The 20 Week Ultrasound

This morning we got up nice and early so I could drink a bunch of water and we could drive in to Calgary for our Ultrasound appointment at 7:45 am. It's interesting that they scheduled the appointment for then considering they don't actually open until 8 am... At least I only had to drink 2 cups this time which was a lot more bearable than the 5 I had to drink for the dating ultrasound. Anyway, we were very happy to see that our little one is doing just fine with a nice strong hearbeat at 150bpm and all the limbs and organs a baby should have. Unfortunately we couldn't get a good look down below and the ultrasound tech had a terrible time trying to get a picture of the tailbone area because our stubborn little munchkin was settled right down in my pelvis and was far too comfy to be bothered to move. Eventually the perinatologist was able to get the last couple of pictures they needed. The tech said her educated guess was that we are having a baby boy but she's only 75% sure. I think she must have been basing this on the way the hips and pelvis are since the baby didn't seem to want to give us a show. So based on that we will have to work a bit harder on figuring out a boy name or two, but I'm not running out to buy a bunch of little boy clothes. If my doctor decides to send me for another ultrasound after 30 weeks they might be able to get a better look, but if not, we will have a slight mystery until the baby actually arrives. Here are some of my favourite pictures from this morning's event:

We bought a house :-)

I'm very pleased to report that we have bought our first home! I'd post a picture but they took it off MLS before I thought to save one. I guess we'll have to take our own pictures once we move in. We are staying in Airdrie and even get to stay in the same ward. We did consider moving back to Calgary but, for the price we paid, we would have had to settle for something at least 30 years old (needing lots of work) with huge condo fees and not in any neighborhoods we like. The one we found will be just perfect for us and we could happily fit two or three munchkins (when we DO decide to have more kids) without feeling imprisoned in our home. I love the fact that it's only 2 years old, has a nice big kitchen (to store tupperware in, of course) and backs onto a nice soccar field instead of a road. Plus we'll be SOOOOOOOOO excited to set up a room for the baby, whom my brother has named "Guillermo". I told him there's no way the baby will keep that name once he or she is born, especially if it's a girl, but for now it IS kind of cute.

Speaking of baby, I'm starting to have a little preggo tummy! Here's a picture Kevin took of me at the beginning of May:

I'm a bit bigger now, but you get the picture. I'm 17.5 weeks along now and I can hardly wait until we go for the ultrasound in mid June. Hopefully we'll be able to get some cute pictures from that one!

2nd Trimester, here we come!

Yesturday was Kevin's birthday. Happy Birthday Sweetheart!

I haven't been very good about updating this frequently but our computer has been acting up and these posts seem so uncolourful without a picture or two to go in them. Oh well, maybe I'll be able to add some later.

It's been a busy time for us lately. I just got back from a wonderful vacation with my cousin. We went down to Salt Lake to visit our Aunt and Uncle whom we don't get to see very often. It was lots of fun but I sure missed Kevin while I was away. It was a good opportunity to spend some quality girl time with my cousin and my aunt (we did a LOT of shopping) and I got some great deals on some maternity clothes down there. When we weren't shopping my uncle made sure we were entertained by taking us to some sporting events. We got to see the Jazz whip some butt in a playoff game, which was really cool.

Things with the baby seem to be going well, although he or she isn't saying much yet, so it's hard to ask ;-). I had the big pre-natal apointment just before I went on my trip and the dr. had no trouble finding the little heartbeat with the doppler. It was really neat to hear the swooshing sounds. Now I'm @ 14.5 weeks and looking forward to being sent for the big ultrasound in a month or so. Hopefully they will be able to tell us if I'll be using the floral quilt or the safari animal one. We'll be so excited either way but I want to know what kind of cute clothes I can squirrel away if I find them on sale! I'm going to be honest and say I won't be knitting any booties. I already have too many hobbies.

One last exciting morsel of news: We will be buying our own house! We were pre-approved for a mortgage and we will be looking at some places with the realator this week. Hopefully we can find a place we just love and everything will go smoothly so we can move in durring the summer and have everything all set up and ready before our little one arrives.

The First Ultrasound

On Friday we got to go for our first Ultrasound! I tend to have long cycles and so I had been charting to know when I ovulate etc, but even if you bring the chart, dr's somehow never believe anyone would have a cycle different than the text book 28 days. Hence the early ultrasound. That's ok, I was happy to have the opportunity to see that everything was going alright. First let me just say that they tell you to drink WAY too much water! It was absolute torture, especially since they were running 10 minutes behind schedual. In the end the lady doing the ultrasound had me get rid of some so she could get a better picture. All the extra pain was for nothing! It was worth it though. We got to see out little munchkin with a very healthy hearbeat of 160 bpm. Also, the dates I calculated are right so we can expect our little one to arrive in early Nov. People say babies are ugly at that stage but to me he/she was beautiful. We saw the little head and a tiny little bottom and arms and legs and the little heart flickering on the screen. I can't wait until I get to go back for the 18-20 week one where we will get to see more. Hopefully I will be able to get some pictures from that one. I have none to post here this time. One thing's for sure though, I'll be reducing the amount of water I drink for that one!

The Cat's Out of The Bag!

No, not one of our cute kitties, although they ARE immensly interested in paper bags. I mean, the secret's out! We're expecting! I didn't want to post this news until we'd officially told our families since you never know for sure who's really reading these things. I've been feeling pretty good so far aside from several aversions to foods I normally really like, which makes deciding on dinner a bit difficult. I've had very little nausea but brushing my teeth has become a form of self torture since the gag reflex has been, shall we say, improved. We are both so excited and can't wait to meet our little one EDD Nov. 1st. If by some miracle we go early (rare for first pregnancy's, I know) we could actually have a halloween baby. I'll have a built in costume: clueless first time parent, the sacriest thing in the world! LOL. Kevin's sure we're having a girl but I don't have a strong feeling either way yet. I guess we'll just have to wait and see. My little sister is a little hyper about it all. She keeps rubbing my belly. If she keeps it up I might have to chop off her touchy feely little hands (j/k). Nah, that's just the hormones talking. Now give me some ice cream!!!

Too many hobbies

I've come to the conclusion that I have too many hobbies and interests. I quilt, I scrapbook, I cross stitch, I do some water colour painting, I'm trying to learn to crochet and knit and I've done some beading. I've basically dabbled in every kind of craft imaginable! On top of that I love to read and sing and I play a very little bit of piano and I enjoy baking. I also really enjoy taking photographs and I wouldn't mind learning some more techniques. Will the madness ever end?? Will I ever focus on ONE hobby at a time? or will I continue to do a little of everything and never get really good at any one in particular? I'm inclined to think it will be the latter since I just enjoy so many different things so darn much I would hate to give any of them up. Plus I'm a bit fickle when it comes to crafts. One day I'll totally be into my painting or cross stitching and the next I won't feel like doing those at all and would rather be quilting or crocheting. Maybe later I'll post some pictures of my many adventures in arts and crafts. And after I take the pictures and turn them into a video slideshow I'll print them out and scrapbook them! Oie!

President Gordon B. Hinckley receives his honourable release

Well Sunday evening we found out that our beloved Prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley had passed away at about 7 pm. Although we will really miss him I can't really be sad. After having done so much for so many people, at the age of 97 it was his turn to rest from care and sorrow. I have no doubt that he was anxious to see his beloved wife again. It will still be strange for me not to see his familiar, happy, loving face at the next General Conference. He was, after all the prophet durring my YW days. I will never forget being present for the broadcest when he gave his wonderful "Be" talk:

1. Be grateful.
2. Be smart.
3. Be clean.
4. Be true.
5. Be humble.
6. Be prayerful.

Although we will miss President Hinckley, I know our next prophet will be just as true and just as inspired. The head of the Church, our Saviour Jesus Christ, would not have it any other way.