For the last time

I painted my toe nails for the last time. Not that they will never be painted again, but for the next few months someone else is going to have to do that job. It was way too difficult to paint toe nails today. And yes I can still see my toes while standing. Let's just say I messed up twice before finally managing to get a nice looking set of toes. I'll be getting pedicures from here on out (unless someone else wants to volunteer!)

Last week was busy. I was at a math conference in Raleigh from Sunday to Tuesday. Wednesday we had the second ultrasound with a specialist and Thursday was my regular prenatal appointment with my doctor.

The nice thing about seeing a maternity and fetal specialist is the ultra clear sonogram machines they have. We could see all the organs and bones much better and got plenty of pictures (half of which are shown in the post below). Although all this new high-tech sonograms just make people worry when you can see things more clearly. Turns out we were sent to the specialist because of a "bright spot" on the baby's heart. Sure enough, could see it clear as day on the new machines. The medical term is echogenic focus. In English, it's a deposit of calcium in the heart. (You can google it later if you feel so inclined). In most cases it goes away before the baby is born or by age 5. It's not uncommon and is seen more now than in the past simply because technology is better. The one concern is that it can be a soft marker for Down's Syndrome. However, both the specialist doctor and my own doctor are not worried because all my blood tests have been normal and there are no other signs. Basically the kid wanted some attention and felt the need to cause us worry (which I though occured after the kid was born, not before). Long story short, the baby is fine, mom is fine, dad - well he likes to worry anyhow.

I met with my doctor the next day so I was able to get all the info and felt satisfied that if he wasn't worried, neither was I. Heard the baby's heartbeat again, 150 bpm. And I am finally gaining weight. Technically I've put on 12 pounds, but given that I lost 5 pounds during the first trimester, I'm only up 7 pounds from my beginning weight. And bless all of you who think I'm just now in the 130 range. You are sadly mistaken.

I have another ultrasound with the specialist (more for peace of mind than anything else) in the next week or so (still waiting for the receptionist to call with the appointment time). I don't see my regular doctor until September 4th, which seems like forever, but time will fly because school is starting soon.

Take a look at the pictures below. David still thinks it's a boy; I'm starting to lean that way but I'm only say that I'm 60% convinced. Mainly because I'm still hoping for a girl. The baby weighed 15 ounces last week, so I'm sure SHE's up to a pound now.