The Heart is Beating Strong!

12 Week Update:
okay, well really 11 weeks and 5 days...but close enough!

Today I had an appointment at the Birth Center for my first official check up. The best part, I got to hear the baby's heart beat!!! After a long appoinntment of paperwork and reviewing history and turning down all the genetic screening options (anmio, etc)...I finally got to sit on the table. The midwive put some jelly on my belly and within 30 seconds "woah, woah, woah, woah." She commented that the baby was very active because we kept hearing scratching noises. She said he or she was moving around. :) This all still seems totally unreal.

Unfortuantely, Paul was not able to attend. But I made sure to schedule the next appointment so he could. I need another person there to help remind me - this is real! Next appointment will be around 18 weeks, along with a level 2 ultrasound at that time. Every step is like a giant milestone. I am so blessed to not have ANY spotting or cramping. So far, all is good! Hopefully I can have Paul log an entry on our Birth Center tour soon. Thank you for all the prayers - they are clearly working and resulting in what I can say is a very easy pregnancy thus far! Again, MIRACLE!

And now, for those that wish to see my growth updates...here is the first Belly Shot:

Baby Update

Every Week I get an email update - which among other things, tells us about the baby. Thought I would share it with you. Check out the picture! It is really exciting.

Your Baby
Your baby weighs about 7 grams, is about 2 inches long, and in an ultrasound will look a bit out of proportion. He or she has toes, eyes, ears, fingernails and lips, but the head is still about one-half the total size of its body. Don't worry; this will change as your baby grows. Click here for an image of a baby at 11 weeks.

Everything looks good! I am starting to grow, just a little. My hormone levels have consistently been right around the "normal" line and as of today I am only one week from my SECOND trimester! :)

And - Paul and I toured the Birth Center yesterday. It is kind of crazy imagining giving birth outside of the hospital...but the idea is growing on us!!

adoption on hold

Paul and I told the agency. Their policy is that we go on hold until we have the baby. At that point we are no longer eligible for the infant adoption program. We would be eligible to continue towards a mixed race adoption, enter the foster program or pursue international adoption. We feel strongly that God has lead us to the adoption process. After the baby arrives we will pray about what direction God leads us.

Just a Quick Update

Things are still good! We praise every day we are one step closer to 2nd trimester (and a little more clear of risk of miscarriage). Every day is a blessing. The all-the-time sickness comes and goes, as does exhaustion - but what a gift. Today I hit 9 weeks and was amazed to see the little ticker (see two posts below). Our Maluski looks like a tiny person and no longer a tiny tadpole. We are so in love! Girl or Boy? You will have to wait till September to know that! ;-)