Kicker

At 18 weeks, 6 days, Michael and I finally felt TBD move!  Woo hoo!  

I've thought that I have felt some movement in there over the past few weeks, but I have always been able to also blame that on gas.  Not yesterday!  I felt a little jab deep inside and no flatulence followed.  I told Michael to come quick, and he was able to feel a little movement, too!  I so wanted Michael to feel TBD kick before he left and I had just about given up hope, but TBD didn't disappoint.  I felt a few movements today, too.  I have to admit, fetal movement is one of the best parts of pregnancy.  The movement also makes the pregnancy that much more real.  :)  

I've also decided to post a belly photo.  Please be prepared that my belly is not cute and round, it is two fat rolls being pushed out by a cute baby belly deep inside.  Oh well, this is my body type and all I can do is embrace it.  So bring on the fat-rolls-baby-belly!  :)  

18 weeks, 6 days

P.S.- You can thank my sister, or Tia (to TBD), for this belly shot.  She gave me a guilt trip about how second kids always get screwed out of things and that if TBD is a girl she will be especially mad since her baby book will be lacking her mama's belly photos.  

Shy, Shy, Shy

We went in yesterday for my 18-week checkup and to, hopefully, find out the sex of TBD.  Well, I think TBD likes the name TBD, because he/she kept those legs so tightly closed that its sex could not be determined!  The doc searched for about five minutes with no luck.  (Michael swears he saw a penis, but I think he was imagining it)!  However, the babe does look good so far and everything is where it is supposed to be.  TBD was super active, too.  The doc even commented on how active the baby was.  The doc is only making us wait 1-2 weeks until our next appointment and to perform the 20-week ultrasound.

The rest of the appointment went well, especially since it was super short!  I haven't gained any weight, but the doc didn't say anything good or bad about that.  We also told the doc that I am going to North Carolina to have the baby and we wanted to make the journey when I am about 32 weeks pregnant.  She said that is completely cool!  Woohoo!

The receptionist originally set us up for our next appointment around March 1st, but when I told her that Michael is deploying at the end of February, she was able to pull some strings and get us an appointment for the day before Michael leaves!!   Keep your fingers crossed that TBD is way more open that day so Michael can be there to find out the sex.  If TBD keeps up this shy game, he/she may just have the name TBD until its debut in July!

16 Weeks

Not too much to report on TBD this week, which is a good thing!  I'm feeling good, trying to eat healthier (with some bad food thrown in there every once in awhile), and exercising.  TBD should look like the photo above.  

I did go get the quad blood screening test done this week.  This was just a blood draw from my arm.  This tests TBD for signs of abnormalities, such as Down's Syndrome and Spina Bifida.  Unfortunately, this test is not 100% accurate, so even if the test comes back positive (or negative), the baby could still have one of these abnormalities.  

My doctor actually offers a first trimester ultrasound and blood work that tests for genetic abnormalities.  I was supposed to get this testing done, but my insurance company is being a super big douche bag, so we missed the window to get it done.  Oh well, no harm, no foul, right?  Just seriously annoyed us.  We did learn one thing from this experience, though, not to take anything for granted when it comes to the insurance.  I've actually already contacted our insurance company about us living and delivering the baby in NC this summer.  Even though I have an email from them stating what I need to do, I'm still going to the local office and talk to them closer to our departure date.  I don't want to get all of the way across the country and the insurance company throws some kind of wrench in our plans!  

Other than all of that, things are progressing well.  I have not gained any weight at all.  I can't really tell if my belly is protruding yet because of all these fat rolls in the way.  I can still wear my jeans, but the waist is really tight.  So, I guess, my belly has popped a little, huh?  We go in two weeks to our next appointment and to, hopefully, find out the sex of TBD.  Keep your fingers crossed!