It's official, we're having a...

Baby Margaret Lynn Reese

GIRL!  We went to the doctor this morning and it has been confirmed.  As you can imagine, we are both ecstatic!  The doctor said the baby's heart and other organs look healthy.  The doctor was also able to see that the spinal cord developed properly and this rules out about 95% of all types of spinal complications.  Thus, we are very thankful and praying for a healthy baby come May.

At the moment, the baby weighs about 12 ounces (which is what a baby should measure at about 20 weeks and 3 days, and I am right at 20 weeks).  So, everything is right on track!  Our next ultrasound will be in 8 weeks (around February).

We spent the day looking at pink clothes and browsing baby stores.  This is overwhelming!  Fortunately, I am married to an accountant who can (and will) create a nice little budget. 

Week 20 - Halfway there!

Brent bought the baby her first dress to wear home from the hospital.  He picked it out all by himself!

Update

We don't have any real new information to report, other than the fact that we are counting down the days until I go back to the doctor.  Our appointment is at 9:30 am on December 20th.  I just happen to be out of school (I know, the poor life of a school teacher) and I am a little concerned about the damage I might do at Target once I know what we're having.

I added a new picture, and my stomach is getting a little bigger.  From everything we've read, the baby's weight will multiply six times over the next four weeks.  At the moment, the baby weighs about a half of a pound.  So, when you all see me and it looks like I swallowed the Thanksgiving turkey, remember that the baby's weight is multiplying!  Ahhhhh, finally a valid excuse to gain weight during the holidays (and I have nice stretchy pants to wear too).  I know some of you are super jealous over this, but trust me there are plenty of drawbacks too!

FYI:  For those of you who are very visual, the baby is about the size of a six inch sub sandwich.  (Sorry if I just ruined that for you).

Happy Birthday to Brent!!!  He turned 28 today!

Mustachio!!!

I need a little help. I have been planning to grow a mustache by the time the baby arrives (May 11ish). Kelly isn't too keen on the whole idea, but I think it would be the fatherly thing for me to do.

So...where you come in...  I need a little help deciding on the style that best fits me. Choose one below and shoot me or Kelly an email with your choice as the subject. (If you subscribe to the blog via email, I think you can just reply to that address.) The style with the highest number of "votes" will be grown on my lip.

Boy or Girl?

Week 16

You might think you are going to find out the answer to that question in this post, but you're not.  Sorry!  I was just trying to entice you to read further.  I went to the doctor on Wednesday (thank goodness because who wants to weigh in after the holidays?) and everything looks great!  The baby's heartbeat is still in the 160s and I'm definitely starting to show more in my clothes.

I bought my first maternity clothes this weekend.  It's a very strange experience shopping for these types of clothes, but I will tell you (for all of the female readers out there) the good news about shopping for maternity clothes is that they stretch in all the right places.  No worries about it being too tight in the stomach, hip, or thigh - it all stretches!   

Brent and I are slowly starting to think about the nursery and what we need to do to transform our home office into a baby's room.  Maybe we'll have a before and after picture of the room (just a little tease for later posts - I'm sure you are all on the edge of your seats).

We go back to the doctor on December 22nd to find out if the baby is a boy or a girl.  I will be sure to update the blog that night. 

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving, we certainly did.  We spent it in Wilmington and ate more than our share of delicious food!

The Three Amigos in Wilmington (Brent's sister, Jenny, is on the right.  Isn't she lovely?)

How much longer...

will my pants still fit???  That is the question!  They're getting snugger by the day, but I'm getting every day I can out of them.  Brent has conceded there will be frequent shopping trips (and possibly frequent meltdowns) once my clothes no longer fit.  I'm going to the doctor on November 24 for a weigh in, blood pressure check, and to hear the heartbeat. 

Per Brent's recommendation:
My weight gain to date:  -3 pounds
Brent's weight gain to date:  +10 pounds

***Just kidding - Brent alleges he has gained less than five pounds, but he is going to check it out this week at the gym.  Just so everyone knows, this weekend Brent has consumed the following:  half of a pumpkin pie, wings, pizza, movie popcorn (with double butter), Dark Chocolate Raisinets, and Goobers.   

Subscribe Now!

Ok...I think we have the whole subscription thing figured out. Try the cool new tool on the right. Enter your email address, click the link in the confirmation email...and you should be good to go! All new posts will be delivered right to your inbox!

Baby Update

Quiet down, people!  We know you want an update, but we really haven't had any new information - at least  nothing you all would be interested in (except for my mother who has the unfortunate job of listening to all of my questions, concerns, and strange happenings (and there are a good many of these). 

Anyway, I went to the doctor today and we heard the baby's heartbeat.  It was right around the 160s (beats per minute).  The normal range is around 120 - 160.  So, we are right where we should be.  The doctor said the heartbeat is usually a bit faster in the first trimester and during the early part of the second trimester.

I have officially finished my first trimester and am ready to have my energy back.  Brent and I are still exercising and walking throughout the week (one of us is eating for two and I am not talking about myself).  On more than one occasion, Brent has said, "I'm feeding the baby."  Of course, he just cracks himself up when he says this.

I'm still not really showing much at all, at least I don't think so.  There are some pictures below so everyone can decide for themselves.  My pants are getting snug, but not so much that I can't wear my clothes.  My actual weight isn't changing, but I can tell my weight is redistributing itself in certain places.  Brent told me this weekend that my legs were looking thin, I wondered if that was because my hips were getting larger and starting to dwarf other parts of my body.  Let's hope not!

Look below for some pictures, and we'll try to do a better job of posting more frequent updates and pictures.  Thanks again for all of your support, prayers, and well wishes! 

We Heard a Heartbeat!

We went for the 1st ultrasound today. We were both really nervous. The minute the picture popped up, the baby was squirming around and we saw its hands and feet! The baby didn't stop squirming the whole time - we may have a handful when he/she arrives! We also could hear the heart beating!!!! It was amazing! Here is the first picture of our baby who is due to arrive on May 11, 2011!!! (sorry for the poor quality - I took it with my phone and he/she wouldn't stay still)

Exciting News!

I must admit Brent and I have a little ulterior motive for starting this blog.  We recently found out I am pregnant!!!  I am going to the doctor in two weeks to determine exactly how far along I am.  We think I am about two months along and will be due around May.  We'll keep you updated.

**I added a picture from Week 8 for reference.**

New Beginnings

Brent and I have decided that since we aren't on Facebook, we need to have some way broadcast family news on a regular basis. So, we have started The Reese Report! I know, we have too much time on our hands. Stay tuned for future updates.