It's a BOY!!

I had my 20 week ultrasound today. They perform these between 18-22 weeks. I am 22 weeks this week. I had three different doctors perform the utlrasound, one would enter the room after the other one was finished. They measured his head, torso, limbs, and his organs. They also looked at his brain, spine, and the chambers of his heart. They think they woke him up because he was moving so much and seemed a little "grumpy." It is definitely a boy and we also got to see his face and when they first started the ultrasound he was moving his jaw and the doctor said that he was sucking.

He's measuring big - so big that they think I am actually 24 weeks pregnant. They measured one of his feet very last (only one doctor was able to get a still shot of the baby, he kicking his little legs and hence moving his feet) and even that measured big. He is about a pound-and-a-half already that they think he will be around 8 pounds when delivered. YIKES! They also had to work hard to look at his heart because his ribs are also developed past the 22 week mark and they started interfering with the equipment; they were able to look at all the chambers of his heart and they look good.They are not going to change my official due date because it is within two weeks the measurement due date, but the doctors told me to be prepared at the beginning of November just in case. I have a prenatal appointment Monday with my doctor to see how I am doing (swollen feet and ankles anyone?). Yea for babies!

I'm having scanner issues so pictures will follow when I get it figured out.

Boo to Colds

So I'm sick. Battling a sore throat and a stuffy nose = cold. I hate colds with a passion, they just make you feel yucky all over. It's especially worse when you can't take any cold medicine for them. Being pregnant = no cold medicine. I'm glad we know this little medical gem so that my little baby is safe. The only thing I've taken since being pregnant is regular Tylenol and that was only three times (major cramps and migraines). I'm usually the type to suffer through things, but colds and migraines are usually the exceptions. It's a good thing I work from home so that I can still get my hours in while sick (although I'd rather be settled into bed with a good book to read in between naps - but, as they say, you can't have everything in life).

Shaun is also sick with a cold. He came down with his yesterday, and mine hit last night right before I went to bed. Robert was sick a few weeks ago with a sore throat. I just hope everyone else stays well.

Happy Half-Bake Day

So today I am 20 weeks pregnant. I have been feeling my little one moving around all day today. Usually I feel him every now and then, but today he has been getting some exercise. My mom came to see how my work was going and to tell me that she couldn't believe I'm already 20 weeks. I told her how much he was moving and then I looked down, put my hand on my tummy and said "are you so excited because you know it's your half-bake day today?" My mom started cracking up.

Robert is all recovered from his sickness (Yea for antibiotics) and is back at work and having a good time. I am continuing to work this summer and trying to get registered for classes. I have to find professors that are willing to work with me because my due date is in the middle of the semester. We are gearing up for fourth of July and the fun weekend. Robert has Friday off so tomorrow is his last day of work for the week.

Anyway, Happy Half-Bake Day to baby Newell.

Life Happens

Robert is sick. He didn't feel good Monday and stayed home from work so he could hopefully be well enough to go to his preliminary hearings. He had worked hard on them and was really looking forward to being able to argue these in front of a judge. Alas, he was worse yesterday so he went to the doctor. They thought it was strep but the test came back negative. They decided to treat it with antibiotics anyway because he was contagious and they didn't want it to get worse. The doctor told him he had to stay home today because he is still contagious. He gets to go back to work tomorrow but he missed his prelims and is really bummed about that.

The baby is growing! I can feel him taking up more space inside of me and my stomach is getting harder and bigger. I can feel him move even more now. I am 19 weeks today and in a few weeks I have my ultrasound that will conclusively determine the sex and due date. It is now starting to hit me that Robert and I need to make decisions about baby things and so we should start looking. This is going to be an interesting last year of law school for both of us. We both like the boring, predictable, quiet life - but this is definitely going to change that. That being said, I am thrilled that I'm going to be a mom.

My work is going well. I am still briefing USSC cases for my work and I'm learning a lot about federal procedure and federal courts from it. I find it interesting even though many others would find it boring.

Baby Update

I went to the doctor today. My insurance said they covered a doctor in California but it turns out that they were "mistaken." So I flew out to Utah with my dad (Robert had to work) and went to my same doctor. My appointment was supposed to be yesterday, but Utah was in the midst of severe thunderstorms and we boarded the plane only to learn that SLC airport had grounded all incoming flights. We were an hour-and-a-half late so I had to call and reschedule my appointment. My doctor was off work today but when he discovered what had happened he decided to come in the morning and scheduled me for an appointment. He is in his residency so I really have two doctors. He treats me and another doctor that is in charge of his residency checks his work etc. Earlier in this pregnancy they could not detect a heartbeat, so the other doctor came in and conducted a more-invasive-than-normal ultrasound and she was able to get the heartbeat and see the baby. The office I am at has approximately 150 residency applicants and only 6 spots, so they have their pick of good doctors.

They did the typical urine test and then took some blood to check for genetic defects. Robert and I want to know so we can be prepared if we need to be. The doctor did the measurements and checked my weight and everything is right on par. He checked for the heartbeat and it was a good 160 beats per minute.

The doctor plans to practice sports medicine when his residency is finished. Doctors are now using ultrasounds to treat some sports injuries so he did a free ultrasound!!!!! :) :) It helps him perfect his skills and as he put it "expecting moms usually don't mind seeing their baby." He is right about that. The baby had curled his left arm up to his face and it was so cute. I could also see eyes, nose, and mouth, and the heart beating. He was moving a lot. I have been feeling some flutterings for a few weeks but didn't quite know if it was the baby. The doctor said it was definitely the baby because he is very active. He was kicking his feet a ton and he didn't like the ultrasound wand very much; at one point he totally moved away from it and the doctor had to find him again. It was so cute (sorry I'm gushing a bit so bear with me). The doctor thinks that it is a boy but he said "it's still early so don't go buy anything" because he's only 75% sure. We will know more next month when they do a clearer ultrasound and measure the limbs and such.

Anyway, that is the update and I'm still keeping my fingers crossed. I love this baby already and I really can't wait to be able to raise him. Robert feels the same way. Here's to delivering a healthy baby. Cheers (with sparkling cider of course).

Happy Birthday Mom

You've had a Birthday shout horray (horray!)

We want to sing to you today (today!)

One year older and wiser too (too!)

Happy Birthday, to you (to you!)

When I was in primary this is how we would sing this song. The words in parentheses would be shouted after the line. Apparently this is how it is still sung in primary.

Mom's birthday is today. We are having Ruby's for dinner and then going to Mike and Adrianne's for birthday cake. Yum.

Happy Birthday mom we love you.

Earthquake

Well we had an earthquake. Like all earthquakes you could hear it before you could feel it. It was pretty small (meaning that we are either far away from the epicenter, or it was a small quake). Christine is a little scared, she hasn't felt too many earthquakes, and the ones she has felt have been small. I remember Northridge; I don't think I can forget it. That earthquake felt different then the rest, it was more a rolling, surfing motion rather then just shaking. It also seemed to last forever, I was 8 or 9 at the time but I remember waking up to the sound of shaking then as I got up to go to the doorway I felt the shaking. The neighbors pool water sloshed everywhere. There were also several aftershocks, some of which were at school; it was pretty scary for all of "us kids." Mike and Josh missed it because there were in Phoenix visiting Auntie Lisa and Uncle Craig, Christine was not born yet, and Shaun and I were scared little kids. The news showed all the destruction - buildings collapsing onto the ground floors, fires, roads up torn, and much more. Well, hopefully the ground will remain firm for some time.