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Saturday, June 28, 2008

Halfway there!

Well folks, I'm officially halfway through my pregnancy. Thursday was the big 20 week ultrasound, and other than our little wiggle worm being just that (not making for a very happy technician), the results were in our favor and it looks like we have a healthy (and good sized) baby!

The munchkin weighs 12 ounces, and is once again measuring large. I love how every appointment so far the baby has measured even further ahead of schedule than the time before (this time it was 5 days ahead of my original due date)! It was also determined that the kiddo has a large head, just like his big sister. At one point the technician asked us if Chloe had a big head at birth and we immediately knew where she was going. We're talking 88th percentile for head circumference! Can't say that gives me much hope for a vbac.

The technician was also able to determine the gender......


















...and confirmed that the "parts" looked normal. Come on now, did you really think we were going to give in and find out?

Here are some ultrasound pictures
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do you see the open mouth? Kinda creepy, huh?


2 perfect feet!


Chloe didn't show much interest until the ultrasound tech invited her to pound on the keyboard (when she was finished, of course). I think the goopy stuff on my stomach kind of freaked her out.

Here's baby on the outside

This was taken two weeks ago (18 weeks)

And here are some other pregnancy updates that some of you may have zero interest in:

Consistent cravings: fruit, hamburgers and pasta of any variation

Sporadic cravings: chili cheese fries, regular fries, caramel apples, pickles (cliche, I know)
A few weeks ago I was spotted in the kitchen eating pickles right out of a jar. When Neil walked in he chuckled and said, "want some ice cream to go along with those?"

Hi-ya!: I felt the baby move for the first time on May 8th (about 13 weeks). Since then a day hasn't passed where I haven't felt flutters or thumps of some kind. The baby kicks mostly inward (toward my back), which is strange to me because Chloe almost always kicked outward, making it very easy for Neil to feel with his hand. He still has yet to experience that this time around.

Puttin' on the pounds: So far I have gained 15 pounds. Neil keeps joking with me that before long I'm going to outweigh him. At the end of my pregnancy with Chloe I think I exceeded his weight by a pound of two, but at the rate I'm going I have a feeling I'll reach that point long before November!

Symptoms: I'm much more fatigued this time around, but then again I'm caring for a two-year-old 24/7. Some days I feel perfectly normal with endless energy and endurance. Other days I absolutely drag and have no motivation whatsoever! There's no pattern to it, which only makes it more frustrating. It also seems like a lot of my current aches and pains didn't come until my third trimester with Chloe. Sore back is primarily what I'm referring to. Not fun.

What I love most about being pregnant: Feeling the baby move, of course! I also love listening to Chloe talk to the baby and touch my belly. The other day she lifted up her shirt and said, "Feel my baby move!" Apparently Mommy isn't the only one who's expecting! Lastly, I love having a belly and can't wait for it to get bigger! Big pregnant bellies are beautiful to me!

So all in all things are going really well! I have a feeling these remaining 20 weeks are going to fly by a lot faster than the first 20 did!
signautre

19 comments:

The Goulds said...

You are too cute! I can't believe I won't be there when you give birth. I'm glad everything is good.

Cristi said...

Hi there! Congrats and thanks a lot for teasing me that you were going to find out and tell us the gender! LOL! Don't worry about 15 eensy weensy pounds. I gained 60 with Brooke. That's right-- Six Zero. :)

Anonymous said...

Ohhh.....smiles and tears......soooooo precious. Couldn't get sweeter than seeing Chloe at your side looking at the ultrasound screen with you. Where do these little angels come from? I know we know.....but it's so mind-boggling, isn't it? How wonderful wonderful wonderful, my sweet sweet girl. Don't think I could possibly love you all any more, but then the very next moment I do. Can hardly wait to show these to Gpa Roy.

Love love and more love,
Mama/Gma Jill

Amy said...

You look so cute! Evan was measuring big just like that and he came 2 1/2 weeks early. Hopefully you will have a similar experience!

Rebekah said...

I love it!! My 2nd was a vbac and he measured big the whole time. He came out only a few ounces bigger than his older brother. I hope you are able to get it! Good luck with the last 20 weeks. Thanks for sharing with us!

Natalie said...

You are so cute, and tiny! I don't think that Neil weighs much-heck I'm sure that I weigh more than him! I am glad that things are going good and the next 20 weeks will fly by! Good luck with everything! I am guessing a boy, so I am sure that means it will be a girl because I have been wrong with both of mine!

Nells-Bells said...

I love being pregnant but I don't. I love feeling the baby inside and having that connection. What a fun time for you right now! I hated outweighing my hubby by 20 lbs. I also hate trying to lose all the weight afterwards but everything else is so rewarding. :) Love the new background too! So cute.

Pat said...

Valeri, thanks so much for the update! I loved the picture of you and Chloe! How fun that she got to be right there with you! You must have a wonderful doctor! You look darling, and I can't even begin to IMAGINE you being the least bit fat! Whatever you gain you will lose after the baby is here, just like you did with Chloe. I think it's wonderful that you were having this 20-week checkup on the same day (and probably at the same time) that Brandi was having little Kaija! :) Love you!

Jamie Lamb said...

So glad everything was good with the ultrasound. How fun to have the gender be a surprise. And yes, I'm sure your last half of the pregnancy will fly by. Congrats!

Camille said...

I don't think it looks creepy (the open mouth). I think he/she looks like he's/she's singing. :)

paulak said...

So glad to hear all is well and healthy and has "parts", hee hee. You look great.

stephschmidt said...

I'm so glad to hear everything's lookin good! I really thought you were going to put what the sex is... guess we'll have to wait a little longer... :)

Amy said...

Well, I have to agree. I think that pregnant women look absolutely beautiful. I loved being pregnant, and love being a mother. You look wonderful and I am so happy to see your pics. You are such a great mom! Having a little boy is sooooo much fun! I can't wait to see how you like it.

brittanyc said...

You look like a doll pregnant!! I put on 15 pounds pretty much at conception, so you're doing great. You're itty-bitty!!!!! I am going to guess that you are having another beautiful girl. Thanks for sending such cute ultrasound pictures. I don't think I've ever seen one with the mouth open like that. I think it's a great shot!
Britt

Dan and Ang said...

Thanks for the update! I'm so glad things are going so well. You look so cute pregnant!

Rachel said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

Hey there Andersen's- this blog thing was a good idea, I like keeping up with all you Coloradoan's. By the way....I think the baby looks like Neil!!!

David Gould

Anonymous said...

Glad everything is going great! We can't wait to see what it is....

Allison said...

I still have my money on a boy!!!