15 weeks and counting!

Maddie, Ben, and I went to our second doctor's appointment yesterday. We took Maddie with us to this one because the more I thought about her role in all of this I realized that she is certainly old enough to understand what is going on. She has really enjoyed knowing all about the baby so far so I decided it would be really fun for her to go with us to our doctor appointments. Hopefully the more she is involved in the pregnancy the smoother the transition will be when the baby gets here! As soon as they took us back they sat me down on a little bench to take my blood pressure. Maddie promptly sat next to me, very lovingly put one hand on my shoulder and the other hand on my arm, and whispered, "it's ok mama. Sit very still." What a sweet little nurturer we have! Now, I had been getting really nervous the week or so before my appointment because I have been feeling so much more normal lately (not constantly nauseous and exhausted) but I wasn't feeling the baby move yet so it was hard to believe that there really is a little nugget in there. It has taken us four and a half years to get this baby so I get a little consumed in thinking that there could be something wrong and maybe I shouldn't get my hopes up. Maybe I need to try concentrating my energy on just being thankful! Anyway, I was DYING to hear the heartbeat! The doctor and nurse walked in together and immediately the doctor started talking to me while the nurse laid me down and lifted my shirt to put the doppler on my belly. As I was answering the doctor's question the heartbeat came through. Quickly the nurse was satisfied and put the doppler away. As we were walking out I had to verify with Ben "we heard the heartbeat right?" He assured me that we had. Maddie confirmed saying "it was too loud!" By the way, I know it's a source of concern if your child is hard of hearing but is it a source of concern if your child has extra sensitive hearing? Maddie is always, always saying things are too loud and covering her ears. The other day she got on the computer to play a game and the volume was up a bit. She suddenly started SCREAMING like she was really hurt. I ran in ready to kiss a pinched finger or a bumped head and found her covering her ears with tears rolling down her cheeks screaming "it's too loud! It hurts my ears!" It was barely louder than an overzealous conversation. And when watching tv she turns it down until it's barely audible (now, that I don't mind so much!). Anyway, anybody know anything about hearing that I don't?!? Okay, back to the baby. So, the doctor and I talked a bit more about VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean - for those who aren't caught up on birth lingo) vs. c-section and decided that I will attempt a VBAC but if my due date approaches and nothing is happening we will go ahead and schedule a second c-section. For those who aren't aware, I had to have a c-section with Maddie because she was stubbornly breach! After the appointment they took 3 1/2 viles of blood which Maddie was happy to watch and declare that it was gross. We see our doctor again on April 10th and have the much anticipated ultrasound on April 14th! Following is a picture of my 15 week belly and a picture of what our little Friend looks like this week! He (or she) has grown to 4 inches and weighs in at around 2 ounces. Oh! That reminds me! We weighed Maddie at the doctor's office today. For the past two years or so she has consistently grown taller but consistently stayed the same weight....until now. She has gone from 35 pounds to 33 pounds. Yes, people she has LOST weight! What the heck?!? Shouldn't she be gaining weight? I was curious to see how tall she was so Ben got out the measuring tape and she is a 3 feet and 4.75 inches. According to two different height predictors she will grow to be whopping 5'3".