"Bebe Dos"

Today was my first trimester screening test. It's called the NT (nuchal translucency) test and it screens for chromosomal abnormalities like Down's syndrome and Trisomy 13 and 18. I have to admit, we have had our reservations about taking this test. It's becoming the "standard" in prenatal care but because it's not diagnostic, you only receive probabilities for having a child with one of these disorders. So, it doesn't tell you with certainty. Our Doctor recommended it which is why we went ahead and agreed.

BUT, the best part is, you get an early ultrasound...in my case, at 13 weeks. As soon as they put the probe on my belly, I saw our little bean and tears started streaming down my face. (I'm going to refer to the baby as "him" only because it's a pain to type he/she a million times...and b/c I think it's a boy. ha.) He was moving around so much that they could barely take measurements! He was kicking his legs and waving his arms and opening and closing his mouth. I know the technicians probably say this to everyone, but both the technician and the Doctor kept commenting on his perfect shape and profile. It was absolutely beautiful.

At one point, the technician asked me "Do you want to know what you are having?" Shock set in. I had no idea they could tell this early? I said "no, no, no. I promised my husband we wouldn't find out. Please don't tell me and don't ask me again or I will cave." Then the Doctor came in and said "Did she tell you what you're having?" Ahhhh! Nooo!!!! Don't talk about it! ha. I am only sorry that Mark was out of town and couldn't be there to share in the fun. :( :(

In the ultrasound, they measure the level of fluid behind the baby's neck. If it measures more than 3 mm, then it's a sign for a chromosomal disorder. Our baby's measurement was 1.6. I had blood work done which will come back in a week for more results. Please pray for our little bean that he is 100% healthy!

Here are some awesome pics of our little growing baby. We can't wait to meet him (or her!)



Do you see me kicking my leg?



I also like touching my toes





My close-up profile shot



Hi Mom! Hi Dad!



Another high five

Dallas

The tides usually change quickly for the Broxterman family, but this move to Dallas is still pending. We went down there over a week ago to look at homes and found some really great options (when you compare it to what you get in San Francisco for the same cost, it's hard not to be blown away by the options.) But, we are waiting to see what happens with our house here before we make any real moves (no pun intended.) We've had 2 very successful weekends of open houses but no offers yet. We are just keeping our fingers crossed that we can make this transition as seemless as possible.

Jacob had a great time in Dallas especially with all of the attention (ahem, m&m's and jelly beans) from Grandma and Grandpa and all of the special toys from Nanny and Papa. I personally found the trip to be exhausting but I think that's just because I have not bounced back from that 1st trimester exhaustion. Oh wait, have I not announced on our blog that I am pregnant?! The handful of you that read this already know so I'm sure it's not shocking news, but it's important to get it officially typed in our little blog here. Save the date everyone...our little "Bebe Dos" (as he/she was named on Facebook) is scheduled to arrive on October 6, 2009.

I am 13 weeks tomorrow so I believe that technically means I will be out of the first trimester. The nausea has subsided (THANK the good Lord) but the fatigue has not and I am in bed before 9 pm most nights (I am approaching my bedtime as I type). Jacob has no clue as to what this all means but he does know "where the baby is" and most times says he "wants a baby sister". We're trying to teach him not to jump on mommy's belly anymore or charge at mommy going full speed since he could hurt the baby (we're still working on this.) I do love it when I ask him to give baby a kiss and he comes over, lifts up my shirt and gives my belly a big kiss. Today, he decided to blow raspberries on my belly which made me laugh even harder. He's going to be an amazing big brother. I'm certain of it.

Anyway, here are some pics of our trip to Dallas. We went to the Fort Worth zoo, and spent a couple of days in our hotel pool. I never thought we'd have to hide Jacob's swim diapers from him, but everyday he'd pull them out and say "simming mommy! Go simming please!" It was then that I thought it was best to put them away where he couldn't be reminded that there was a pool in the building.

Note to Jacob: Doctors are our friends

I have been dreading the day that Jacob would come to understand visits to the Doctor. I remember being terrified as a kid every time I went to the Doctor wondering if I was going to get a shot that day (I was also terrified of the Dentist and knew for certain I would be getting shots when I went there. I had way too much work done on my teeth as a kid.) Unfortunately, this day came sooner than I had expected. Jacob used to like to go to the Doctor's office with all of the toys in the waiting room and the big round fish tank with Nemos and Dorys inside. We'd then be escorted into the room where there would be Thomas decals all over the walls. It was considered a "fun" experience.

Not so much anymore people. Jacob had his 2 year check up visit the Wednesday before last and before we even got into the room he was saying "bye bye Mommy. No Doctor." I had to distract him with cars and songs and games. The visit itself was harmless and he actually cracked a couple of smiles for the Doc. He ended up measuring 35 1/2 inches tall and weighing 35 1/2 pounds. Our bruiser is proportional I guess? It was the end of the visit that has permanently ingrained fear in my child's mind. They had to prick his finger to get a blood sample to check his iron. Then, they made me hold him down on the table while they shoved 2 syringes up his nose to give him the nasal flu shot. THEN, I had to hold him down while they gave him a Hepatitis A vaccine in his thigh. The whole thing took about 5 minutes and he was screaming bloody murder the whole time while looking at me with these tear-filled eyes as if to say "mommy, WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME?" Needless to say, we both walked out of there in tears.

He's had many, many shots before but I don't think he had the capacity to remember/associate those instances with the Doctor's office. All of that has changed.

Jacob came down with a fever over the weekend which resulted in 2 very sleepless nights. Once again, I found myself going back to the Doctor's office with him on Tuesday. Mind you, this was almost one week after his 2 year visit. The memory was still fresh on his mind and Jacob started crying as we pulled into the parking lot. We hadn't even made it to the door! I knew then that I had my work cut out for me. We were only there about 15 minutes but I would say the entire block of 2nd Avenue and San Mateo Drive was aware that there was a toddler in the Bay Area Pediatrics building that was NOT happy. It ended up being another ear infection (the 3rd one in 3 months) and we high-tailed it out of there to get his antibiotic at Walgreens.

I called Mark immediately and said "The next Doctor visit is yours."

Poor baby. I don't blame the little guy. It's scary and confusing. But I just didn't think the fear would start this soon. I guess we have more years and years of Doctor's visits to look forward to.