Doctor appointment: Proof of life!

Our baby's heart beats! Thank the good Lord, our baby has a beating heart!

The appointment with our doctor was at 4:00 today and what an appointment it was. Our nerves (yes, amidst the anticipation and excitement, Jeff was nervous too) were calmed as we discovered our baby continues to thrive inside of me. The appointment started with the usual weigh in (I gained one pound since the visit five weeks ago which was surprising because it feels like I've gained about ten!), urine sample and a check of my blood pressure. Immediately after, the two of us were brought into our room, lucky number seven, to wait for our doctor. He is usually running behind, so it was to our surprise that he came in within about five minutes. He proceeded to ask me some questions. He asked if I felt my pants getting tighter and as I sat with them unbuttoned for my comfort, I had to laugh as I said yes. He continued with a few more questions and then ceased his writing of my answers to look us both in the eyes.

"Usually at this appointment we would listen for your baby's heartbeat, which is really neat," he says, "but it's way more fun to see the actual picture of everything...so how about we go across the hall and do an ultrasound?" I was about to fall over! An ultrasound??? Yes! Please! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Before this appointment, I was checking the schedule of my doctor visits and the ultrasound didn't come into the picture until the 20 week mark. So to hear those words at 11 weeks, we were in a bit of shock. Fantastic shock!

Across the hall, the room darkened as the machine was turned on. Our doctor explained that first he would take a look and then turn the monitor to us so he could show us what he is seeing. First, he felt my belly and said that he could feel that my uterus was growing, so it was a good sign. The gel was squirted (and even that was surreal since I had only seen this on TV and in the movies...and now it was my turn!) and the wand was on me, pressing in circles. Several long seconds passed and a concentrated "Looks great" was uttered. A smile came over me, but I waited until I had more confirmation.

The monitor was turned to us and we saw our baby moving! We could see a body, arms and legs fluttering and then...our baby started moving like crazy, in all directions, and when that was all done, a head that was on the left side was now flipped and on the right side! With frozen smiles, we watched in complete and utter amazement at how much we could see of our baby. I really thought that both Jeff and I would cry on this day, but neither of us did. We were just so happy, and still in disbelief I think that this was all even happening. It was so much better not knowing that it was going to happen and we could not stop staring, nor could we wipe the perma-grins off our faces.

And through it all, there were the quick flickers of a beating heart. From that monitor came a glow that brought us so much joy and finally a sense of calm. What a glorious experience it was.

Right after it was over, I asked our doctor if anyone had ever told him they loved him after doing this. We all kind of chuckled and then he said, "I'd say I love you back, but I don't know how appropriate that would be!" as he looked at Jeff. It was fun to laugh again knowing that, as our doctor put it, everything looked wonderful. He even said I cracked him up! He sat with us for another 45 minutes to talk about what all was to come, genetic testing, the rollercoaster ride of fears and delights for the rest of my pregnancy and then it was our turn to ask our questions to him. We will never forget this day.

At last! Let it be known that we are having a baby!

Finally the day has come!

T-minus three hours until our doctor appointment. Three hours until we get the good word. Three hours until I can stop lying to all of my friends who ask if we're going to have a baby soon. Needless to say, I can't wait!

From a guy's perspective I think it will start to seem real after the appointment today when we hear the heartbeat. Up until this point nothing is different for the guy. Nothing has changed with my body, I have no morning sickness, I'm not tired and my wife doesn't look pregnant. Once we hear the heartbeat I think everything will seem real and different...in a good way...actually in a great way!

Both Jennifer and I are super excited. I always tell her that I'm the more excited one. Actually, I think we're both at the same point which is perfect. And speaking of my lovely wife, I must say that she's been a great pregnant chick so far. She hasn't been eating weird stuff like hot dogs dipped in chocolate and she hasn't been hormonal. Maybe some of the guys reading this post are thinking to themselves, "Jeff, you have no idea what's to come!!!", but for now she's been as pleasant as can be. I have no doubt that she'll be an awesome mom. I couldn't have picked a better person to breed little soccer players with than Jennifer Price!

The Bundlebreeder

Thank you for the well wishes

Here are some of the email excerpts from the last couple days of nice thoughts of encouragement I have received about my appointment today (and thanks so much!):

Only 3 more days! Everything will be grand! ~~~ Good luck with your appt. on Friday! I am keeping you in my prayers! ~~~ What a big day tomorrow is. Let us hear from you. Got you both in our prayers all the time. ~~~ I will be thinking of you tomorrow. ~~~ Good luck with everything today. I am sure all will go fine. I am so excited to be able to start telling people!!! ~~~ I’ll be thinking of you at 4pm today and wish you luck luck luck luck, but based on the size of your boobs, I’m sure everything is on track and fine. :) ~~~ 6 hours 25 mins! It is exciting! Everything will be great! I look forward to hearing your news being shared. You are going to be floored when you hear the heart...it is an indescribable feeling. ~~~ I’m so glad the long wait will be over in just a few hours and that you will finally be able to hear your baby! Good luck, I wish you all the best and let me know how it goes!!

11 weeks

Sigh! Deep breath. Only one more day until we get to see our doctor. Finally! We need a stress reliever. I'm a ball of nerves with so many thoughts racing through my mind; the anxiety is fully kicking in today just thinking about the prospect of tomorrow. There is of course an unbelievable amount of excitment too. We can only hope and pray for the best, for the strong beating heart of our baby (makes me tear up just writing the words), and hopefully in one more day...we can let the world know that we are expecting!

Spilling some beans in the northland

We had a long weekend away for our annual trip up north with many of our closest friends from high school this past weekend. Sixteen of us went up this time (two of our regulars had to stay behind this year to take care of the newest member of their family) and it was fantastic. This trip, one thing was extremely different for me: being there without consuming one drop of alcohol! Surely the crew would know something was up if there were no drinks going down my hatch, so Jeff and I made the decision to let the group in on our news. It was a bit scary since our appointment isn't until Friday, but we swore them all to secrecy and thankfully we hope everyone will be able to know very soon anyway. They were all so sweet to us and everyone was excited and pretty surprised. Of course now they have the burden of carrying this secret too, but luckily for only a few more days.

It was actually quite fun being able to recap all the stories and crazy fun times from the trip so clearly! It was much easier than I thought being one of two out of 16 people not drinking. The two of us even managed to be among the last to go to bed a couple nights (however, we did have the luxury of napping and not getting any grief for doing so!). Even sober I was probably still the most fun. (haha!)

What a blast, as always. We are very blessed to have such a tight circle of friends from high school still, friendships that have spanned so many years. Not to mention, no one could have hand-picked better significant others in the group. Here are some of the (PG rated) photos...

Undercover blogger

I love having this blog! Yes, I know you will be reading this someday, but right now only Jeff and I know it even exists and there is something so perfect about that at this moment.

I feel like I am talking to myself (with my husband as my loyal confidant wondering and waiting for what I will share next) and the rest of you are secretly eavesdropping even though you really aren’t yet. It’s as if we are in a dream together and I am trying to explain my innermost thoughts and feelings to you knowing you won’t be privy to that information when you wake up. It is such a necessary outlet for me, especially because carrying this secret gets trickier and more challenging by the day.

I know that writing this blog will be even better when I know you are reading along with me. I have craved for your comments and feedback. Thank you all in advance for your reassurance, support and guidance as you come along with me in the coming months. I can use all the help I can get. I’m new at this.

~Leaving comments: Click on comments below the post, write your comment, (if you do not have a google/blogger ID) select Name/URL and type your name in the name field, preview and publish~

Our baby at nine weeks

At nine weeks, the baby has grown from the size of a kidney bean to about the size of a grape.