14 Weeks - 2nd Trimester (DB)

Second trimester!!! With every week that passes, we get a little more excited and a little less worried. The second trimester is a huge milestone, especially after everything that we've been through.

I am constantly alternating between feeling like this pregnancy is flying by and feeling like it's moving along so slowly. It's one of those funny things in life that seems to hit you in waves. Most of the time, if it wasn't for the baby pouch I'm sporting, it doesn't completely register with me that I am pregnant. Then I see a commercial or email with babies and all of a sudden I get this crazy rush that one of those tiny babies is growing inside of me! Wow... talk about feeling a ton of emotions all at once! I think that once I can feel the baby wiggling around in there it will start to feel real all of the time for me. From what I hear, I should start to feel those little butterfly flutters in just a few more weeks! I can't wait!

Our next doctor's appointment is on Tuesday. I'm so excited because Paul will be coming with me and he will get to hear our little one's heartbeat for the first time! And it is such a beautiful sound. It's making me cry again just to think about hearing it. We are so blessed.

From Mustard Seed to Apple (PB)

I don't think I truly believe our baby is the size of an apple. I mean, at the last ultrasound, the baby was a few milimeters in length. But an apple? That's huge! I just can't picture it. All those fruit charts on the pregnancy sites exaggerate, right? Just to make you feel like you're making more progress. Tomorrow is 14 weeks... over a third of the way there.

Is he/she really an apple?

Amazing.

The Prospective Father's Views (PB)

Danielle's done a much better job keeping this blog updated than I have. Whereas the baby's actively affecting her life already(check out that pouch!), he/she's still pretty theoretical to me. But I don't want that to be mistaken for a lack of excitement. The fact is, I'm ecstatic that we're having a baby in six short months. I think it helps that we had such a difficult time. When Danielle first brought up the idea of "trying", I wasn't against it, but I wasn't all that gung ho about having kids. I've always wanted them, but I've never been in any real hurry. I think it finally struck me when I realized that by the time my kids are my age, I'll be in my 60s. I hate to think how much I'd miss of their childhood and eventual grandchildren by waiting too much longer.

Anyway, when you have to deal with infertility, and the sudden thought of NEVER having kids settles in, your entire perspective changes. I feel so fortunate just to be able to have kids, so this baby will be a welcome addition to the family.

I'm keeping this pretty tame and neutral for a first post. I'm not sure who will eventually get to read this, so I'll not delve into how this has affected relationships or discuss parenting platitudes. Let it just be said that this is one excited Daddy-to-be who can't wait to meet his little boy or girl.

12 Week Photo

Look! I already have a baby bump! :)

13 Weeks 1 Day (Dani)

We almost bought one of those pee on a stick and find out if it's a boy or a girl tests that they just came out with yesterday. But then we decided... we're only a few weeks from the ultrasound that will tell us... so we decided to hold off. I wonder if we'll make it though...

Some of the websites I've seen say that the second trimester starts at 13 weeks and some say at the end of 13 weeks... so I guess I'll wait until the end of the 13 weeks to celebrate 2nd trimester... but yay! So close!

Ode to Maternity Clothes (Dani)

Oh how much better you fit
For now I can comfortably sit
In my chair at work all day long
While I sing a favorite song.

More stylish than ever I feel
My husband cute looks does steal
So comfy and cute and affordable too
Oh what a great job these clothes do!

I must thank the family and friends
Who along did these clothes send
You all are the best
At getting me dressed
Oh how I love you all so!

12 weeks (Dani)

So our little one is the size of a lime today! All of a sudden the baby seems to be growing so fast! It's so amazing to think about.

Today we hit the 12 week mark! I think Paul and I both feel like we've hit a huge milestone and feel like we can breath a little easier. Wow... a baby! Sometimes it really hits that in 6 short months we will be coming home from the hospital with a very tiny baby that is part of both of us. I can't wait to see what this baby looks like, and what characteristics it will get from each of us, what personality traits, etc. It is just overwhelmingly exciting!