Almost Half Way

We're almost half way through the pregnancy!  Time is really whizzing by.

We've been a high risk pregnancy so we weren't too alarmed to learn that we've fallen into the range of having a higher chance that the baby has Down's syndrome. Although we sort of knew this would happen, it's not any less reassuring. So we decided to go ahead with the amniocentesis to get a more accurate result. The results aren't in yet but we're optimistic things will be fine. If not, then we have a few months to prepare to welcome a baby who has special needs into our home. Either way, we're already in love with this little bugger!

Because of our genetic test result hiccup we had our 20-week ultrasound during our 19th week. Apparently while I was getting stabbed with a very unpleasant needle, Brian told me the baby was playing with its foot. I'm bummed I couldn't see that but relieved to know that the baby had no clue what was going on.

Baby Mack weighs a whopping 10 oz and is about the size of an heirloom tomato and growing bigger and stronger each day. Of course, we think the baby is adorable and darn near perfect; even though it's still blobby looking on the monitor.  Here are some "glam" shots so you can decide for yourself.



Pictures are of the face, foot and two profile shots.  There is also a picture of Momma at week 18.5

 

Dancing Turnip

We're half way through week 17 and so far, so good! 

Every week we get an update from babycenter.com and this week, the baby is the size of a turnip. 

We're also in the early stages of feeling movement.  At first I thought I felt something but couldn't decipher if it was my stomach breaking down meals, etc. or the baby moving.  But the more I felt the fluttering feeling, the stronger I sensed it was the baby.  Three nights ago Brian felt my stomach and confirmed that he too felt the movement so now I'm convinced those flutters are our dancing turnip! 

Aside from my usual headaches and being tired, which I contribute to my new job and its long hours working as a College Advisor, I feel good.   And I love my new job.  I am helping 33 underrepresented high school seniors apply to colleges and I'm SO PROUD of them! 

This week has also spurred a sense of panic.  We're having a baby!!  I want (need, really) a running stroller (BOB is supposedly the best?) but other than that, I don't know what to buy or what to register for.  We've started making a list.  Feel free to share your favorite "must have" item with us!  Also, being environmentally conscious, we're hoping to buy a lot of our items previously owned.  Reuse = Reduce.  I put our name on a waitlist for a compostable diaper deliver service ran by a Northern CA based company called Earth Baby.  It's super exciting to know our baby will be wearing diapers that will never, ever touch a landfill but instead be composted into topsoil for planting. 

Here are some pictures taken at 17.5 weeks:

Updated Poll

I was just informed that our poll was closed.  The poll is updated.  Please cast your vote!!

A mini-update...

The reality of having a baby has sank in. We have less than five months to organize ourselves and prepare our home for our new arrival.

Yikes!