2nd Doctor Appointment

Today we had our second doctor's appointment. We were seen by the nurse practitioner because our doctor had to go perform an emergency c-section. So the nurse came in and we got to hear the heart beat! The heart beat was 160 bpm.. so I HAD to ask... I asked her if there was any truth to the heart rate myths about being able to tell the sex based on the heart rate.. she said there was not. I got my flu shot and they sent us on our way.

Paul and I had some lunch and walked around The Domain ( a shopping area near our doctor). We were killing time before our second appointment for the day. We went to a specialist for the genetic screening tests.  This was the first time to really see our baby! We had a ultrasound at about 8 weeks.. but it really just looked like a blob.. but today.. today it was a real-live baby!!! We saw it moving, we saw the spine, fingers, toes, heart beat, and heart chambers, brain and brain ventricles... and the PENIS!

Baby's Full Body Profile

 Baby's Face Profile

 Baby's Hand

 Baby's body profile with legs stretched out

They asked us if we would like to find out what sex our baby is.. and we said we would. We really didn't expect to find out at 13+ weeks!! But the sonographer told us that she was 90% sure we are having a boy.. then she retracted and said she was 110% sure we are having a boy!  We have broken the cycle!  The Lief's are known for their girls.. and based on the Cozzolino pattern of children, which has always been boy-girl-boy, we were supposed to have a girl as well... I guess we've been known to be a little bit different (especially Paul)!

On another note.. Paul finished the stairs in the house!! They look AWESOME!!  He spent several days on them, and they turned out great! There are only a few more details that need to be finished until the renovations are finished (some painting and staining).. and Paul hopes to finish them this weekend while I am out of town. I am going to Texas City to visit with some of the girls I went to hygiene school with! 

Until next time...

12 weeks!

Today we (un)officially enter the second trimester (according to the pregnancy app on my phone). And, it's true what they say about the second trimester.. I am starting to feel better.. more energy, I'm starting to like more food, the morning nausea has lessened.. crazy how a few days can make all the difference!

During the first trimester, I despised the thought of anything cheesy or creamy.. and meat really turned my stomach. Vegetables were out of the question, too. So, I had a nice diet of baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, french fries, apples, and some hamburgers. I'm still not a fan of salads, but cucumbers and asparagus have worked their way back into my diet.

I was so bummed that I didn't even want queso.. my all time favorite! I haven't tried it yet, but the good new is, my stomach doesn't turn at the thought of it :)

Hopefully this is a turning point for me. I'm sure Paul is tired of the bland and boring food..

Until next time...

Work Reveal

Today was the day we shared our news with our co-workers. I brought Einstein's bagels for breakfast and left them in the break room.  I placed a sign announcing our news next to it.. it only took.. oh.. 30 seconds before I heard the first squeal and got a huge hug from Maddie, one of our assistants.  Here is the sign that was placed next to the bagels:

Every Monday morning, Paul's office gets together and has their "Good News" meetings.  So, when it was Paul's time to share his good news, he went on about his weekend and the progress with the house, as usual, then slipped in at the very end that we are pregnant!  He said everyone was really excited to hear our news!

So, I guess this means we are closer to making it "facebook official".. I am thinking we are going to wait until after our next doctor appointment to make the announcement. Until next time...

Happy New Year

It's 2012!! The year of the baby!
We brought in the new year over at CJ and Jenny's house with a few other couples and friends.  It was a good time playing games, enjoying Jenny's gourmet grilled cheeses, and being in good company! 
On New Year's Day (and the day after for Paul), Paul and I spent most of the day working on the house.  I know, big surprise!  We are getting closer to being finished.. but we have lots of details to finish up.  The day mainly consisted of cutting and nailing in the baseboards. We decided to frame out the door way between our kitchen and living room, so Paul spent a little time figuring out the logistics to that. Then on Monday, I had to go back to work, and Paul got all of the frame figured out, cut, and put up.  It looks really good.. I can't wait until it's painted to get the full effect!  My two main jobs this weekend were to find the studs in the walls so Paul could nail in the baseboards, and to fill in the nail holes on the baseboards with painter's putty.  Here are some pictures of the progress we made this weekend. 

Also, we were supposed to go the doctor on Jan. 18th.  That has now been changed to the 26th because of work conflicts.  So I will update about that when the time comes:)