18 weeks and counting

It's been a while since my last post.  It seems that early in the pregnancy there was constant exciting updates.  Under Dr. Mooney's care we were getting sonograms every two weeks.  Since moving into the second trimester, the major updates occur much less frequently.

We are now in our 18th week, and I can tell you that things are moving along well.  We graduated from Dr. Mooney.  He was our reproductive gynecologist whose main focus was getting us pregnant.  Dr. Mooney saw us through the first trimester.  We are now under the care of a team of doctors and nurse practitioners at Atrium OB/GYN in Canton.  They are doing a wonderful job.  They are very kind and very thorough.  They spend lots of time with us and never make us feel rushed.  We haven't conducted an orientation yet, but we are fairly certain that we will deliver the baby at Aultman Hospital in Canton.

Mandy has had health screenings for herself and the baby, and both the mum and the bub seem to be in excellent health.  All genetic screenings indicate that the baby is healthy.  It is growing at a good rate, and its heartbeat is normal.  Mandy's insulin levels are good.  The nausea has been gone for a few weeks now.  (Thank God!)  Now Mandy complains of back and hip pain, leg numbness and difficulty sleeping.  Oh, the joys of pregnancy.  She has been assured that these symptoms are common and they are only going to get worse as the baby gets bigger.  Joy.  All complaining aside, the pregnancy is going well, and there have been no complications to be concerned about.  We are very blessed.

Just this week I began to notice Mandy's belly pop!  There is a definite bulge happening there.  Mandy is even noticing some fluttering in her tummy.  She is confident that she is starting to feel the baby kicking.

So is it a boy or a girl??????

We don't know yet.  The baby is just getting to the age where an ultrasound can detect the baby's sex.  Our ultrasound appointment is scheduled for October 25.  Let's hope the baby cooperates and poses proudly for the camera with its legs wide open.  :-)  We will let you know what we are having as soon as we know.  Stay tuned!