The news has probably made its way to your cell phone, Inbox or Facebook page but in case you haven't heard, Jeff & I are expecting a baby girl!
We visited the doctor on Tuesday for an ultrasound and let me tell you - our daughter is a wiggle worm! The doctor asked me if I'd had Starbucks on the way in because Baby Scrabble was dancing all over my tummy. (For the record, I'd only had decaffeinated tea.)
We have ultrasound photos which I'll post soon. Right now, I'm staying in touch via dial up at my mother-in-law's and it is not conducive to posting pictures.
We had a great Christmas - Baby Scrabble got quite a few gifts for a little girl who is only 21 weeks old! I hope all of you had a terrific Christmas as well. We can't wait to see everyone.
Thank you so much for all the congratulations, well wishes and wonderful notes. We are so blessed to know all of you and can't wait for you to meet Baby Scrabble in May!
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
It's a...
We will find out tomorrow if Baby Scrabble is a boy or a girl!
It's been quite amusing to hear people make their predictions. My favorite has to be from a former co-worker. I visited the TV station where I used to work last week and Liz said to me "I have to see your behind" then proceeded to feel my thighs. Her theory is that if I'm carrying a girl, I will have put weight on my backside. As far as I can tell, things look the same back there.
Others have made their guesses based on heart rate and whether I seem to be carrying high or low.
Jeff & I believe Baby Scrabble is a boy. Don't ask us why... we've just been saying "he" throughout the pregnancy. It's hard to believe in just a few hours we'll know for sure. At least I hope we'll know for sure. I told Jeff if the baby doesn't cooperate, then he is going in to time out as soon as he turns 2!
It's been quite amusing to hear people make their predictions. My favorite has to be from a former co-worker. I visited the TV station where I used to work last week and Liz said to me "I have to see your behind" then proceeded to feel my thighs. Her theory is that if I'm carrying a girl, I will have put weight on my backside. As far as I can tell, things look the same back there.
Others have made their guesses based on heart rate and whether I seem to be carrying high or low.
Jeff & I believe Baby Scrabble is a boy. Don't ask us why... we've just been saying "he" throughout the pregnancy. It's hard to believe in just a few hours we'll know for sure. At least I hope we'll know for sure. I told Jeff if the baby doesn't cooperate, then he is going in to time out as soon as he turns 2!
Tiny Bubbles...
At our last doctor's appointment, the nurse asked if I'd felt Baby Scrabble move yet. I had not. She told me it would feel like gas. Excuse me? You're asking a pregnant woman to decipher baby movement and gas?
My friend Toni described the movement as little flutters. I wasn't sure what she was talking about either... at least not for a couple days.
I finally felt Baby Scrabble's first movements. I would describe them as tiny bubbles inside my stomach. It's gotten more intense in recent days and it is such a neat feeling! Baby Scrabble was most active when Jeff was on a business trip a couple weeks ago. I told Jeff the baby must have been looking for him as much as he (or she) was squirming. Since Jeff's return, Baby Scrabble has settled down significantly, which stinks because I want Jeff to be able to feel him (or her) moving.
Just 9 days until we return to the doctor to find out if Baby Scrabble is a boy or a girl!
My friend Toni described the movement as little flutters. I wasn't sure what she was talking about either... at least not for a couple days.
I finally felt Baby Scrabble's first movements. I would describe them as tiny bubbles inside my stomach. It's gotten more intense in recent days and it is such a neat feeling! Baby Scrabble was most active when Jeff was on a business trip a couple weeks ago. I told Jeff the baby must have been looking for him as much as he (or she) was squirming. Since Jeff's return, Baby Scrabble has settled down significantly, which stinks because I want Jeff to be able to feel him (or her) moving.
Just 9 days until we return to the doctor to find out if Baby Scrabble is a boy or a girl!
Hearing Baby's Heartbeat: The Sequel
Jeff and I returned to the doctor Tuesday, November 24th for our 16 week appointment to see how Baby Scrabble's doing inside mommy's tummy. Everything checked out great!
We heard the heartbeat again. Last visit it was 160, this time it was down to 145. The nurse says as long as it's between 120 and 190 we're OK. We heard about 3 beats and then Baby Scrabble flipped and the nurse had to find the heartbeat again. If he/she is going to survive in either of our families, he/she can't be shy!
The second most exciting part of our visit was scheduling our next appointment because that's when we'll find out whether we are going to welcome a boy or a girl. We'll know just in time for Christmas! Our appointment is December 23rd but don't expect to hear any news immediately. Should Baby Scrabble cooperate, we are going to tell both grandmothers in person on Christmas Day & the news will trickle down from there.
We heard the heartbeat again. Last visit it was 160, this time it was down to 145. The nurse says as long as it's between 120 and 190 we're OK. We heard about 3 beats and then Baby Scrabble flipped and the nurse had to find the heartbeat again. If he/she is going to survive in either of our families, he/she can't be shy!
The second most exciting part of our visit was scheduling our next appointment because that's when we'll find out whether we are going to welcome a boy or a girl. We'll know just in time for Christmas! Our appointment is December 23rd but don't expect to hear any news immediately. Should Baby Scrabble cooperate, we are going to tell both grandmothers in person on Christmas Day & the news will trickle down from there.
16 Weeks & Showing
Well, we haven't taken any pregnancy pics until our 16th week because quite frankly I had a tummy long before Baby Scrabble was in my tummy & only now can you tell the difference! (Insert laugh here.)
Each Sunday Jeff & I pull out "What to Expect When You're Expecting" and let the book tell us what Baby Scrabble is doing this week. During the 16th week, his/her eyes and ears are in place and he/she can move those eyes. The book also says Baby Scrabble will squirm if we poke my belly. We rub my belly a lot so hopefully he/she can feel those love pats.
Jeff & I keep referring to "he" - we've done that since we learned we were pregnant and don't know why. I know some of you out there are trying to overrule with those "she" references! We should find out next month if Baby Scrabble is a boy or a girl.
Each Sunday Jeff & I pull out "What to Expect When You're Expecting" and let the book tell us what Baby Scrabble is doing this week. During the 16th week, his/her eyes and ears are in place and he/she can move those eyes. The book also says Baby Scrabble will squirm if we poke my belly. We rub my belly a lot so hopefully he/she can feel those love pats.Jeff & I keep referring to "he" - we've done that since we learned we were pregnant and don't know why. I know some of you out there are trying to overrule with those "she" references! We should find out next month if Baby Scrabble is a boy or a girl.
Hearing Baby's Heartbeat
When Jeff & I returned to the doctor for our 12-week checkup on Baby Scrabble we got to hear the heartbeat. It took the nurse a few minutes to find it. She got off to a slow start because Jeff made me laugh. When she first put the machine on my stomach Jeff said "It sounds like a war zone in there!" It really did sound like some sort of video game. The nurse had to wait for me to stop giggling so she could get to work.
It was so amazing to hear Baby Scrabble's heartbeat. The rate was 160 and our doctor said old wives' tale would indicate it's a girl. She joked, "Girls are higher, boys are slower!"
We thought we'd find out at our next doctor's visit for sure whether Baby Scrabble is a boy or girl but the doctor says she doesn't do that until about 20 weeks. She said at 16 weeks, it's trickier to tell but at 20 weeks she could almost guarantee the result.
Hopefully we'll still know by Christmas. In the meantime, it's fun to keep guessing.
It was so amazing to hear Baby Scrabble's heartbeat. The rate was 160 and our doctor said old wives' tale would indicate it's a girl. She joked, "Girls are higher, boys are slower!"
We thought we'd find out at our next doctor's visit for sure whether Baby Scrabble is a boy or girl but the doctor says she doesn't do that until about 20 weeks. She said at 16 weeks, it's trickier to tell but at 20 weeks she could almost guarantee the result.
Hopefully we'll still know by Christmas. In the meantime, it's fun to keep guessing.
Pickles & Ice Cream
I don't have much of a sweet tooth and I can't stand the smell of pickles so the stereotypical pregnancy cravings of pickles and ice cream have eluded me thus far. In fact, I really haven't had many cravings at all.
In the first few weeks of my pregnancy, I had a hankering for anything citrus. I drank lots of Sprite (which also quelled the very few bouts of nausea I experienced) and also kept mandarin oranges chilled in the fridge. Other than that, my appetite has remained about the same as it was pre-Baby Scrabble.
I'd love to hear some of the strange (or normal) cravings other moms-to-be just had to have, so share them here!
In the first few weeks of my pregnancy, I had a hankering for anything citrus. I drank lots of Sprite (which also quelled the very few bouts of nausea I experienced) and also kept mandarin oranges chilled in the fridge. Other than that, my appetite has remained about the same as it was pre-Baby Scrabble.
I'd love to hear some of the strange (or normal) cravings other moms-to-be just had to have, so share them here!
B-A-B-Y
The word "BABY" will earn you 11 points in the game Scrabble, not counting double/triple squares on the board. Perhaps that's where Jeff & I - avid Scrabble players that we are - came up with the nickname "Baby Scrabble" for our soon-to-be bundle of joy. Yep! We are going to be parents! Our due date is May 10th.
We had our first doctor's appointment on September 30th, which is also the day we celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary. It was a blessing to see our baby for the first time on the same day that Jeff & I celebrated the joining of our lives.
I've had a fairly easy time physically; nausea has been tolerable and other "discomforts" as I'll call them have passed relatively quickly. I am a lot more tired than I used to be but catnaps here and there have helped with that.
We had a great time telling our families about the baby. My mom wins the award for "Most Tears Shed," Jeff's sister Lori gets the prize for "Loudest and Longest Screams," and our cute and curious niece Hallie takes the gold for "Most Creative Reaction." We decided to tell Blake and Hallie and let them tell Chad and Jaime. I said to the kids "Aunt Julie is going to have a baby." There was silence so I said again, "Did you hear me? Aunt Julie is going to have a baby." To which 6-year-old Hallie responded, "When is it going to come out?"
We are so excited to finally share our news. We've wanted to tell everyone for some time now but, of course, wanted everything to check out at the doctor. She tells us everything looks "perfect." Please keep us and "Baby Scrabble" in your prayers for a smooth pregnancy and a healthy baby in May!
We had our first doctor's appointment on September 30th, which is also the day we celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary. It was a blessing to see our baby for the first time on the same day that Jeff & I celebrated the joining of our lives.I've had a fairly easy time physically; nausea has been tolerable and other "discomforts" as I'll call them have passed relatively quickly. I am a lot more tired than I used to be but catnaps here and there have helped with that.
We had a great time telling our families about the baby. My mom wins the award for "Most Tears Shed," Jeff's sister Lori gets the prize for "Loudest and Longest Screams," and our cute and curious niece Hallie takes the gold for "Most Creative Reaction." We decided to tell Blake and Hallie and let them tell Chad and Jaime. I said to the kids "Aunt Julie is going to have a baby." There was silence so I said again, "Did you hear me? Aunt Julie is going to have a baby." To which 6-year-old Hallie responded, "When is it going to come out?"
We are so excited to finally share our news. We've wanted to tell everyone for some time now but, of course, wanted everything to check out at the doctor. She tells us everything looks "perfect." Please keep us and "Baby Scrabble" in your prayers for a smooth pregnancy and a healthy baby in May!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Taking the Test, Telling the Hubby
The last week of August, I found myself feeling very tired. For two days, all I wanted to do was sleep.
"You know what that could mean!" said both my mom and my friend Susie.
I thought it was too soon to take a pregnancy test but once they planted that thought in my head, I couldn't help but wonder if something - or someone - was planted in my tummy.
So on a Tuesday night I took the test and within seconds a very, very faint + sign appeared.
"I'm pregnant!" I whispered, not that anyone was around to hear me. Jeff was on a business trip and wouldn't return home for a couple days.
I wish I had a wonderfully romantic and clever story to share about how I told him we were expecting. But I don't.
"I have something to tell you," I said simply over dinner the following Friday night. I must've sounded pretty grave because he looked a little bit afraid of what I was about to say.
"I think we're pregnant," I said, then I explained Mother Nature wouldn't clue me in for sure for a few more days.
He knew exactly what I was doing the following Thursday morning when I woke dark and early at 5:00a.m. and headed to the bathroom. Sure enough, that + sign showed up. This time it was blaring back at me.
We were elated, at least as much so as two people can be when they are still half-asleep.
Jeff & I decided not to tell anyone right away. We wanted to see the doctor and make sure everything was OK. It was not easy keeping such big news a secret, especially from our mothers. At the same time, it built a wonderful bond between us. We were able to hope, pray and plan - just the two of us. Soon to become just the three of us.
"You know what that could mean!" said both my mom and my friend Susie.
I thought it was too soon to take a pregnancy test but once they planted that thought in my head, I couldn't help but wonder if something - or someone - was planted in my tummy.
So on a Tuesday night I took the test and within seconds a very, very faint + sign appeared.
"I'm pregnant!" I whispered, not that anyone was around to hear me. Jeff was on a business trip and wouldn't return home for a couple days.
I wish I had a wonderfully romantic and clever story to share about how I told him we were expecting. But I don't.
"I have something to tell you," I said simply over dinner the following Friday night. I must've sounded pretty grave because he looked a little bit afraid of what I was about to say.
"I think we're pregnant," I said, then I explained Mother Nature wouldn't clue me in for sure for a few more days.
He knew exactly what I was doing the following Thursday morning when I woke dark and early at 5:00a.m. and headed to the bathroom. Sure enough, that + sign showed up. This time it was blaring back at me.
We were elated, at least as much so as two people can be when they are still half-asleep.
Jeff & I decided not to tell anyone right away. We wanted to see the doctor and make sure everything was OK. It was not easy keeping such big news a secret, especially from our mothers. At the same time, it built a wonderful bond between us. We were able to hope, pray and plan - just the two of us. Soon to become just the three of us.
... Julie with a Baby Carriage
Remember this song from the elementary school playground?
"Jeff and Julie sittin' in a tree-
K-I-S-S-I-NG-
First comes love-
Then comes marriage-
Then comes Julie with a baby carriage!"
Except for the tree part, that's pretty much how things happened for me and my husband, Jeff.
We met 5 years ago, married 2 years ago and are expecting our first baby in May.
I created this blog to keep family and friends up-to-date on all things baby but I also want to give other moms and moms-to-be a chance to share their stories, advice, do's and dont's with first-time mothers like me.
In the past 3 months I've learned pregnancy elicits all kinds of feelings - both physical and emotional. Who better to help you through the ups and downs than women who've been there, done that?
So ladies, grab your baby books, scrapbooks and all those pregnancy books you bought and get ready to spill the baby beans!
I'm listening...
"Jeff and Julie sittin' in a tree-
K-I-S-S-I-NG-
First comes love-
Then comes marriage-
Then comes Julie with a baby carriage!"
Except for the tree part, that's pretty much how things happened for me and my husband, Jeff.
We met 5 years ago, married 2 years ago and are expecting our first baby in May.
I created this blog to keep family and friends up-to-date on all things baby but I also want to give other moms and moms-to-be a chance to share their stories, advice, do's and dont's with first-time mothers like me.
In the past 3 months I've learned pregnancy elicits all kinds of feelings - both physical and emotional. Who better to help you through the ups and downs than women who've been there, done that?
So ladies, grab your baby books, scrapbooks and all those pregnancy books you bought and get ready to spill the baby beans!
I'm listening...
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