18 Week Update

IT'S A GIRL!  That's right!  Our assumptions were wrong, but we couldn't be happier.  We went in at 18 weeks for our sonogram, and it was such a neat experience!  Every time we get home from our appointment, I wish I would have used technology more and got a recording of the heatbeat or this time, a video of her moving around. 

Most of you probably have been through a sonogram, but I had no idea how much detail you could see - her brain, eyes, bones, beating heart with 4 chambers all working as they should, her little stomach and "beautiful" spine, or so the doctor said.  She was positioned in me with her legs up over her head so that's why the pictures below look a little strange.  The doctor tried pushing on my stomach to make her move, but she liked her legs there.  I can see her now sucking on her toes when she is born since she likes to be in that position.  Ha!   

They take measurements of the body during the sonogram, and the computer said she is the size of a baby at 20 weeks, even though I am only 18 weeks and a few days.  She weighed 10 ounces, and apparently that is considered big for a baby at 18 weeks.  The computer was showing a due date of June 28th, but they aren't going to change my due date just yet.  They said they would keep an eye on her size and make the decision later if she keeps growing at that rate.  Greg and I keep joking that she is stealing all of my food because she is active and moving around after I eat. 

I did start feeling little movements around 17 weeks, so that was encouraging.  I can even place my hand on my stomach every now and then and feel movement from the outside, but Greg hasn't been able to feel it yet. 

So, now that we know the sex, we can start our planning, as I'm sure all of you will as well!  Greg and I spent Sunday up at Starbucks looking at items to register for online.  Then, we went to Buy Buy Baby to check out some of the items.  I wish they had a camera on us reviewing the carseats.  We pressed every single button on them on the front and sides and still could not get it out of the base.  Finally, we asked an employee and they pointed out that almost all carseats have a button on the backside that releases it from the base, so now we know!  Carseats are heavy!  I'm a little worried!

And, last but not least, I've started looking at decorations for the nursery.  I sat in the future baby room last night to see how everything would lay out, and gosh that room is small!  Please don't get us any large toys!  Ha!  I will send out another post with the room ideas at some point.

So, that's it for now.  I have my next 2 appointments scheduled and I feel like they are going to be uneventful besides the baby growing and, of course, me getting bigger.  Nevertheless, I will send out some updates.

Happy Valentine's Day!