So excited!

Well tomorrow's the big day! Pink or blue?? It's so hard to wait and there are so many decisions to make - we just have to know!

If the severity of my symptoms are any indication of the temperament of this child, we will have the most well-mannered baby on the block! I've been very lucky and have had a touch of everything - but nothing extreme. I have bleeding gums just a bit and am not quite back to normal in terms of what I will and won't eat. My belly has a way of moving around - sometimes it sticks out more than others!? I also have been making several trips to the bathroom. I think Baby Fitz is sitting on my bladder.  :/

Baby Fitz got some very special Christmas gifts - both of which brought tears to my eyes. They were such sweet and thoughtful gifts!

Grandma Ericka, Grandpa Mo, and Uncle Ali recorded this keepsake book "Guess How Much I Miss You," which is the sweetest story. :)

Auntie Yoli and Uncle Andre sent this precious ornament with a pic of Baby Fitz!

Even Baby gets a Stocking!

Where it's all going to go down. . .

So we'll be delivering at Sutter Memorial Hospital in Sacramento! Make a note!

Since 1937, when it opened as Sutter Maternity Hospital, Sutter Memorial Hospital has been the regional center for birth and newborn care. Part of the two-campus Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento, Sutter Memorial is where every expectant mother, including those experiencing high-risk pregnancies, can turn for the region’s most advanced care. More babies have entered the world through Sutter Memorial than any other hospital in the region. 

Click here: Sutter Memorial Hospital Directions

And here is our Doc! Dr. Chan is a really nice, easy-going, friendly guy. He's been very pleasant so far. He came highly recommended by a friend who has used him for two deliveries.

Click here: Dr. Victor Chan

I signed Kevin and I up for classes at Sutter that will take place next Feb-March. We'll be going to :

• Breastfeeding : Sutter Childbirth Education is offering a single information packed class, which prepares the new mom and her partner in the how to's of breastfeeding. This class will include: getting started at the hospital and continuing at home, avoiding problems that may complicate your experience, proper latching onto breast, hints on how your partner can help you, and physical and emotional adjustments for the breastfeeding family. 

• Surviving the First Month : Sutter Childbirth Education is offering an essential single class to educate the first time parents on how to survive the first month at home with a new baby. Class includes information on comforting skills, swaddling, baby ques, developing day and night routines, sleep and awake states and communicating with your baby. A must for all new parents with little or no experience.

•  Ready, Set, Deliver Childbirth Preparation Class (Series) :Sutter Childbirth Education is offering an information packed childbirth preparation (includes breathing and relaxation techniques) series, which prepares the mother and her support person for labor, delivery, and postpartum experiences.It is recommended to take a series that will end approximately one month before your due date.A Maternity Tour is included in this class. 

the cat is out of the bag!

We broke to exciting news to the Martinson clan over Thanksgiving and of course Grandpa and Lindsay guessed the news when Kevin said "We have an announcement to make. . " We all know Kevin is man of few words so when he speaks, it's something important! (well, sometimes. . . )

We also told various friends and coworkers yesterday so the news is out! There are so many pregnant women here at work - so now I actually "fit in." (one delivered in July, one in September, one delivered last week, two are due in January, and one more in February - and those are just those that I know!)

Of course Grammie Dawnie had a gift all ready once Kevin made his announcement - thank you for the presents!

Here's another gift from Grandma and Grandpa Ericka and Mo - thank you!! :) Lots of good reading for us to do.

All Negative and "Boring"

That's how Dr. Chan described my blood results today at our regular checkup! Essentially, everything came back normal - and I'll take normal! Negative for diabetes, thyroid levels were normal, nothing to report really. As he says, no news is good news.

We did get to hear the heartbeat today on the doppler - which was the oldest looking piece of machinery I've seen. It looks like it came out of the hatch on the TV show "LOST." This doppler in this image is almost as old as the one he used today:

Why get rid of your equipment if it still works??

Our next regular appointment will be December 28th and Dr. Chan says there's a 60% chance that he'll be able to see the sex and can tell is what it is with 70% certainty. (You do the math. .. )

He also said that I should feel great for the next two months - as if I'm not pregnant at all! And then it will all start to change. It's definitely a good time to get back into my gym routine!

You're Looking Good Baby Fitz!

We are wrapping up week 12!

There have been some slight symptoms changes! I don't have the extreme fatigue that I had before and don't feel the nausea as well. I still get tired around 8:30 PM each night but at least I can make it through the day! I do have slight dizzy spells and still can't get enough of those carbs! Cereal is my new best friend. I have also noticed an increased sensitivity to smells.

I received my first shipment of maternity clothes - got some good deals at Old Navy - but am nowhere near wearing them yet. I just couldn't help myself!


Today, the 19th, Kevin and I went to Prenatal Diagnosis, where they conduct the ultrasound portion of the First Trimester Screening. They review the measurements and most importantly, the fluid in the neck (nuchal translucency.)

"The First Trimester Screen is a new, optional noninvasive evaluation that combines a maternal blood screening test with an ultrasound evaluation of the fetus to identify risk for specific chromosomal abnormalities, including Down’s Syndrome Trisomy-21 and Trisomy-18. The first trimester screen combines the results from these three measurements (nuchal translucency, hCG, and PAPP-A) with maternal age risk factors and determines an overall risk factor for chromosomal abnormalities"

I had blood drawn a couple weeks ago but the nurse today stated that our final results were still pending due to the fact that the blood was drawn too early - so I'll have to go back early  next week to get more drawn. She did say that everything looked normal - which is a huge relief. I can't say that I was totally relaxed during the ultrasound - I was nervous that there would be something "missing" or that didn't look "right" - but that wasn't the case. We saw the arms, legs, heart, stomach, bladder, brain, and spine. We also saw the blood flow from the placenta which looked normal and both of my kidneys which also looked fine.

Here are some pictures from today's ultrasound:

Here is a pic of Baby Fitz's head and little arm.

Here is a full body pic. Baby currently measures 5.5 CM and we are still on track  for our due date based on the current size.

Here is a leg shot!

Here is a body pic along with the heartbeat - 158bpm.

Preeessssseents!

Gifts from Friends and Family! We are loved!