Growing A Family

The word is out... Pauly's going to be a big brother.
That's right, our second 'lil bean is on the way.

I'm 13 weeks along and feeling good. Which is a change from the beginning of my first trimester. Things didn't go as smoothly as my first pregnancy. This time I was way more tired and the nausea was sooo much worse. But I hung in there and made it out in one piece! And of course I couldn't have done it without my better half. There were a few days where I couldn't even get out of bed and he was so wonderful to take on the roles of mom and dad simultaneously. I really don't know how single parents do it. Even on the best of days I sometimes find myself relieved that a second pair of hands are so close by.

I've seen my midwife and things are looking good. We've got a strong heartbeat, good blood pressure and a pretty little bump. People weren't kidding when they say you start showing sooner the second time around. I only made it to 11 weeks before I needed to start wearing maternity clothes. Of course they are still a little big but there was no way I was squeezing into my regular jeans anymore. It was just too uncomfortable.

I also had my nuchal translucency ultrasound and blood work done last week. I'm still waiting for results but as always, no news is usually good news. I'll know for sure when I see the midwife again. The technician had a little bit of a hard time getting some measurements because our 'lil bean was lying on his/her stomach and our pictures weren't as good as Pauly's but here's a little peek anyways.

This one is of his/her face

Here's a little foot!

I'm feeling a lot more too. My belly aches and I've already started getting hip pain every once in a while. I just hope things don't get too much worse. I had it great the first time around so hopefully this pregnancy won't be too different.

Since I am going back to my previous posts to find out how my 'lil bean is growing, I'll just cut and past that info that way you won't have to! So...at 13 weeks my lil' bean is about 3.5 inches crown to rump, about the size of a medium shrimp. The liver is now secreting bile and the pancreas, insulin. He/she can smile now and there are 20 teeth under those gums. The hands have started to open and close and the toes can now curl. The sucking reflex has started and no doubt he/she will start sucking his/her thumb. With that comes the swallowing of amniotic fluid and he/she is passing it in their urine. Vocal cords have started to develop along with finger and footprints. The eyes are starting to move closer together and the ears are practically in the right spot.

13 Weeks

I've been waiting 13 weeks for a chance to see my lil' bean and it was amazing! My first ultrasound was on tuesday and I loved it. It was part of the Nuchal Translucency screening so for Paul & I it was more of a reassurance that everything was going as it should.

Before the technician began, she told me she was going to go through the screening first, which would take about 30 minutes. Then she would call Paul in and we could have a quick look at the baby. I knew she wasn't going to give me any info about the baby so I planned on keeping my attention on her facial reactions until the end. As she started, I was anxiously waiting for the bad news. Her furrowed brows could only mean one thing to me and so I waited. And waited. She continued moving the probe along my abdomen and clicking her keyboard. Her eyes relaxed and she moved closer to the screen. And still I waited. I stopped looking at her soon after and my anxiety lifted a little. After all, if something were wrong she would at least be asking me questions.
I don't know how long it actually took but she finally said she was done with the screening and would be right back with Paul. I said "OK" and as she left the room I silently squealed for joy. It only took a moment and she was back with Paul. He stood next to me as she moved the screen so we could both see it. She then placed the probe on my abdomen and there was our lil' bean moving around. She pointed out the head, arms, heart (beating like a champ), and the legs. We saw some kicks and punches and then it was over. Luckily this will not be our last ultrasound and I can't wait to see him/her again. Until then, I've posted the two ultrasound pictures on the fridge.
At 13 weeks my lil' bean is about 3.5 inches crown to rump, about the size of a medium shrimp. The liver is now secreting bile and the pancreas, insulin. He/she can smile now and there are 20 teeth under those gums. The hands have started to open and close and the toes can now curl. The sucking reflex has started and no doubt he/she will start sucking his/her thumb. With that comes the swallowing of amniotic fluid and he/she is passing it in their urine. Vocal cords have started to develop along with finger and footprints. The eyes are starting to move closer together and the ears are practically in the right spot. Hopefully next week I'll be able to report that everything is moving along perfectly!