Oops...forgot

Forgot to mention that he's still trying to suck his thumb! Looks like we have a habit on our hands! :) It's crazy to see the skeletal images coming through! Little freaky looking, but way cool to live in a time of technology where you can start to meet the little one before it even comes out.

IT'S A BOY!!!!!

After almost 22 weeks of charts and blood work and ultrasounds, we finally found out that it's a boy! That's pretty much what we suspected. The poor ultrasound tech! He has not cooperated with this particular one, Trudy, at MUSC. Last time he was rolling all over the place so she couldn't get the measurement she needed. This time we had a morning appointment and he apparently did not want to wake up. The first 20 minutes he was curled up in a ball with his arms tucked under his legs. She tried to get the pictures of the kidneys, stomach, head & heart while in that position. But she needed other views of his heart to see the 4 chambers. After another 20 minutes of giggling the wand on Kelli's belly and making her turn back and forth on her sides, he finally loosened his grip and started to unfold...but only a little. It wasn't until the end when Trudy was trying to get a final shot of something she needed to measure that he finally "opened up" and let us know what he was. Maybe this is a good sign that he'll like to sleep in! :) One can hope, right?

Half Way There!

Tomorrow marks the 1/2 way point...20 weeks! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We rented a doppler monitor so that we can hear the heartbeat and try to get a recording every Sunday morning. So far the heartbeat remains in the 160's, right where it should be. Less than 2 weeks now for our next ultrasound where we should be able to find out gender. We're excited! So far, all is well and we couldn't be more thrilled!

Off Bedrest...YAY!

Kelli was officially taken off "bedrest" on the 3rd of March. Happy day! The doctor said she could "resume normal activities" but "not to overdue." Define "overdue"! The next day she cleaned the entire downstairs...she rested between tasks so as to not "overdue". Just grateful for the return to freedom and being able to share the load!

Four weeks and two days until we go for the next ultrasound. SPOILER REPORT...for those that don't want to know what it is...TOO BAD! Better not read the blog or talk to either Kelli or Jeremy between now and the baby's birth. Our surprise is going to come in stages. April 16th...gender. August 22ndish...hair, looks, etc. But don't expect to know the name. We most likely won't land on one until after the baby's in our arms. Gotta make sure it still fits after birth!

Finally Out of the First Trimester!

We got great news this week. Kelli underwent testing for Down Syndrome & Trisomy 18 (some of you may have seen the "99 Balloons" for Eliot featured on the Oprah Winfrey show). The test results came back very favorable so we breathed another sigh of relief. Just one more milestone crossed in this journey.

For anyone who as faced fertility issues, you know what a roller coaster things can be. 3 years, 2 surgeries, COUNTLESS hormones, fertility drugs & so many ultrasounds I've lost count, later and we're finally out of the first trimester! With each milestone reached we get further from being "cautiously optimistic" territory and closer to excited country! Priesthood blessings really work, but you have to obey the counsel! Kelli has followed her doctors' orders TO THE LETTER like several Priesthood blessings have counselled. We have both tried to be patient, again, counsel received in a blessing. And we are just thrilled to be at this point in our lives. Kelli's getting a little stir crazy with the "modified bed rest" but trying to keep outings to a minimum. Hasn't been terribly hard since outings wear her out, even short ones!

Thank you again to all our friends and family who have offered prayers on our behalf. We have been touched by the outpouring of support and are grateful for every word uttered to the "Man Upstairs" pleading our case. Thank you, thank you, thank you!