1st Trimester Screen

Today Kurt and I visited a maternal-fetal specialist for our 1st Trimester Genetic Screen, or Nuchal Translucency (NT) Scan.  I'm a little blown away because this is a whole new set of tests for genetic abnormalities that were not widely available - and certainly not to me - as recently as my pregnancy with Emma.  The screen combines a maternal blood test, ultrasound of the nuchal fold (space behind the baby's neck), and the mother's age and genetic history to identify risk levels of certain genetic abnormalities.  It can identify 85% of babies with specific chromosomal issues, which is much higher that other non-invasive tests that have been available in the past.

Since I will be 36 at the time of delivery I am considered to be of an "advanced maternal age," a term I've loathed since I first heard it.  Yet the reality is that our risk of having a baby with some type of chromosomal issue has nearly doubled as I've aged since I was pregnant with Emma.  Although that's still a risk of less than 1% (odds of "winning" I'd certainly like to take with me to Vegas!), we're people that are all about having as much information as safely possible, so we opted for the screening.

The ultrasound showed nothing abnormal, which is perfect as far as I'm concerned.  So now we wait just a few days for the rest of the results.  Overall, I think we're feeling relieved so far - a certain level of peace of mind is all a parent can really ask for. 

In spite of the seriousness of the screen, it was fun seeing Number Two up close and personal on the ultrasound.  I couldn't believe how only 4 weeks after the first ultrasound how much Number Two has come to look like a "real" baby!  He/she is an active little one, jumping and rolling all over the place in there!  And Emma was excited to see the "pictures of the baby in Mama's tummy" again when we got home.

11 weeks, 1 day

Only one week left in the dreaded 1st trimester, and I am counting the minutes!  Although I think I am doing pretty well all things considered, it will be nice to regain some of my lost energy, and most of all to be able to quit taking my trusty Unisom every night at bedtime.  Its been a God-send in alleviating my nausea, however waking up in a fog every morning is less than ideal. 

At 11 weeks and 1 day, Number Two has officially graduated from the embryo stage and has achieved "fetus" status!  We're so proud - he/she is already such a high achiever, don't you think?  I am already finding the need for maternity clothes.  Its not that baby is taking up much space, its more extreme bloat which is always delightful and attractive.  Nevertheless, most of my pants can no longer be buttoned, and even the temporary measures are no longer serving their purpose like they were just a couple of weeks ago.  The good news in all this is at least I have yet to gain any significant weight.  Keeping on track to only gaining the recommended 25-35 pounds - not so much the 47 I gained with Emma!

Tomorrow my principal will be breaking my big news to the staff.  I am suprisingly nervous as I'm still feeling a bit like an outsider at my new school, and having so much attention directed toward me makes me break out in a light cold sweat. A lot of people at work have started guessing already that I've got a baby on the way anyhow.  One of my students even asked me point-blank if I am pregnant.  You should have seen me dance around THAT question in front of my class!  So its time to come clean.  I wanted to wait until the "safe" 12 week mark, but we're close enough I suppose!

Big bed for a big girl!

Emma met yet another growing up milestone yesterday:  She got her big girl bed!  She's been in a toddler bed for the better part of a year, but it had recently become apparent she was getting too big for it.  Combine that with the fact we are going to need her crib matress for our newest family member in just seven short months, we knew it was time to take the leap.

Emma is beyond excited about her new sleeping arrangements, and has been talking with excitement about the transition for weeks.  Here she is pictured lounging on her new digs, demonstrating for Mom and Dad how very fast she is growing up!

First ultrasound

Things are moving right along!  Yesterday we went in for our first ultrasound.  Baby Moke #2 measured at exactly 8 weeks, 3 days, which puts us right on target for our original estimated due date of May 16, 2011.  We were also able to listen to #2's heartbeat drumming away at 162 bpm, normal and healthy for this stage.

The coolest thing about this ultrasound was that Emma was present for it.  Until now the idea that there is a baby growing in Mama's belly has been pretty abstract for her, and we're sure she hasn't grasped what we're really telling her. 

Before going to the ultrasound, I had explained to her that we were going to visit a doctor who would use a special camera to see inside Mama's tummy, and that we would get to look at a picture of the baby that is growing in there.  As she sat on Kurt's lap during the procedure, her little eyes were wide as she looked at the screen.  Toward the end she kept saying "That's a picture of inside Mama's tummy, and that's a baby in there!" 

Now ever since yesterday afternoon, she's made regular comments such as, "There's a baby growing in your tummy, Mama!"  Although I'm sure there is no way for her to really know what is headed her way in May, I think the ultrasound really helped all this make a little bit of sense to her.

It is hard to explain, but all of this feels so much more "real" to me this time around.  Maybe its because I've been here before and know first hand what a deep bond I am going to form with this little person, or maybe it is the act of preparing my first baby for becoming a big sister, or maybe its knowing this is the final time we'll be taking this journey.  Any way you slice it, when I can take a moment to look past the nausea, the fatigue, the chronic moodiness, I am truly in awe of this growing life.

Jen