12/21/07: Yep, Daddy got his Christmas wish and we discovered that we are blessed with a son! Our 21 week ultrasound revealed very healthy and appropriate development. All spinal, brain, facial, limb, and other structures appear normal. He (mostly) behaved for the ultrasound and the doctor was able to obtain all necessary measurements and other info. All results correlate with a healthy prognosis at this point. He was able to get three distinct views of the genital region, so we can be quite sure of the gender. The name however, remains a secret. :)
12/16/07: At 20 weeks, our little one is very active! His kicking and movement is obvious to Mom and sometimes even Daddy can feel it from the outside! Mom is feeling wonderful, despite her nasty spill down the stairs on Tuesday. The baby wasn't harmed and Mom's sprains and bruises are healing normally. We are praying that Mommy's accident-prone-ness isn't genetic!
12/29/07:
Update: Our checkup appointment was great! The baby is still very healthy and active, according to the doppler device. The heart was audible and sounds very healthy. The blood seems to move correctly and unobstructed through the cord. Mom is gaining the correct healthy weight and the uterine size is appropriate for 18 weeks. We are still trying to tackle Mom's lingering sinus infection, but baby seems unaffected. The next appointment (12/20) is our 20 week ultrasound, at which time we should have an answer to the burning gender question. We'll keep you posted!
11/15/07: In the picture gallery picture entitled J & H Bradley Exercises, Mom and Coach are working on exercises for week 3 of their Bradley Method Class. A 12 week intensive education, The Bradley Method is "Family Centered Husband Coached Childbirth". The info we learn includes how to have a healthy and low risk pregnancy, how to have a safe and natural childbirth, and how to care for a newborn. If you want to check out their philosophy, go to www.bradleybirth.com!
Holly's best friend since first grade, Joanna and her husband, Jeff used the Bradley Method which is what motivated Holly and Jerret to consider it. On November 12, Joanna had Jacinda Naomi at home and has a wonderful birth story. Congratulations and kudos to the Mason family - what an accomplishment!
At 16 weeks, our little critter has begun to noticeably kick and move around! Mom has just begun to feel the fluttery, bubbly feeling other mothers to be have described. She is feeling wonderful with increased energy and (slightly) decreased appetite. Our next OB appointment is Nov. 29th, but it's just a checkup. No ultrasound, no gender check - we still have to wait until week 20 for that.
For those of you who are anxious to buy stuff for the little one, you're not alone. We are blessed with such eager and generous friends and family members! Although the baby and its creator are the only ones aware of the baby's gender, we still have some necessary items in mind. We have started registries at Babies R Us and www.babycottonbottoms.com!
10/20/07: Our 12 week checkup on Thursday went very well. It was a long visit since we needed to go over the numerous details involved with prenatal testing and other choices. The wonderful news is that we were able to hear the baby's heartbeat along with lots of kicking and moving! The bad news is that we don't have another ultrasound picture for all of you! The doctor said this is because we have ruled out all possible complications up to this point in the previous ultrasounds. Our next one will be at 20 weeks - hopefully we will find out then if we have a boy or girl! Mom is also doing well and getting a bit less tired, but still eating like a garbage truck.
Notice the change in due date. The doctor moved it up a week, but the previous measurements taken on ultrasound indicated both May 4 and April 30. Since the two are within days of each other, it doesn't really change anything. The baby will come whenever he or she decides to anyway.
09/23/07: Mom is now feeling great (excepting extreme exhaustion) and the little one is at 8 weeks today! Everyone is starting to ask about names, so I'll just get that out of the way. We had the name conversation during our engagement. They haven't changed at all since and still remain a SECRET! We will let everyone know when we decide to tell - don't worry. The other question is whether or not we will be finding out the gender. We want to know as badly as everyone else does! The soonest the doctor expects to be able to figure it out is 16 to 20 weeks. We have a while to wait!
09/21/07: In the 6 week ultrasound picture, the baby is the fuzzy tadpole (peanut?) shape in the dark circle. This isn't the most clear picture, but limbs (although we're not sure which ones) are visible in the original.
09/20/07: After putting up with a very sick mommy and a short stay in the hospital, the doctor announced at 6 weeks that our first baby is doing fine! He (or she) seems unaffected by all the drama and is growing normally! In the 5 week ultrasound picture, the baby is the little dot in the dark circle.
