First Trimester Screening Pics

As promised, although a bit late, here are the ultrasound pics I got while waiting for the baby to get into position for the NT testing. The NT (nuchal translucency) test measures the amount of fluid in between the bones at the back of the neck. I don't have the results yet. They will go over it at my next appointment this Friday. But my NP is a "no news is good news" kind of person so I'm not worried. As for finding out the gender, we won't find out till April 5th. I will be going to Valley Med for that ultrasound because they have more sophisticated equipment. It'll be much more accurate than what they have at Planned Parenthood. So far I've felt baby movement just one other day since St. Patrick's Day, but I'm sure it's still a little early and soon the baby will get big enough and strong enough to really make itself felt!

These were taken at 13 weeks, 6 days... one day before I hit my 2nd trimester.

2nd Trimester

Whew! I graduated to my 2nd trimester a couple weeks ago. People are saying I'm starting to show. I still think it's just my original tummy fluff but maybe I don't notice it because I see myself everyday. Ha ha! As of today, I'm at the end of my 16th week, going into my 17th. Four months gone in a flash... just in time for a nice hot summer! Whew-ee! I bet this will be fun! ;-)

I have noticed my tummy gets in the way a little bit now. I went up to see my parents. I tried to squeeze by Mom's car to exit through the garage door. Yeah... I didn't make it through and had to go back into the house and go out the front door. When I wash something in the sink and lean forward to reach for the soap, I notice my reach is a little shorter now and my tummy is uncomfortable leaning against the counter. My tummy has accidentally hit the button on the dishwasher, turning it on. I can't reach my pinky toes to paint them myself. Although, it's now a GREAT excuse for getting pedicures!

I went to my first prenatal yoga class. I am sold! I love it! The om's make me giggle a little. I admit it. But the exercises are great! Plus I always have used controlled breathing whenever I had pains so this helps me learn how to better concentrate on my breathing. I highly recommend it to anyone! Now don't let this mislead you into thinking I'm planning on an all natural birth. I'm probably the only woman in the class that's not having it in my birth plan. It's just not for me. I do have a lot of respect for the women who are planning on it though! You girls are tough as nails!

I'll be at the end of 18 weeks at my next appointment. I'm really hoping they will do an ultrasound and tell us if it's a boy or girl! Yesterday, St. Patrick's Day, in the morning, I thought I felt the baby hiccuping! There were two distinct bubble kind of feelings while I was laying down. After talking to Tina, we think it was probably actually the baby kicking! I guess when the baby hiccups, it goes on for a while. Ha ha! My first baby movement that I can feel! Eeeeeeiiiiii!!!!!!

I had gotten 3 more ultrasound pics with I had my first trimester screening (horrible experience btw) but I need to scan them in. Hopefully I'll get those up soon. In the meantime, here are the latest belly pics.

Week 15:


Wek 16:

Recent Belly Pics

Here are the belly pics for these last 3 weeks. People are saying I'm starting to round out a bit and show! I sort of see it but I think I notice it less since I see myself every day.

Week 12:





Week 13:




Week 14:

Our First Ultrasound!

This past Friday we had our very first ultrasound! It was so exciting, nerve racking, and scary all at the same time. I was so worried that maybe we wouldn't see anything and this would all be a dream. I was excited to see the little life that was growing inside of me. Will it be moving? Will it be facing forward? Will we hear a healthy heartbeat?

While our nurse practitioner, Joan, was doing her thing showing us our little one, I swear it waved at us! Okay, so maybe it didn't know we were looking at it and it happened to move it's arm, BUT it looked like it was waving. ;-) So I say it waved at us. Ha ha! It was trippy to watch the screen and actually see it's heart beating. I still can't feel any kicks yet since it's still early so it was surreal.

It also reminded me why I want to get into being an ultrasound tech myself. To show someone else something so cool and wonderful... how amazing would that be!

I was also approved for the WIC program today which will be a great help! It's a program that helps supplement your diet with healthy foods for mom and your children. I've never been the best at shopping for healthy foods so this is a great way to get into some good habits.

This Wednesday, I go to Fremont for my neucel translucency (sp?) testing. Apparently they have to do it before I hit 14 weeks and however many days so they have to rush me in to get it done in time. Another small blessing for not working so I can do this round of testing. Basically this is where they test for Down's Syndrome, T13, etc. Fingers crossed all is well!

Here's the ultrasound pics! :-)