October 29, 2007

Today officially marks the beginning of our 20th week of pregnancy and I must say it is really hard to believe we're almost half way through this. It seems like just yesterday we were here celebrating the announcement with my family. Anyway, things are going really well. I feel great and am loving all foods and aside from a few emotional outbursts (poor Tom), I feel pretty normal. I've been asked several times for pictures of the belly, so here's a pic we snapped tonight. For those of you who didn't ask to see it, please feel free to avert your eyes.

We had our 20 week ultrasound this morning and found out we're having a beautiful bouncing baby boy...a cowboy my Dad hopes : ). Overall the appointment went really well. We saw some great footage of the baby's head, heart, femur bone and arm. Not to mention the cutest little picture of his foot.

We are absolutely thrilled and cannot wait to introduce the little guy to all of his amazing family and friends! What a blessed child he will be.

Okay, time to spend time with my other boy.
Sending lots of love,
M

October 21, 2007

So, we're officially 18 weeks into this new adventure (currently called pregnancy, soon to change to parenthood) and thought it was about time we started recording some of it and sharing our thoughts and experiences. I don't think I've felt the baby kick yet, but it's so hard to tell. I get rumblings in my tummy, but not sure if its gas or kicking. How do you recognize something you've never felt before? It really does make you question your ability to raise a child when you can't recognize it's foot from a bowel movement. I'm sure it will come, but I'm getting impatient...and nervous. Tom thinks I'm certifiably crazy when he watches me get into different "relaxed" positions to try and feel some sort of movement.

According to babycenter.com, our baby is the size of a small onion, but as our doctor says...the baby is much sweeter : ). It's hard to imagine a full human being that small. The baby already has arms, legs, fingers, toes, little tiny hairs, fingernails, eyelids, organs and some bone.

We did have a doctor's appointment last Tuesday. Just a regular checkup to hear the baby's heartbeat and ask questions. We're happy to report the heart is still pumping strong. Because some friends were recently faced with the possibility of twins, I wanted the doctor to confirm for us that he only heard one heartbeat. When he told us he heard two, my heart just about flew out of my chest. Turns out he was being "funny" and said that he could hear the baby's heartbeat and mine. He then informed us that my uterine arteries will soon become the size of garden hoses. Not the prettiest picture, but it's a pretty amazing fact. He then let us hear the differnce between the baby's heartbeat (soft, quick swooshes) and the blood pumping through my arteries (harsh, thumping pulses). It was incredible.

Shortly after that we heard a big THUMP. That turned out to be the baby moving...which was a big relief for me. It was so cool, Tom and I just started giggling. Then it was kind of hard to tell the difference between the movements and my giggles.

Our next big date is October 29...a week from tomorrow we find out the sex of the baby. We are beside ourselves with anticipation and excitement. Looking forward to sharing the news with everyone.

Lot's of love,
The Jansen's