It's a.....

...good thing that I like the color green!

I'm sure all of you will have trouble believing this, but, apparently, Robert and I have a shy baby. We had our big ultrasound today, and left with no more conclusive information about the baby's gender than we had last night. Our little one kept its legs crossed the entire procedure. So, it looks like the baby will continue to affectionately be called the cashew.

You may ask, was it just because we did not learn gender that we thought the baby was uncooperative (oh, sorry, shy)? No, the baby did not want a picture of its face taken, and moved any time the ultrasound technician was honing in for a photo. Additionally, she had trouble getting some of the actual photos that they need for the full report. So, depending on what the doctor says, we may be going back for round 2 in a few weeks.

We did learn a few new things during the estimated measurements:
Weight of an average baby at 19 weeks = 8oz
Weight of our baby at 19 weeks = 11 oz

Weight of Nina at birth ~ 6 lbs
Weight of Robert at birth ~ 9lbs

HMMM - do you see where I'm going with this?

You will also notice that the due date has been moved a bit...looks like we are now tracking a little earlier. But, I'm sure the baby will join us when he/she deems ready. Otherwise, the ultrasound went well, looks like our little one might have Robert's longer legs, which bodes well for a future ballerina!

The Promised Land

End of Week 18

Well, after much anticipation, the days of feeling better have finally arrived. Knock on wood, I have gone almost 2 full weeks without nausea! I had almost forgotten what it feels like to be truly hungry. It is great to have an appetite again. Fruits and vegetables are still my favorite foods, and I really haven't had any new cravings, but I at least have wanted to eat like a regular human being.

We have finished the first "getting ready for baby" exercise. We built our new desk in the living room and have rearranged. Somehow, in the phenomenon that is interior design, we have added a full size desk and bookshelf to the room, and we now have more space. I'm not entirely sure how this happens, but it is a welcome relief.

I had my first prenatal massage last weekend, and much like other things while pregnant, it's sadly just not the same. They don't massage your feet or hands, really, so you leave feeling like you've missed something. I think the next time I go, I will have them just do intense back/shoulders/head, then I won't feel like it was incomplete. Apparently, certain massage spots can cause early labor, so they avoid them. I think once I hit the 38 week mark, and I'm considered "full term", I will be going for a full hour and half - bring on the labor!

The little cashew likes to hide out whenever I go to the doctor office, making it hard for him to locate the heartbeat on the doppler. This is discouraging, as we are soon to go to our 20 week ultrasound. I am beginning to believe that even though we want to find out the gender, the little cashew may not be so accommodating.