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

Our First Ultrasound

We had our first ultrasound today and we were able to hear the baby's heartbeat!  It was so exciting to see our little angel for the first time!  The baby measured at 7 weeks and 5 days, which is right on track for our expected due date of July 30, 2011, and it's little heart is beating at 156 bpm.  It has been smooth sailing so far in the pregnancy.  I have been blessed with only mild nausea, and rarely feel it at all.  I have been extremely hungry, so the only discomfort that I have really felt is a ton of heartburn.  We pray that things progress just as smoothly, and we cant wait to sneak another peek at our little sweetie!





5 Weeks Today...

Your pregnancy: 5 weeks

Your little embryo, which at this point resembles a tadpole more than a baby (complete with teeny tail), is growing fast and furious and is now about the size of an orange seed-still small, but a lot bigger than it's been.  This week, the heart is starting to take shape.  In fact, the circulatory system, along with the heart, is the first system to be operational.  Your baby's heart (about the size of a poppy seed) is made up of two tiny channels called heart tubes-and though it's still far from fully functional, it's already beating-something you might be able to see on an early ultrasound.  Also in the works is the neural tube, which will eventually become your baby's brain and spinal cord.  Right now the neural tube is open, but it will close by next week.

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



The Beginning of Our Journey...

Our pursuit of one of the greatest gifts in this world, parenthood, began in May of 2010. We threw all caution to the wind and hoped for a little bundle of joy to call our own. Little did we know, it wasn't quite as easy as our high school sex ed teachers told us it would be! We charted my temperatures each morning, bought ovulation predictor kits and closely monitored my cycle each month to be sure that we could pinpoint the optimal time for baby making. So, after what seemed like an eternity (only 5 months in actuality!) we finally got our wish!

The story of Baby Shafer begins on November 2, 2010. The tiny egg that will soon be our little sunshine was released this day (as confirmed by an ovulation predictor kit and a rise in body temperature!)

Positive Ovulation Test

Eleven days later, on November 13th, we received the confirmation we were hoping for! After getting up for the second time early that morning (6:30 AM to be exact) to use the restroom, I decided to give the pregnancy test a whirl! Luckily, I was smart enough to keep the camera close by so I could catch Kurt's first reaction to the news!

After lots of excitement and hugs and kisses, we decided to take a second pregnancy test just to be certain. The positive reading (although faint...) came up almost instantly...... there was no doubt about it..... we were having a baby!

Two days later, just for good measure, we decided to take one more..... Definately darker! :)