Christmas 2007

Christmas 2007

(30 weeks pregnant)

Bryan & Rie Christmas 2007

A few weeks before Christmas...7 months pregnant

We had a very low-key and relaxing Christmas this year...we know next year will be very busy with a 10 month old in the house! Enjoy the pictures!

Here's a pic of my baby bump!!

At my last appointment, the doctor was a little concerned that my cervix was on the thin side. He told me that I was to do very little around the house, no lifting, and to take it easy. He would check me again in two weeks to determine if I needed to go on bedrest. He also wanted me to have another diagnostic ultrasound. I was anxious for today to come to find out the results.

So we went for our fetal growth ultrasound this afternoon. They were measuring all of Gracie's parts and pieces to make sure she is growing properly. She passed the tests with flying colors...in fact, she measures 3 days ahead of schedule! As of today she is 3lbs 1oz! Bryan and I were very happy to hear this.

After the ultrasound we went across the street to the doctor's office. Where he told me I am officially on, what I call "modified bedrest". He said if I'm not at work, I'm not to be doing anything...no shopping, cleaning, cooking, etc. Yikes!!! I can tell you right now, this is going to be hard!!! BUT, I will do whatever it takes to make sure Gracie stays put for as long as she needs to. So I have resigned myself to the fact that the rest of the Christmas cards and presents will have to wait until after the baby is born AND I'm hiring a cleaning lady!! Maybe this isn't such a bad thing!! :)

I'll keep you posted as things progress!

In the meantime, have a Blessed Holiday Season!

More 3D pics

Grace smiling!!!

Grace's face again

3D ultrasound!!!

Gracie's face!!
Part of her face, with her left hand on her forehead...you can see all 5 fingers on that hand. Her right foot is also in view!
Her right leg and foot!!

Today Bryan and I have been married for 6 years!! To celebrate we went and got a 3D/4D ultrasound of Gracie. It was totally unreal to watch her move around in there. The images were so clear...as you can see above!

I am 27 weeks this week. This week she weighs almost 2 pounds and is about 14.4 inches long with her legs extended. She can now open and close her eyes (which we saw during the ultrasound), and she sleeps and wakes at regular intervals.

I have a doctor's appointment on Wednesday of this week and will post an update after that.

Hope all is well with everyone! Happy Holidays!!

Belly Shot (25 weeks)

Here is the latest picture of my belly. It has definitely grown!!

6 Months (25 Weeks)

Hi Everyone! It has been a long time since I've posted anything. I apologize, but we have been extremely busy! If we aren't working at work or home, we are sleeping!

I had a doctor's appointment last Wednesday. He told me everything looked great! They measured my belly and listened to Gracie's heartbeat. Everything checked out normal. At my next appointment I will be tested for gestational diabetes. Apparently they check all pregnant women at this time. The doctor is also going to send me for another diagnostic ultrasound in late December or early January. He wants to make sure that the baby is still growing properly.

Next weekend I have a 3D ultrasound scheduled. This type of ultrasound is non-diagnostic, and of course is not covered by insurance. The images they can provide are really cool and look more like a photograph than the traditional ultrasound, so we are going for it! I will post these pictures when I get them.

I have been feeling Gracie move a lot! Her movements still feel a little like gas bubbles, only stronger. Bryan has even been able to feel her from the outside of my belly. Usually when I tell him she's moving, he puts his hand on my belly and she stops. It's rare, but a few times he got a kick or two! It is totally amazing and kind of surreal!!!

Here is how Gracie is progressing this week:

Head to heels, she now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. Her hair is probably recognizable now (in color and texture), although both may change after she's born. Keep your fingers crossed that she has red hair!!!

I will have Bryan take some pictures of my belly and will post them as soon as possible!

We want to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving! Blessings to all!

Love,

Rie & Bryan

It's a GIRL!!!

This image looks like Gracie is "mooning" the camera. Her little butt is to the left and her legs are sticking out towards the right. The arrow is pointing at the significant parts!
This image is one of her little foot. Her heel is on the left and her toes are towards the right.
This last image is of her face. With this imaging she looks like a little alien from Roswell. We still love her!

Bryan and I had an appointment at the hospital for a fetal growth ultrasound. Grace Marie is healthy, strong and exactly how she should be for 18 weeks and 5 days. Her brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, bladder, stomach, limbs, etc. all checked out fine. We were able to see her wiggling around and open and close her mouth. It was totally amazing!! She was hiding for a while and the doctor had to come in and look at her heart again to get all the views needed, but he said she looked great! He also said that according to their calculations she weighs 8 oz and has a due date of February 29th....LEAP YEAR!!! We'll just have to wait and see when she is ready to join the world! We are very excited!! Poor Bryan has a lot of painting to do...the room was half way ready for a boy...oops!! I have an appointment on Monday with my OB and will post another update next week. Please keep Baby Gracie, Bryan and I in your prayers so that we may deliver a healthy baby girl next year!!