IT'S A.....

...GIRL!!!!

Well, as you can see we had our 20 week sonogram and we were able to see HER goodies. :) The technician used regular sonogram...

and then switched to 3D...

We were even able to see little piggies!!!...
She definitely has Darren's nose...!
Little feet!
The doctor said everything is normal and the baby is doing well. Her heartbeat was 148 and the calculated due date is February 14th. Valentine's Day and Uncle Snoop's birthday! There is a small problem that may require a C-Section, but it doesn't affect the baby at all. I don't have my heart set on either type of birth (my only requirement is EPIDURAL!) :) , so we don't care as long as the baby is healthy and safe. I'll have to have another sonogram at 28 weeks to see if the problem corrected itself, but if it hasn't I'll most likely have to have a CS.

We can now get all of those cute little outfits I've been eyeing up for the last 4 months!

The big question is: will she be a ginger or a brunette?!!

~Jess

20 Weeks = Half Way There!

Today, I am 20 weeks and we are halfway through this pregnancy. I can't believe it was 4 months ago that we found out we are having a baby. Time flies when you're having fun (or when you're holding your head in a toilet)!

We got a new camera and Darren caught me playing with my shirt...

...and then looking at my ugly belly button. It's half popped out already!

I am happy to say that I am sure that I am feeling the baby move now. For a few weeks I kept feeling something like bubbles or little bumps, but wasn't sure if it was gas (I know, gross) or the baby. For the last few days, the bubbles (or butterflies) have gotten stronger and I'm positive it's not my digestive system. I can't wait for them to get stronger so Darren can feel them, too!

This week we celebrated our 4th anniversary. I can't believe it's been 4 years already. Now that I think of it, I was trying to keep my head out of a toilet then, too. Those of you who went to our reception should remember our glamorous departure...in an ambulance. Every year, we go to dinner at some nice place (usually a "fancy" steakhouse) that we've never been to. This year we went to Morton's Steakhouse. It was OK but we probably won't make a point of going back. We've had better elsewhere (Ruth's Chris, Tuscarora Mill, and even the much cheaper Blue Ridge Grill) and it's a bit pricey for just "OK" food. We did get a personalized menu and they did take our picture so I guess that makes up for the price tag ;-) haha

We started to register for some things - basic gender neutral stuff - and who knew shopping for baby stuff could be such a P.I.T.A! No kiddies, it's not all cute little outfits and teddy bears. There are so many "non-fun" things you have to get. Plus, you have to worry about the safety and quality of every single one of them. Then there's still a chance that your cute little baby won't even like the Dr. Brown's bottle nipples or even the $100 state-of-the-art exersaucer and/or gym mat you bought for him/her. Ugh, what a headache. To help us out, I got the Baby Bargains book ("as seen on Oprah") and it's actually been a big help. I was happy to see that a lot of the stuff we already registered for was given an "A" rating. Although our diaper pail was given an "F" and I don't want a Diaper Genie (given an "A"). Do any moms out there have any suggestions?

We have our 2nd trimester sonogram on Monday. This is the big one where they check and measure everything... or better yet, the one where we hopefully find out if it's a boy or girl - as long as the baby cooperates. I'm going to eat a big breakfast and drink lots of juice beforehand so the baby moves a lot and we have a better chance of seeing ALL the parts! This is the only time we will say that we hope our baby likes to show off his/her goodies. :)

~Jess

Baby's First NASCAR race - @ 18 weeks!

This weekend Darren and I decided to go to a final NASCAR race before little junior (or juniorette) is born. It won't be so easy to do after February. We bought Green Zone and pit passes and guess who we saw at the Green Zone. Among some other drivers (Kurt Busch, Harvick, Truex Jr) we saw my favorite, Carl Edwards! He signed my stuff and I got my picture with him! This made my day and I didn't even care to see any of the other drivers. :) After the green zone, we went into the pits to check out all of the drivers' pit stalls and cars and look whose car we found... Here's a picture of my 18 week belly. I'm already making the baby an Edwards fan...
Yes, I am still on that Zofran pump and have to carry around a stupid fanny pack! I hope to be off of it by the end of the month.

I waited around for Carl to come by but, alas, I was not to see him again...
I had a fellow stalker to keep me company...
I found a cute little onesie with #99 on it, but I didn't get it. I guess I'll wait until he/she is born to buy some NASCAR swag. :)

Darren and I have tickets to the Steelers game on November 15. Perhaps we'll meet Hines Ward!?!? :)

~Jess