23 Weeks

So another doctors appointment on Monday the 14th.... I used to look so forward to going to these just to hear the baby's heartbeat; now after seeing her, nothing compares! Don't get me wrong, it is nice to hear her heartbeat, but not the same as getting to see her. Chuck came with me this time, and we waited for about a half hour, not too shabby. Then the usual: pee and weigh. So far I have gained 15 pounds which is right in the normal range for being 23 weeks, so I guess I can't complain.

The baby's heartbeat was 140 bpm. It seems to be getting slower and slower as time goes on, but the nurse said this is completely normal. The doctor came in and read us the results from our 20 week ultrasound. She said they received "sub-optimal views of the spine and 4 chamber heart" due to the way the baby was positioned at the time of the ultrasound. She said everything else looked perfect. With the "sub-optimal" views, she said they can't rule out spina bifida or heart disease, but because everything else looks normal she is not worried, but said if we want to we can have another ultrasound done just to make sure. I was completely fine with this for two reasons: most importantly I want to make sure she is healthy, and secondly, I would LOVE to see her again! The doctor said the baby at 20 weeks was in the 37th percentile for weight. She is a little one so far... I called the hospital and have another ultrasound scheduled for the 23rd of December. I also received lab orders to have a blood glucose test done to check for anemia and gestational diabetes. This is common procedure around 26 weeks. I am not sure when I am going to get that done yet; I still have some time.

I have really been noticing my belly getting bigger lately. Maybe I will attach a new picture at the end of this blog entry... Hmmm. The baby has been moving a ton! She is so active, which I love. There was one day where I hardly felt her and it was one of the worst days of my life! I was downing juice and chocolate trying to get her to move. I didn't end up feeling her until the next morning.

Oh! I finally purchased her bedding!!! I absolutely LOVE it. I got it from The Land of Nod outlet for 40% off! We got the comforter, sheet, and bumper for $113! I was seriously on cloud 9 walking out of the store.

Chuck and I have started designing the nursery! Chuck drew up this awesome 3D sketch of the room with the furniture we want in there and the paint scheme we will have on the wall. I am so excited to get started on her room! It is going to look amazing! I think we are going to start the paining this weekend! YAY! Just another step to making it all feel so real.... In less than 4 short months, we are going to have a daughter!!! We are so blessed!



Belly at 23 Weeks!



Yay for baby bedding!!!




Outside of a cupcake we used to tell our familes "It's a girl" on Thanksgiving. The frosting looks pink, but it is actually brown.




Inside of cupcake with pink frosting filling.