17 Week Update

October 22, 2010


We had another appointment this week to check in on the baby.  We heard the heartbeat again, this time a little slower - 130's.  Our midwife told us the heartbeat will vary based on what the baby is doing - if it is sleeping it will be slower, but if it is active it will be higher.


Here are a few more updates on the baby's development at this point:

• The baby weighs about 5 ounces and is about 5 inches long, similar to the size of an onion
• Its skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone
• The baby is moving amniotic fluid through its nose and upper respiratory tract which helps to develop the air sacs in its lungs
• Although the baby's eyelids are still fused shut, it can sense light.  If I would shine a flashlight on my tummy it would move away from the light
• I should be able to start to feel the baby move in the coming days or weeks

Pink and Blue!

October 6, 2010

Pink and Blue!

Pink and Blue!

Someone's expecting-

Can you guess who?



This week I told my co-workers by putting this bucket of chocolates and sign out in the kitchen.  Now I work in an office of mostly men so there were only really two of us for people to guess between.  Most people got it right and stopped in to say (usually through a mouth full of chocolate!) congrats and that it was some of the best news they'd heard around the office for awhile.

Nic told his co-workers when his advisor (and our good friend) Emily asked him before their lab meeting if he had anything he wanted to share with the group.  I imagine a red face and big smile as he told the news and shared about hearing the heartbeat for the first time (he's still determined to buy a Doppler instrument so we can have one at home and listen to the heartbeat anytime we want!)

It's fun to have the news out now to everyone and to talk freely about it.  Now only 6 more months of waiting!

Boy or Girl?

October 1, 2010

We've decided not to find out if we're having a boy or girl but to be surprised.  I think we're having a girl.  Everyone we know either has had or is having a boy, plus on Nic's side there is an obvious lack of the female gender - Flori had only brothers and only sons.  We need some more girls around!

And, of course we have to do all the fun little tests and old wives' tales that supposedly tell you what you're having.  And you guessed it - they all point to a girl!

Fun Ways to Predict the Baby's Gender:

1. Baby's Heart Rate - According to legend, if the baby's heart rate is 140+ beats, it's a girl; less than 140 beats indicates a boy.  Our midwife told us the heart rate was 140-150 beats!




2. Chinese Gender Chart (said to be 99% accurate) - this ancient Chinese chart takes the mother's age at conception (28) and the month she conceived in (July) and traces it down the chart to give you boy or girl: 
http://www.thebump.com/calculators/ChineseGenderChart.aspx


3.  Even or Odd - another legend says to look at the year of conception (2010) and the mother's age at conception (28), and if they are both even or both odd, then it's a girl; if one is even and one is odd, then it's a boy.


4.  Where the Weight is Carried - one tale says that if you're carrying the baby high, it's a boy; but if you carry the weight more in your hips and rear, then it's a girl.  We'll have to wait and see on this one (not too long though, I fear!)

5.  Cravings - it's also said that if you crave sweets during your pregnancy to expect 'sugar and spice and everything nice' and if you crave saltier snacks then expect 'snips and snails and puppy dog tails'.  Well, I can ALWAYS eat ice cream or sweets, but I have been loving the chips.  We'll call this one a draw.

6.  Dad + Beer - a friend at work told me she'd heard that if the dad-to-be likes his beer, that means they'll have girls.... and I think we all know where this is going!







Of course this is all in fun, and Nic and I don't care what we have as long as it's healthy.  But wouldn't it be fun to start a poll?

What do you think we're having - boy or girl?

First Trimester - check!

September 22, 2010


Heard the heartbeat today - there's really a baby in there!  It just hadn't really felt real until we heard that rapid little beating.  (it actually sounds like a really quick washing machine!)  I teared up a little and Nic just couldn't stop smiling!

First baby bump picture!  Not too much to see yet, but the baby's only the size of a peach at this point.  

Other fun facts about the baby at this stage of development:

• it has fingerprints
• it can now hear us talk, hum, and sing (so we sang it Jesus Loves You last night of course!)
• the baby can move, squirm, turn somersaults, and flex its fingers and toes, maybe even suck its thumb
• the baby is experiencing hiccups to help develop its diaphragm muscles
• its vocal cords are under construction (the first step to saying 'mommy' as its first words!)

12 Weeks!

September 16, 2010


This Friday, September 17, marks 12 weeks for us already - I can't believe it! 

Next week Wednesday we finally have the big doctor's appointment to confirm the pregnancy and do other tests.  After that we'll be ready to start telling more people than our families.  Speaking of telling our families, I just have to post those stories:

We told my family when we were in Dallas, TX for my brother Doug's graduation from chiropractic school (so proud of my little brother, Dr. Gunderson!). 

We told Doug and Alicia the first night in the hotel by asking them how they felt about becoming an aunt and uncle:

Before we headed to the graduation the next day, we lined up with my parents to take a picture.  Nic was taking the picture and said, "Ok, one, two, .... by the way, Steph's pregnant!"  And then he snapped photos of my parent's reactions.  My dad just said, "Hmph." and my mom said, "Ha...... really?"  They didn't believe us at first!  Then the reality set in!

We told Nic's parents when they came to visit us.  Now Flori has been talking about being a grandma for a loooong time already, so of course we had to get a picture frame that said 'Grandparents' and wrap it up for them.  Her face is priceless!

 

We each had a sibling that wasn't around when we told the rest of our family.  Whitney was actually the first person I told.  Since she lives in CO and wouldn't be home for a long time, I had to tell her on the phone, but she was so excited to be an auntie!

And Nic's brother Kyle was already back at school in MN when we told his family so we had to tell him after one of his football games we attended.  He was also so excited to be an uncle and couldn't hide it.

Thanks to all of our family members for the love and support and excitement they've displayed as we told our big news!  We're so blessed to bring this baby into such a loving family!

We're Pregnant!

September 15, 2010

Yes, we're going to be parents!  We are so excited!  (and of course, a little nervous!)  With an unofficial due date of April 1, 2011, follow us on our road to parenthood!