Finally, the baby looks like a tiny person!

These are pretty self-explanatory. Next, I am going to post the first trimester belly-pic. I don't look particularly "pregnant"....more like I ate too many doughnuts for breakfast.

13 Week Sonogram--Nuchal Translucency Testing

On Tuesday, we went for a sonogram to evaluate our risk for chromosomal defects like Down syndrome, Trisomy 18, etc. (we are scientists, so the idea of finding out more data about the baby was irresistible!). We were having a nuchal translucency test where they measure the fluid present at the back of the baby's neck....more fluid is associated with more risk for chromosomal problems and spina bifida, etc. Anyway, the sonographer started the exam and Devo wasn't moving around very much and the baby's position wasn't quite right for the technician to get a view of the neck. So--the tech started pressing on my abdomen with the ultrasound wand trying to get Devo to move into a better position. She pressed a couple of times and then all of a sudden there was a flash on the screen where the baby's hand came up in front and swatted like there was a fly! It looked like Devo was telling us to stop being pests. Kyle commented that we knew whose personality the baby would have....I was not amused.

The tech still couldn't get a good look at the neck, so she had me stand up and walk around trying to get the baby to change position. When she got me back on the table and started again, Devo's butt was facing us. Again---as if to say "You want to measure something? Measure this!". It cracked both of us up. Then Devo cooperated and did some somersaults for us. It was so great!

OH--as for the testing, everything looked great. They took some blood and we will get the results sometime around 20 weeks since they compare my bloodwork now to that taken at my 16 week visit in November and then calculate our risk for chromosomal issues. BUT--everything looks good so far and we are so glad that we did the sonogram this early (only do this if you get the test done) otherwise we would have had to wait 2 more months to get a view of our little one.

I will post the ultrasound pictures soon, but this story was too cute to keep to myself. :-)

Providence Trip

We spent the weekend in Providence and it was beautiful.  The weather was cold for us (in the low 40's at night and high 50's in the daytime).  Our blood is so thin since we moved to TX...I guess we will have to work on that before we take any ski trips with Devo.  

The weekend was dual purpose.  One of my best friends from college had a birthday (Jess) and grad school friends were getting married (Nicole and Michael).  For anyone that doesn't know, in the event that I am unable to fulfill my wifely duties due to death, Jess and Kyle will become life partners.  :-)    

The weekend was a lot of fun, but this whole gestating thing is taking its toll.  I was exhausted by 10pm the first night (totally plowed through and stayed out until midnight).  The second night, I was really feeling it....the 3rd night I collapsed as soon as we got home from the wedding and slept for 9 hours.  Seriously?!  I am actually less tired than I was a month ago....then this trip would have been crazy because I never would have made it past dinner. Seeing friends was wonderful and it just served to remind me how lucky we are to have people that we love and that love us.  We need to move back EAST....TX is too far from everyone.      

12 week prenatal visit

Tuesday afternoon Kyle and I went to see Dr. Dawson (the ob/gyn). This visit started with the worst part....the weighing. Surprisingly, while I feel quite poofy in the midsection, I have only gained half a pound in my first trimester. That made me feel MUCH better. :-)

We heard the heartbeat for the first time on Tuesday. 163 beats per minute....apparently that is normal. It took a few tries to get the doppler in the right spot, but then we heard that little beat and it was magical!

We will post some pictures of the first trimester abdomen...not too impressive yet, just looks like I ate too many doughnuts at breakfast. Now that I am not disgusted by all things edible (morning sickness is over!) I may start eating more doughnuts anyway......