Well, It's a BABY!!

We don't know 100% what the sex of the baby is.

The tech did all the measurements first: the baby has an estimated weight of 1 pound already! Baby's measuring a little bit a head of schedule by about a week and half.

So the tech was doing a scan from the top of the head and we all three thought we saw something between the legs. So the tech said "Well, it may be a boy." Then he did more measurements and tried to get a good view of the crotch. When he changed and had a view from the bottom, we could see the buttcheeks & the legs sticking out there was nothing there. He said what we saw earlier was probably the cord - since it comes from the middle also. He said he's 75-80% positive it's a girl. His reasons being, and I could see this well, in between the legs it was dark. When it's dark on a ultrasound that means theres fluid. When it's light on an ultrasound that means it's tissue or bone. In between the legs I could see what looked like a triangle with rounded corners that was dark in color. So it looked like it could be a girl. But he couldnt get the baby to switch positions for a better view. I moved on each side even.

Baby was active, I could see her/him sitting with legs crossed from the side, too cute! Doug said it looked like frog legs. And from the top I could see the little arms moving all over, I swear the kid was throwing punches! The tech was like "Quit moving kid!" I did have a Jamba Juice before I went so I think that had something to do with the baby's activity. He asked if I could feel the baby but I really can't feel it when I'm laying down, especially flat. I really feel the baby best when I'm sitting after I've ate. Just like now, I can totally feel it.

So here's a picture of our 311 alien head baby (the head reminds me of the alien heads on the Blue album). This is the only pic we got, so that kinda sucks. I would have liked a profile or a pic of arms or legs.

Other than not being able to get a good view of the privates everything else looked good: saw 4 limbs, brain, heart, spine, neck, stomach, etc. While we would have liked to know in advance what we're having we're now prepared to be surprised. We will be happy with whatever the lil'bean is! We can't wait to meet her or him.

Doug's mom did take us to put a crib on lay-away. We love the crib! It's a beautiful pine color. It converts to toddler bed and then headboard and footboard on a full bed.

Then we went to Baby Depot and put the dresser we wanted on lay-away, the pine one. I love it. We're very happy with the furniture. THANK YOU DAN & PAM!!

Last week....

Monday 4/5 was our 7 year anniversary! To celebrate Doug and I went to Tucson to see a band I love, Thrice. So baby got to attend another concert in utero. This one was louder than the last one and since the baby is a few weeks farther along I'm sure he or she was rocking out. So if the baby comes out liking punk & metal we'll know why :-)

While in Tucson we were shopping and I finally got to pick up a book I've been wanting to get! It's called "Oh Baby, The Places You'll Go!" It's an adaptation of Dr. Suess's "Oh, The Places You'll Go!" and it's meant to be read to your unborn child. I've started reading it at night to my belly.

Speaking of my belly I'm feeling movement a little more, but it's still sporadic. It's such a wonderful feeling!

On Tuesday my mom and I attended a Hypnobirthing seminar and we will be using Hypnobirthing as our childbirth preparation class. It's basically a self-hypnosis and relaxation technique to deal with the pain. At least, that's what I've gotten so far from what I've learned. Doug and I will start classes next week! My mom will also be learning so she can be a back-up coach for Doug.

My mom can't walk into Baby's R Us (which was where the hypnobirthing seminar was) without buying presents. She bought the baby 2 sets of cds which include nursery rhymes, lullabies and classical music. She also bought baby the Goodnight, Moon book that comes with a night light that matches the book. Goodnight, Moon was one of my nephew Mickenzie's favorite books when he was little. And I've been playing the classical music cd for my belly to counteract the punk rock! There is no doubt our child will love all sorts of music since Doug & I love it so much.

Speaking of nightlights, you can't have too many and baby already has two! My friend/co-worker Anita bought me the cutest nightlight! It's got The Pokey Little Puppy on it! The Pokey Little Puppy was my favorite children's book. It's so cute, I just love it.

On Friday we had a 17-week check up at Dr. Brekke's. Doug went along this time, I really wanted him to hear the heartbeat. Baby was squirming a little bit at first but Dr. Brekke found it and it was 140bpm.

We're changing our OB care to a midwife at Bethany Women's Center. I really want to use the new birth center that is scheduled to be open at Phoenix Baptist Hospital in the next few months (we hope it's open by September!). I asked for the midwife that Dani used with her pregnancy and delivery, I hope we get her. We have our first appointment there on May 3rd.

Oh, and most importantly: Our 20 week ultrasound is scheduled for Friday April 30th at 2:15 pm!! We can't wait to find out if our baby will be a girl or a boy! Stay tuned right here for an update...