumped around and laid back down. The tech and I both gave him a look and we were sort of OK with not knowing. Well I was. It wasn't until about two weeks before Noah was born that we actually found out he was going to be a boy (due to a nervous substitute OB/GYN who had me monitored). I almost told her it was OK to not tell me but then I thought of my husband and how sad he would be if I passed on the opportunity to know. So I gave in and she told me, "it's a boy!"

So things are going along well! I actually fell 100% better than I did a few weeks ago (no more aversion to food...yeah!). So I'm settling into the groove of the second trimester. I know I promised you all a belly shot. I'll get Jeff to take one this week so you can all see how big I am getting. 

More updates to come...

My Mommy Is Having a Baby!

That's right, people...Mommy is pregnant and I am going to be a Big Brother! Surprise! I am so excited, can't you tell.

As you can see, Daddy and I can hardly contain ourselves!

Our little "Peanut" is set to arrive at the end of November. Keep reading for more information from Mommy all about Peanut...