Biggerness

We just had our monthly check-up appointment at the doctor's office. Everything seems to be progressing normally. Jimi's heart rate has slowed a little from 150 bpm to 140 bpm. I'm measuring a little big already, 27 weeks.... and I'm 26 weeks. I have a feeling he's going to be a big boy. My belly button has been sticking out for over a month now.

We got to schedule the rest of our appointments for the duration of the pregnancy... including one after my due date (just in case), James is really hoping it doesn't go that far though.

James' last day of school is tomorrow. He's more than excited to be done with his first year of teaching.

24 Weeks

I can't believe how fast time is flying by. I'm already at 24 weeks. It seems like not long ago I was only 12 weeks and wishing that I looked pregnant to other people.... now I don't think there is any doubt about whether or not I'm pregnant or just packing on the pounds...

I was pushing forwarded a little bit.... but not much. James really needs to stop taking these at an upward angle. Not flattering.

Everything is still going well. Usually Jimi (we're still working on deciding on a nickname) waits until I'm awake to start kicking. However, last night I was jolted awake by a series of kicks to the ribs from 3am-4am. That combined with multiple trips to the bathroom has left me quite tired. I'm not sure why everyone says it's just getting me ready for when the baby is born..... shouldn't I be getting rest now for when the baby is born? Oh well, I know I will survive. Thank goodness for naps.

James and I went to Folklife for the first time over memorial day weekend. It seemed to be just like Bite of Seattle but with a lot more hippies. We had a good time and the rain managed to hold off the entire time we were there.

We found this awesome hat while we were there. I think James should have gotten it.

CPC

About a week after our last ultrasound appointment we learned that the baby had a very small cyst, called a Choroid Plexus Cyst, on his brain. This cyst does not affect development or thinking and is not dangerous (it is just a small build up of fluid). They also usually disappear on their own before birth. It's thought that 1-3% of all fetuses have one or more of these.

The problem is that CPC's are considered soft markers for genetic disorders Trisomy 18 and rarely Trisomy 21 (Downs Syndrome). About 1% of fetuses with CPC are found to have either T-18 or a few have T-21. Most of those fetuses have more than one soft marker for the disorder.

Our doctor informed us that everything else with baby James looked normal (they did not see any other markers) and there was no reason to be concerned about him having one of these genetic disorders.  Especially since we have already undergone genetic screening and our risk of developing one of these was deemed extremely low.

We're trying to stay positive, as our doctor doesn't feel there is any need to be alarmed but we would appreciate it if you could keep baby James in your thoughts and prayers. We won't know if for sure that he does not have one of these genetic disorders until he is born.

On a lighter note, James and I went to two Mariners games last week. Unfortunately, they lost both games. We have tickets for another game in June. Hopefully the team is able to get it together before then.

James and I after one of the games

And me at 22 weeks

Also, baby James has started kicking up a storm in the last week. His kicks went from just barely being able to feel them from the outside to moving my whole belly almost over night. It's exciting to feel how strong he's getting, although my ribs aren't so thankful.

Half Way!

We have officially reached the 20 week mark! I really hope the second half of the pregnancy will go as well as the first half.

I can't believe how big my baby bump as gotten in the last several weeks. I have a feeling James is going to be a big baby.

My first Mother's Day was great (and probably much quieter than it will be next year). James made me breakfast and took me to Starbucks. We then headed over to Babies R' US to start our registry.

It only took a little convincing to get James to try on the baby carrier.

We finished the day by having a nice bbq dinner at James' mom's house.

In other news, James had his spring band concert at the high school last week. The kids sounded great! You could definitely tell how much they have improved since the beginning of the year.

Oh BOY!

It's a boy! After our mid-pregnancy ultrasound we were delighted to find out that we're having a boy. I wasn't too surprised, as I had a feeling all along that it was going to be a boy. Needless to say James is ecstatic. I can't wait to start shopping and planning for the nursery.

The doctor said that everything looked great so far with the baby's growth and development. We are going to name him James Theodore, which is my grandfather's name.

I'll spare everyone from the picture showing us the gender. Instead here is a picture of James relaxing with a glass of wine... while wearing my snuggie.

Aloha!

About two weeks ago I went to Maui to be a bridesmaid in a friend's wedding. This was my second trip to Maui and I absolutely love it there! The weather wasn't as nice as it could have been, but it was still beautiful there.

My bridesmaid dress just barely fit!

After returning to work for a week the company I worked for relocated to CA. So now I'll be enjoying some time off relaxing at home while I look for another job.

My belly bump at 18 weeks.

We should be finding out the sex of the baby in a couple of weeks!

It's a human

We had another ultrasound and learned that the baby was farther along than they had thought... which currently puts us at 15 weeks along.

I was excited to see that the baby had progressed from a pork chop shape to more of a human form...

James thought it was cool we could see the baby's brain.

We won't have another ultrasound until May when we'll be able to find out the sex of the baby.

On other news I went to Virginia and South Carolina for my step-sister's wedding and had a great time catching up with family.