Milestone for Daddy!

Cody was able to feel Madelyn move! How awesome it was to share that moment with him!

A few nights ago, I was laying down, and I could feel her giving some good kicks. I told Cody he needed to see if he could feel her, and Madelyn was a good girl and gave another couple kicks big enough for her Daddy to feel! Feeling this sweet little girl move is a huge reminder to us of how amazing our God is!

We're Having a....

GIRL!!!

We found out last Wednesday that are going to be blessed with a sweet little girl, Madelyn Claire! During her ultrasound, she was very wiggly, but everything looked healthy. She is measuring right where she should be and is developing appropriately. We were able to see her brain, lungs, stomach, kidneys, heart, and limbs. The ultrasound tech was even nice enough to turn on the 4D feature for a few pictures of her little profile!

Madelyn Claire, 16 weeks, 2 days


Since Madelyn was so wiggly, we get to go back for another ultrasound on June 30. She wouldn't be still long enough to capture all the images they needed to get, so we are lucky enough to be able to see her again!

We saw Monica, our midwife, following the ultrasound. She agreed that everything was going well. I had lost a little bit of weight since my last visit (I don't think it could have even been a whole pound), but she wasn't concerned; I guess that just means more ice cream and bagel bites for me! I am feeling better every day. The nausea seems to be slacking off even more, but mornings can still be a little difficult. I have a good appetite and have a pretty good energy level. For the first time last Saturday, I felt something that I suspected was Madelyn moving. I have felt it a few more times and am pretty sure it is her moving. It is such an awesome feeling! I can't wait for Cody to be able to feel her move too.

Mommy, 17 weeks, 1 day


Since last Wednesday, Cody and I have been very busy preparing for Madelyn. We ordered her bedding, registered at Babies R Us and Target, and have continued to clear out our office to be able to turn it into her nursery. We are so excited to be having a little girl and can't wait for her arrival!

Mommy Milestones

First Mother's Day
This year, I celebrated my first Mother's Day as a mommy-to-be. The baby gave me a sweet card, and I got some gifts and cards from our family. We were lucky enough to be able to be in Taylorsville for Mother's Day, so we were both able to spend some time with our moms on Mother's Day.

The End of the First Trimester
Last Monday marked the end of the first trimester. How blessed we are that we made it through this far, and that our baby is growing strong and healthy! We are excited to start the second trimester; it brings lots of exciting things--I've already started to feel better and have a little more energy, a chance to find out the baby's gender, and being able to feel the baby move! Here's a summary of our first trimester, in no particular order:
1. Morning sickness (more like all day and night sickness), which has gradually started to go away. Unfortunately I had to give in and take Zofran to help with the nausea, but it helped me feel well enough to eat more, which provided more nutrition for the baby. Mornings are still usually the worst time, but I'm feeling better.
2. Fatigue, which is slowly fading
3. We heard the baby's heartbeat for the first time at 6 1/2 weeks. We've been lucky enough to hear the baby's heartbeat multiple times, both at the doctor's office and at Cody's clinic.
4. We were released from the reproductive specialist and now fully in the care of the midwife.
5. We had our first ultrasound at 6 1/2 weeks. We saw the baby kick and wave for our next ultrasound at 10 weeks.
6. We picked out baby names: Noah Grayson for a boy and Madelyn Claire for a girl.
7. Indigestion, which seemed to get a little better when I was able to stop taking the progesterone supplements.
8. Mainly food aversions (to just about every thing) instead of food cravings. Foods that I've been able to eat fairly consistently--goldfish, saltine crackers, applesauce, fruit. I'm starting to eat a larger variety of foods and crave milkshakes.
9. Lost 3 1/2 lbs. due to the nausea and food aversions, but am slowing gainly the weight back.
10. We have begun packing up the office so we can turn it into the nursery.
11. We've started looking at options for nursery furniture and bedding.
12. We've received lots of hand-me-down items from friends and family, including maternity clothes, books, bassinet, breast pump, and more! THANK YOU SO MUCH!
13. More emotional
14. Decided that my last day of work will be August 12

The Arrival of the Bump
13 weeks

Odds and Ends

What have we been up to lately?
1. Cody and I went to the Pitt County Maternity Fair last weekend. It is held at the local convention center. From doctors to community resources to baby shops, there are tons of different vendors to visit. They offer fresh fruit and veggies as a snack, and they give away lots of door prizes during the entire event. Door prizes range from bags, gift sets, strollers, and booster seats. Cody was a lucky winner of the door prize; he won a gift set which included a stuffed bunny, baby wipes, a sippy cup, and disposable nursing pads. Hershey took over the stuffed bunny, but the rest of the items will come in handy after the baby is born.

2. Strawberries at the local strawberry farm are ripe for picking! Cody and I went to pick our own fresh strawberries yesterday. We got two little baskets of strawberries for only around $2.50, plus they taste so much better than the ones you buy at the store. We had a great time, other than Cody getting stung by a bee on the bottom of his foot. We enjoyed homemade strawberry shortcakes (made by my dear husband) last night for dessert after dinner. I'm sure we'll made several trips back to get more strawberries before the season is over, and I look forward to picking blueberries in June and peaches in July!

3. I love spring and cannot wait to get hanging flower baskets for the front porch each year, as soon as the weather turns warm enough. I'm a little behind this year, but Cody and I finally made a trip to Plant and See nursery. We bought two hanging baskets of some kind of purple flower that hangs down over the baskets--I'm not sure what kind they are, but they are pretty. We also got a blue/purple colored hydrangea for the table between our rocking chairs. Now we just have to remember to water them...

4. Cody is on call today, but luckily, most of the afternoon was pretty slow. I had met him over at the hospital for lunch, but was able to spend the afternoon with him and even eat dinner with him before I left. Two meals together, plus a whole afternoon together, is unheard of on a call day! Let's hope tonight doesn't get too busy for him. One of the advantages of having a doctor as a husband is that he has access to medical equipment. While I was visiting today, he was able to use the doppler machine on me. It's kind of like an ultrasound machine, but there is no picture, only sound. We were able to hear the baby's heartbeat and listen as long as I wanted! The heartbeat was almost 160 beats/minute. I don't think I could ever get tired of hearing that sound!

5. Happy Easter! My Redeemer Lives by Hillsong

The Wingler Wiggler

We had another doctor's appointment on Monday. We first had an ultrasound appointment with our reproductive specialist, Dr. Cal Hayslip. The baby was so active--wiggling, waving, and kicking during the entire ultrasound. It was awesome to the see baby so happy. It was almost like he/she was waving and saying, "Hi, Mommy and Daddy!" I think the baby may have Cody's personality--already enjoying the spotlight and staying active! The baby was measuring at 10 weeks, 3 days. (I was exactly 10 weeks on Monday, so we are right on target.) The heartbeat was around 165, and the baby was 3.47 cm. The doctor was pleased with our progress, so he took me off the progesterone supplements and discharged us from his care! That was a huge step for us; however, we will miss Cal. He doesn't usually do deliveries since his focus is on reproductive medicine, but he mentioned that he would like to deliver our baby. I thought that was really sweet! He knows that Cody has first dibs on delivering the baby if he wants, but of course, we'd love to have him help with the delivery. We'll be followed by the midwife through the pregnancy, and then one of the three of them or all of them (Cody, Cal, or midwife Monica) will deliver the baby!

Our precious baby


After our ultrasound appointment, we had our first appointment with the midwife, Monica Newby. I loved her! She was so sweet, and very thorough with her exam. She and Cody talked me into getting the Hepatitis B vaccine. (No, I didn't have it in 6th grade when everyone else got theirs, and I've managed to put it off this long. Even though I really don't think this vaccine will help the baby, I guess it will help mommy stay healthy, which will help mommy be able to take care of the baby!) Thankfully, Cody was able to get off work long enough to be at the ultrasound and at most of the appointment with Monica. We are scheduled to go back to see her in 6 weeks (June 1). We will have another ultrasound, and hopefully we will be able to find out the sex of the baby at this appointment! Be sure the answer the poll about what you think we are having--boy or girl?!?!? Can't wait!

9 Weeks (Almost)

Technically, I won't be 9 weeks until tomorrow, but it's close enough.

How's baby doing?
The baby is now the size of a green olive. He or she has been kicking his/her newly grown arms and legs, although I can't feel anything yet. The eyelids and ears are forming, but they aren't complete. (Can't wait until the baby's ears are formed so I can start reading to our little peanut!) Our next doctor's appointment is on 4/18/11, where we will have another ultrasound and I will have physical. So excited about seeing our baby again!

How's Mommy doing?
I'm feeling somewhat better, with the help of medicine, but the nausea is still present. Some days are better than others, but at least I'm able to function a little better. I've been able to eat a little more (and more of a variety of foods) since my nausea is better controlled. I stay tired most of the time.

Almost 9 weeks (8 weeks, 6 days)


How's Daddy doing?
Cody has been so great--he is taking up my slack around the house big time, plus constantly taking care of me! He has done pretty much all of the cleaning, laundry, and cooking since I've been pregnant, and hasn't complained once. Plus, he is always so willing to take care of me, even if it's in the middle of the night! He is such a wonderful husband, and he is going to make a great dad! I love you sweetie!

How Many Babies Are in Melanie's Belly?

We had a doctor's appointment on Friday, March 25 to find out how many babies we are having. So how many babies are in my belly? One sweet, perfect little baby! (91% of people who answered the poll thought we were having twins, and 9% thought we were having triplets or more!) The baby was measuring 6 weeks, 5 days at the time of the ultrasound and was 0.86 cm. Our due date is November 15, right in between my mom's birthday and my birthday.



I am now 7 weeks, 4 days pregnant. For a little two weeks, I have had morning sickness...all day and night (which can explain why I haven't posted the baby update before now)! I finally gave in and got some Zofran from the doctor yesterday to help with nausea, and it has made a huge difference. I'm still not feeling 100%, but I can definitely function through my day much easier. Even though I think nausea is one of the worst feelings in the world, it is a constant reminder of how lucky we are to be pregnant. Cody and I feel so blessed with this baby!