Time is flying! I can't believe I'll be 20 weeks on Friday! Today was the "big ultrasound day"...the only difference this time around was we were hoping and praying for a healthy baby and not at all concerned about the gender!
First, here is my 19 1/2 week shot. Forgive my look. Its at the end of the night, Tyler is in bed and I'm ready for bed myself but I didn't want to let the night pass without a belly shot.For my belly over-analyzers, I recognize it is a bit far away. My apologies. This will have to do.
Matt and I went to the ultrasound appointment today. I didn't get nervous about the appointment until I started driving there. Then, of course, the self doubt started...what if there is no heartbeat? What if something is wrong? As I checked in for my appointment, the receptionist kindly said, "I can't believe you are almost 20 weeks. You look way too small to be 20 weeks! Wow, there is no way you are 20 weeks." While I'm sure she meant it to be a compliment, it sent me further into self doubt. To top it off...I was called back for the ultrasound by none other than the very first ultrasound tech I had that informed me of my miscarriage with baby #1...
When we got into the room, we immediately told the ultrasound tech that we had two requests. 1) Please tell us as soon as you see a heart beat. 2) We do not want have chosen not to find out the gender of our child and did not want it documented anywhere in the medical chart. Of course, she agreed to both of those.
Anyways, all of my thoughts were quickly put to rest when we saw a normal heartbeat (140's) and this baby:
We got a some nice shots of the baby's arm/hand and saw 10 fingers and 10 toes.
Here are the 3-D versions. I know they can seem a bit alien like, but I like that we can see the baby's face. The baby is pretty flexible and enjoyed putting the hands/feet over the face on multiple occasions!
Everything looks good with Baby Farrell. There was one part of the ultrasound that the technician was not able to finalize related to the placenta. The technician thinks she saw what she needed to but wants to be certain so I'll have another ultrasound in about four weeks. My physician wasn't worried about it but said it would be nice to be able to confirm all aspects of the ultrasound and we totally agree. I've gained five pounds or so. He said I can stand to put on a few more pounds, although I'm sure that will come quickly and without warning! I also need to work on staying a bit more hydrated so I'll be working on that also.
All in all, I'm feeling pretty good. If I had to take a guess at the cravings I'm having, I would name them in no particular order: cucumbers with ranch, salad, strawberries/blueberries and smoothies. I'm a big fan of cold things (and remember being this way when I was pregnant with Tyler). I think I'm finally past the food aversions (which only took about 18 weeks!) so that is good...although I'm still not at all interested in spaghetti which has been my all time favorite food so I'm not sure what is going on with that! I've been having a bit more energy and swam 40 laps in the pool tonight!
In closing, our decision to wait and find out the gender of our child is a completely personal decision (as I've come to learn are most things that have to do with parenting). Our decision has nothing to do with anyone else and everything to do with what Matt and I want to do! Did we go back and forth about it? Sure. Were there last minute debates this morning? Sure. Am I totally going against my need for planning and control? Sure. Have I found ways around that ie: planning to buy two of most things ie: girl receiving blankets/boy receiving blankets, girl going home outfit, boy going home outfit? Sure :)
Some people choose to find out the gender of their child at the time of their 20 week ultrasound which is absolutely perfect...we are just choosing to find out on the birth day of our child...and personally, I can't WAIT for that moment!!
