Beaker Waves Hello!

Yesterday's NT Scan happened right on schedule! Actually, it happened early. I have absolutely no idea what happened on Tuesday, because even in the midst of a nasty wintry mix yesterday that ended up breaking the prior record for one-day snowfall in the Dallas-area, we somehow managed to get to the doctor's office 30 minutes early yesterday!

I'm so glad we decided to do the NT Scan, because it was the first time we saw Beaker move! I'm always nervous before ultrasounds, and this one was no exception. But, I felt more at peace this time than the last two. And, I was in awe of that growing, moving, waving, thumb-sucking little one in there!

I was secretly holding out hope that we might get a gender prediction out of our NT, but our sono doc said it was too early. And, even if she had been willing to venture a guess, I think it would have been tough given the way Beaker was laying. Still, we were able to get some great pics! And, I think I'm finally comfortable enough that Beaker has nestled in for the long haul to announce our news to everyone that doesn't already know in the next week or so. I've told people here and there, so plenty of people know, but the idea of a mass announcement has left me feeling sort of skiddish for some reason. It's time, though.

We haven't heard back quite yet on the NT bloodwork, but the nuchal fold measurements were all well-within normal limits. And, Beaker already has a prominent nose, which is also another sign of normal development at this point. Apparently, Down's Syndrome babies often haven't developed noses by this point.

We were thrilled that the NT results were great, but in reality this was mostly about seeing Beaker for us. And, with that Beaker did not disappoint! We have some great pictures to last us until weeks 18-20 when we've already decided that we'll be paying out-of-pocket for a u/s for gender determination. Even uber-patient, "go with the flow" Hubby was all for that when he heard that our next official u/s wasn't until 27 weeks. We have very little preference either way on boy or girl, but the suspense is killing us! :-)

So, without further adieu, Beaker says Hello!

Beautiful Sight!

I was a ridiculous bundle of nerves all day.  I tried to sleep most of our four hour car ride home, but the butterflies that had invaded my tummy made that a near impossibility.  By the time we made it to the clinic, my hands were shaking.  I felt like I was either going to be sick or hyperventilate as I changed and assumed the position.  (As it turned out, that "going to be sick" feeling has been with me the whole day, so I have a feeling it's a bit more related to "morning" sickness than nerves!)

Once the RE joined us in the u/s room, it was right down to business.  In hardly no time at all, we saw my uterus.  Shortly thereafter we saw the yolk sac.  For a second, all the awful thoughts raced through my head again.  But, a few clicks and a zoom or two later, and I heard the RE say that there was a healthy heartbeat there.  She asked if we could see it, but it took me a few seconds to both comprehend what she was saying and find a gap in between thre stream of tears! 

Beaker's little heartbeat was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.  At 6wks1day it was 114 beats per minute.  The RE says that's a great number for our timeline!  We saw both the black and gray flicker and the blood flow "map" of red and blue colors.  Just beautiful!  We're in total awe of the little life growing inside me.  It feels simultaneously all the more real and surreal! 

Our next appointment with the RE is in two weeks (at 8wks) and then we'll get released to my OB.  We had the option of going straight to the OB, but I had a feeling that we'd miss a chance to see Beaker if we did, so we opted to do the one last appointment with the RE before moving on. 

I know that we're by no means out of the woods yet.  That point was made all too painfully today when one of my online friends went in for her 8 week ultrasound after seeing a healthy heartbeat at 6 weeks only to find that the baby had stopped growing.  High risk factors or not, it doesn't change the sadness or the sense of caution.  And yet, I have such a sense of relief that we've past this first huge hurdle.  Beaker has a strong, healthy heartbeat.  One day at a time...but, for today, all is well and beautiful in our world!