Belly Flutters!

So, I was sitting at my work computer documenting when I felt something I had never felt before. My fingers hovered in shock over my keyboard... then there it was again! Holy cow! I had to ask every nurse and a few of the doctors to be sure I could have actually felt something so early! But lo and behold it wasn't just a borborygmus (internal fart) but the 3 1/2 inch human growing in my just-starting-to-bump-belly! That was fun... I just felt it again! Haha...

PICTURES-Tip for Viewing

I just figured out that if you click over the pictures, they will open up "enlarged" in a new window.

You will be able to see the ultrasound pics more clearly.

Funny Story

Some of you will hopefully find this funny, especially those of you who have been married a while....(sorry but im going to try my hand at storytelling-  Austin)  

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So I awoke to a bad dream early this am.  The blow-dryer was buzzing loudly through the shut bath door.  I sat up to grasp what I had just imagined and what was actually going on.  Slowly, I sat my feet to the floor, sore from last evenings workout with Tony.  I gathered myself to hurry in time to "kick the morning tire"  before mishap.  Man was that relief.  My clothless wife :) stood at our vanity smiling while drying her hair to prep for a days work.  Feel this, "isn't it so warm?", she said."  Chills ran down my back as the warm breeze startled my "tired" morning gaze.  "Yeah....so great" I said looking under my gaze as I half-way smiled back.  Looking up at the clock, 530.  Is it really 530?  "I know Elizabeth has to be at work at 7, but why am I up," I thought?  So then my beautiful, pregnant bride looks at me.  "Honey are you going to stay up and get stuff done?"   "Why would I do that, I'll be tired later today!?"  I replied.  And, then she Laughed! I just turned toward the bedroom without thought, still under my "gaze".  Before I knew it I was laying down again, but with eyes wide open.  "Crap", I thought.  "My pregnant wife is going to work a 12 hour shift and I just told her I didn't want to be tired later"....I soon greeted her the second time "good morning love,"  "You're up?", she said.  Why was she so surprised........

Ultrasound Pics #2

These were captured last friday, January 16th. We were 12 weeks, 4 days along, but the baby measured 13 weeks and 2 days. Everything checked out great. You should be able to see the profile, the hands, and legs. Look closely at each picture and each of the thumbnails in the bottom corners. The little thing was so active in Elizabeth's tummy. Crown to rump, it measured about three inches and has doubled in size. He/she was in such a position that we could see the heart perfectly. We were able to see all four chambers beating in succession. Awesome! If you go to babycenter.com you can see the succession of the growth and read about all the changes happening each week. This weeks post says.....The most dramatic development this week: reflexes. Your baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, his toes will curl, his 

eye muscles will clench, and his mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if you prod your abdomen, your baby will squirm in response, although you won't be able to feel it. His intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into his abdominal cavity about now, and his kidneys will begin excreting urine into his bladder. From crown to rump, your baby-to-be is about three inches long (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce.

Ultrasound Pics #1

These ultrasound pictures were taken at our first official meeting with our midwife, Kim. This was right around Christmas. We were about 9 weeks along, even though the baby was measuring larger in growth than the actual date of conception. The top picture shows the yoke sac. It looks like a ring stuck to the head. The yoke sac provided all the nutrients to the embryo. The baby was still an embryo at this point, but during this week it transitions to a fetus at home in moms uterus. At this point I believe it was only about an inch long. From babycenter.com....
Your new resident in nearly and inch long-about the size of a grape-and weighs just a fraction of an ounce. She's starting to look more and more human. her essential body parts are accounted for, thought they'll go through plenty of fine-tuning in the coming months. Other changes abound: Your baby's heart finishes dividing into four chambers, and the valves start to form-as do her tiny teeth. The embryonic "tail" is completely gone. Your baby's organs, muscles, and nerves are kicking into gear. The external sex organs are there but won't be distinguishable as male or female for another few weeks.

Ultrasound #2

Today was so awesome! Ultrasound number 2. I wish that all of you could have been there as the nurse/tech.  ran the wand back and forth across Elizabeth's tummy.  And there it was, our beautiful baby!  We got some really neat pictures.  We were able to see the baby's feet (crossed), each of the toes and fingers, the heart, brain...incredible.  God is so awesome.  During our check she manipulated the device to show the heart.  We could actually see all four chambers of the heart pumping away, fluttering in perfect rhythm.  156 beats/min.  The little one measured ahead again, 13 weeks 2 days, but we are actually 12 weeks 4 days along.  We don't know what the little one's gender is yet, so if I say he or she, sorry because I actually don't really know.  Elizabeth and I have decided to wait to find out the gender.   Surprise to everyone in July!  Even us.  When you look at the pics, one of the thumbnails is really clear to show the whole body even though its small.  I can' t wait to be a dad!

Beginning...

I am so excited because I finally started blogging thanks to some bloggin' gals in our community group! I wanted to start this so our family/friends could keep up with what is going on in our lives.  We wish we could see many of you all more often.  Hopefully you will enjoy keeping up with us through all our adventures.  Of course the big news now is Baby Bird.  He/she is cooking away...more to come...Austin