The Moment I've Been Waiting For!!

We've got movement, people!!  What a ridiculously amazing miracle!!  I've heard it described as a flutter or a feeling similar to gas bubbles, but the best word I can use to describe it is energy.  It feels like a ball of energy inside.  I have to be very still to feel it, but when I do, I could just lay there for hours.  Thank you, God, for this privilege!

What's Going On Here?

Last week I wore a pair of jeans that someone loaned me.  They were a little loose, so they were comfortable.  It was possible that I could wear them for a while because they are low waisted.  But, this week...they don't fit!

Yesterday I subbed and went straight to the Y afterwards.  I went in the locker room to change into my workout clothes, but promptly left when I couldn't fit in those pants either!

I knew my hip bones would spread, but I thought it wouldn't be until closer to delivery.  I was relieved Tuesday when I talked to a girl who is 9 weeks ahead of me in her pregnancy and she said she went in to get fitted for a bridesmaid dress a few weeks ago and when she went back to try it on her hips were measuring two inches bigger!  I'm just glad I'm not alone.

This is one of those times when I'm reminded how important it is to have community around you.  If it weren't for the girls who have so generously loaned me clothes to wear throughout my pregnancy, I'd be sporting pants that were never intended to look like spandex!  Thanks, Pricilla, Jeni, Kylie and Courtney! 

Mommy Mush Brain

I've heard of this happening.  Well, it's started!  Today I lost my train of thought three times in a twenty minute period.  :)

My Growing Belly

Per the request of many of my out of town friends and family, here is a picture of the beginnings of my baby bump!  It looks big to me now, but I know it will grow significantly before all is done.  I love it!  This picture was taken at Mike's wedding.

Our Baby!

Here it is, thanks to Greg!  It's a LONG video (13 minutes) but it gets better as it goes on.  If you don't have time to watch the whole thing, start it at the 7 min. 30 sec. mark.  That's where you'll really see some action.  

Throughout, the tech stops to take measurements.  One time you see the arrow point around the boy/girl area, but she was pointing to the bladder, so don't get too excited.  Although I got pretty excited because that was a good sign that the kidneys were working properly!  At one point you'll see the crown of the head.  It might look like a circle to you, but if you look in the circle you should see a butterfly.  She said it's called the "butterfly effect" and it shows the two hemispheres of the brain.  And yes, that little flutter you see is the HEARTBEAT!!

I wish I could watch it with you so that I could point out the times where you can tell I'm laughing.  You'll see the walls of the uterus contract quickly and repeatedly.  She was trying to make me laugh so that the baby would move and change positions.  My favorite parts are when you can see the spine, the little bottom, the legs kicking, etc.  It's amazing that they have the technology to look inside and see all of that at only 11.5 weeks!  Unbelievable!!

Our anatomy scan should be the week before Thanksgiving, so don't forget to cast your vote for boy or girl in the poll on the right before then!

Baby Crissinger Ultrasound from Michelle Crissinger on Vimeo.

Milestone!

Celebrate with me today as I enter my second trimester! Hurray!

The First of Many

Yesterday we stopped at Wendy's on our way down to FL. Unlike Andy, I'm one of those people that isn't afraid to look strangers in the eye and compliment them. As we were walking past this woman playing with her baby, I said to Andy, loudly enough for them to hear, "Look how cute she is!" We smiled at each other and she said, "I see your baby bump!"

I thought it was brave of her to say, especially since I'm still not too big yet. But, it sure did make me happy to hear it. :)

Scary

Tuesday I learned that a friend had a miscarriage. All day Wednesday I thought about her and prayed that God would comfort her and her husband. I tried to imagine how she must feel by trying to put myself in her shoes, but of course, I can't really know.

As we sat down for dinner Wednesday night, I started getting this sharp pain in my stomach. It continued to get worse during dinner. It was like a contraction in my stomach, not my lower abdomen where the baby is, but just above my belly button. After sitting for a while I couldn't stand straight because it felt like something was pulling and it kept getting worse. I went to the bathroom to check for blood, but praise the Lord, there was none.

I decided to take a shower, and after almost three hours of this sharp pain surging and releasing non-stop, I just got down on my knees in the shower and prayed to the only one who could make it stop. About five minutes later the pain was gone for good.

I am SO thankful to God that everything seems to be OK. But, please remember my friend when you pray.