16 Week Appointment

Today's appointment went well.
The baby's heartbeat was beating at a healthy 150, I've gained 5 pounds, and my uterus is growing as should be.  The genetics test are all good.  Blood and sonogram results were normal --- hip, hip, horray!!

No sonogram, today.  I asked if it would be worth our money to pay for one ourselves to try and get a confirmation on a little boy.  They didn't recommend it as it could still be to early for a clear confirmation so we are waiting till the January appointment.  I will be 20 weeks then and should be able to clearly see if a boy or girl.  So January 5th is the big anticipated day.  Hopefully with it being the holidays, it will get here quick.  She also said that by next month I should be able to start feeling the baby move.  I cannot wait for that!

My dr is happy with my blood pressure staying low and I was happy to hear that I will be able to breast feed with the pills I am taking.  I was concerned how that would work but thankfully there is no need to worry.  We talked some about cord blood banking.  I'm on the fence with paying the expensive fee to store the stem cells or to just donate to a public bank.  I'm leaning more towards donating but fearful of "what if we need it" and there is a waiting list or something on the public bank.  Ugh, so many things to consider.  Guess I've got my work cut out to educate myself a bit more before making the decision.  I was shocked though when she told us that only about 10% either donate or store for personal family use.  I don't understand why someone wouldn't atleast donate.  I mean, if these cells can help with leukemia treatment or any other related cancers or sickness why not donate instead of it being thrown away?!?!  It doesn't cost you anything to donate!!  I guess I'm just one to educate myself on as many things as I can and desire to help as many others as I can.
She gave me a list of pediatricians in the area, gave me a flu shot, and said see ya next month.  I don't think we could ask for things to be going more perfectly!

I can personally tell you this baby is growing.  I feel like I am hungry all the time.  So I am eating like crazy.  I've always been a generally good, healthy eater and more so now but man a live, I think the baby is taking everything and not leaving me anything.  Darn kiddo is taking from me already, haha.  Brian has become more attentive towards me and infatuated with my growing bump.  It seems he is more and more offering to get something for me or help me out.  I used to have to ask twice and now I really don't need to ask.  Today after the appointment I needed to get gas so he followed me because were in separate vehicles and pumped my gas for me.  Blew me outta the water!!!  But I gotta tell ya, it's kinda nice and made me feel good.  I think my growing bump has made it more real for him.  Anytime he walks past me, he has to rub my belly and say "little baby plemons".  It's fun seeing him get excited.

After the appointment, I ran over to a friends house and gratiously (I need spell check here) accepted a tub full of hand me downs.  Thank you Leslie!!!  I look forward to adding to the tub and passing it along to another friend when the time is needed.

And today at work, we had the big talk of maternity leave.  I was unsure what to expect or how long they would allow me to be gone.  My emotions are kicking in and I was afraid that I would start balling in my bosses office.  I mean right now commercials, songs, news stories, etc are setting me off but thankfully they were on the same page and thought process as me.  We agreed that anything less than 12 weeks would be unreasonable and to soon.  That was a major load off the shoulders.  It makes me very happy to know that I will be able to stay home 3 full months with Baby Plemons before taking him/her to a daycare or bringing an in-home care/nanny person.  I am blessed to work with great people.

All in all, I have to say it's been a great day.  It's been so good and am in such a good mood, I went and bought a bunch of new yard and house decorations!  I'm on the way to having a snowman infested house.  I just love christmas time!
But most importantly, God is definately being very generous to us and that I am not taking for granted!!