Upcoming Appointments...

     I am so excited about our upcoming appointments!  My next appointment is March 24, which will be a quick check-up.  Basically we will listen for the heartbeat again and redraw blood for the second part of the prenatal screening.  This testing checks for possible birth defects, such as down syndrome, which luckily the first part of the screening looked wonderful.       Then just a week later, on April 2, we will find out the sex of our little one!!  I am counting down the days already!  Since Jim will be in Baltimore getting ready for Opening Day, he won't be able to go to this appointment.  However, Dr. Towsley and I have a plan in place..... it's a good one!  Dr. Towsley will use a DVD to record the whole ultrasound from that day.  When he looks for the money shot, I'll just turn my head so I can't see that day.  Once he knows what the sex is, he'll put it in an envelope for safe keeping.  It's going to be hard to wait to open that envelope and will require a lot of strength, but I'll only have to wait for two days.  I will be heading up to Baltimore on April 4 for a week.  Yay for perfect Spring Break timing!  

     It will be so special to watch the DVD with Jim and then peek inside the envelope.  At least this way we will be able to find out such exciting news at the same time!  Way to go Dr. Towsley... just one more reason that I love this doctor.

     We have a lot to look forward to and I love every minute of it!

Dear Baby Peach...

                                          

Dear Baby,

     I keep staring at your ultrasound pictures from Tuesday and simply can't get over the fact that I'm bringing a new life into this world.  It is truly a miracle.  Today we arrive at 13 weeks, where you are the size of a peach.  You are forming sockets for all of your teeth and vocal cords, even though they are non-functioning right now.  Your intestines are in the process of moving from the umbilical cord to your tummy, which makes things much more convenient.  Fingerprints have even formed on your tiny fingertips.  I think you are growing to be tall already too.  The ultrasound tech told me that you were already so long!!! She hasn't seen your Daddy before... but if she did, she would know where that is coming from.  

     I was starting to feel better, but it's still day to day.  Most days start off shaky but get much better by mid-morning.  I am trying to get more iron in my diet for you.  I'm eating more nuts, raisins, and green veggies.  Hopefully that will be enough for now until I feel like I can eat red meat again.  

     I can't wait to start feeling you move and flutter about.  I'm anxious to know how that feels! Keep growing strong little peach! 

                                      Love, 

                                   Mommy

     

Our baby is so cute!

     I feel so blessed to be almost 13 weeks.  Today was my doctor's appointment for the first part of the prenatal screening process.  Carol went along with me since Jim couldn't be here for the appointment.  I was glad to have her tag along since I tense up a bit before these appointments. Hopefully after today, I can just be excited!  

     Everything looked great.  Our little baby has changed so much and looks so cute just relaxing away.  It seemed to be nap time today, so we didn't see too many flips or kicks.  The ultrasound tech had me cough to try to make the baby move a bit, but my coughs were too weak I guess.  I didn't want to cough too hard... I was afraid I would lose my lunch!  Carol pointed out that it looked like the baby had hiccups and sure enough it did seem that way.  Baby would move up a bit and then fall, three seconds later, move up.. then fall.  It went on for a minute or so.  So cute!  

     During the ultrasound, the nasal bone was found and measured, along with the back of the neck.  These measurements help the doctors know the chances of the baby being born with Downs Syndrome.  All of the measurements looked great and the baby looks healthy!

     As for me, Dr. Towsley said I was borderline anemic and "it wouldn't hurt to eat some steak."  I don't think he meant the cheese steak sub I had tonight for dinner.  Oops!!  I need to start eating a bit more meat, hopefully my appetite for that will change soon.  Everything else checked out good with all my bloodwork from last time.  My thyroid looks great and Dr. Towsley said... "you must be staying off the crack."  Why yes, I believe so.  I like how he jokes around and makes himself very easy and comfortable to be around.  

     Ok, here's what you have really been waiting for.  Introducing Baby Johnson at 13 weeks ... might I add, our baby is such a cutie already!

Nap time... ahh there is plenty of room to get comfy in here!

Time to flip around ... but still sleep. 

Baby is showing off a perfect spinal cord here.  

  

I love getting mail... especially like this :)

     I just wanted to share what I got in the mail on Friday from my niece, Emily.  It's so sweet and thoughtful!!!  She is already in love with her baby "lime" cousin.  Em will be a great helper when the little one arrives! :)

Dear Baby Plum...

                                       

Dear Baby,

     I wish I could say that we are in the second trimester at 12 weeks today, but I've read so many different dates as to when it officially starts.  12 weeks, 13 weeks 3 days, 14 weeks... which one?!  I'm going to go with the middle, 13 weeks.  Either way, I feel like 12 weeks marks a huge milestone for us and I am thrilled to be this pregnant!

     I get so excited for Thursdays to roll around so I can find out what you are up to.  You have now grown to be about 2.5 inches.  I can't feel you move around yet, but you are opening and closing your mouth, moving your fingers and toes, and kicking all around.  This week you are developing reflexes and your skin is very sensitive (much like Mommy's right now)!  Your brain is fully formed allowing you to feel pain and suck your thumb.  Tiny eyelids cover your eyes and will stay shut until the seventh month to protect you... you are so delicate!  If I haven't said it already, which I know I have a million times... you amaze me!

     I'm starting to feel a little better and haven't gotten sick in a few days.  Please, please, please stay away!  I've had some headaches lately, I think it's a way to remind me to eat healthier for you.  Still wanting pizza.  Everyday.  My pants are starting to get a bit snug.... but I haven't gained any weight in two weeks.  I guess I'm just stretching a bit to make your home more comfortable.  

     Keep growing strong and healthy little baby.  I'm off to eat (take a guess ... yes, pizza!) with the Piersoll family! :)

                                    Love,

                                 Mommy

     

Dear Baby Lime...

                                     

Dear Baby,

     I'm a day late with writing your 11 week letter.   I wanted to spend time with Daddy last night since he had to leave this morning for Spring Training.  You are still growing so fast with lots of new things taking place.  Your fingernails are forming, intestines are developing, and all vital organs are up and running!  I can't believe that being the size of a large lime, all this is happening!! 

     I'm still feeling the symptoms of the first trimester ... exhaustion, nausea, vomiting, food cravings and aversions, and my skin is not what it used to be.  In just a short time, I will be entering the second trimester and hopefully some of these symptoms will pass.  

     It was a hormonal day for me since your Daddy had to leave us.  I have no idea how I can be so strong when I miss him so much.  Of course he said bye to you too by rubbing my belly, which made me even more emotional.  It only takes a few days though and I'm right back into my routine.

     I am excited about my appointment in a few weeks.  It will be here before I know it and I'll get to see you again.  Loving you more each day.

                                 Love,

                               Mommy

A lot changes in just a week and a half.......

        Today was a wonderful day!  Started off shaky, but gets really good... just keep reading, I promise!  I started off the morning feeling tired and got sick right before leaving for school.  Talk about a case of the Mondays!  Later in the morning, I realized that I was spotting yet again.  Why me???  Today it was a bit different, not a lot there but definitely red in color.  I called the doc and they said to come on in and they will listen for a heartbeat, but wouldn't be able to do an ultrasound.  I was nervous to go in since I was warned that it may be too early to hear the heartbeat... then in that case, I would really freak out. 

        I saw a different doctor today since Dr. Towsley was at a different office.  Dr. Hamel was very nice and wanted to put my mind at ease.   I was in shock when I saw her roll the ultrasound machine in, since I was told she was unable to do a scan today.  God bless her!!  

        Sure enough, there was our Baby, heart beating away, and legs kicking all around.  Dr. Hamel said the heart was beating at a great rate and I was truly amazed to see how much has changed it just a week and a half.  When Jim and I had our last ultrasound, our little Baby must have been napping, but today the little one was quite active.  I still find it to be such a miracle that this is all happening in my body.  Amazing.  

        So.... crazy day, but all in all, things are PERFECT.  I'm going to bed soon to catch up on some sleep and get ready for Tuesday.  I'll post back on Thursday!

Dear Baby Prune...

                                         

Dear Baby,

    I'm not sure why at 10 weeks you are being compared to a prune, but that's what they say.  I've also heard you are the size of a walnut or small strawberry.  I will think of you as my little strawberry this upcoming week, instead of some shriveled up prune!!  Your bones and cartilage are starting to form and vital organs are beginning to function this week... you are making major progress little one!  I was happy to hear that your fingers and toes have separated and are no longer webbed and your tail has disappeared.  Wow, you truly are amazing... in every way.

     Mommy hasn't been feeling so well.  I think morning sickness has come full force, but will hopefully only last another few weeks.  It is starting to get really hard to get out of bed and get motivated in the mornings, especially when feeling so sick.  Last night I couldn't figure out what I wanted to eat so I sent Daddy to Subway to get me a Cold Cut sub.  Wrong choice!  I took about seven bites and that's as far as I got.  The rest came back to visit.  Ugh.  Orange juice, Ovaltine and pizza are still high on my list of favorites right now.  I will start feeling better soon, don't worry about me... you keep getting comfortable and make yourself at home!

     I'm beginning to get very excited about you, since we are making such great milestones this time around.  You are such a blessing and I'm praying to God every night to keep you strong and healthy.  

                                      Love,

                                    Mommy