We've got a lime!

So the little life inside is now the size of a lime as we just hit the 12 week mark today. Although I cannot feel a thing except for feeling bloated and fat - it's interesting to think there's something that big in there but only weighs a 1/2 an ounce! Heshe has reflexes and fingers that will soon begin to open and close, toes will curl, and eye muscles will clench, and heshe's mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if you prod your abdomen, your baby will squirm in response, although you won't be able to feel it. His intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into his abdominal cavity about now, and his kidneys will begin excreting urine into his bladder.

Thank Goodness Heshe's face is starting to look unquestionably human! Heshe's eyes have moved from the sides to the front of its head, and its ears are right where they should be (so we hope)! We'll get to see more next week at our 12 week check-up and we'll also be doing some diagnostic tests to pre-screen for genetic/chromosomal abnormalities.  These tests can identify several hundred genetic disorders by analyzing the genetic makeup of cells from the baby or placenta - this initial test is called the CVS and will tell us with 99 percent certainty whether Heshe has a chromosomal abnormality. 

We'll be sure to let everyone know what the results are when we get them back in a few weeks!

Our + 1 on the way

Steve and I figured it would be easier to start a blog than send email updates to everyone all the time with our news from 527 Broyles Street - that way you can follow along on your own time with what's going on down South (literally)!

We have shared with most of you that we are expecting a new addition to our family (no not another dog) on September 9, 2010. We are not planning on finding out the sex of what "heshe" is (my brother Joe has already coined "its" name and it seems pretty fitting). We are so very thrilled, nervous, excited, joyous, nervous, anxious, eager, nervous, ecstatic and overjoyed - did I mention nervous? As first time parents (as some of you recall) there are a ton of questions, concerns but most of all the fear of the unknown!

All of the changes we are experiencing are so new and although we had planned (or pulled the goalie as Steve likes to say) on our Honeymoon - all the books we read said it might take a while. But low and behold - within 2 months - we had a new little life forming! Needless to say this new little life has already cause some disruptions to the "normal" lives we lead. I use the term normal very loosely! Frequent wake-ups at 2:30 and 4:30 am to use the bathroom have caused me to stop drinking fluids past 8 or 9 pm in hope of getting a solid nights sleep. Feeling nauseous anytime I have an empty stomach has cause me to keep a lot more snacks handy and I have already gained 2 pounds which is about average since we are on Week 11 as of today. 30+/- more weeks of these changes will surely prove to be quite interesting!

So stay tuned (if you care to), post comments and suggestions - all are welcome - although we may not respond to all. We are excited to have you along on this little journey that we call life!