It's a GIRL!

So, I’m a little late responding… oops! Today is May 23^rd, 2011. On April 28^th, 2011 we had our “big” ultrasound where we learned we are having a bouncing little girl. We’re SO excited!

Her name is decided, she will be Madison Capri. Madison because we both love it… it’s classy and feminine. Capri because aunt Marlee dedicated a pretty song to me that sang of a beautiful little baby girl named Capri. It’s unique, and meaningful. 

She was so active during the ultrasound that we barely got any pictures, just one showing us the proof that she’s a girl and one of her profile. Right now it looks like she has my nose and Alex’s lips… but, I’ve been told that her features will change, so we’ll see :-) 

She is exactly where she is supposed to be in terms of length and weigh… but my goodness I think she gets bigger by the day. I’m 22.5 weeks now and I’ve gained 13 lbs! It’s all right there in my belly, so it really gets in the way now. 

Madison has finally kicked for daddy. But she is so shy, she’ll kick me all day like a wild monkey and stops the minute anyone puts their hand on my stomach to feel her. She’s picky about who she shares her moments with :-)

Lately, she kicks so much I can actually see my stomach moving from the outside. It’s the CRAZIEST feeling in the world. Alex loves it. He goes as far as the tell me to lay down and be still (and stop laughing) so he can “play” with Madison. It’s really funny, but its sweet. He is so excited to have a little princess.  But, I must admit, Alex is being kind of a paranoid patty about getting Madison’s nursery together. He’s afraid to paint the walls and start decorating in fear that the ultrasound was wrong, LOL.

Baby Franqui heartbeat

Today Alex and I went to a routine doctor’s appointment. We were in and out… it wasn’t extensive, but we did get to actually HEAR our baby’s heartbeat this time! Both other visits we saw the baby because the little stinker was too energetic to stay still for us to listen to him/her… but this time, they say because the baby is larger now (about the size of a baked potato I’m told) they can catch the heartbeat easier. 

                It was SO cool to hear a little heartbeat in my BELLY! Not the usual place I would expect to hear it J its really strange to think there are two heartbeats inside me right now. I am 17 weeks tomorrow and man am I hungry! I weighed in today at 6 lbs heavier than I was before I had the little one clinging to me. Not bad! I’m actually doing really well. I’m about 2lbs under where the “ideal weight” is for right now, which no one seems concerned about. But… I did reward myself with two scoops of mint chocolate chip ice cream afterward. It was fabulous :)

 

                Lately I want to eat constantly. I’ve just recently developed an aggressive appetite… I want food all the time, and I always feel like I haven’t eaten in days. I have been healthy for the most part, but I definitely have an increased desire for everything and anything sweet—cake, cookies etc. It’s been somewhat manageable… and I’m trying to beat myself up too bad because I am still at the gym about four times a week. Hey, baby Franqui has to eat, too, right?! ;)

Baby Franqui

So, as many of our friends and family know already (we had a very hard time holding the good news in)… we’re expecting our first baby! We’re so excited! On January 22^nd I drove to the New Hanover County Sheriff’s office and pulled Alex out of work. He knew almost immediately. He laughed, I cried—not surprising. Being the natural control freak that I am, I took five pregnancy tests (yes, all positive) and made an immediate appointment with my primary physician. The doc walked in, the first words out of his mouth were: “Well, Marie… you’re six for six.” We were able to hold in the announcement until just recently, though. :)

As of Friday, April 8^th, I am 16 weeks pregnant. I felt the baby move for the first time a couple of days ago. It’s so strange, like you have bubbles in your belly or something… but it’s been fun. Thank God the first trimester is over! That was an awful experience…. I was sick, tired, nauseous… you name it.

Now we’re on to the fun stuff! I have a little baby bump goin’ on… and I broke down and bought some maternity clothes.  Of course anyone who knows me knows that they’re still trendy and girly. I can’t walk around looking anything less! ;) It’s so much fun to watch the baby belly grow, though. It reassures us that our baby is growing strong and healthy.  Thus far, we have had two ultrasounds. Our little one is full of energy already. Both times he/she was moving all over the place! It’s SO much fun; the ultrasounds are the most amazing thing I have ever seen in my life. 

The next big day is April 28^th—when we find out the sex! We’ll post again soon :D