14 Weeks ~ February 28th (OB Appointment)

I had my 14 week OB appointment and it went really well.  My doctor listened for the heartbeat and found it right away and it was 160.  She went over my 12 week 1st trimester screening results and said they were great and gave me the okay to work out (light walking, etc).  I have gained 6.5 pounds so far  during this pregnancy and she was happy with that amount because I was underweight (BMI was low).    I was able to schedule the rest of my appointments until my due date of August 29th.  

Upcoming Appointments:

18 week (March 25th)

20 week (gender ultrasound) (April 8th)

24 week (May 9th)

28 week (glucose test) (June 9th)

32 week (July 1st)

34 week (July 15th)

36 week (July 29th)

38 week (Aug 15th)

40 week (Aug 29th) DUE DATE!!!!!!

14 Weeks ~ February 28th

I called the ultrasound place to find out if I could come at 14 weeks and 6 days instead of 15 weeks (must be 15 weeks per the state for the ultrasound techs to do the gender ultrasound) because my Mom and I are leaving Thurs, March 7th (when I'm 15 weeks) for our annual girls' trip (this year in New York!).  The ultrasound place said that was find so my gender ultrasound is Wed, March 6th at 2:30 and I kept the appointment for Tues, March 12th in case the baby does not cooperate on Wed we can come back in as the ultrasound place will let you come back if they can't for no additional charge.  I also scheduled the heartbeat in the bear ultrasound for today.  They did an ultrasound and the baby was moving around a ton.  It was so amazing to see again.  The heart rate was 162.  The umbilical cord was in the way so she couldn't even get a glimpse of that area, but told me she actually can't until 15 weeks anyway.  She recorded the baby's heartbeat on a red shaped plastic heart device and put it inside the bear.  (see the video and picture below).  

Baby at 14 weeks

Belly Pictures ~ 14 weeks 

Here is what BabyCenter says about the baby:

This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.

In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.

Happy Valentine's Day

We celebrated Valentine's Day with dinner at China Town and the kids each got bags of candy.  We got Ethan t-shirts from American Eagle and Julia got work out shorts and top from American Eagle.  Ethan's hair is growing back after he shaved it for swimming.  

Happy Valentine's Day

12 Weeks ~ February 14th

Today we had our 1st trimester screening results and ultrasound and it went really well.  The doctor said my numbers were the best they could be and I have a 98% chance of having this baby.  That was the best news and I cried tears of happiness.  I was very nervous going into this appointment because the last time I went in for the 1st trimester screening in 2010 I got the worst news possible.  They told me there was a fatal problem with the baby's bladder and I had to have a D&E at 14 weeks.  My next appointment is February 28th at 11:45 for my 14 week with my OB.  I also go March 12th at 6:15pm for the gender ultrasound at a place that only does ultrasounds.  My official 20 week gender ultrasound with my doctor is April 11th.

Baby with it's hands by it's face (looks like it's praying)

Baby sucking it's thumb

Belly Pictures ~ 12 weeks

After Valentine's Day dinner at Vivo

Here is what BabyCenter says about the baby:

The most dramatic development this week: reflexes. Your baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, his toes will curl, his eye muscles will clench, and his mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if you prod your abdomen, your baby will squirm in response, although you won't be able to feel it. His intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into his abdominal cavity about now, and his kidneys will begin excreting urine into his bladder.

Meanwhile, nerve cells are multiplying rapidly, and in your baby's brain, synapses are forming furiously. His face looks unquestionably human: His eyes have moved from the sides to the front of his head, and his ears are right where they should be. From crown to rump, your baby-to-be is just over 2 inches long (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce.

Julia's Winter Dance

Julia went to the winter dance with her friend Alex.  Before the dance they went over to her friend Kay's house for food and pictures.  Her friend Kay made the backdrop for the pictures, which turned out great.  She had a great time at the dance with her friends.  They all looked beautiful and had amazing dresses!  She has some great friends :)

Julia, Annie, Kay & Alana 

Julia & Alex

Julia, Alex, Annie & Jackson

Ethan's Swim Conference - Final Meet

 Ethan had his conference meet, which was the last one of the season.  The swim team shaved their heads, which Ethan was not looking forward to, but he actually looks good with no hair.  He got new swim trunks and improved on all of his times today.  The coach said if he continues to practice he thinks he will be a big part of the team in the future.  Ethan starts playing water polo very soon.

Ethan is on the far right  

Ethan with his shaved head