12 Weeks

We made it. We are officially through our first trimester. We can finally make our little secret known! Our doctor's appointment went great. We had the nuchal translucency test today in order to determine the likelihood of down syndrome. At this point our baby looks to be healthy. The little one was moving around like crazy today. It was jumping all around inside my tummy. At one point the baby looked like it was waving to us. Trey and I were able to watch the baby for about 30 minutes. We were very entertained.

I've gained 5lbs so far. They say this about average. I've started feeling better and have been able to get back in the gym. Hopefully I can keep up some type of exercise routine throughout the pregnancy. I've just about outgrown my clothes. I guess it's about time to venture into the maternity section.

Today was the first time I had a premonition about the sex of the baby. I just had this feeling it is gonna be a boy. I've been drawn to boy bedding, clothes, ect. I could be completely wrong but at this point I think it is a boy. Trey still believes we are having a girl! Only time will tell. We may be able to find out in a couple weeks.

Here a look at what's going on with the baby this week:

Pregnancy Week 12...

How your baby's growing:The most dramatic development this week: reflexes. Your baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, his toes will curl, his eye muscles will clench, and his mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if you prod your abdomen, your baby will squirm in response, although you won't be able to feel it (WE WERE ACTUALLY ABLE TO DO THIS TODAY DURING THE ULTRASOUND AND THE BABY MOVED AROUND AS I PRESSED ON MY STOMACH). His intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into his abdominal cavity about now, and his kidneys will begin excreting urine into his bladder.Meanwhile, nerve cells are multiplying rapidly, and in your baby's brain, synapses are forming furiously. His face looks unquestionably human: His eyes have moved from the sides to the front of his head, and his ears are right where they should be. From crown to rump, your baby-to-be is just over 2 inches long (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce.

11 WEEKS

Today marks 11 weeks! It has been an eventful week. We went to Snowshoe, WV to celebrate Lee's 21st Birthday! The conditions were amazing. Needless to say it was difficult to sit in the condo and be lazy. I know this is a small price to pay to ensure the little one is tucked away safe in my belly!

The nausea is subsiding and I'm starting to feel much better. The only issue I'm having now is extreme exhaustion. It literally takes all my energy to shower in the morning. I feel like I need a nap after most activities. However, I have started to get back in the gym. Obviously my workouts are much less intense. I spend most of my energy making sure my heart rate doesn't get above 140. This is so hard to do! I've started swimming and have checked into Pilates classes. My days of kickboxing and heavy cardio are over (at least for now).

We found out that we may be able to determine the sex on Feb. 9th depending on the position of the baby. My doctor has a 3d ultrasound machine which enables the sonographer to determine the sex much earlier! I can't believe we may be able to find out that soon!!

Needless to say Trey and I have had a lot of changes these past few months. We have a baby on the way and he has just taken a new job as the Knoxville/Chattanooga medical sales representative for ConMed Linvatec. I have a feeling this is the beginning of a chaotic life. We can kiss our long Saturday and Sunday afternoon napping sessions goodbye!

Here's a look at what's going on with the baby in week 11:

Your baby, just over 1 1/2 inches long and about the size of a fig, is now almost fully formed. Her hands will soon open and close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under her gums, and some of her bones are beginning to harden.She's already busy kicking and stretching, and her tiny movements are so effortless they look like water ballet. These movements will become more frequent as her body grows and becomes more developed and functional. You won't feel your baby's acrobatics for another month or two — nor will you notice the hiccupping that may be happening now that her diaphragm is forming.

Moving Right Along...

Yesterday marked our last appointment in the first trimester. Everything went very well. I had a full blood panel and ultrasound done. We should have the blood results back next week. Let's hope for great results. I've gained 3 pounds so far. I think they have the scales wrong because I feel like I've gained at least 10 pounds! The little one was moving around like crazy during the ultrasound. We were amazed that we could sit and watch as the baby danced around in my tummy. Trey thinks we're gonna have a little ballerina. I'm getting anxious to know if we will be having a girl or boy!

The doctor finally gave me a prescription for nausea. Hopefully this will help reduce my days of feeling like I've been hit by a bus. I'm ready for just an ounce of energy to return. I'm not used to being so tired. We have decided to wait another couple weeks before spreading the good news. I'm about ready to burst. It's so hard to keep this a secret. Luckily we are almost out of the risky period.

Here's a look at what's going on with the baby at 9 weeks:

How your baby's growing:Your new resident is nearly an inch long — about the size of a grape — and weighs just a fraction of an ounce. She's starting to look more and more human. Her essential body parts are accounted for, though they'll go through plenty of fine-tuning in the coming months. Other changes abound: Your baby's heart finishes dividing into four chambers, and the valves start to form — as do her tiny teeth. The embryonic "tail" is completely gone. Your baby's organs, muscles, and nerves are kicking into gear. The external sex organs are there but won't be distinguishable as male or female for another few weeks. Her eyes are fully formed, but her eyelids are fused shut and won't open until 27 weeks. She has tiny earlobes, and her mouth, nose, and nostrils are more distinct. The placenta is developed enough now to take over most of the critical job of producing hormones. Now that your baby's basic physiology is in place, she's poised for rapid weight gain.