It's a girl!!!!

February 29, 2008

We had our 20th week ultrasound last week and it was amazing. Even though it was a bit tough to see, because the umbilical cord was right between the baby's legs, the nurse and the doctor determined that they were at least 90% sure it was a girl.

Here is her first picture!!

We quickly determined that she's got my nose, with a tip that points a bit upwards. She was extremely active during the ultrasound, and she was kicking L's bladder the whole time :). Definitely a soccer player in the making. We didn't get a new height/length measurement, but the estimated weight is 11.65 oz/330 grams.

The results from L's blood work also came back negative. No signs of Down syndrome or other irregularities. So far, she's looking pretty healthy. The heart beat is steadily falling, and is now down to 152 beats/minute.

With the sex revealed, we felt that we were ready to take on Babies 'R Us, and the whole baby shower registry ordeal. So, last Sunday we manned up and went to the store. Luckily, one of our friends who has been through this once before, agreed to help us. She was such a blessing. With her help we managed to get most of the registry done in just over 2 1/2 hours. Without her, we would still be standing in the bottle aisle trying to decide which bottle to choose, and what nipple to put on it. :)

The last week also created a moment of stress (what's new, right). Monday night L discovered some brown spotting, and that freaked her out of course. There was not a whole lot anyone could do on Monday, so on Tuesday they had L come in to the Labor and Delivery unit to make sure everything was alright and that her cervix hadn't opened. Everything was fine, but they still sent L home to take it easy for a day and a half, and on Wednesday the spotting was gone. At our OB/GYN appointment that Wednesday the OB/GYN asked why L is so worried, since everything is looking great. She refers to L as her "patient that is always expecting to get bad news".

So, all in all, a couple of exciting weeks. The doctors couldn't see Peanut's heart clearly on the ultrasound, so we get to go back in for another one in a couple of weeks. We'll try to get some more pictures of our little girl then.

We haven't fallen off the planet - yet

February 6, 2008.

It's been a long time guys. January is always busy with work, travelling to trade shows and sales meetings etc. But, now I have some time to update the blog, and to let you know what is happening in our world.

As I mentioned above, I do a fair amount of travelling in January. So, it was great for L and I that her mother came out and spent almost a week with L, while I was away. It seems they both enjoyed the time together, and I think L's mom was excited to go shopping for maternity clothes, looking at cribs and strollers, and last, but certainly not least, get to go to an OB/GYN appointment with L.

Yes, we had an OB/GYN appointment last week. Unfortunately I didn't get to go, as I was sitting on a plane from San Fransisco, while they were listening for heart beats. The baby's heart rate was down to 160 beats/minute, which is exactly where it's supposed to be, according to the OB/GYN. They did blood work, and a weigh in as well. L's weight gain was right on track with what is expected at this stage.

We had to wait 48 hours for most of the results of the blood work, and 10 days for the test results for the Down's syndrome indicator test. They told us that they wouldn't call us unless something was wrong, so we're hoping that the phone will stay silent.

As I mentioned, we've started looking for cribs, strollers and other baby related furniture. We've been searching the web trying to find websites that can give us some good information about what features to look for, potential safety problems, what brand delivers good quality etc, but we really have not found anthing comprehensive. I signed up for ConsumerReports.org, but their reviews were old, and most of what they rated there was no longer available. So, not very helpful. I guess we'll just have to go to a lot of stores and "test" it out ourselves. We may have to buy a "lifesize" doll, fill it with water (and seal the hole), and simulate lifting the baby out of the crib etc. L is pretty short, so it can get a bit tough for her to lift the baby up when the bottom of the crib is at the lowest setting.

In another couple of weeks we're going in for the 1 hour ultrasound, where they will measure just about everything there is to measure, as far as I can tell from what L is telling me. We're excited to get a visual image of the little person that is growing inside of L. It's strange to go for so long with "nothing" happening, when you start of the pregnancy with all the blood tests and ultrasounds that we had. You get restless, constantly wanting to know more.

I will try to do a better job of updating the blog. I know this is a way for a lot of you to keep track of what is happening in our lives.


Take care.


Erik

End of 1st Trimester!!!!!

January 4, 2008.

First of all, a Happy New Year to all!!!!!

Christmas, with all it's decorations and scents, are slowly sneaking their way out the door. Sunday is 13th day Christmas, and that's when everything is supposed to be cleaned out. This is an old tradition from Norway that goes back hundreds of years when they used to have the Jule-log which burned for 12 days. Hence, the 12 days of Christmas. I bet you didn't know that!

L and I went to her family for Christmas, and Christmas Day was the day of the big family gathering. L's mother was just dying to have us tell everybody so that she could talk the rest of the family about how excited she was to become a grandmother for the first time. It was funny, she was like a little kid waiting to open her presents.

In the evening of Christmas Day, L and I had a momentus occasion. We set the last shot of progesterone. We were both happy it was over. L mainly because of the pain and stress of making sure we were in a place where we could set the shot every night at 10PM CST. I because of the fear of doing it "wrong" and hurting L. But, I have to say that it was something that made me feel like I was part of this whole "process". Once the last shot was done, all I am left to do is to try to "know it all", comfort L when she's concerned, and give good advice when we're going maternity shopping.

With the new year came our second visit the the OB/GYN (gynekolog in Norwegian). In the last week or so, L has felt like her belly got smaller, and she was freaking out a bit over it. So, it was a great feeling to hear Peanut's heartbeat when they put the Doppler probe on L's belly. And it wasn't like she had to look around for it either. It was there, right away. The little one has a heartbeat of about 170 beats per minute, and it is expected to start dropping slowly but surely down to 120 to 160 beats per minute.

The OB/GYN attributed the reduction in L's belly size to the fact that the ovaries are becoming smaller at this point. Remember, they used to be the size of grapefruits. And then her body thought that there were three little ones in there for a long time, too.

Alright, we're off to the theater. L got me tickets to "The Phantom of the Opera". We've both seen it before, but we're excited to see it again. Great story, and great music.

Again, I wish all of you a Happy New Year. May it be a great one for all of us.