Well, we tried to find out the sex on January 14th, but it didn't work out. Our doctor did the ultrasound, which started out with a great full body view of the baby. It looked so cute! We could see all the different parts and it looked like a real baby, no longer a peanut. We liked its nose. The doctor found the heart and we could see it beating, as well as the four individual ventricles. He found the aorta and showed us how it all connected. He found both hands and feet and we saw individual fingers and toes. However, we were unable to see one significant part. Hmmm... the doctor found the umbilical cord which positioned itself right between the legs. Then, sometimes, out of some sort of act of modesty, the baby would place its hand right between its legs. The baby was even spread-eagle, but the doctor just couldn't see defining parts for sure to determine boy or girl and he said that even though he didn't see a you-know-what, he couldn't declare it a girl. So, we go back beginning of February to find out.
It's fun to hypothesize about why the baby wouldn't reveal itself. However, all in all we weren't that upset. It was just amazing to see it so clearly and to know that our baby is healthy! My blood tests that have been done along the way have also come back fine, so we are very thankful. I am also feeling great! I'm still able to run a good bit, although I usually have to find a pit-stop somewhere 20 minutes in, even if I've just gone to the bathroom before I start. I feel the baby kick A LOT! Jared has felt it a couple of times. We are just starting to do a few things in the baby's room. I will post some pictures along the way so that you all can see what the baby's habitat will be like.
We've been busy with a weekend trip to Kirkwood, a ski resort near Lake Tahoe. Jared skied and I was able to relax with some girlfriends one day and then sit in the sun at the resort the next. It was a beautiful place and very relaxing. I've also been busy with work and will start my normal part-time schedule next week! Jared is doing well in school again and is starting to work on his thesis!!! We can't believe that is beginning. My sister, Natalie, her husband, Jonathan, and their baby, Sydney came to visit this week. It has been so fun to have them here. Whenever we have company I'm reminded what a wonderful place we live in because I get to show them all around. I'm looking forward to being a stay-at-home mom and getting to take the baby on walks around the various amazing places to walk in the area. Sydney is a beautiful baby and is doing well. I've been able to feed her a few times this week and hold her. She's fun to try to entertain and has an amazing smile. She has what my mom calls "tiny words" that she says- las and his and can get very vocal sometimes.
Bernie has had an interesting week, trying to figure out what Sydney is. She's never been around tiny babies much, mostly older kids (2 and up). She just wants to lick and sniff Sydney, but we've had to restrain her. She has adjusted well and will even curl up near their travel swing. She's interested in what they do with her when they feed her and change her diaper. I think she's going to be a great big sister! Speaking of Bernie, tomorrow is her 3rd birthday- Happy Birthday, Bernie!!! She gets 3 decorated dog cookies from the Diggidy Dog shop in Carmel- one is a pizza slice, one a fire hydrant, and one a cake. Man, how time flies. And, speaking of time, we celebrated our 4th anniversary yesterday. We had pizza last night with Dan, Natalie, Jonathan, and Sydney and I made a cheesecake. It was really nice. This weekend Jared and I are going to go eat at the Monterey Fish House! I am so thankful and proud to be married to Jared. He is an AMAZING husband! Thank you God, for him. He is going to be a wonderful father too.
I plan to post more pictures this weekend. Expect a few belly pics!!!
Baby Mauldin- Week 8 Ultrasound
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
20 Weeks and Getting Bigger!
Wow! I can't believe we're now half-way through the pregnancy!
Christmas was wonderful! We went to Alabama for a few days and were able to see my niece, Sydney, be dedicated at her church. It was such a special experience and I definitely had to hold back the tears. I have to say how blessed we are and how proud I am to have such a great Christian family. What a wonderful thing to get your baby started out on the right foot when she's just a newborn. Sydney was beautiful and did great while the Pastor was holding her. She was fascinated by the spotlights way up above her head. I was able to hold Sydney and care for her some while we were in Alabama and I couldn't believe that I would have my very own in just half a year.
It was also such a gift to be with the rest of our family in Alabama and in Texas. Everyone was so excited to see the "baby bump". We got a few little Christmas gifts from family for the baby and that was unexpected and super exciting. The baby now has a few books, a couple of rattles, some essentials like pacifiers, spoons, and it's first sippy cup, and a Christmas bib! Jared's Granny also gave us a Sleep Sheep! I don't think she realized what a must-have it was, but we were really excited to get one. I know several babies that have them. It attaches to the outside of the crib for when the baby is an infant and it makes soothing sounds to help the baby sleep. Then, when the baby is older, it serves as a stuffed animal that the child can snuggle with and it can still help them get to sleep. It also travels well- another plus!
I also received some extra attention by being pregnant. This was fun, but a little overwhelming at times. My sister and sister-in-law answered a lot of my questions: my sister having just had a baby and my sister-in-law having had her fourth three years ago. My mother-in-law, Jared's aunt, my sister-in-law, Jared, and I even took a trip to Babies-R-Us to look around. This was SO much fun and a little overwhelming! There is so much out there. I love to hear my mom and mother-in-law talk about what was available when they had babies and how much things have changed. It's a great reminder that a lot of what is out there to help you with baby is unnecessary. However, I do love some of the doodads that will make life much easier! That's where my sister-in-law came in with her expertise and answered a lot of questions of what we need versus what we don't. I don't think she realized how valuable her knowledge really is. My sister has been answering lots of questions in the past couple of weeks as I get ready to start the baby registry. Also, did you know there are strollers out there that cost close to $1,000? Crazy!
We also had great fun just talking about the baby, getting advice from family, lots of times laughing about stories they had or jokes they wanted to make. Our nieces and nephews range in age from 3 months to 10 years, so there are lots of good stories there. Then there are also great stories from when we were babies and beyond. It was great to see the excitement in everyones' faces.
Now we start the New Year with much anticipation and we realize this is the year our first baby will be born. We've started back to work and know that the time is going to pass quickly. We moved around some furniture upstairs to start getting the baby room ready. Our baby room will also serve as a guest room, so things get a little tricky. I love the plans we have though and I'm so excited to start organizing and decorating. One of my friends, Carolyn Paradzinski, once told me that when she was pregnant she wanted to go around organizing and labeling everything! I feel that bug. I want everything to be ready and I know that once I start my full schedule at the end of January, things are going to get crazy. I'm just try to get a head-start now. Jared has been a huge help and seems equally excited. He's been looking up rocking chairs, strollers, and swings on the internet, moving the furniture, and helping me plan for all of the upcoming baby activities! We are so excited, in case you couldn't tell!
We go to the doctor one week from today to find out the sex and have our second ultrasound! I can't wait to see the baby again. I just want to see its little body! To know the gender is going to be awesome! We will be able to plan more accordingly and register for the typical blue or pink! Of course, we're going to throw lots of other colors in there too.
I'm getting much bigger. I promise to post pictures soon! I just put in an order to Old Navy for some more maternity clothes. I hadn't bought much so far, but I'm realizing how badly I need them, especially now that I'm going back to work.
I've also just started feeling the baby move. I felt it for the first time our last night in Texas. It didn't really feel like a kick, I guess because the baby is so small. It felt more like a knock. Since then I've felt it a good bit, mostly in the morning and evening.
The posts are going to become more regular. Things are starting to happen more quickly.
Thank you for your prayers and interest. We are so happy to share with you all!
Christmas was wonderful! We went to Alabama for a few days and were able to see my niece, Sydney, be dedicated at her church. It was such a special experience and I definitely had to hold back the tears. I have to say how blessed we are and how proud I am to have such a great Christian family. What a wonderful thing to get your baby started out on the right foot when she's just a newborn. Sydney was beautiful and did great while the Pastor was holding her. She was fascinated by the spotlights way up above her head. I was able to hold Sydney and care for her some while we were in Alabama and I couldn't believe that I would have my very own in just half a year.
It was also such a gift to be with the rest of our family in Alabama and in Texas. Everyone was so excited to see the "baby bump". We got a few little Christmas gifts from family for the baby and that was unexpected and super exciting. The baby now has a few books, a couple of rattles, some essentials like pacifiers, spoons, and it's first sippy cup, and a Christmas bib! Jared's Granny also gave us a Sleep Sheep! I don't think she realized what a must-have it was, but we were really excited to get one. I know several babies that have them. It attaches to the outside of the crib for when the baby is an infant and it makes soothing sounds to help the baby sleep. Then, when the baby is older, it serves as a stuffed animal that the child can snuggle with and it can still help them get to sleep. It also travels well- another plus!
I also received some extra attention by being pregnant. This was fun, but a little overwhelming at times. My sister and sister-in-law answered a lot of my questions: my sister having just had a baby and my sister-in-law having had her fourth three years ago. My mother-in-law, Jared's aunt, my sister-in-law, Jared, and I even took a trip to Babies-R-Us to look around. This was SO much fun and a little overwhelming! There is so much out there. I love to hear my mom and mother-in-law talk about what was available when they had babies and how much things have changed. It's a great reminder that a lot of what is out there to help you with baby is unnecessary. However, I do love some of the doodads that will make life much easier! That's where my sister-in-law came in with her expertise and answered a lot of questions of what we need versus what we don't. I don't think she realized how valuable her knowledge really is. My sister has been answering lots of questions in the past couple of weeks as I get ready to start the baby registry. Also, did you know there are strollers out there that cost close to $1,000? Crazy!
We also had great fun just talking about the baby, getting advice from family, lots of times laughing about stories they had or jokes they wanted to make. Our nieces and nephews range in age from 3 months to 10 years, so there are lots of good stories there. Then there are also great stories from when we were babies and beyond. It was great to see the excitement in everyones' faces.
Now we start the New Year with much anticipation and we realize this is the year our first baby will be born. We've started back to work and know that the time is going to pass quickly. We moved around some furniture upstairs to start getting the baby room ready. Our baby room will also serve as a guest room, so things get a little tricky. I love the plans we have though and I'm so excited to start organizing and decorating. One of my friends, Carolyn Paradzinski, once told me that when she was pregnant she wanted to go around organizing and labeling everything! I feel that bug. I want everything to be ready and I know that once I start my full schedule at the end of January, things are going to get crazy. I'm just try to get a head-start now. Jared has been a huge help and seems equally excited. He's been looking up rocking chairs, strollers, and swings on the internet, moving the furniture, and helping me plan for all of the upcoming baby activities! We are so excited, in case you couldn't tell!
We go to the doctor one week from today to find out the sex and have our second ultrasound! I can't wait to see the baby again. I just want to see its little body! To know the gender is going to be awesome! We will be able to plan more accordingly and register for the typical blue or pink! Of course, we're going to throw lots of other colors in there too.
I'm getting much bigger. I promise to post pictures soon! I just put in an order to Old Navy for some more maternity clothes. I hadn't bought much so far, but I'm realizing how badly I need them, especially now that I'm going back to work.
I've also just started feeling the baby move. I felt it for the first time our last night in Texas. It didn't really feel like a kick, I guess because the baby is so small. It felt more like a knock. Since then I've felt it a good bit, mostly in the morning and evening.
The posts are going to become more regular. Things are starting to happen more quickly.
Thank you for your prayers and interest. We are so happy to share with you all!
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