Saturday, May 31, 2008

And the next big step...

We have scheduled our BIG ultrasound. Friday, June 20th we'll be able to see little Wasabi! By then we'll be exactly 20 weeks so we'll be able to see all of the baby's features. And hopefully, if all goes well we'll know whether Wasabi is a girl or a boy!

We were all very busy this past week. We drove to Minnesota to see Tim's family, who were all very excited to hear about our news. The trip this time, however, was much different being pregnant... I don't think I ever want to get into a car again! We had a great time though and can't wait to see everyone again!

17 weeks this week, almost halfway there, where did the time go? This week Wasabi's bones are starting to transform from soft cartilage to hard bone. Weighing in at about 5 ounces this week baby is about the size of a turnip (I'm not sure that I've ever even seen a turnip?)! We had our first 2nd Trimester appointment this week too. The doctor measured me for the first time, which wasn't exciting at all, he didn't even tell me the measurement. Wasabi's heart rate was lower this time too, at 159 beats per minute. Overall it was a rather uneventful appointment, except for the ultrasound scheduling part! We also talked about doing the Quad Screening Test, which tests for downs syndrome but Tim and I decided agains doing the testing. We'll go back to the doctor the week after our ultrasound!

In mommy news... my belly is growing and maternity clothes are starting to become my only option most days! My sciatic pain is worsening along with lumbar back pain (which could be partly because of the 10 hour car trip we just took), this is not doing anything for my mood! My tummy pain has mostly subsided, except when I eat spicy foods, but for the most part the Pepcid I'm taking is helping a ton!

Tim and I are starting to look into car seats and cribs so that we can register after our ultrasound. Who would've known there was so much a baby "needed." I thought planning our wedding was overwhelming... I take it all back. Planning for baby is much more overwhelming!

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday! Summer is right around the corner! Until next time...

Thursday, May 22, 2008

We Know You're There!

This week has been somewhat busy in the baby world! On Monday I went to the ER for severe stomach pain that I'd been having for a week or so. Once we were checked in my doctor came in to do an ultrasound (looking for gallstones) and we got a wonderful surprise. We got to see little Wasabi for the first time! Obviously the doctor didn't point out any details to us because he wasn't looking for the baby, but for stones, but at this point in the game, there is no mistaking a baby! The heart was beating nice and strong and it was moving around like crazy! Such an amazing experience! Now I really can't wait for our big ultrasound in a few weeks! The doctor didn't find any gallstones (thank goodness because Dr. Smith is out of the country for 2 weeks). He thinks I just have a sensitive tummy during pregnancy so I have to take a Pepcid before I eat and sleep with two pillows under my head. So thankful that it's not my gallbladder... I did NOT want to have to have surgery!

I'll be 16 weeks tomorrow and I'm still feeling really good. Wasabi is the size of an Avocado this week, and has developed toe nails! The circulatory system is in full working order this week which is pumping Wasabi's blood through his/her entire body!

People are starting to notice that I'm pregnant. Even the bag boy at the grocery store could tell, he offered to carry my groceries to the car for me! Maternity pants are WONDERFUL! I have been living in my maternity jeans and they are so much more comfy than my regular jeans! I'm sure in a few months I'll want my regular pants back but for now these are quite comfy! I've also been sleeping a lot better (most nights anyway), which helps my energy level a ton. My sciatic nerve is bothering me more than ever now, which my doctor warned me about, but hopefully in 8-10 weeks it will subside for the most part!

This weekend is Memorial Day and we are taking Wasabi on his first in-utero road trip! We are headed to Minnesota to visit Tim's brother and his family! It will probably be the last time we make it out there for a while, at least until after Wasabi is born!

Have a wonderful holiday weekend and be safe! Until next week...

Friday, May 16, 2008

How big is an Apple?

This week (15) baby G is the size of an Apple. To me that is a little vague, being that apples range in size. But he/she is weighing about 2.5 ounces. Baby is still growing strong, this week his/her legs are finally longer that the arms and all of the joints are working!

We have our big ultrasound scheduled for 4 weeks from now, right before my birthday. Tim and I have decided that we will be finding out the gender. We've been going back and forth about whether or not to and we've decided that I'm too much of a planner to not know for another 5 months!

In mommy news, not a whole lot has changed. Yesterday I had my workout clothes on and I felt like I finally had a noticeable bump (as opposed to just looking fat, which is what I've looked like for the past 2 months or so)! I'm sure people walking by me don't notice but those who know me can tell that I have indeed begun to show!

My mom and I are starting to work this week on the bedding for the nursery and the cushions for the rocking chair! I feel like things are starting to really feel real.

Baby's Name:
Because it gets annoying always saying he/she, or him/her etc, from here on out the baby will be known as Wasabi! That's what Tim refers to it at home so for now, until we know what we are having that will be easier! Why Wasabi you may ask... (or you may not, but I'm going to tell you anyway)

...during the first part of my pregnancy Tim found these Wasabi Peas at Meijer, he bought a can of them and needless to say over the next couple of weeks we went through a lot of Wasabi peas. I ate so many that I developed an allergic reaction to them and ended up having to go to the doctor for it. It was devastating as that was the only thing that sounded good. So Tim dubbed our baby Wasabi because of mommy's love for Wasabi Peas!

Until Next Week!

Friday, May 9, 2008

My Little Lemon!

We are 14 weeks today, only 5 weeks until our big ultrasound! This week baby G is about 3.5 inches long and weighs about 1.5 ounces! And, you guessed it, he/she is the size of a lemon! A lot is going on in the development of baby G, his/her liver and kidneys started functioning this week, producing bile and urine (exciting, I know)! Also happening this week is the growth of baby hair, probably red and curly! If we had an ultrasound this week we would also get to see that our baby is able to make lots of different facial expressions, he/she is also able to suck it's thumb!

In mommy news, I am completely over morning sickness (knock on wood)! I have felt good this entire week and have gotten a lot of my energy back. That is not to say that I'm staying up past 9pm, but during the day at least I have energy! I should start showing any day now. The 9 pounds that I've gained so far are really only visible to me, but every day I can tell more and more that there is a baby inside me!

I got my first ever mother's day card in the mail yesterday. It was so precious to think that already I am preparing to be someones mommy! I never could have imagined what this would feel like. God has truly blessed Tim and I, and we cannot wait to bring this little one home!

Monday, May 5, 2008

Welcome!

Welcome to the Gates family blog! We have gone public with our big announcement and wanted a place to keep family and friends informed and up-to-date on the happening of Baby Gates, and us too!

Second Trimester
As of today we are 13weeks and 3 days, which officially starts the second trimester! I'm finally starting to feel "good." Baby G is about 2.5-3 inches long this week, weighing in at about a half an ounce! Baby G is growing big though, this week he/she is the size of a peach! Baby's G's face is starting to even look humanlike. All of our baby's vital organs are developing, including the heart. At our doctor's appointment last week we got to listen to the heartbeat. Let me tell you, it is the most amazing sound there ever was. Our little one's heart was beating strong at 160 beats per minute! That definately made things more real!

We've started looking into "necessities" that we'll need once baby comes! Thank goodness it's garage sale season! We've found some great deals! My mom and I also found the cutest fabric that we are going to use to make the crib bedding and use to cover our rocking chair (a garage sale find!)!

Tim and I are so looking forward to meeting this little person! Only 6 more months to go until November 8!

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for the latest in baby G news!