The 18th was Todd's birthday! So of course we celebrated like rock stars! But mostly just like a boring married couple that is expecting their first child. :) We went to dinner last night at PF Chang's with my family and then had some chocolate bundt cake for dessert. Todd got a bunch of money and gift cards which I will have to make sure he spends because sometimes he forgets to stop doing so much research and just buy something! :) I got him an awesome USA soccer shirt that he ended up loving and wanting all along. I had no idea! I must have read his mind. :)
The morning of his birthday we had a 4D ultrasound that my mom, Todd's mom, my sister-in-law, Staci and my sister Christy(&Ethan and Nate) were able to attend. It was so much fun! As soon as the ultrasound tech put the little machine on my belly, I just started tearing up! She measured the babies heartbeat and I lost it! So happy to have a healthy baby boy inside my belly! I love being a mom! We got to see so much of him. He smiled for us, showed off his boy parts pretty openly. (I'll be having a talk with him about that.) We also got to see him blinking his eyes, we saw some hair on his head and his little hands stacked one on top of the other. So cute! She said he is estimated to be around 4 pounds and 3 ounces and about 14 inches long. She guestimated that if he was born at 40 weeks he would be 7 lbs 14 oz or about 8 lbs. I hope she is right! I want him to stay cookin' in me until he is healthy and strong.
We were also able to visit the hospital and tour the maternity ward. I didn't realize that 20 other people would be touring the place with us so I made sure that I was at the front of the pack so I could hear everything and ask questions. I was so glad to hear that St. Rose is making their hospitals more mommy-baby friendly, meaning the baby will be with me the whole time, I will have lots of skin on skin and breastfeeding time with him and he will be rooming in with me the whole time. Overall, I was surprised at how accommodating they are planning to be. I was nervous that the hospital might give my baby a bottle or something if he wasn't nursing right away but they have lactation specialists to help new mommies and the new baby figure it all out. I am actually looking forward to birthing little Troy! I know it will be a crazy experience and most likely the most pain I will ever endure but for some reason, it doesn't scare me now, I just can't wait to see his face and kiss his cheeks and I'll go through anything to be able to do that!
We loved seeing Troy on the ultrasound. I'm pretty sure Todd enjoyed it but I was in absolute heaven on earth. I couldn't take my eyes off the screen and am still in shock that there is a baby inside me. haha You would think after 8 months of being pregnant and a little person kicking me all day long would be enough to prove that there is actually a baby in there but it still blows my mind. I think it will be a weird but obviously very special moment when I see him for the first time.
I had an appointment with my OB the other day and they want me to get an ultrasound through their "people" so they can get good measurements of Troy. I am measuring a little small for my gestation and they want to make sure Troy is healthy and strong! I can't complain because I really do love seeing him on those ultrasound screens but it would be nice if they were free. :) haha
Speaking of FREE! My good friend, Amy told me that I might qualify or a free breast pump through my insurance. So I did a little digging and guess what?! I qualify! Free Medela breast pump coming to the Manning home! So excited about it because I plan on breastfeeding lots and I would love to not pay $200+ for a breastpump! Hooray for scoring deals on baby stuff.
So far everything has been normal and going really great with my pregnancy. Troy is sitting a little low these days so sometimes it's a little uncomfortable but sometimes it's totally fine! It's different every day. I love feeling him move around now, he is so big that it can be a little painful but I love feeling his feet push near my ribs and his hand push down by my hip/leg. He's just stretching out and making more room for himself to grow! Being pregnant is so much fun-I love it! We're so excited to see baby Troy in just 6 weeks! Crazy! So excited though!
