We had our first ultrasound and there you were - a little blob that did not look like a baby at all. But we saw and heard your heartbeat and nothing could make us happier. Your dad and I left the doctor's office that day with one picture and two smiles that would not go away. We took a picture on my phone of the ultrasound and e-mailed it to our parents and my Grandma. (By the time you read this I'm sure that will be outdated technology!) Your great-grandma's response was "I have no idea what I'm looking at!" Truthfully neither did we. All we knew was that it was YOU and you were growing right on track. You were 6 weeks old at that time.
Since then I have been to many doctor's appointments, had 1 more ultrasound at 8 weeks, and we've heard your heartbeat every time. It's the most amazing thing.. every. single. time. During the first trimester I was not feeling good around the clock, and was so tired all the time! My bedtime was about 7 o'clock, and if I made it to 8 I felt like I deserved a medal.
At about week 14 those symptoms started to subside. I was able to stay up later and my constant nausea basically disappeared! I'll still occasionally get migraines, but lately they are few and far between (knocking on wood). Once I didn't feel sick anymore the hunger started! Goodness am I hungry! Cravings thus far have included white cake with white icing and PANCAKES. Mmmm fluffy, buttery, syrupy pancakes. Hold that thought.....
Since we couldn't wait to know if you were a boy or girl, and our doctor's office was going to have us wait til 22 weeks to do THE ultrasound where they measured all your parts and would be able to tell us boy or girl, we jumped the gun and went to a private 3D ultrasound clinic at 18 weeks. I just couldn't wait another month! We brought your Grandma and Grandpa Baker with us, since the ultrasound would be visible on a big flatscreen in the room. What a day that was. We got so many great pictures of you.. you looked like a real BABY now! It was amazing. After 3 checks to be sure, the ultrasound tech finally told us he was 99% sure he knew what you were. And, drum roll please.....since I'm sure this will come as a surprise to you :) ............you are a GIRL!! I knew it!! Your dad and I are so thrilled. Rob wanted a girl, and thought you were a girl too. It makes me so happy to think we had inherently known you already. Our week 22 ultrasound at the doctor's office confirmed you are a She, and that you're measuring perfectly with all your fingers and body parts intact.
I am 24 and 1/2 weeks along today. Over the last week or so, I have started to feel your kicks, punches & rolls. It's the most amazing feeling. Your dad felt you moving around for the first time a few days ago. We were laying in bed and I could feel you doing a little dance. I grabbed his hand and put it on my belly and his eyes opened SO wide! He said he felt you sliiiide across his hand. It was so exciting and his first real interaction with you :) Even Apollo (your soon-to-be best furry friend) has felt you kick when he was laying with his head on my belly. And what a belly it is! It's unavoidably obvious that I am pregnant now. Even though I've gained almost 30 lbs (thank you pancakes), I love this belly. It amazes me every day that I am growing a person. I'm growing YOU. I am thankful every time I feel you kick, every time my belly itches out of control, every time I think I might be outgrowing my maternity pants. You are growing every day and I have this wonderful belly to prove it.
I'm going to keep up with this blog because I'm sure there are going to be some awesome happenings in the next 15 and 1/2 weeks until you are born. I want to remember them all. And I want you to know how excited and happy you make your daddy and I, from the moment we knew you were there. Next on our to-do list is your nursery, and deciding on your name. Feeling you move has made everything else feel very, very real. And I couldn't be happier.
Love,
Your Mama
