My Favorite "Re-run"

While it is still pretty early, we needed to choose the hospital where I will deliver. We decided to go with Community North. I'm not going to lie, aside from the fact that it is brand-new, has a state of the art NICU, has doctors from Riley available 24/7, is 10 minutes from our house, etc. it was ultimately the bullet-point "a place for mothers to be pampered, the feeling of a luxurious spa and the safety of advanced care" that sold me!

This also meant I would need to find a doctor with privledges at Community North. After doing some research and getting recommendations, we decided to go with Dr. Pratima Stuhldreher at Clearvista Woman's Care (supposedly, her nickname is Pinky which I think just sounds fun!). So, we had our first appointments today. Usually, you have appointments with several different people during your first visit. Unfortunately, Pinky was unavailable so we will meet with her next week. This actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise because by the time we were done we were on information overload! This first visit included another ultrasound, a meeting with the OB educator, a lovely meeting with the insurance specialist (thank GOD I am blessed to have good insurance!), and blood work.

During this visit we got to see Baby Banks on a bigger TV screen and this time he/she was on the move! The nurse is predicting a girl b/c the heart rate was 186. Do you think Josh can handle another girl in the house?!?!

Just in time for fall, a kidney bean!

Your baby -- now comparable to the size of a kidney bean (just over 1/2 inch long) --is constantly moving and shifting.

Baby Banks' Small Screen Debut

Today was an amazing and surreal day. Because it is so early in the pregnancy, I really don't feel or look much different yet. With the exception of occasional "evening" sickness (This baby is already taking after me as I hate to do anything in the morning!), exhaustion (God bless the 5:30 power nap), and what Josh lovingly refers to as "preggo rage" (if you have been on the receiving end of one of my outbursts, I am so sorry!), not much has changed yet. So, sometimes it still doesn't feel "real" yet.

Well, that all changed today. I had my first prenatal appointment which included a sonogram! There was a increased chance that Baby Banks might have actually been the "Babies Banks." After the initial shock would've worn off, we would've been thrilled with twins! (Although, when the doctor mentioned triplets, my knees started to buckle!) But we were both super excited when the doctor said, "How does one in the right place sound?"

Suddenly, there was Baby Banks on the screen with his or her little heart just flashing away. Then, the nurse turned on the sound...who knew such a little sound could make you smile, cry, and laugh at the same time?

I'm measuring right where I should be at 7 weeks, 1 day. And for anyone making bets or taking guesses as to whether a whole lot of pink or blue will be coming into the house, Baby Banks' heart rate was 156 beats per minute. :-)

Ooooh, blueberry!

Your baby, having doubled in size since last week, is as big as a blueberry (about 1/2 inch in length).

We are very excited because we will get to see you for the first time this week! We hope we get to hear your heartbeat too!

Bean there, done that

Your baby is as long as a lentil (about 1/4 inch).

Everything is going well! Baby Banks is getting ready for his or her first plane trip. Mama Banks has to head to Baltimore for work this week. Let's hope motion/morning sickness doesn't decide to join us!

Prehaps you prefer sesame seeds...

Your baby has grown to the size of a sesame seed, looking more like a tiny tadpole than a human.

A bit of background about the name of the blog...

Most people know that I am a huge Michael Buble fan. Many know his songs like "Everything", "Home", and his newest hit "Haven't Met You Yet." When the song came out last fall, it immediately clicked with me. And then he went on the Rachael Ray show and it suddenly made sense why I was so drawn to this song.
http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/show/segments/view/michael-bubleacute/
(Jump ahead to the 3:00 mark to see what I am referring to.)

The song became my anthem whenever I was feeling down or starting to lose hope. To quote the song, "I know someday that'll all work out...promise you kid, I'll give more than I get...I just haven't met you yet." I am also fortunate to have a husband with endless patience who would listen to the song (and my off-pitch rendition) every time it came on the radio and took me to see him in concert twice.

So, Baby Banks, while we haven't met you yet, we love you already!