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

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