Our twelfth week of pregnancy may have been the best one yet. On Monday we found out that Jef was offered an amazing new job that has great benefits for us and the baby. We couldn't be more excited about it. Then on Friday we had our First Trimester Screening where they combined the results of an ultrasound and blood work to test our risk for certain chromosomal defects. During the ultrasound, they explained the fluid on the back of the baby's neck should measure 3 cm or less and our baby's was 1.7 cm! So we were super excited. The tech also kept saying how great everything looked and how healthy the baby seemed to be. We are still waiting on the results of our blood work but we won't get those back for at least a week. This ultrasound was the best one yet because our baby finally looks human! The second she put the probe up to my belly, you immediately saw the baby kick and squirm and move it's arms and hands. It was the most amazing moment ever. Just to know that's OUR baby and it's living inside of me is so crazy. 

We also saw the heartbeat at a quick 184 bpm. I'm looking forward to our normal 12 week appt (which will actually be in our 13 week due to our schedule) so that we can finally hear the heartbeat! I'm also dying to know the gender, even though it's most likely too early to tell. I really don't care what we have, because eventually I'd like to have at least one of each, but I just want to know! That way I can finally do some shopping and get started on the nursery. 

And so, my 12 week pic...it's in black and white because I really didn't match the board in any shape or form so that really bothered me.

So here I am at 11 weeks pregnant...cannot believe it. Every day it's sinking in more and more than I actually have a little tiny baby growing inside of me. This week I thought I was feeling better because a lot of my nausea has subsided however these past few days I have been blessed with killer headaches and some sort of weird gross feeling that I believe is either heartburn or acid reflux. Joy! But, I'm keeping my eye on the prize. 

In other news we had our anatomy scan scheduled for April 2, which is when we would find out the gender of Baby N, but the doctor's office called today saying the doctor will not be in on April 2, so could we reschedule to March 29, and I was like OH YEAH WE CAN! It seems like an eternity to wait but I know it will come up quick, especially because we have a 10 day vaca to the Florida Keys between now and then to look forward to. So as I daydream about the sun and sandy beaches, I'll leave you with this little tropical vacation inspired board!

TEN weeks! I feel like it's crazy how fast these last few weeks have gone. Every Sunday I get so pumped to hit a new week in my pregnancy. Everything with the baby and my body is changing so quickly and I love it. Well, I don't love that my jeans don't fit comfortably, or that my boobs are currently larger than my head, but I love knowing this little human inside of me is actually becoming a real baby. 

This past week we had to decide whether or not we wanted to do the first trimester screening. This is a blood test combined with an ultrasound that identifies the risk of a few chromosomal abnormalities such as Down Syndrome and Trisomy 18. Part of me was like, why stress about something you aren't able to change or prevent? But then the other part of me wants to stay educated and up-to-date on everything going on with the baby. So I scheduled the appointment for the middle of February and we will pray that everything goes well. 

In other news, this is the week when normal people start to show, so I'm pretty pumped to get to this point because I've been showing for like 4 weeks. I finally feel like my bump is because my uterus is actually getting bigger and the baby is becoming a human rather than an accumulation of all bloating and the puppy chow I've been eating. 

And so...my 10 week chalkboard...

I'm a week or so behind in blogging so I tonight I'm recapping my 9th week of pregnancy. I was pretty excited to learn my baby was as big as a green olive. As soon as I thought about green olives, I thought about martinis, which made me think of vodka, which made me remember how much I miss lemon drops...and margaritas...and 7 & 7's. I've never been a huge drinker but I definitely enjoy a few casual drinks on the weekends, during fun events, or a crazy night out every once and awhile. That being said, I didn't think not drinking during my pregnancy would be that big of a deal. Boy was I wrong. I am struggling. Like big time. I don't know if it's because I know I can't have it, or if I really just miss all of the tastiness, but my lord. Jef is really less than helpful because he claims he is now drinking for two. So I'm coping by sippin' on my little homemade concoction of Diet 7Up with a splash of Simply Raspberry Lemonade...so bomb!
It reminds me of a little spritzer, minus the spritz. 

So this week's chalkboard is inspired by my longing for a little deliciousness.