Glad Tidings

Sixteen weeks into the pregnancy, and things are going well. I have experienced a marked increase in my energy levels and have resumed exercising. Another expectant mom and I meet a couple of times per week to swim. My better mood and the fact that I can now help around the house more has meant that everyone here is happier. And Christmas is coming!

As I am officially of "advanced maternal age" (as they say), we opted to do some additional screenings to be sure that the baby is healthy. At about 12 weeks we went to Birmingham for a blood test and ultrasound that checked for chromosomal abnormalities. The preliminary results are very good.

Then, at thirteen weeks, I had an appointment with my OB (Dr. Myers) and was able to hear the heart beat! That's always a nice treat. Since then, I've been feeling a bit bigger every week and have given up on my regular jeans in favor of the comfort and joy of an elastic waistband. Grow, baby, grow!

As for Eli, he's still in the dark on his impending big brotherhood. But it seems that he may actually have some clue about what is about to happen. Lately, when discussing things that he might do or might want to play with, he'll make some comment out of the blue like, "Well, I don't have one of those, but my sister might." Or "I can't have a bow in my hair, but my sister can." Does he actually know something we don't?!

So, Christmas is coming and all I am asking for is a healthy pregnancy, birth, and baby... that's all. Oh, and for the Tide to lose a game already. (Yup, I am a bit of a Grinch at heart.)

Glad Tidings, indeed!

First photos!

Coming up on ten weeks, the pregnancy seems like it is proceeding both quickly (almost to the second trimester already?) and slowly (when exactly will I get my energy back, already?). We had our first ultrasound appointment last week (Wednesday the 21st) and everything looked good. Sorry the pictures didn't scan so well, but who are we kidding, we can rarely see anything in them anyway.

Depending on what method you go by to calculate the date, the baby is due sometime around May 26-June 1st.

Right now, inside me, the embryo is turning to a fetus, and has (hopefully!) lost its tail. All of the major muscles, nerves, and organs are there. The baby is about one inch long and growing rapidly. Ah, so that is where my energy went.

The second trimester begins in two weeks, and I'm counting the days. I'll feel less tired all the time and hopefully my stomach will settle down a bit. I can ease up on the Saltines for awhile. In three weeks, we'll have another dr's appointment where we will get to hear the heartbeat again.

And so we're waiting... and the beat goes on.

Two pink lines

We're pregnant! I took the test this evening after putting Eli to bed. I wanted to know before Abe arrived home. I knew almost immediately that it would be positive. When Abe got back home from class, I met him at the door with proof that our family was about to become larger and even happier than ever.

We are so excited. I am starting this blog for the new baby. Eli got the baby book. As the first born, he got everything new. So I want the new baby to have something entirely different from his/her big brother-- something unique.

We will keep this wonderful news to ourselves for awhile, but I know we'll want to share our excitement with the rest of our family soon. Until then, just keep growing in there, little one.