It's a real baby!

Yesterday was day 1 of genetic testing. I was supposed to go in to the doctor's office and get an ultrasound and blood drawn. The tech said that for the ultrasound portion of the test, she needed to get a neck measurement and that sometimes it is difficult. She said she would spend 20 minutes trying to get the measurement and if she couldn't, I would have to come back in a week so they could try again. Unfortunately she couldn't get the neck measurement, but I did get to see the baby moving around and swimming for about 20 minutes. It was very unexpected, but awesome. The heartbeat was 141 bpm, which it has been before I think. We even got a couple of pictures (which blogger won't let me post for some reason...I need to do some investigating). Jeff couldn't come with me this time, but I have another appointment for the same test next week and he is coming to that one.

I am generally feeling a little better. Not as tired as I was a few weeks ago, but around 8 or 9pm I am ready for bed. I am having a hard time sleeping through the night and usually get up once or twice. It's the time of year when we can have the windows open because the weather is great, but I think the noises from outside aren't helping. And my allergies are kicking in as well so I've been stuffy and having some pretty horrendous sinus headaches. Once everything is done blooming in a couple weeks that should resolve itself. The morning sickness is still around a bit but it's improving. For the last couple of weeks I am very hungry during the day, but once I get home in the evening just a little food satisfies me. I had some stomach issues earlier in the week, but I think I was just eating too much dairy (I was kind of obsessed with chocolate milk for a few days). I can no longer "suck in" my stomach (ha ha ha) and if I move or twist too quickly I get some cramping. The baby clearly is reminding me "Hello! I'm in here, stop bending and twisting so much!"

On Wednesday I hit the 12 week mark, which is a great milestone! I feel like we can be a little less stressed now and really start letting everyone know our good news. Oh, and all of my blood and urine tests so far have come back negative...i.e. no preeclampsia or gestational diabetes issues (yet).

Today is Jeff's birthday so we are going out for some New England seafood delights... lobster is definitely on the menu tonight. I think the baby is very excited for lobster! Until next week...

Whitney