The "Big" Ultrasound

Today was the "big" day, the gender ultrasound.

Last week, we took bets on what it would be. April thought it was a boy. I thought it was a girl. Of course everyone we talked too had their own opinions as well. We honestly didn't care either way. As long as the baby is healthy, that is all we really care about. But it is fun to guess...I have to imagine that every couple does the guessing game at least a little bit.

We had been given advice for April to drink some caffeine to get the baby going before the appointment. Otherwise the baby might be sleeping and might not move into the right angles for the gender to be determined. So she drank part of a caffeine loaded Red Bull and needless to say she was WIRED!

For this screening, they allowed up to 3 people to view the ultrasound; so April's sister Ashley came with us. For the first part, they only allow 1 person in the room. During that part, they do the routine anatomy checks and make sure everything on the baby looks healthy. The sonographer asked if we wanted to know what we were having. We of course said, "Yes." Literally, less than a minute later, she told us. No drama or drum rolls. It sort of caught me off guard. Then I looked at April with a big smile and she had tears in her eyes. It was a very sweet moment, one that I hope I don't ever forget.

Then she went and brought Ashley into the room. We got to see a bunch of different parts of the anatomy - ears, feet, face, etc. It was pretty cool. Of course Ashley was flipping out because at this point no one would tell her what it was. We thought we would have a little fun with her - Make her wait at least a few minutes.

So the ultrasound wrapped up and we headed over to meet with the doctor. While we were waiting we told Ashley. She flipped out and of course didn't believe us. We had to promise up and down that we weren't lying - probably because we teased her the previous night, saying that we would tell her a different gender every week just to mess with her. (It is so fun to have 2 sisters to pick on now.)

We met with the doctor and she said everything was "A+++, as perfect as it could get." The baby's development was right on track and everything looked perfect on the ultrasound. April is doing great and has more energy than ever. What great news! A "dad" couldn't ask for a better report than that.

So your probably wondering, well what is already?? Tea parties, painted nails, makeup, and lots of pink are in my future. A baby girl is on the way. We are super excited. I can't wait to meet her.

Doctor Visit #4

Just a quick post...We went to the doctor on Monday. We got to hear the heartbeat on the sonar device. It sounded strong and healthy. We also received confirmation that all of the test done over the past month came back perfect. It was a short but good visit. We are anxiously awaiting the 19th for our big ultrasound when we will hopefully find out the gender. We are super excited!!

Food Diaries

So not much news on the baby front here. Everything appears to be going fine, and just like everyone told us, the 2nd trimester appears to be bringing more energy and less nausea than the 1st.

Speaking of nausea and food, I thought I would write about the food happenings around here. April never really had bad, bad nausea but man did she go through food cravings. It all started before we even knew she was pregnant. A week or two before we found out, she went through an extreme spicy phase. Everything had to be super spicy. One night after work she got home around 11 pm and was hungry. That wasn't terribly unusual since she rarely got a chance to eat dinner at work. So I didn't think much of it. The next day, she asked me if I saw what she ate for dinner. I said "No, why?" She said that it was so weird but she was having a craving for super spicy; so she made some sausage patties, put jelly on them, and then proceeded to coat them with red pepper flakes. Red pepper flakes!!! I was like...you are weird. She just laughed and said she didn't know what was up but she just wanted spicy. That next day, I made us some macaroni and cheese for dinner. She proceeded to dump like 1/3 of the pepper shaker on it. Weird! She then went onto an egg and cheese sandwich kick. That lasted for about a week or so. Every meal she wanted one. From there it was cheeseburgers. She craved Wendy's deluxe cheeseburgers. She says it was the combination of onion and lettuce and ketchup. So goood! I just laughed. She was so funny. Then it was chicken. Chick-fil-a, Chick-fil-a, Chick-fil-a--- which don't get me wrong, I am always up for some chicken. So this was my favorite.

All in all, it has been fun and we laugh about it. We really haven't eaten that much fast food. That has just been what she has craved. It seems like she has a new craving every few weeks and that is all she wants during that time. Then as quick as it comes, it goes, and she wants nothing to do with that food anymore. I actually consider myself pretty lucky. This type of craving is much easier to plan for than the spontaneous food run for pickles and ice cream. And the fact that she can eat at all without feeling sick is a blessing.

Bye bye 1st trimester...

So we made it through the 1st trimester. Actually we are at week 14, which means second trimester here we come. Looking back, the 1st trimester has really flown by. April has done great! The nausea was there but not terrible. I can only imagine what is like for her to work 8+ hours a day, on your feet, dealing with crazy rude people who want their drugs...all while having a baby growing inside you, sucking out all your energy. I know many women have done it before but it really makes me appreciate my wife. She definitely earned those naps. :-)

I have been busy reading the many baby books that friends and family have given us. You know me, I always like to be prepared. Maybe, over prepared. We have started discussing childcare options but don't have a plan on that yet. We are hoping that we can find the right fit for us but there are many different options. And of course I am already thinking car fund, college fund, YIKES! So much to do!

The second trimester should bring even more excitement. In just over a month, we should know the baby's gender. And I know April is excited that the second trimester often brings a renewed sense of well-being and "normalcy". We have much to be thankful for. God has truly blessed us.

So today was a bitter sweet day for me...

First the good news...

April went to the doctor today for the ultrasound screening. I was not able to go due to work conflicts but her sister, Ashley, who was on Spring break this week, was able to go with her. The results of the test were all good so far. There was some blood work that had to be sent off to the lab for analysis and we should hear the final results next week. But everything on the ultrasound looked good. So that is good news!

Man has the baby grown!!! In our first ultrasound, the baby was tiny. It looked like a little speck in the picture. Now it almost takes up the full size of the screen. It actually looks like a little baby. If you look closely you can see the little legs, ears and nose. April said she was actually able to see the heart beating since apparently the skin is still clear -- yeah, I didn't know that. I am amazed and so excited. I thank God for this precious little baby. I can't wait to hold it and love it and meet it. Our next appointment is April 5th which I think is just a routine check up. But the big ultrasound appointment is April 19th and that is when we should find out the gender.

Ok...so the bad news...

Today my Popie died (my Mom's Dad). He had hodgkin's lymphoma and his health had been deteriorating since last fall. He was an awesome grandfather. The best anyone could ever ask for. I don't know how to put my feelings into words. I really just can't right now. It's too hard. I know he is in heaven right now and is probably celebrating with all his friends and family who were waiting for him. We will miss him but are comforted by the fact that one day we will be reunited in Heaven through the grace of Jesus. We love you Popie!

Doctor Visit #2

So we went to the doctor's again last Friday--almost 11 weeks along now. All good news so far. They took our family history and discussed what was next for us. In 2 weeks, we will be having an ultrasound screening for Down Syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities. Part of me didn't really want the test at first. I know that God is in control and everything he creates is according to his plan. After some discussion, we decided to go ahead and do it. That way if something did turn up to be abnormal, we would have the time and knowledge to prepare accordingly.

The highlight of the visit was getting to hear Carlos' heartbeat on the sonar device. Apparently, he is an active little baby. The doctor was having trouble keeping the device on it. But she did catch it a few times and said it sounded normal and healthy. Yea-So exciting!

April is doing well so far. Her fatigue seems to come in waves. She will feel good and then get tired really quickly. Making a baby is hard work. She has had small bouts of nausea but she says they are not terrible. She is being a real trooper. I am proud of her. She is going to be a great Mommy.

Our 1st check up

On January 25, we visited April's doctor for our 1st check up. They examined April and everything looked good. It was my first, of what I am sure to be many visits to the OBGYN. The most exciting part was that we got see an ultrasound of the baby. It was so crazy. We could hear its little heartbeat even though April was only 6 1/2 weeks along. It definitely made it feel more real to me. I think I was in a state of disbelief before. But to see it on the screen was awesome. April teared up a little. Of course my first question was..."Are there twins??" We have always joked that we would have twins since twins run rampant in my family. "No, just one" was our answer. But that was good enough for us. The rest of the visit went well and we would see the doctor again in 4 weeks for another check up.

We are calling it "Carlos" until we find out the sex of the baby in a few months. Anyone who knows me, knows I can sometimes be pretty silly. So you can imagine that the name Carlos formed during one of my goofy moments.