Anatomy Scan update!

Today we had our anatomy scan! This is the second (first was at 8.5 weeks) and supposedly final ultrasound for us, so it was really exciting to see our little one and how much he's grown.

First (important) things first... we have a normal, healthy little baby!

Smiling for the "camera"

I'm not usually excited about being "average" but in this case, I'm thrilled! We got a full view of Baby T while the tech measured head, arms, legs, heart, kidneys, spine... everything just as it should be. Saw the little heart beating away at 148 bpm and the tech estimated his weight around 10oz (babies are usually 8-15oz at this stage).

Profile with arm stretched overhead

Lower leg and a foot

Little foot and little toes

3D ultrasound - got those fists up!

Bashful little babe

Maybe trying to suck his thumb

Yawn!

The scan took about 30 minutes total and then got to meet with the Dr. who reviewed our results (took him about 2 minutes to go "looks great!" and send us on our way).

And finally... I know you're all wondering "What is it?!?"

Well, sorry - we decided to go Team Green with our little one. We won't know until the big day comes! So "he" will remain Cletus the Fetus for now, and will wear green, yellow, pink, blue, and any other colors however things turn out.

20 weeks - halfway!!

We officially have a half-baked baby... so crazy that time is flying by!

We had a great long weekend in California (LA area). Visited with a great group of friends who were on the trip to Belize where we got engaged 2 years ago, and got to see Tamara & Aaron who moved out there last year.

Scott and I ran a 10k race on Saturday morning at Huntington Beach, then spent the rest of the morning biking up and down the coast on rented beach cruisers.

Sunrise on the beach

We won (tied!) 3rd place in the 10k

Beach cruisers in the sunshine

On Sunday we hiked in the Hollywood hills and visited the Griffith Observatory.

See the tiny Hollywood sign behind us??

Just an all-around great trip and wonderful to relax in the West Coast sunshine! :)

Canals in Venice Beach

Venice Beach skate park

Friends at dinner

And here's the 20 week bump photo!

Still feeling great and so excited for our anatomy scan on Friday!!

Edited to add: I forgot one of the fun things from this week... right before we headed to the airport on Monday night, we were visiting with some friends and watching television. I felt Cletus flip-flopping around, so I got Scott to put his hand on my stomach, and he was finally able to feel a little kick!! Just one little *bump* but he definitely felt it... really exciting for both of us :)

19 Weeks & Appointment #4

Time is still flying by - Baby T is almost half-baked!

Photos from this weekend... first is before bike riding on Saturday:

Cycling clothes = not very forgiving!

 Second is from Sunday wearing my new favorite style - poncho sweater! Mom got me this one for Christmas and it is so comfy and cozy (thanks Mom!).

I might have worn this sweater 3 days in a row... 

Had a check-up with the midwives on Monday, Jan 12th - just a quick visit to see how things were going and to listen to the heartbeat. Found the strong 150bpm heartbeat right away, though Cletus kept kicking at the doppler causing a little "bloop!" sound. I think he likes barbershop music, too, because he was flip-flopping around as I was singing at rehearsal on Monday night.

Other than that, not much to report. Feeling pretty normal these days, just watching my waistline expand! Heading to California this weekend for the long MLK Day holiday - Scott is out there at a work conference for the week, so we're making it into a little vacation. Looking forward to some warm weather, though not terribly excited about the long flight. Need to pack my compression socks!

18 Weeks - Happy New Year!

Wow, time is flying by!

By the way, that is an UGLY sweet potato. Surely they could have found a better looking one.

Anyway, still feeling good this week! Got in a run of almost 10 miles on New Year's Eve, part of which I was joined by a couple of friends on the Swamp Rabbit Trail. Then Scott and I had a fun New Year up at Oskar Blues Brewery in Brevard, NC and started off 2015 with a New Year's Day hike in Pisgah.

The Davidson River

Selfie in the rhododendron tunnels

Pretty forest in the winter

Cold morning - icicles!

Sun's coming out and warming things up a little!

Brunch at the bike farm!

Delicious brunch: sweet potato hash with kale, eggs, feta, and Old Chub sausage and Beignets with Ten Fidy caramel sauce!

Some sweet bluegrass music to accompany brunch

All-in-all, it was a great way to end 2014 and start off 2015!

Sunday evening we hosted our neighbors for a nice French-themed dinner of roasted pork loin, cauliflower au gratin, and dessert of chocolate souffle made by moi! Turned out great and was fun to have a relaxing evening at home.

Post-dinner photo always makes the bump appear larger.

Work this week (currently Wednesday) has been tough to get back into the routine, but I do feel better being on a normal eating and exercising schedule.

Got to tell the happy news to Nancy (director) and Jeri (section teacher) at chorus rehearsal on Monday night. So fun to share the excitement!

17 Weeks

Ooops, missed a week!

Week 16 was an avocado. Baby has also developed the beginnings of eardrums, so can now hear us!

I think you could say I've "popped" this week... although I still think it's mostly the holiday eating that has put me over the edge.

We saw lots of family and got to share our news, which was exciting. Was great to visit with all the extended family in Florida, and then have some time in Charlotte, but boy I'm glad to have some time at home coming up. Also ready to get back on a regular eating/exercising/sleeping schedule!

Appointment #3

Had our first visit with the midwives today (3rd appointment overall). It was mostly an introductory appointment where they answered a lot of questions and just got to know us (Scott was invited and attended as well). I'd already had my general physical checkup done at the previous (~12 week) OB visit, so they didn't need to do anything extra. We got to hear the sweet little heartbeat, too! Apparently the little one was squirmy because he kept evading the doppler wand where the midwife was aiming it. Eventually she got him to sit still and we heard a nice strong beat at 155bpm! Again, couldn't stop grinning. :)

We've decided we're going to be less careful now about people finding out. We still aren't making a huge announcement but won't deny it if someone dares to ask! I also told Scott it was fine to bring up in conversation if it made for a good comedic moment. ;)

It's probably a good thing we aren't trying to hide... because there's not going to be a way to hide this bump for much longer!!

Another sneaky work bathroom selfie.

Also - I must sing the praises of BELLA BANDS!!! And don't bother with the off-brand or basic version... just get the real deal. It is SO worth it. They smooth and cover awkwardly unzipped/unbuttoned pants and hold them in place with the nice silicone gripper around the bottom. I got mine in the mail on Monday night and cannot stop raving about them. No more uncomfortably buttoned pants! I'm freeeeeeeeee. :D

15 weeks (a day late)

So technically today is 15 + 1, but I was busy yesterday and didn't get a chance to do a photo or update.

I took a sneaky (blurry) work bathroom pic today:

By the way, my pants are completely unbuttoned/unzipped today. Just did not even attempt it. My bella bands are supposed to arrive tomorrow - halleluia!!!!!

Slowly but surely, more of the world is finding out the news. We told some more people at work last week, and I found out that one of my good friends is expecting about 2 months after I am!!! We had discussed over the summer that we were both about ready to start trying for kids, and talked about how awesome it would be if we had them close together. SO EXCITED!

I have been feeling pretty good as far as energy goes, except I guess too many late nights caught up to me yesterday and instead of going for a run like I'd planned, I zonked out on the couch for 2 hours. I did get to ride 32 miles on the bike with Scott on Saturday, which was a great accomplishment! It was definitely sloowwwww (~12.5 mph average) but it's the longest distance since the metric back in October (at 6 weeks) so I'm counting it as a positive achievement.

I'm really anxious/excited for my appointment on Wednesday. It's the first one with the midwives, and Scott gets to attend with me. I'm very very eager to hear the little heartbeat again! If all goes well, I plan to stop trying to hide the blump/bump and will just let people gradually find out. We've been signing our Christmas cards to distant friends as "Beth, Scott, and Baby Trenor (est. arrival June 2015)" - we figure it's a cute, subtle way to let people know! :)

I'm just SO ready to stop hiding it already. I am ready to rock this little bump!