Vegas Baby

Last weekend I took a ladies trip to Vegas with my good friends Jodie and Jennie from the old neighborhood, North Springfield, VA. We've known each other since we were 6 or so, so it's safe to say we go way back! It was the perfect getaway, the weather was sunny and in the 80s, the complete opposite of Portland, which is still rainy and in the 50s or 60s. The ladies and I laid by the pool, tried our hand at gambling (which didn't turn out well) and ate some delicious food. On the last day we rented a cabana, a truly luxurious way to hang out in the sun. It was a very laid back trip without any complications. The ladies also surprised me with a baby girl outfit, my very first! It reminded me how adorable little girl clothes are, with all their ruffles and fun colors, I will definitely need to practice self-restraint!

We found out during our last appointment that we're expecting a healthy baby girl this October! It is always so reassuring to hear that everything is growing right on schedule and to know all organs and parts look healthy! I didn't always know exactly what we were looking at, but I take the doctor's word for everything!

As planned, we had the ultrasound technician write down the gender on a piece of paper and put it into an envelope. Of course, I could not wait so we went right to the car and opened it. We were both thinking it'd be a boy, since they're so prevalent in our families, so we were shocked to see it's a girl written out! The tech told us that she's never wrong. So now we have to hit the name books and decide on the perfect name for her.

Ultrasound date moved up

Good news and what I will term interesting news, our ultrasound date has been moved to this Thursday, May 19. Results from my last appointment's lab work came back showing my protein levels were slightly out of the normal range. This could be an indication of a zillion things or just be what is normal for my pregnancy, but they'd like to do the anatomical peek sooner rather than later to rule out a majority of possibilities.

This is definitely fine with me because that means I get to see the little turnip (that's how everyone describes the size of the baby now) in just 4 days! It also means we should be able to find out the sex. It'll be at the early end, I'll just be 18 weeks, but they should be able to locate all the right parts to determine whether all is healthy and if we will be looking forward to a baby girl or a baby boy. Andrew and I decided, thanks to a brilliant idea from Brian and Ashley, that we'll ask the doctor to put the gender results in an envelope for us to take home. That way we can open it when it's just the two of us. It seems much more celebratory that way. Thank you Brian and Ashley for the good idea, I can't wait to use it! So I'll be posting the sex on Thursday or Friday, stay tuned!

Belly at 17 weeks!

So I'm definitely showing, but I think it could still be taken as a beer (ice cream in my case) belly.

Introducing Baby Burns

I have jumped on the new baby blog bandwagon and decided to chronicle our adventures via blog to help keep all of our friends and family that are scattered across the country updated! Andrew and I are so excited to add a new member to our family this fall. So far, it has been quite the journey. The beginning was full of highs and lows- I started working with a fabulous new PR firm in Portland, I was down and out sick for two months and Andrew went missing in the Aspen mountains. But life moves on and here I am at 17 weeks and feeling wonderful!

I went in yesterday for our monthly appointment and heard the heartbeat. It's beating at a healthy 140 beats a minute, which is always reassuring. I haven't felt the baby kick, but am anxiously awaiting that big first. I am definitely showing and wearing maternity clothes. It is a crazy experience to watch your stomach expand outwardly and have zero control over it. I've been doing yoga and hitting the gym regularly to try and keep the weight gain in check, we'll see how that works out!

We go in to find out the sex on May 27 and I am counting the days! This ultrasound picture was during the first trimester at 12 weeks. It's amazing how much detail you can see that early on!

Below is the little onsie I picked out to celebrate my entrance into the second trimester a few weeks back. So far it's the one and only piece we have for the new baby, everything is on hold until we know the gender!