NT Scan Countdown

I am counting down the seconds until my appointment Tuesday morning. It is for a Nuchal Translucency scan, which gives more information for possible defects or higher risk level for Down's Syndrome. I am not concerned about the results of the ultrasound - I know we will love our perfect baby, no matter what happens. I am just so excited to get to see him/her again! We had a very early ultrasound at about 6 weeks, and the baby just looked like a tiny blob. No arms, legs, etc had developed yet. I can't wait to see the progress that it has made... and if we happen to be about to see the gender early, even better! Only 2 more days!

1 Day / 1 Week

We certainly seem to have fast-forwarded a bit! I was only in the "lime" stage for 1 day, since I thought I was due later in August than my doctor told me yesterday. Glad to already be at 12 weeks and counting! It is hard to believe that the baby is already 2 inches long - and almost all of the baby's systems are fully formed. Wow!

Whoosh-whoosh-whoosh!

I don't think there is ANY sound more amazing than hearing your baby's heartbeat. It just seems so absolutely miraculous that there is a tiny person - growing inside of me! I had an appointment this morning to meet with my doctor (who I've actually never met, since I always see the nurse practitioner). Thank goodness I brought my mom with me - the 40 minute wait dragged on forever! Just when I was sure that they had forgotten about me, she finally came in. It took her awhile to locate the baby with the doppler, but she finally found it and we got to hear that wonderful sound. 170 beats/minute! She also confirmed that my due date is August 4th - different that the August 9th that I had previously thought. So, that means that baby is

already a "lime"! First trimester has really flown by.

So thankful that my appointment was so perfect today. We have another appointment next Wednesday for a detailed ultrasound, and I'm so excited to visit my little one!

Dirty Floors

Good news: I spent Carter's naptime cleaning the wood floors! They looked beautiful.

Bad news: Chris came home from work and spilled a bowl of salsa. all. over. clean. floors.

Sigh.

Can't Love You Tomorrow

Last night, Carter was being super cuddly with my stomach. He was rubbing it, kissing it, and jabbering away... "I love you sweet baby. Have sweet dreams! I am showing you love right now, but I'm not going to be able to show you love tomorrow because I'm going to the park and I'm going to be really busy."

Well, then. At least he was thoughtful enough to let baby know!

Oh, BABY!

Our family is gearing up for a HUGE - well, probably very tiny, actually - life change. Baby Erickson #2 is planning on joining us in early August 2011. We were surprised, shocked, and seriously elated at this news. The timing is perfect: Carter will be starting Kindergarten, which will give me extra one-on-one time with our new babe.

We are so thankful to have saved most of our baby gear, crib, and all of the necessities. Once we find out if baby is a boy or girl, I'll probably just have to do some shopping for fun!

I am 11 weeks pregnant, and baby is about the size of a prune. Next week will be a more attractive fruit, I'm sure :)

I have been feeling pretty good so far. I've been a little more tired than usual, with occasional waves of nausea, but definitely nothing too bad. Chris might say I'm more cranky than usual... I'm blaming the hormones! I have an appointment next Wednesday with my OB, and my next ultrasound in January 26th. SO excited to see our wiggly baby moving around!

Boxing Day

Today is the day that we get to wear Carter out by letting him play and play and play with all of his new toys. Lucky duck got everything he wanted for Christmas - and even more. The highlight of it all was a new drum set. Music to our ears. Sort-of. He's also enjoying the coolest blow-up car that works with the Wii remote/steering wheel, so he can really "drive" while playing the racing car games. Sweet! Toys just weren't this cool when we were little.

We were so blessed to have so much time with family this Christmas season. Nana visited us last week, and was able to spend almost a week with our sweet boy. Oh, how he LOVES his Nana! I don't think there is anyone else who can listen to him talk endlessly for so long and still find patience for him. Not to mention, she brought super-cool remote controlled cars.

Lots of time was spent with Aunt Kiki and her boyfriend, Scott, who were home visiting from Minnesota. I'll bet they were glad to be enjoying our 70+ degree weather!

It is hard to believe that 2010 is coming to a close. We are sure that 2011 will be our best year yet - full of noise, laughter and big surprises!