Ultrasound Pictures

The best thing ever from the ultrasound is definitely the video, but we also got a few pictures of baby girl and I wanted to share them. The first is her left foot print, showing 5 toes! The second is of her profile. Now my mom says that from this picture she can tell that baby girl has my bone structure. I'll trust her word for it. You can also see her little nose, mouth and heart -- so cute! I'm just curious...what color will her hair be? It is a mystery!

19 Weeks

How baby girl is developing: She is approximately 9 oz. based on our ultrasound, which is right on schedule with the typical 8 1/2 oz. weight of a baby at 19 weeks -- she measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the length of a small zucchini. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine, and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. She already has 6 million eggs in her ovaries--our future grandchildren! (okay I'm a little ahead of myself!) This is a crucial time for sensory development: baby girl's brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. She may be able to hear us as we talk. Research shows that she's learning to distinguish my voice from others, and she'll soon show a preference for it.

At any moment, I feel like I'll be able to feel baby kick, but I haven't had the kick yet. I can feel things moving around and slightly uneasy at times, but not much that's distinct. I'm definitely getting bigger!

The Best (Late) Christmas Gift Ever

We had our ultrasound on December 26th at 8am and found out that we are having a little girl!!



The ultrasound was truly the most amazing thing I have ever seen. You could see baby girl so clearly! She is about 6 inches long and weighs 9 ounces now. The tech did a ton of measurements to make sure everything was growing properly (which it is) and we told her we wanted to know if it was a boy or girl. When the tech was scanning baby's nether region, I could have sworn she was going to say, "it's a boy," because of what I could see, but instead, she said, "You have yourselves a girl." I said, "WHAT?" and she repeated that it was a girl. We were in total shock. After the ultrasound was over, I asked the tech, "So how sure are you that it is a girl?" She responded that no one could ever be 100% correct, but she wouldn't have told us if she wasn't sure and she's never been told she was wrong. So we accepted the girl verdict.

When we got home, we viewed the VHS tape that the tech made us of a 3-minute segment of the ultrasound. One of the first shots is of baby girl spread eagle and there are all the tell-tale girl signs, the black V and 3 dots. She is definitely a girl! The video also shows her waving hello and sucking her thumb. It's so adorable! I've watched it at least 15 times already and could watch it 100 more. I cannot wait to meet her :-)

We are just so happy that baby girl is healthy!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all! We have had a wonderful holiday so far and it's not over! After a Christmas dinner cooked by my brother tonight, we're going home to exchange gifts with each other. Tomorrow is a family party so we'll get to see everyone in my family...many of whom haven't seen us at all since we broke the news, so it will be lots of congrats tomorrow I'm sure.
We got a great gift for baby, especially since now baby can hear....it's a children's book called "Hello, Nittany Lion!" I'll be reading book for baby many, many times! We wish everyone a very blessed Christmas and joyous new year. 2008 will be great!

18 Weeks

We've reached 18 weeks! (that was Sunday) and these pictures were taken that day. 18 weeks is the start of my 5th month...which means I am now halfway. I can't even imagine how much more my belly will grow if this is halfway! I'm sure you notice that I'm wearing maternity clothes in the pictures. That was my first day of wearing them, and I have to say it's quite comfortable. I've recently purchased a few things, and I'm sure you'll see all of them many times throughout the remainder of the pregnancy!

How baby is developing this week: Head to bottom, baby is approximately 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he or she weighs almost 7 ounces. Baby's busy flexing his or her arms and legs — movements that I'll likely start noticing more and more. The blood vessels are visible through the thin skin and the ears are now in position and stand out from baby's head. Myelin (a protective covering) is beginning to form around baby's nerves, a process that will continue for a year after baby's born. If I'm having a girl, her uterus and Fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If baby is a boy, his genitals are noticeable, though he may hide them from us during an ultrasound -- an ultrasound that will happen soon! Stay tuned :-)

Christmas Gifts for Baby!

Baby is coming into such a wonderful and loving group of family and friends! This week, he or she received two gifts, and we are so appreciative. My cousins from Ohio sent us our first Penn State gear (much more of that to come). I do know it must have been hard for them to purchase something from Penn State being that they are Ohio State fans, so baby does really appreciate it. We also got a gift from my really good friend, Vanessa. It's such a cute onesie with a teddy bear on the front. Definitely Chris's favorite...he loves teddy bears. Thank you for such thoughtful gifts :-)

Week 17

So, it's now week 17. Things are still relatively uneventful in the pregnancy life. My belly is ever-so-slowly expanding, which I know for sure since my last 2 pairs of hold-out work pants are now getting really, really tight when I button them. I feel maternity clothing is not a far off distant thing (btw, any smalls or x-smalls floating around, send them my way!). Other than that, my belly is not too big yet. I haven't felt baby really give me that kick I'm waiting for. I've felt a few tap-taps now and again though -- most recently last night in the middle of the night after I got back into bed from one of my evening pitstops to the bathroom. It made me smile at (probably) 3:30am, and there aren't many things that can make me do that. Here are the pics this week:

And how baby is developing: Baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and is around 5 inches long. Baby can move his or her joints, and the skeleton — until now rubbery cartilage — is starting to harden to bone. Baby's sense of hearing is also developing. The umbilical cord, the lifeline to the placenta, is growing stronger and thicker.

I can't believe next week I will be 5 months -- half way! It's still surreal to me -- but so very, very wonderful and exciting! Stay tuned...

Gift for Baby!

Today in the mail, we received a wonderful gift from our dear friends and their little baby girl, Esther. Unfortunately, we don't get to see them too often anymore since we left Maryland, but we love to chat with them (when we can....Esther is turning 1 on December 14th!) and hope to visit soon. Thank you so much!

Week 16

Yes, week 16 is here already! I can't believe it! Here are the most recent pictures of my ever-expanding belly. Notice in the background our first Christmas tree! It's a douglas fir and smells terrific!

I think I seem to be expanding sideways more than forward, but I'm sure that will change in the coming weeks.

How baby is growing this week: At 4 1/2 inches long (head to bottom) and 3 1/2 ounces, baby is about the size of an avocado. In the next three weeks, baby will go through a tremendous growth spurt, though, doubling weight and adding inches in length (whoa!). Baby's lower limbs are much more developed now. His or her head is more erect than it has been, and the eyes have moved toward the front of the head. Baby's ears are close to their final position, too. Some of the more advanced body systems are working, including the circulatory system and urinary tract. Baby's heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, circulating his or her total blood volume through the body many times. (By the end of this pregnancy, the blood volume will increase to about 190 quarts!) The patterning of baby's scalp has begun, though the hair isn't recognizable yet. Although closed, baby's eyes are moving (slowly) and toenails have even started growing.

A big benefit of being pregnant during the holidays....lots of great food to be had!!!

2nd Appointment & Happy Birthday Mom!

Today was our second prenatal appointment with the Midwives. We saw Ann...she is one of five midwives that we will be getting to know throughout the pregnancy. Any one of the five could be on call or working the day/night I go into labor, so they want us to know all of them beforehand. Mom and Nana came to the appointment with Chris and I so they could see the Midwife Center.

At the appointment, Ann answered a few questions I had and then we got to listen to the heartbeat! It was a little miracle! Ann said it was in the 160s and my mom shouted, "It's a girl," because (to her knowledge) typically girls have a higher heartbeat in the womb. ("Boys are lazy," she says) All these girl predictions....we'll get to see who is right soon. I have to call Allegheny General Hospital tomorrow to schedule our ultrasound.

That's about it. I'm healthy, baby is healthy -- heartbeat sounds good and I'm growing at the right rate! Yippee!

Last, but certainly not least, Happy Birthday to my Mom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

15 Weeks -- Movement!

Yet another week has passed...and this one is very exciting. I think I felt baby move today! Although I am not completely sure because I don't know exactly what it's supposed to feel like...but I'm pretty sure! And I felt it on the left side first, so Nana said that predicts a girl.

How baby is developing: Baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). He or she is busy moving amniotic fluid through their nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in the lungs begin to develop. Baby's legs are growing longer than his or her arms now, and baby can move all their joints and limbs. Although baby's eyelids are still fused shut, he or she can sense light. If I shine a flashlight at my tummy, for instance, baby's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for baby to taste at this point, but taste buds are forming as well. Keep going baby!!!!

Yet Another Forecast...

Many of the women whom I converse with on the What to Expect message boards have a little note like this on their page and I never knew where it came from until recently. I went to the website and answered all the questions. Here is what Madame Zaritska's reading says:

"Madame Zaritska, our resident clairvoyant, wants to help you prepare for the arrival of your child. Here she does her best to predict certain aspects of your labor and birth experience.
What she senses for you: The day you deliver, outside will be overcast. Your baby will arrive in the evening. After a labor lasting approximately 21 hours, your child, a girl, will be born. Your baby will weigh about 7 pounds, 4 ounces, and will be 17 inches long. This child will have green eyes and some very fine hair."

What's interesting is none of the questions pertained to my height or weight, and her prediction has the baby being shorter than normal. hmmmm....Let's hope she's wrong about the 21 hour labor though!!!!

It's a....

We'll see who's right and who's wrong!

1. Chinese Gender Prediction Calendar: It's a girl!

2. Craving salty and sour foods: It's a boy!

3. Craving sweets and fruits: It's a girl!

4. I add my age at the time of conception and the number for the month we conceived and the sum is an odd number...26+9=35...It's a girl!

5. Old Wive's Tale Boy or Girl Quiz: It's a girl!

6. Based on my age, it's more likely I'm having a boy!

7. I prefer sleeping on my right side: It's a girl!

8. My hands are soft: It's a girl!

9. Necklace swung in a circle over my palm: It's a girl!

10. Thoughts from Mom on Thanksgiving weekend...I'm getting wider: It's a girl!

I guess we'll see!

Week 14 -- Start of the 2nd Trimester!

I've made it; we've made it. It's the second trimester and I am relieved to finally be over the feelings of the 'what if' scenarios that plague possible miscarriages that occur in the first trimester. I am feeling good, but I have been since about week 9 1/2 so I have no reason to complain. Here are some pictures from yesterday, which was 14 weeks:

How baby is growing this week: Baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his or her thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, facial muscles are getting a workout as tiny features form one expression after another. The kidneys are producing urine, which is released into the amniotic fluid. Baby's stretching out -- from head to bottom, he or she measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and weighs 1 1/2 ounces. Baby's body is growing faster than his or her head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of the body. (Although the legs still have some lengthening to do.) Baby's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his or her body. Baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and the spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though I can't feel the tiny punches and kicks yet, our little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active. Hopefully I will be able to feel baby moving soon!

To humor all you out there who 'can't tell' yet, I found this cartoon. Although I think you can really tell this week...can't you?

Voting ends in a few days, so be sure to get your last ones in there on if Baby Boyle will be a boy or girl. Our next appointment is in a week and hopefully there, we'll get to schedule our ultrasound! -- and we'll definitely get to hear baby's heartbeat!

We also visited an Amish friend in Smicksburg on Black Friday who we've hired to make our nursery furniture. Chris and I are very excited about that! We ordered a crib, bookcase and double dresser. We'll have to wait until March to get it, but I'm sure it'll be well worth the wait.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Halloween Costume

My mom and sister were shopping in Delaware this weekend and picked baby up his/her first Halloween costume. Isn't it so cute!?!?!?! Chris and I just love it -- and we know baby will too! It seems very warm, which is good for Halloween's in Pittsburgh, and the hat is just too adorable. In less than a year, you'll see this costume again...but with a baby wearing it :-)

Week 13

I apologize for the delay in posting, but these are yesterday's pictures....or 13 weeks.

Developmental facts: Fingerprints have formed on baby's tiny fingertips, the veins and organs are clearly visible through the still-thin skin, and baby's body is starting to catch up with the head — which makes up just a third of baby's body size now. If I'm having a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries (who thinks girl? leave a comment!). Baby is almost 3 inches long (the size of a medium shrimp) and weighs nearly an ounce.

It's my last week of the first trimester...I'm looking forward to feeling normal again. I've started to purchase a few maternity items because my selection of pants is dropping off one-by-one!

It's Fall

Now that we have trees, we get to enjoy all the wonderful things that come along with them...like raking the leaves in the fall. We took some time this morning before the Steeler game to clean up our front yard so we could make a new slate for all the leaves still on the tree to land. We had quite a lot, filling up 5 contractor sized garbage bags. It wasn't so bad and it was good exercise. Perhaps we'll feel differently after raking for several weekends in a row! Here are a few pictures of our front yard before and after....

Week 12 -- Happy Veteran's Day!

Well, I know that some day this baby is going to show itself, and boy, do I feel bigger and bigger every day....but for some reason on Sundays, baby seems to hide so well you can't even see him or her! So, here are the pics of me today...

Developmental Tidbits: Baby is just over two inches long, about the size of a lime, and weighs half an ounce. The most dramatic development this week: Reflexes. Baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, toes will curl, eye muscles will clench, and mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, baby will squirm in response to prodding on my abdomen, although obviously I can't feel it just yet. The intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into the abdominal cavity about now, and the kidneys will begin excreting urine into the bladder. Fun Stuff!!!

In other baby news, since I am finally feeling a lot better and the food aversions aren't terribly bad (I even ate pizza today...with red sauce!), we went out to browse some baby items. We found furniture that we love, but are going to shop around to make sure we see everything. At the mall, we even strolled through BabyGap and picked up a onesie that was on clearance...Chris picked it out and I agreed that we just had to buy it.

Happy Veterans Day to all you veterans out there!!!!!!!! And happy anniversary to Maggie and Mark!!

11 Weeks

Today is 11 weeks and instead of just showing you the boring, yet-to-be-expanding stomach of mine, I decided to throw in some developmental tidbits of what's going on 'in there'. You know, in case some of you women forget and men never knew. This information is coming from a site that emails me progress each week to tell me how baby is growing. At this point, baby is just over 1 1/2 inches long, about the size of a fig, and is now almost fully formed. The hands will soon open and close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under the gums, and some of the bones are beginning to harden. Baby is already busy kicking and stretching, and the tiny movements are so effortless they look like water ballet. Exciting stuff!!

First Baby Gift

On Saturday we received a package in the mail from Aunt Carolyn and Uncle Nick in Florida. It was unexpected...and when I unwrapped the brown outer packaging and saw the baby wrapping paper, I got excited for the contents. Inside was 2 "just born"-size t-shirts with the cutest teddy bears embroidered on them and a gorgeous white blanket that says, "Shhhh Baby Sleeping." (Of course Aunt Carolyn and her crafty self made all 3 just for us!) The shirts are so tiny that, at this point, I cannot even imagine having a baby that would fit into them! These things are the first baby items we have in the house and we are so excited for what is to come!

First Appointment

Today was my first appointment with the midwife -- both Chris and I went. It was nice to finally be able to ask questions and get some professional answers. It appears so far that everything is going normally and I did measure at 10weeks. I was happy about that. However, we weren't able to pick up the baby's heartbeat yet with the Doppler, so we'll have to wait for our next appointment in a little over a month. My blood pressure was great, symptoms right on par, and nothing alarming in our history to worry about! Here's to continued uneventful, run-of-the-mill-pregnancy appointments...

Halloween Spirit

While looking through some things still in our basement, Chris and I found a bin full of cookie cutters that we had forgotten about. So, in the spirit of the upcoming holiday, we made some 'spooky' cut-out cookies. Pretty good for our first time! I have to say they look better than they taste. Now, I followed the Betty Crocker recipe for sugar cookie cut-outs. Anyone have a sweeter recipe?

10 weeks

I think I can see a bit of a change here at 10 weeks. What do you think? Anything? I wasn't particularly feeling well this day...

9 weeks

Here I am at 9 weeks:

8 weeks

The weeks continue to pass....here's me at 8 weeks. It's the day we told our families we were expecting a little one!

7 weeks

Here I am at 7 weeks. Can you tell a difference?

6 weeks

Since we found out, Chris has been taking a picture of my belly each week. Here I am at 6 weeks:

Furry Babies

And just so no one forgets who our first and furriest babies are....That's our little diva Lilly to the left and laid back Felix on the right. They are excited for the new baby too!

The Great Race

I first suspected something was up on the Tuesday before Pittsburgh's Great Race (which both Chris and I had been training for). So, even after we learned the good news, we both ran and completed in 'great' time. I calculated that I was 6 weeks that day. Besides feeling nauseaus the entire race, I was fine! Here is a picture which was displayed on the Pittsburgh Post Gazette website. I had organized a team that ran with Mercurio's Mulberry Creamery t-shirts. I was "Spumoni" and Chris was "Stracciatella."

And the verdict is......

We're having a baby!

In order to involve our loved ones who cannot be with us each and every day, week or month to share in our joy, we have decided to start a Baby Blog to commemorate all the important milestones we are going through and so much more. We hope you enjoy it! Please feel free to check back with us often and leave comments....we love to know what you're thinking too!