IT'S A GIRL!!!

We had our first ultrasound on Tuesday night and found out that our baby is a girl! So very excited (and can't wait to start shopping!) We went to get the ultrasound at Utah Valley OB because they do strictly gender check ultrasounds for just $45. When she first put the sensor on my belly and we saw our baby on the screen for the first time, we both looked at each other and said, "Baby!" It was very awesome to see that there actually was a baby in there. It was comforting to see that she has two eyes, two arms, and two legs. There wasn't much else to the ultrasound because it was strictly to check gender, but I imagine we'll probably have another one to check the growth and the health of the baby in another month or so.


Everyone is Chase's family is not surprised that it is a girl because last year they performed "The String Test" on me that said we were going to have 3 girls so they were all sure it was a girl anyways. We told my family and my coworkers that night, but waited to tell Chase's family until today because we decided to have a little fun with April Fool's Day. We found an ultrasound picture that showed twins and told them all we were having twins. Loved it! I was laughing so hard, I was crying.

So back on Thursday, February 16th, we had our first appointment. We decided to use midwives at a birthing center (A Better Birth in Orem) instead of the traditional OB and hospital birth. The main reason we chose this was the cost. I don't have health insurance and realized it wasn't cost effective to get it with the outrageous $7500 maternity deductible. Two sister in laws have both delivered there and have loved it, so we thought we would give it a try. So at our first appointment, Sara gave us a tour of the facility where they have just 2 or 3 birthing suites that have really nice beds (better than the one we have at home!) and tubs. They have a full kitchen and nice waiting room too for everyone's comfort. Then we sat down and they asked if we had any questions about anything. Having gone through the pregnancies of 9 nieces and nephews, I feel like I pretty much know everything, so there wasn't much talking going on. They checked my urine and went over my health history. At this point I was 10 1/2 weeks along, and they said we could try to hear the heart beat with the dopler detector, but not to be afraid if we couldn't hear it. They tried and tried, but couldn't hear it. It was a little disappointing and of course I worried a bit, but knew it would all be ok because I continued to have all my normal pregnancy symptoms. So we made another appointment for a month later.

We returned again on Friday, March 16th where they checked my urine again. They then drew some blood... the key word here is "some". My veins were too small and they couldn't get even three vials for their tests. Jen (the midwife) made me promise to drink more water next time and said we would try again. Then it was time to try to hear the heartbeat again. It took a little searching again, but they found it. It was pretty cool to hear, to know that our baby was ok. So we set another appointment for another month away.

3/11/12
14 weeks



3/30/12
16 1/2 weeks

I've been really starting to feel better lately. Now I'm really only a little nauseous after I eat breakfast in the morning and then I feel better for the rest of the day. Just this past week, my belly is starting to grow a little bit. My pants are starting to get a little bit tighter and I'm really starting to look more pregnant, though I still just feel chubby. I'm pretty sure every pregnant woman goes through that at some point in time. I've still only gained about 5 pounds, which I'm happy with considering how much food and carbs I ate my first trimester just to help me feel better. I know the weight is going to start piling on pretty soon here now that the baby is doubling in size/weight every week. I'm so excited!!! I got all the maternity clothes from Chase's sisters out yesterday and tried them all on and filled up my closet a little bit, but there is still more shopping to do!

A couple weeks ago, I went to California with Shauna. Kyle wanted her to come visit while he was there for work and she wanted someone to drive with her, so I graciously volunteered! We left after work on a Thursday night after deciding the snow wouldn't be too bad and drove to St. George where we stayed the night at Kyle's parents house. We had to make a quick pit stop in Cedar City to buy some Walmart brand girl scout cookies because we HAD to have them after talking about them on the drive! In the morning, we left Kyah and Spencer there with Grandma and Grandpa and took Jaycee with us and drove to California. We got to the cousins' house and hung out with them for the night. Kyle came over for dinner and we made rice krispie treats (which were devoured within the hour!) Saturday, we just hung out. We went to visit Chase's grandma and went out to lunch with her, Lauren, Matt, Mattie, Clark, and Jeanine. We went shopping a little bit later because I forgot to bring enough clothes and Shauna was going to end up staying longer so she needed more clothes. We came back to the house, packed our bags and drove out to Long Beach to stay with Kyle at his hotel. Sunday morning, we woke up early and went to the Catalina Express port to take a boat over to Catalina Island. After a little confusion and a little waiting for another boat, we took the hour boat ride over to the island. Everyone was supposed to do scuba diving and I was going to watch Jaycee, but diving fell through so we walked the island, had lunch and ice cream, and watched some of the divers. Kyle's co-workers and I took the early boat back and drove to the airport where we were flying back home. Kyle stayed with Shauna and they stayed a few extra days before driving home. It was a nice short flight back home on the lovely Jet Blue. Finally made it home about 11:00 that night just in time to go to bed and wake up for work the next morning. We had a great time visiting with family and seeing Catalina Island again. I love impromptu trips like that! Its so fun to do, especially before the baby is born!