Teresha: We saw the sonographer today to find out our baby's sex. After basting my belly with goop, she proceeded to take multiple measurements, which took forever. She showed us the face, spine, arms, heartbeat, and legs. Then she finally started examining our baby's nether regions. The little bugger was closed up like a clam, but the technician finally got a peek and said, "you see these three lines, they form the vagina." I knew it all along, and I'm not just saying that. I always felt like the baby I am carrying was going to be a girl. I even dreamed of her playing in our front room, dressed in a purple romper with ruffles on the bottom. Now that my prophecy has been fulfilled, I am scared to death. Granted girls are a lot of fun, but also a lot more work...combing hair, puberty, sketchy boyfriends, prom dresses, graduations, her wedding, and her own foray into motherhood. Wait, I'm not ready! To boost my confidence in raising a girl, I am going to write her a letter. It's going to be a promise that I will be a mother who is committed to raising a strong woman. It will be my personal motherhood mission statement. By the way, I have another prediction...she will be a total daddy's girl. She is going to look and act like Damon, and they are going to gang up on me. :-)
Damon: Today we found out that we are having a little girl! I really did not want to find out the sex until Miss M was delivered, but Teresha is big on “planning”. I do have to say that I am excited. While Miss M will bring a balance to the gender war in the house, Butters and I have already started planning on bringing her over to the dark side. MMM…har, har har... (insert evil laugh). So what was the difference between this sonogram and the last one? Well, while we could see the head and arms/hands the last time, this time there were bones! It was really freaky. We could see her spine (she was curled up with her back to us) and then all the other bones in her body. The sonographer focused in on Miss M’s face and said “oh, she is so cute.” Um hello – the baby looks like Skeletor at this point. Don’t get me wrong – it was awesome, but unless you are like an expert in bone structure – I don’t really know what she was talking about. Having a girl will be a lot of fun. I am already thinking about how to corrupt her (girls can get away with a lot of stuff) and how I am going to try and scare her boyfriends. Oh yeah, she was also sucking her thumb – that was pretty cool. We are also thinking of doing a natural birth at a birthing center. Our doctor was not too…umm what is the word?…supportive. We got a hemorrhage and a dead baby story from her to try and sway us away from the birthing center. People have had babies (and still do) outside of hospitals for a loooong time. Don’t get me wrong, we love Dr. Foxworth, but we are going to side with nature on this one (I think).
SAVE-THE-DATES May 2nd: Miami Baby Shower
May 17th: Atlanta Baby Shower
Teresha: I know it's been awhile since we've posted, but there really hasn't been much to report. I can't complain about any problems without giving TMI. Oh, there is the insomnia at 2 am on-the-dot that is driving Damon crazy. I get up every night at the same time, go rummaging in the kitchen, then watch TV for 2 hours. Otherwise, the pregnancy has been textbook, and things have been relatively smooth. I guess that's why they call this the honeymoon trimester. I am 18 weeks along and finally have a baby bump to show off! I look the same in my delusional mind, but I knew my belly had crossed the threshold when Damon began pulling my t-shirts down. So, we are going maternity clothes shopping this weekend...yeah me! I am still waiting for that moment when the baby gives me a swift kick in my gut to let me know who's the boss. I can't wait! And then there is the big reveal of baby Petite's sex to look forward to at our April 7 appointment. So, make sure to check back to learn if we are having a boy or girl!
Damon: So I found out that the acoustics in the kitchen are awesome. When Teresha gets up at 2:00am in the morning (about, oh I'd say two hours after I go to sleep) I can hear every little precious step that she takes in the kitchen. From the banging of pots to the slamming of cabinets. It's great because I always know exactly what she is doing and that that she and the baby are safe. What else - oh yeah, Teresha's tummy has begun to win the war with her shirts. It's very, very cute - the little bump is starting to show. So we find out the sex in a couple of weeks - that is pretty exciting. I would actually rather wait, but Mrs. Freckleton-Petite likes to plan. Like she said above check back soon to find out if the baby will bring balance to the force (me and Butters are winning the battle of the sexes in the house right now).
It's about time that I had a chance to speak up about this baby. And, boy, do I have a lot to say! First off, no one included me in the decision-making process. No one asked my permission to make any additions to our family. I like being an only child. I admit I was pretty upset for awhile, especially when my mommy wouldn't let me come near her, something about being sensitive to my smell. My natural aroma never bothered her before! Then my daddy didn't seem to have time to play with me anymore between working hard and making special meals for mommy. I thought, if this what having a baby around is going to be like, I want no part of it! But then things got back to normal. Mommy took me for walks and daddy started throwing the ball around with me again. I know it won't last because the baby will be here soon, and my mommy and daddy are going to be really tired with all the feedings and diaper changes. So, I know I will have to be patient with them and try not to act out. On the plus side, when the baby gets older, I will have a new playmate .
Teresha: I am 100 days pregnant today (roughly 3.5 months)! I want to thank everyone for their well wishes. The outpouring of support has been overwhelming and heart-warming. It has been awesome to talk about pregnancy and parenting with friends who have already taken this journey. Becoming a parent really puts you in another league of people. I feel like we've been told an ancient secret or given membership to an exclusive club. For me, the last 100 days feels like I am in The Odyssey, at the beginning of a bright, new adventure, but with so much more to experience and learn. That said, I am starting to enjoy being pregnant more each day. I am doing things to connect with the baby like talking to him/her and putting the ear buds of my ipod on my belly. Damon doesn't like it when me and the baby whisper about him. I have also been scrapbooking and journaling so that I can share this experience with our child when (s)he is older. Of course, the organizational freak in me has already picked out nursery decor for a boy or girl, interviewed childbirth instructors, created gift registries and planned a hundred other things in advance. Damon thinks I need to relax, but I know that I won't be able to keep up this Superwoman act once the baby arrives, so I might as well get as much done when I have the time and energy. I don't have much of a bump yet, but I promise to post a picture of my rounded belly as soon as I start really showing!
Damon: So, I am still feeling pretty good - no sympathy pains as of yet. I don't like it when Teresha talks crap behind my back to the baby. Butters is keeping on eye on her for me. Like Teresha said, I am a bit more laid back - and since I am not the one pregnant I can relax. The way I see it, if people were able to raise babies hundreds of thousands of years ago - we should be able to figure it it out. Cry, eat, pee, poop, sleep then repeat. I got this on lock-down!
Teresha: I never knew how many decisions had to be made in early pregnancy such as registering for childbirth classes. Apparently, they fill up quickly. The hospital keeps calling to get me to enroll in their course, but the hippie nut in me wants a natural birth experience. Expectant mothers have more options these days, and I plan to take full advantage. Our doctor gently suggested that we sign up for something soon. So I have been interviewing hypnobirthing coaches. Thankfully, other decisions are easier to make...breastfeeding, cloth diapers, organic products. Speaking of which, I was pleased to find out that Target has started to carry organic baby products like Nature's Baby Organics that are Paraben, Phthalate, and Sulfate free. Even more exciting, the blogger at Piece of ME, is giving away a gift bag full of Nature's Baby Organics!
Teresha: I am starting to feel better as I approach the end of my first trimester. No more queasiness or tiredness. By week 11, I feel more normal. We start planning how we are going to tell our family and friends about our pregnancy. Of course, we are going to call our immediate family, but we are making a video to share the news with our friends. It's going to be so cute (and corny!). We go see Dr. Foxworth on February 6 for our 3-month check-up. We discuss genetic testing, breastfeeding v. formula, birthing classes, etc... Then she uses a doppler to listen for the heartbeat. She is scanning the surface of my belly, and I see the look on her face change from curious to concern. My own heart starts beating so fast and loud that the mointor picks it up. So, for a moment, I am relieved thinking I am hearing the baby until she says,"that's you." I start to panic, but the doctor calmly directs us to the more sensitive ultrasound machine. Our baby pops up on the screen just waving its arms and kicking its legs. I cry tears of joy and relief. I guess I just had my first mommy scare. Oh, the drama!
Damon: So we had a little scare yesterday. The doctore used the doppler (like the doppler weather radar) to listen for the baby's heartbeat. I could tell something was not right - it took a bit too long. The doctor could not find the heartbeat. I was not too worried, but I was concerned. We popped into the next room and the doc used the ultrasound - and there was BABY! Waving and kicking - it just made it sooo real - you could see the head, hands and feet. So although we had a little stress - it was worth it. I think the munchkin just wanted to say hi - so baby hid from the doppler - how mischevious! : )
Teresha: The toughest thing about weeks 9 and 10 was keeping the good news a secret, but we agreed to wait until we crossed the second trimester. This was even harder to do after seeing the baby. I admit I told a handful people, but they were sworn to secrecy on penalty of death. :-) I have been keeping busy doing research on baby development, nursery decor, baby products, baby names (and job hunting). I have also been occupied with the changes to my body (no, not the ever-swelling boobs). I have noticed a heightened sense of smell and taste and changes in the texture of my skin and hair. I have the normal cravings for ice cream and salty foods, but the weirdest part is that I now find some of my favorite foods unappealing like chicken and chocolate. I also have an insatiable appetite for tomatoes and tomato sauce. I crave lasagna and spaghetti constantly!
Damon: So Teresha banished Butters from the couch for about a month. She said that she could not take his smell - he would not even attempt to lie on the couch with us for about four weeks. It was sad. I am pretty good a keeping secrets, so I only told one person - my boy Tony. He made the mistake of telling me that his wife was pregnant like two or three weeks in - lol. He got into trouble. Ladies, guys don't know that type of stuff! Anyways - I returned the favor. Tony is pretty tight lipped. Yeah - so I have learned how to make home-made spaghetti sauce. It's a combination of my mom's recipe and whatever I have available in the kitchen. All is well on the western front.
Teresha: We saw the sonographer today to find out our baby's sex. After basting my belly with goop, she proceeded to take multiple measurements, which took forever. She showed us the face, spine, arms, heartbeat, and legs. Then she finally started examining our baby's nether regions. The little bugger was closed up like a clam, but the technician finally got a peek and said, "you see these three lines, they form the vagina." I knew it all along, and I'm not just saying that. I always felt like the baby I am carrying was going to be a girl. I even dreamed of her playing in our front room, dressed in a purple romper with ruffles on the bottom. Now that my prophecy has been fulfilled, I am scared to death. Granted girls are a lot of fun, but also a lot more work...combing hair, puberty, sketchy boyfriends, prom dresses, graduations, her wedding, and her own foray into motherhood. Wait, I'm not ready! To boost my confidence in raising a girl, I am going to write her a letter. It's going to be a promise that I will be a mother who is committed to raising a strong woman. It will be my personal motherhood mission statement. By the way, I have another prediction...she will be a total daddy's girl. She is going to look and act like Damon, and they are going to gang up on me. :-)
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