13 Weeks

It's been a quiet week. The highlight was my positive appointment with the genetics doctor and my warm Krispy Kreme donuts. Everything I've read says that the second trimester is the greatest; more energy and no more nausea! Sounds good to me. I've really missed not exercising so this week I'm all about squats, walks (weather permitting) and lifting weights to get my arms trained for all the baby holding and snuggling.

I still haven't felt any movement from the baby. Guess it's just not big enough yet to be kicking the hell out of me! No real cravings this week, just more eating. I can eat a yogurt and some eggs at breakfast but still be hungry about 2 hours later. Snacks are the best; I want either grapes, peanuts, or chips and guacamole. Of course, I can't go to bed without a nice bowl of cereal; this week's choice is Cinnamon Toast Crunch :)

PEACH: Baby's almost 3 inches long and weighs about .81 ounces. Fingerprints have formed on the baby's tiny fingertips. Veins and organs are clearly visible through his or her still-thin skin, which I saw during the sonogram last week. Baby's body is starting the catch up with that oversized head, which makes up just a third of his or her body size now.

End of the First Trimester

This week celebrates the last week of my first trimester! It's amazing how quickly 3 months go by, now I can't imagine how quickly the next 6 will fly! Today I had my final tests and sonogram for the first trimester screening. The appointment is important to test for chromosome and genetic disorders. I knew in my heart that the baby is healthy, but as a precaution, Derek and I decided to get the screenings done just to make sure.

I was scheduled by Dr. Mercado to the Virginia Parinatology Center at Mary Washington Hospital. After completing the many pages of family health and history, I was taken back for the sonogram to begin. Two nurses took lots of measurements of the baby. I got to see the baby's profile, heart beating, spine and brain. Arms and legs were squirming around too. "Baby Newton is so active," said the nurse. The heartbeat today was measured at 153 beats per minute. Anything between 130 and 170 is healthy and normal. They also showed a heat monitor to see the blood flowing to and from the baby. Amazing!

Next, the doctor came in and performed the final part of the sonogram. He explained to me that what he looks for to check for any chromosome disorders is the fluid along the back of the baby's neck and the nasal bone. The baby was laying in a position that he couldn't get a clear view of the back of its neck, so he poked my belly a couple times and baby responded by moving around a little. Reflexes, check! He said the neck and nasal measurements are great. No concern for any abnormalities. Phew!

The nurse then pricked my finger for a blood sample to test for Down Syndrome. While the results finalized, I spoke to a genetic disorder specialist who explained the numbers for "at risk" for my age group. For Down Syndrome, baby has a 1 in 394 risk and for Trisomy 18/13 (a very uncommon chromosome disorder) chances are 1 in 743. He explained that the doctor's report shows a very good sonogram and that he didn't expect my blood results to be of any concern. The results were confirmed and my numbers are 1 in 7,861.

Nerves settled and I now relaxed. 12.5 weeks along, genetic and chromosome testing complete. Baby is moving and growing and has a great steady heart beat. Mommy and Daddy couldn't be happier and we welcome the Second Trimester!

12 weeks

Where did this belly come from? From one week to the next, I can't believe my eyes! Nausea has totally ceased but I still get tired easily and I'm usually in bed by 9:30pm or 10pm. I'm not sleeping through the night. Boo! I get up at least once to pee and the slightest sounds wake me. I guess it's a mothers intuition and super power senses starting to kick in. Newest symptom: clumsiness. I drop things, all the time. This makes me laugh at myself, every time! This week all I want is pasta. I've eaten spaghetti, white veggie lasagna and traditional lasagna. I still love my evening bowl of Apple Jacks or Lucky Charms. With that being said, I've put on 2 more pounds this week alone. Hello baby belly! You are loved.

PLUM: Baby is about 2.1 inches long and .9 ounces! Most of Baby's critical systems are fully formed! The main job from here on out is to keep growing. While it's growing, this week's development is reflexes. Baby is opening and closing fingers and curling little toes. It's mouth will make sucking movements too.

11 Weeks

Fatigue is back! What the heck?!?! I guess I spoke too soon. Although the doctor reassured me that I've only got another 2 weeks until that all gets better. So, I'm almost out of the first trimester and I can't wait. The nausea is non-existent and I do have 2 cravings now: Donuts and Apple Jacks!

LIME:  Baby is now a little over 1.6 inches long and has a 1:1 head-to-body ratio. Tooth buds are forming this week, bones are beginning to harden and the fingers and toes aren't webbed anymore! Hands will soon open and close into fists. It also continues to practice baby acrobatics, still moving around like crazy, although I won't feel it for another month or two.

First Trimester Appointment

Today was my first trimester appointment where I had a bunch of other stuff done since the sonogram was administered two weeks ago.

First, they took a urinalysis to check for any possible bacteria or infections. Next, I was taken to the exam room and the nurse took my vitals. Blood pressure is great and my weight is still the same. Now she brought out the Doppler and we wanted to time the baby's heartbeat. It took her a little to find it, but when she did, it was a cute, little, fast thub, thub, thub. Beating at 166 beats per minute! Great!

Dr. Mercado performed a Pap smear next. Always lovely, but she distracted me by talking about the new store "Buy Buy Baby" that opened in Fredericksburg. She said that things seem wonderful and that she feels the baby growing just over the pelvic bone.

Now a blood draw. Five vials! I couldn't look, but it went by quickly, so that was good. The blood tests are to check HCG levels, an HIV test and some other first trimester screening tests. All in all, I was only there for an hour and home in time for lunch :)

10 Weeks

I'm starting to get a little pooch already! Maybe it's just bloating?!?! I've gained 2lbs. My boobs are sore, but bigger, so I'll take it! The month of December was rough! I was extremely tired! Fatigue is more limited this week and nausea has subsided, phew! I'm starting to feel back to my old self again! Woo Hoo!

PRUNE: About 1.5 inches long and weighs about .15 ounces. Baby has working arms and legs, which we saw on the sonogram already! Cartilage and bones are forming. Vital organs have already developed, and they're starting to function. Fingernails and hair are starting to appear too!

Chalkboard

Every week I'll be creating a chalkboard sign with my pregnancy timeline. It's the major reason for this blog, actually. As much as I love talking about myself and our baby, that's what you are all here for anyway.... So be sure to subscribe! I'll try to keep it interesting :)

Sonogram Appointment

WOAH! What an amazing appointment! Derek and I are sent back to a sonogram room, which is huge! I put on the lovely, infamous paper robe. Derek and I are told to look ahead of us and then there's this huge LG Flat Screen TV in front of us. Derek was so impressed ;)

The procedure starts and we immediately hear a heartbeat! It's so fast and prominent.....breathtaking! Derek squeezes my hand and I've got tears filling my eyes. After taking a bunch of measurements, the nurse switches from the typical sonogram view to a 3D view. Here's a still shot she got of our little baby.

The screen in front of us wasn't black and white like this image and the baby was flicking it's little arms and legs. It was unbelievable! The tears kept coming and I couldn't stop shaking, I was already uncontrollable and this kid is only 10 weeks old!

The nurse printed some images for us and instructed me to get dressed and the escorted us to a room. Moments later, Dr. Mercado came in and said that the size of the baby and it's growth is "perfect". Everything seen in my sonogram is wonderful and she stuck with the estimated due date of August 4th. Derek's only question was, "When can we start telling people?" It makes me so happy that he's so excited to announce our pregnancy! She said that I am far enough along and things look so well, if we wanted to start spreading the news, we were safe.

Now we had to think about a route for the "world tour".