Ultrasound and Belly Pic #1

We finally had our first ultrasound on Friday, and it was awesome! We got to see our new little gummy bear and a strong, healthy heart beat.

His or her heart rate was 160 beats per minute and s/he was measuring right on track! According to my chart, I was 7 weeks 4 days on the day of the ultrasound. One of the measurements put baby at 7w6d and the other at 8w1d. Since none of the dates are more than a week off from each other, the doctor is setting my due date according to my chart, which puts this baby's eviction date as January 26th, 2015.

After the ultrasound, we met with Dr. Tatum who did my c-section with Nora. He did such an amazing job during labor and then surgery last time, that I'm very thankful to be seeing him again. He was happy for us, and he even gave me a hug when he congratulated me. He gave me the "advanced maternal age" spiel, and he assured me that he was as confident as he could be based on statistics that this would be a healthy pregnancy.

We talked about how my friend the fibroid is back, and I have pretty much decided that I will opt for a repeat c-section, which means that this little one is probably going to enter this world a little earlier than its due date. Maybe around the 20th instead of the 26th of January.

In two weeks, I have another appointment, and at that time, we'll schedule my first trimester screening (NT scan ultrasound and blood tests that each look for genetic abnormalities) which will take place at UT somewhere between 12 and 14 weeks gestation.

I caved and took my first bedroom mirror belly pic selfie today. Of course, I'm not showing yet, but I started taking pictures early with Nora, so I wanted to do the same this time. A flowy shirt and maxi skirt probably wasn't the best choice for this kind of photo, but there will be plenty of time to see that bulging belly grow and grow.... and grow.

We have started sharing our news with family and close friends, privately, and we expect to go "public" mid-July after the first trimester screening is complete and we get, hopefully, a clean bill of health. Everyone is very happy and excited for us, as expected. I know we'll have lots of love and support over the next 7 months and beyond as we bring #2 into the world.