Its a Girl!!

We finally know! We went in for our ultrasound this morning with both grandmothers and Angela in tow. Our appointment was at 8:15 this morning so I made sure to get up early enough to have myself hydrated with a full bladder. I hear that makes things easier to see. I had a hard time sleeping the night before. I woke up a little after 4 this morning and just laid there for over an hour feeling our sweet little baby move contemplating whether it was a boy or girl. I was hoping our little one was as active for the ultrasound as she was that entire morning. The ultrasound was amazing. We were able to see our little one at 12 weeks but not like we could see it now. You could see the arms and legs and toes and spine and nose and ears and lips! I could go on and on. Thankfully, you could also see the baby's gear and without any doubt our little one is a girl! Most of all we wanted our baby to be healthy. Given a choice we would have chosen girl. Not because we don't want a boy. Boys are abundant on Jonathan's side of the family but a bit lacking in the female division. We knew ultimately we wanted a girl and since they seem to be harder to come by it was a relief to get that down. I also was ready for the girl. Thanks to Angela we have a good start on the clothes and I had already found bedding I fell in love with. I wasn't so much prepared for a boy although I'm sure it would not have taken me long to get prepared had I found out we were having one. I think most of all I'm excited about the bows. Not the little tiny bows. I'm talking about the giant bows. The bows that are bigger than the babies head itself!
I thought knowing would tide me over til its time for our little girl to arrive but that's not the case. Now I just want to hold her. I'm going to get a huge lesson in patience over these next 19 weeks. I'm very ready to meet her. Husband has already informed me that I'll have to be the disciplinarian while he spoils her rotten. I figured as much. I'm guessing when I want something I can get her to ask daddy for me. I'm not sure he'll ever use the word "no" with her.

Maternity Clothes

I finally had to break down and buy maternity clothes this weekend. All my efforts with belly bands and belts are no longer sufficing to keep my pants up in a practical and comfortable way. I was surprised at how hard it was to find maternity pants that fit. We searched all over before landing on motherhood where we found some that will do although not the perfect, most flattering fit. I guess that's part of the price you pay when you get pregnant. After our little shopping spree I headed home to rid my closet of all the clothes that won't due for the next 6 months. Its easier to pack them up and put them away then to wish I could wear them or have to dig through them to find clothes that do fit over the coming months.
I definitely enjoy shopping for baby clothes more than maternity clothes. I've got way too much without knowing the sex of our little one. I'm just saving receipts to return whatever clothes match up with the sex the baby is not when we finally do find out. I just cant pass up the sales when they come along. I'm all about paying $1.97 for a piece of clothing that was originally $15! Husband doesn't quite understand buying so many clothes already but he'll appreciate the money we have saved. Now if these two weeks could just fly by...

16 Week Checkup/Baby Name Train

     We had our 16 week checkup with Dr. Cole this morning.  The doc gives a good report other than the fact that I am still a pound under my pre-pregnancy weight.  He has told me to fatten up (although not in those words).  We heard the heartbeat for the first time today since baby did not cooperate necessitating an ultrasound at our last appointment.  These days I must say that is the most comforting sound.  Since I am unable to feel baby move yet waiting 4 or 5 weeks between appts for the doctor to tell me baby is still okay in there is hard.  Im sure ever mother, especially with their first, struggles with that to some degree.  

     I am telling husband we need to get on the Baby Name Train now.  I know we don't have to have a name ready to go when we find out what we're having but I sure want to.  Im so ready to refer to this baby by name and especially by the correct gender!  Girl names seem to be easy so no worry there.  Boy names on the other hand-we have not found one that we both like.  Husband is proving to be quite a bit more picky than myself.  I think he has mentioned maybe one name in the thousands we looked at that he sorta likes and guess what?  I don't like that one at all.  I guess it'll come to us but Im lacking patience.

     Our appt. to find out whether we are having a boy or girl is Friday, Oct. 3rd-five weeks from today.  These are going to be a very long five weeks.

     For those of you keeping track of us please keep us in your prayers.  We are going through a lot of life change right now even outside of expecting or first child.  We are leaning on the Lord to provide and for Him to be our comfort.  It seems when things go wrong it is always at the worst possible time but I know He has a plan and through it all He will prove faithful.

12-Week Check Up

We went in for our 12 week checkup with Dr. Hinton Friday morning. This was the one where we were suppose to hear our sweet little ones heart beat. The doctor was unable to find the heartbeat with the Fetal Heartbeat Doppler. I became slightly nervous but Dr. Hinton reassured us that this is not uncommon and that the baby is very small and may just be hiding. Just to be sure we were taken to have an ultrasound. We immediately saw that Baby Walker was just fine when we began the ultrasound. We were able to see the baby just two and half weeks ago and it was amazing how much the baby has grown since! On this ultrasound we could actually see the baby and not just a dot on the screen. Baby Walker was kicking and waving her/his arms. While we were watching Baby even rubbed her/his eyes and did a full front somersault! I believe Baby was just hiding from the heartbeat monitor so she/he could give us a little performance! I am actually thankful now that we had to do the ultrasound. I new I was pregnant but to see a baby, arms and legs, kicking and moving around, brought an amazing comfort and joy. We have yet to hear Babies heartbeat but we can wait four weeks after this experience!

Baby's First Picture!

We were able to see our baby for the first time today! The Loving Choices Pregnancy Center of NWA is doing free ultrasounds for the month of July to train their nurses. Jonathan and I took advantage of this opportunity to get a sneak preview of our baby! Reality really sets in when you see the fast, constant flicker of the heartbeat on the screen. The doctor said our baby's heart was prevalent everywhere she looked and that the heart was very strong. We were able to see the head and arm and leg "buds". What a miracle is growing in me! This gives me the will power to push through these last few weeks of morning sickness thats kicking me to the curb right now! Its all for my sweet little child!

Expecting!

Jonathan and I are beginning a new stage of life. We found out on Monday, June 9th, 2008 that we are expecting our first child! I believe we took 10 tests in all before we believed it. Although it took some time to sink in, we are very excited! This little one was not in the plans but we know the Lord is in control and His timing is perfect! Baby Walker will be due somewhere around February 18th, 2009.