Hi Mom!!

Yesterday was my second prenatal appointment, which included the lovely physical exam, ladies, you know you gotta love that exam! Luckily, that didn't last too long and it was on to the good stuff....another ultrasound!!

This time they did an external ultrasound instead of the internal and right away there was our little sweet pea, and it had grown so much in just the past week, and this week we were able to see its heart beating!! It was so cute and beating so fast, 173 beats per minute, so we have a strong baby so far. It was also such a relief to see that heartbeat, I knew everything was going well from last week's ultrasound, but just actually getting to see its heart beating for the first time, it was truly a miracle. Then, the baby decided it wanted to say hi, the tech said look, there is an arm bud, and you could see it sticking up, and then she said, looks like they are moving for you too, and the baby started wiggling!! I knew it, the kid is a ham already...

I also had to get blood work done, 7 vials they took from me, and I had to drink the lovely sugar drink when I got there for the glucose testing. I swear it was like flat orange soda with a big bite to it. Not something a preggo in her first trimester really wants to try and get down, but I did it as fast as possible. So hopefully everything comes back good there.

Next appointment is going to be on April 22nd, when I am at 12 weeks (we are 9 weeks today!), and we will have another ultrasound, and also 8 days before the appointment I need to follow this kit they gave me, where I prick my finger and send in the blood and they will have it by my appointment time, and those results plus the ultrasound will be a first trimester screening for Down Syndrome. Great, another thing I need to worry about, but I have faith that everything is going to be OK.

Oh yes, I've always realized I know need to get maternity pants and a bigger bra (I've already gone up a size, and now this one is getting too tight). Phil isn't complaining though...Hahahahaha!!!