6 Month Checkup

I had my 6 month check up with my regular doctor yesterday morning and they told me the baby has premature atrial contractions (PAC). I had gone to the specialist a couple weeks ago and they had told me then that they noticed an irregularity in the baby's heartbeat but didn't think it was of any concern. My regular doctor still didn't seem too concerned about it when she was describing it to me. Basically it just means that the upper part of the heart beats a little bit faster than it should. I heard it on the doppler and every few beats you can hear her heart do a double beat. I of course Googled it when I got back to work and it seems like nothing to really worry about. It is strange though because the causes are usually too much intake of caffeine, alcohol use, drug use, or high levels of stress, none of which apply to me. I thought I was done seeing the specialist, but now with this I have to go back again in a couple of weeks for them to do another sonogram and make sure everything's okay. Even though everything I read says it's nothing to worry about I just can't help it! I'm also not sure whether it's getting this news or if it's the hormones, but I have been so extremely sad this week! I feel like I could cry at any moment and for no reason. Pregnancy causes the strangest things!

Latest sono

Here's the latest sonogram picture at 23 weeks. It's a 3D image so it looks kinda crazy, but you can really make out the face. She's got her hand over her right eye.

Bump Watch

It seemed like it took forever for my belly to finally start growing. Then almost overnight it appeared out of nowhere! And now it seems to be rapidly growing. To think that I was complaining before about not having a big enough belly!

Nursery, names, and lots and lots of clothes...

Now knowing that we were having a girl the planning and shopping could begin! Over the past month and a half we've spent several hours/days creating the perfect nursery. Family members have even joined in the effort. My sister helped me paint the room and install shelving for the closet and Brian's parents are coming over this week to install crown molding. We decided to go with a purple and green color scheme since it was different than the typical pink for girls. I found some super cute bedding online that was the inspiration for the room. The room is almost finished except for the crown molding and putting pictures in the frames.

We also decided on a name...actually, about a month ago! It was between Alexa and Taylor and we finally decided on Alexa. Her middle name will be Nicole after my sister. I think it has a nice ring to it :-)

If any of you know me at all you know I have a bit of a shopping addiction. Normally I would buy stuff for myself. But now I have someone new to buy for and I have to admit, I might have gone a little overboard. But baby clothes are so irresistibly cute! I'm cutting myself off now. Well, at least for a little while :-)

It's a Girl!

January 29, 2009: At 16 weeks we had another sonogram scheduled with the specialist. I was anxiously awaiting this one since there was a possibility we might find out the sex of the baby, which meant I could really begin my planning (and shopping!). Brian, my Mom (Grandma), and Brian's Mom (Grandma Gail a.ka. GG) all came along to the appointment. At first, the baby had its legs crossed and it didn't look like we'd be able to find out whether it was a girl or boy. I kept hoping the baby would move and luckily she did! The doctor said "It's a girl!" Brian's reaction was priceless. "A girl?" he hesitantly asked. Brian has NO experience with girls since he's grown up with two brothers. Boy does he have a lot to learn :-)

Seeing Baby Fisher for the first time

January 9, 2009: At 13 weeks I went to the doctor to have the 1st trimester screen done. I didn't think we'd be able to see much on the sonogram so I told Brian he didn't have to go. That was a mistake! When I saw the baby on the screen I couldn't believe it. Even though the baby was only something like 3 cm long it actually looked like a baby! And she was even sucking her thumb! I was so sad Brian wasn't there to see it too. Fortunately they gave me a ton of great pictures!

Surprising Brian

November 4, 2008: Brian was getting home later that night and I decided I'd surprise him with the news. After getting off work I made a quick trip to Wal-Mart to pick up one more test...just to be extra sure :-) Apparently they put sensors on those things (I guess people steal them a lot) so when I walked out the alarm went off. How embarrassing! I also picked up a bib that said "I love Daddy" and decided I'd wrap this along with the five tests that I'd taken. I had the present all wrapped and sitting on the kitchen table waiting for Brian to get home from playing basketball. Unfortunately, when Brian walked in the door, one of his friends was with him. I quickly grabbed the gift bag from the table. His friend didn't stay long, thank goodness, and after he left I gave the gift to Brian. Surprisingly he was relatively unsuspecting. He opened the box and at first looked confused. Then after a few seconds it finally hit him what those things were! He couldn't believe it! He'll tell you he was happy and excited if you ask him now, but I think he was definitely in shock for those first few days!

Getting the great news!

November 4, 2008: It was Tuesday, November 4th, Election Day, when we got the news. The night before, Brian was out of town for work and I had this strange feeling that I might be pregnant...well, mostly it was the fact that my boobs hurt like they never had before! I had taken a test three days before that came back negative, but I thought, what the heck, I'll try another one. All I had on hand was one of the tests that shows one line for not pregnant and two lines for pregnant. So I took it, waited, and couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the results. It appeared there were two lines, although the second line was extremely faint. Not good enough for me to believe. I decided I'd take another one in the morning when the HCG level is supposed to be higher. The next morning I tried again and same result. Two lines, but the second was faint. Still not good enough for me to believe so I decided I'd get a digital test and take it at lunch. I came home for lunch and took the first digital one. I waited for what felt like an eternity to get the results (it was probably more like one minute!). "Pregnant" is what it said. I guess there was no disputing that result! I had to restrain myself from shrieking and dancing around and since Brian wasn't there I celebrated with Oscar and told him he'd be getting a little brother or sister. Oh, and just to make sure, I took the second digital one before heading back to work :-)