The Verdict Is in! It is a ................

GIRL!!!  Sean and I went to the doctor's appointment this morning.  The ultrasound was truly amazing.  We got to see her little hands and feet, her heart beating, and pretty much all of her vital organs.  It is kind of funny to be calling the baby a her since I have either referred to her as them or Baby B.  It will be fun to start picking out names and stuff for the room.  I will keep everyone posted.  

20 Weeks

The following is a picture we found of a baby at 20 weeks. Wow Baby B is looking more and more like a little person. This week we answer the big question "boy or girl", so check back in Tuesday for the news. Also we use www.babycenter.com for a lot of the info we put on the blog and I am now going to just link the title to the week we are in so click on the title for info. ex: this week you would click on 20 weeks at the very top of the post.

19 WEEKS

Ok so yesterday morning we were lying around being lazy and I thought I would try to talk to the baby. Well to my surprise every time I spoke to her stomach it made a weird popping noise and it felt like something was rubbing against her tummy, we laughed quite a bit but still aren't quite sure if it was the baby or maybe Raquel was just very hungry. I will say it sounded a lot different then anything I've ever heard. Anyway we are entering week 19 tomorrow and are very excited to find out the gender next week. I added some music (Baby B's tunes) to the blog but if you get annoyed please feel free to turn it off. I also made an adjustment to the comments page you no longer have to be a member to post a comment, let me know if that works better, but make sure you let us know who left the comment. Thanks all!!! :)

Your pregnancy: 19 weeks

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How your baby's growing:

Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, taking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.

Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom —about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

See what your baby looks like this week.

Mini Sean or Mini Raquel? July 29th is the big day!!!

Today I went to the doctor for a check-up and to get some blood work done.  I got to hear the baby's heartbeat again.  This time the baby's heartbeat was 144 beats per minute (last time it was 154 bpm)  I was so glad that the doctor was able to find the heartbeat in seconds and it sounded as strong as could be.  The doctor then asked me a quick question, so she lost the heartbeat.  She was trying to find it again and said the baby was a wiggly thing and moving all over.  She did find the heartbeat again and was surprised that I haven't felt the baby move yet.  She said it would probably be any day now since the baby was a mover.  

The exciting news is that Sean and I get to go back in two weeks to find out the sex of the baby.  We are really excited to find out.  So the big day is Tuesday, July 29th at 10:00 am.  Will it be a mini Sean or mini Raquel?  If you haven't voted yet, you better get your vote in soon.  

18 Weeks!

Hi All-We wanted to put up another belly pic but didn't get around to it. We will do it soon. I can't believe how time just flies by. I am half way there already (4 1/2 months).

Your pregnancy: 18 weeks

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How your baby's growing:

Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

See what your baby looks like this week.

How your life's changing:

Hungry? An increase in appetite is pretty common about now. Make it count by choosing meals and snacks that are rich in nutrients instead of empty calories (chips, French fries, candy, and other sweets). Bigger, more comfortable clothes are a must now as your appetite and waistline grow.

Your cardiovascular system is undergoing dramatic changes, and during this trimester your blood pressure will probably be lower than usual. Don't spring up too fast from a lying or sitting position or you might feel a little dizzy.

From now on, when you do lie down, it's best to lie on your side — or at least partly tilted to one side. (When you lie flat on your back, your uterus can compress a major vein, leading to decreased blood return to your heart.) Try placing a pillow behind you or under your hip or upper leg for comfort.

If you haven't already had a second-trimester ultrasound, you'll probably have one soon. This painless procedure helps your practitioner check how your baby's growing, screen for certain birth defects, check the placenta and umbilical cord, determine whether the due date you're working with is accurate, and see how many babies you're carrying. During the exam, you might see your baby moving around or sucking his thumb. Bring your partner along, and be sure to ask for a printout for your baby's first photo album!

17 weeks

Your pregnancy: 17 weeks

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How your baby's growing:

Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop.

See what your baby looks like this week.

How your life's changing:

Starting to feel a bit off balance? As your belly grows, your center of gravity changes, so you may begin to occasionally feel a little unsteady on your feet. Try to avoid situations with a high risk of falling. Wear low-heeled shoes to reduce your risk of taking a tumble; trauma to your abdomen could be dangerous for you and your baby. You'll also want to be sure to buckle up when you're in a car — keep the lap portion of the seat belt under your belly, drawn snugly across your hips, and also use the shoulder harness, which should fit snugly between your breasts.

You may also notice your eyes becoming drier. Using over-the-counter lubricating drops may help. If your contact lenses become uncomfortable, try wearing them for shorter stretches of time. If you still have discomfort, switch to glasses until after you give birth.

First belly pic 16 weeks

So here is the belly.  It looks more like I have just gained weight than a pregnant belly but I am sure that will change soon.  I am still feeling great and trying to keep busy so I am not just lying around.  

Your pregnancy: 16 weeks

See the big picture

How your baby's growing:

Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.

See what your baby looks like this week. (Or see what fraternal twins look like in the womb this week.)