a little update

a week and a day ago, we went for a checkup. justin got to hear the heartbeat on the doppler for the first time. he was so excited; it was priceless.

the heartbeat was in the 150s and was very strong. everything seems to be going well, so that is good, and after everything we have been through, a bit surprising.

baby has not been as active as i had hoped, though i know that is normal. it is reassuring to feel him or her wiggle around sometimes, though. i know there will be a time when he or she is kicking the crap out of me and i'll wish i never said that. ;)

something i haven't mentioned before is our next st. louis appointment. yes, another one. this one is different, though. because both my dad and justin's brother were born with heart defects, we are having a fetal echo done to check the baby's heart. i am not really worried that anything will be wrong, but i asked the doctor what the benefit would be of getting this done versus not having it done.

he said, "well, it could be that nothing is wrong, but if you don't have it checked and the baby is born and something is wrong, the baby will have to be airlifted to st. louis for surgery. if something is wrong and you know beforehand, you will deliver in st. louis instead." the thought of having my baby taken away on a helicopter and being unable to leave the hospital to go be with the baby is totally and completely unbearable, so we are going to have it checked out. that appointment is just over a month away. again, i'm not really concerned that something will be wrong, but i have to make sure.

we find out if the baby is a boy or a girl in five days. i can't wait. i am so ready to start getting things ready around here, register for cute little baby things, and make things for the baby. :)