4 Month Doctor's Appointment

Today I met with my Doctor whom I love, for my four month appointment. I have so far gained 3 pounds, and all other vitals are great! I got to hear the little bambino's heartbeat, and it moving all around in the amniotic fluid. Next Friday I have more blood work, and then on October 16th we find out if we're having a son or daughter!!!! We'll also have new ultrasound pictures to post as well. That's only in 3 more weeks, and by then I'll be about halfway done with my pregnancy. That is crazy! Stay tuned for the 16 week belly picture next week.

15 Weeks

We're 15 weeks today and the size of a Naval Orange (4 inches from head to bum)! The baby is busy moving amniotic fluid through it's nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in it's lungs begin to develop. The baby's legs are growing longer than it's arms now, and it can move all of it's joints and limbs. Although the baby's eyelids are fused shut, it can sense light. Off to the OB on Friday for my monthly visit!!

Telling My Students

Some of the parents at school were starting to question other parents and teachers about whether or not Mrs. Maynard was pregnant. So today I decided to get the word out and tell my lovely 2nd grade students that their teacher was going to have a baby, and was not just getting fat. I decided to tell them by playing Hangman before lunch. It wasn't till there were only a few letters left did all the hands start going up wanting to solve the puzzle "Mrs Maynard is having a baby". They were all very excited. One little sweetie kept hugging me all day saying she was hugging the baby and wouldn't stop thinking about her teacher having a baby till it arrived. Some thought it was going to arrive next month, others thought next year. Overall, the response was a success.

12 Week Belly

Three months down, six to go! Belly has started to get a little rounder, and pants are starting to get snug. No major hair growth seen in this picture like seen before due to my haircut, but my nails are starting to grow much faster and are healthier.
P.S. This picture was taken at night after a day of eating and drinking, so I am thinking it may of added to my poochie belly, but either way it's starting to expand a little. I'm in that "Has she just gained a few or is she pregnant?" phase. 

12 Week Ultrasound

You can see it's adorable little profile, belly, and legs crossed Indian style pretty clear. It's arms were up but then down by it's side for the picture. These three pictures are mostly alike, but I thought I would put them all up anyway.

Today Jesse and I started our day with a very exciting doctor's appointment. We had an ultrasound session and were able to see our little 3 inch (from head to toe) baby sleeping away. The ultrasound tech had me cough to wake it up, and then it started moving all around kicking legs, moving arms, and jumping up and down. We were able to see it open and close it's mouth. It's little heart was beating at 156 beats per minute. The spine measurement was normal. Baby then went back to sleep, but I woke it up coughing one last time to see it roll over on it's side and look at his Mom and Dad straight on. See you again in October baby Maynard to know if we should buy blue or pink.

In this picture you can see the top of the baby's head, and it's two little arms and hands giving a touchdown signal or a give me ten! We also got to see it's little feet too. The tech said because I am on the smaller side that the little bubbles I've been feeling the past few days are the baby jumping around. Next OB appointment will be September, 25th. 

First OB Appointment

I had my first official OB appointment today on August 25th. All my prenatal blood work came back great. I was able to hear the baby's heartbeat with the Doppler on my belly, such a wonderful sound to know that all is well and alive. Next appointment will be September 1st. 

Welcome Family and Friends!

Since many of our loved ones are both near and far I've created this blog so that miles and busy lifestyles don't separate us from keeping in touch and sharing with you the journey, joy and growth of our little miracle. It's taken us almost a year and a half and some reproductive medical assistance to get here, but it's finally here. Yippee! Jesse and I are beyond excited to be able to include you in all our news and pregnancy progress. So stay tuned!

This picture at 4 weeks preggy was taken on July 8th (my Mom's birthday). This was the day Jesse and I found out we were going to be parents. I had my blood drawn in the a.m. to see if our procedure had worked and would not know the results till the afternoon. I had no reason yet to suspect that this cycle was a negative, and because I had taken a million home pregnancy tests before in the past 16 months I decided why not take one. I was used to seeing it stare at me blank. Well I was completely shocked when I saw the faint second line appear. So I ran to CVS and bought a digital response test. I needed more concrete evidence. Tears of joy flowed as I saw that wonderful word "pregnant" appear in under a minute. So I wrapped up the test in a box and waited for Jesse to come home to open up his present. The nurse called with our blood results which came back positive, so I had double confirmation now...it was for real! Jesse's expression upon opening the box, and seeing the positive test was priceless. We both couldn't believed it worked especially since our Doctor was not very optimistic this cycle. We then shared the news that evening with our siblings and parents. 

"Faith is not believing that God can. It is knowing that He will"

Our first ultrasound was taken on July 30th at 7 weeks 1 day. We were able to see one little blueberry sized baby, it's little heart flicker, and hear it beating at 140 beats per minute...amazing! At the end of our appointment Dr. Baghavath shook our hands and said we had graduated from the Infertility Clinic and were now off to the OBGYN! We are so thankful for the care and help they gave us!

Here I am at 8 weeks on August 5th. Not too much to show yet for our raspberry sized baby. However, look how much longer my hair is from the 4 week belly shot seen above. Must be those great prenatal vitamins. Next belly photo will be taken at 12 weeks.