17 week appointment

I had my 17 week appointment today and so far I've gained 8 lbs. Ethan & I got to hear the heartbeat again and it was really strong and really fast. I was supposed to have the AFP testing today which tests for Downs Syndrome & Spina Bifida but Stephen & I decided that we were going to decline the testing. If anything were to come back positive the next step would be an amnio which I would not do because it can cause a miscarriage. My doctor told me that they would be able to see these defects at the 21 week ultrasound. Speaking of, we will hopefully be finding out the sex of the baby at my next appointment, May 28th!!! I'm praying that the baby cooperates and won't have his/her legs crossed. :)

Such a good big brother

Ethan has been really interested in the "baby in my tummy". He named it Ms. Teddy Bear and he talks to it or kisses it almost every day. He often asks me if the baby is awake. He started this game where he tickles my belly and I make a funny noise (he thinks it's the baby) and then he says that the baby is awake now. I've been really surprised at how interested he is about the baby, he's going to be a great big brother!!

Nothing much has changed except my belly is growing a little more. I'm still wearing my regular pants but mostly wearing maternity shirts. Some of my pants can still button but most don't so I just rig it with a ponytail holder. It's better than wearing maternity pants!! I think I've felt the baby move a few times. It seems to happen when I put a little pressure on my belly (like holding Ethan or something) I'm sure the baby is trying to tell me that I'm squishing him/her! Hopefully soon I'll be able to feel the baby move more, that is my most favorite part of pregnancy. I really can't wait until Stephen & Ethan can feel the baby kick. Ethan is going to love it!

We find out in about 6 weeks what the gender of the baby is. We can't wait!! Then I can start referring to the baby as him/her instead of it (or baby). Or if we can settle on a name then I can call it by name.

13 week appointment

I had my 13 week appointment today and everything went well. Ethan & I got to hear the heartbeat, that was cool and comforting. My blood pressure was 100/60 and I think I gained 3 lbs in the last month. The doctor told me to keep doing what I was doing and I'll go back to see him in another 4 weeks. Stephen had to miss the appointment because he's on a business trip in Vegas, I know he would have probably liked to have heard the heartbeat but hopefully he'll get to go to another appointment soon.