It's a GIRL!

We had our gender ultrasound today and found out that we are having a baby girl, Sophia Victoria Shafer!  It was a little bit of a shock, as we were convinced that she would be a HE. :)  She is very healthy and is growing at a good pace.  I am 20 weeks and 5 days today and Sophia measures at 21 weeks and 4 days.  We can wait until we get to hold our little angel!

It's a girl!

Long legs!



15 Weeks Today...

Your Pregnancy: 15 Weeks

Curious why your body is finally looking like it's pregnant? That's because your baby is growing bigger each week — he or she is as long as four and a half inches right now. Need a better visual (and a snack)?  Hold a large navel orange in your hand — that's how big your little darlin' is at 15 weeks pregnant. (Now that you're done looking, peel that orange and eat it for a delicious two servings of vitamin C!).
 
So what keeps your baby busy all day? Mostly, your fetus is in rehearsals — practice, practice, practicing, and getting ready for that big debut. Babies practice breathing, sucking, and swallowing so that when they leave your comfy womb and move into your comfy house, they'll have the skills necessary to survive.
 
Fetal body movements continue to get practice this week, too. But because your baby weighs so little (a bit over two ounces), you won't feel the calisthenics going on inside your abdominal gym. But don't let that fool you. Your fetus is holding daily aerobics classes — kicking, curling toes, and moving those little arms and legs. 

 
And with each passing week, your fetus is looking more and more like the baby you're picturing in your dreams. By now, the ears are positioned properly on the sides of the head (they used to be in the neck) and the eyes are moving from the side of the head to the front of the face — where they'll soon meet your loving gaze.

We don't know if it's a boy or a girl, but it sure is cute!

Everything went well with our Nuchal screening, but we weren't able to determine for sure the sex of the baby (bummer!).  Baby Shafer obviousley wants us to wait a few more weeks as he/she kept  his/her legs crossed tightly throughout the ultrasound!  However, there was a bulge that we could see, so possibly a boy... the suspense is killing us!

Next Ultrasound in 2 weeks...

At our visit to the OB on the 4th we were able to sneak another peak at the baby (who was jumping around like a little jumping bean... very energetic!) and we were thrilled!  I received a call from the doctor a few days ago and she said that the results of all of the testing (blood and urine) came back excellent, so no need to worry on the health front.  It has been such a perfect pregnancy so far and I hope things continue that way!  We have an appointment on the 19th for a Nuchal Translucency screening (tests for Down Syndrome) which is performed via ultrasound, so we are hoping to find out the sex of the baby then.  I can't wait.... Liam or Sophia.... which one will it be?!?!?

11 Weeks Today...

Your Pregnancy: 11 Weeks

Your baby, just over 1 1/2 inches long and about the size of a fig, is now almost fully formed. Her hands will soon open and close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under her gums, and some of her bones are beginning to harden.
She's already busy kicking and stretching, and her tiny movements are so effortless they look like water ballet. These movements will become more frequent as her body grows and becomes more developed and functional. You won't feel your baby's acrobatics for another month or two — nor will you notice the hiccupping that may be happening now that her diaphragm is forming.

Start Spreading the News...

We are so excited to finally let everyone in on our little secret!  Everyone enjoyed their Christmas surprise, and we were so delighted to be able to catch everyone's reaction on film.  Paul had double the surprise, as he was unaware that Erik & Brandy are expecting also.  Baby Shafer even got his/her first present from Uncle Erik and Aunt Brandy!

8 Weeks Today...

Your pregnancy: 8 weeks

Your baby is growing up a storm, this week measuring about a half an inch in length, or about the size of a large raspberry.  And that sweet little raspberry of yours is looking less reptilian and more human, as his or her lips, nose, eyelids, legs and back continue to take shape.  And though it's still to early to hear from the outside, your baby's heart is beating at the incredible rate of 150 times per minute (that's twice as fast as your heart beats).  Something else new this week:  Your baby is making spontaneous movements (twitches of the trunk and limb buds too tiny for you to feel).
  


Murkoff, Heidi and Sharon Mazel. What to Expect When Your Expecting Fourth Edition. New York: Workman Publishing Co., Inc., 2008