It's a GIRL!

Even though we're only in week 19, we had our "20 week" ultrasound today along with a doctor's appointment. We have been so very anxious to learn what we were having! It was quickly confirmed in the ultrasound that we're having a baby girl! She was spread eagle, making sure we knew without a doubt that she's a SHE. (Daddy and I have decided we will be talking with her about sitting like a lady in the future). Jerry and I have gone back and forth about our "gut feeling" of whether or not it'd be a boy or girl. Even before I was married, I always had an "intuition" that my first child would be a daughter. Then, my sister, students, and several friends were convinced this was a boy, so I began to doubt myself. Today, as we walked into the doctor's office, Jerry literally stopped in his tracks, and said, "I was just completely overwhelmed with the feeling that this is a girl!" Well, he was right!

Click the picture to make it bigger, then hit "back" to come back to the post!

Legs are spread way apart, giving us a clear view!



Just in case we couldn't see the first time!


Everything on the ultrasound looks GREAT! All our measurements were right on track; she weighs 10 ounces as of now and is growing right on target! She was kicking her little feet away! Currently, she is breach, but the ultrasound tech said that's not uncommon at this point, and that she has plenty of time to turn herself around.

Loving that sweet little profile!

Cute little feet!

We are so happy about the news, and even more thrilled that everything looks healthy! We saw her spine, brain, heart; everything! She's looking great!

As far as names go, we have made a decision. We will be naming her Audrey Blair. This is a name I have really loved since college (just popped into a dream one night actually), and Jerry likes it too! We just can't wait to meet our little girl! Jerry even already wanted to go shopping for her, and look what he picked out! I think she's got him wrapped around his finger already!

"How are you feeling?"

This is a question so many people keep asking me, and I am so thankful to have several people in my life who care enough to ask! So, I figure I will answer it on here!

Tomorrow marks week 18. My biggest "feeling" is that I am SO relieved to be out of the first trimester. My energy is back, my appetite is DEFINITELY back (but has inconvenient timing!), and the headaches have dwindled off (as long as I have some caffeine everyday). I definitely understand now what women mean when they say the 2nd trimester is the best part of pregnancy. I am imagining that by the 3rd trimester, I'll be getting uncomfortable, etc. For now, I get to feel pretty normal and good!

Not quite 2 weeks ago, I felt our baby move for the very first time! It was a very crazy experience! I have read that women describe it as feeling like butterflies in their stomach or popcorn popping. To me, it felt like anxiety. It honestly made me uncomfortable at first. Then, I calmed down and realized I was feeling movement! The time I felt it most was when I was about to get out of my car at work. I suddenly felt as if my heart was POUNDING very fast in my chest. Then, I realized that the feeling wasn't in my chest; it was in my stomach! Apparently, the baby was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and ready for work that day! It made me laugh that time. I don't feel it everyday, but when I do, it's pretty amazing. Just to think about a person moving around in there is so crazy! I'm looking forward to when Jerry can feel it too.

This past week, we learned that our good friend Heather Hicks is having a BOY! Such exciting news (check out her blog here if you want!). It made Jerry and me even more anxious to learn what we are having. My women's intuition has really not been strong on this one. I started out the pregnancy "feeling" one way, and now I'm another. But then I will suddenly question myself. I suppose I'll leave it to the professionals! Let me know if you think we'll be having a boy or a girl!

17 week pictures

This post makes me uncomfortable...

People keep asking me when I'm going to post "belly" pictures. Honestly, I have been very self-conscious about this because I feel like I don't really look very pregnant at this point. I mean, my clothes don't fit correctly, my stomach is definitely larger, but do I have that adorable "baby bump" everyone talks about??? No! The way that my body is built, it really just hasn't shown that way. I already had somewhat wider hips, a larger stomach, etc. So now, that just looks slightly bigger (in my eyes anyway). I had a parent at school the other day tell me, "Wow, you can't tell you're pregnant at all!" But then, another day someone will say, "ooh, you're starting to really show now!" I don't know; I see myself everyday, so it's hard for me to notice. Jerry is totally tired of me asking his opinion of how I look in certain clothes! Ha! So you can be the judge. I'm posting a picture of me that I took last weekend when I was 17 weeks. I've been sharing a few photos with my sister here and there because she's been wanting to predict what we're having. However, I haven't shared them with anyone else. But since this IS pregnancy, and I AM supposed to look bigger (or, as I have been saying, FAT!), then whatever -- I need to let go of my self-consciousness and just move on. So, here. Take a look and you can tell me your opinions!

I took this to show my sister the shirt she picked out for me! It's Mickey Mouse, and it says "Embrace Your Bump!" Very cute shirt, and it will look cuter when there's a bigger bump to embrace!



I feel like it's hard to notice a distinct "baby bump," but I promise--my stomach wasn't like that before!