I tried to post these images last night, but I couldn't log on to the blog site. Glad it's up and running now.

Here's our beautiful little boy and his little foot! It blows my mind to look at those pictures. I just can hardly believe that that cute thing is growing in me! I can't wait to see him for real for the first time!

Yesterday, I had to get some routine blood work done with Dr. Mah. She also listened to Baby Rakes's heartbeat...I guess I should say she tried to listen to his heartbeat. She said, "Do you hear all that noise?" It sounded like water swishing in a tub, but it was actually him moving around. I think Dr. Mah was more than a little amazed by all his movement. I, on the other hand, am not at all surprised by all the movement we heard--you should trying feeling all that movement from the inside! =) I've begun to feel individual appendages moving, either kicking left-right, left-right, or punching and giving my bladder the ol' one-two. =)

I also got my H1N1 vaccine yesterday. I've been trying for several months now, practically since I found out I was pregnant. Finally, yesterday the hospital I work for had some at Employee Health Services. I am relieved to finally have gotten the shot. While I was at the clinic, the nurse who gave me the shot asked me how far along I am. It doesn't sound like a big thing, I know, but she's the first stranger to realize I was pregnant without actually knowing that I am. It was nice!

Today, Sam and I are going to register for baby stuff! Yeh! I am so excited! So, I'm off to enjoy this soggy, cold day with lots of Christmas consumers! I hope you all are having a great Saturday!

My Belly at 20 Weeks

I haven't yet scanned the images of Baby Rakes yet, but I promise to do that soon. In the meantime, here's a picture of my belly at 20 weeks. (I plan on only posting belly pictures every month now.)

So, of course, Friday was a huge day for us. It was so exciting not only to find out the sex, but also seeing our little one for the first time in a while. The funniest thing happened while we doing the ultrasound: right after the ultrasound technician told us that he's a boy, he literally stuck his hand between his legs as we watched! I can't decide if he was just being a typical male or if he was embarassed and saying "C'mon, now, that's enough that!" =) I'm sure the movement was a fluke, but it's kind of nice to begin putting a little personality to him.

I will upload the ultrasound images soon, like I said. Enjoy my growing belly! (As Mom said when I met her in a store yesterday: (Laugh) "Oh! You're so pregnant!") =)

Baby Rakes is a....

BOY! We are so happy and excited!

I'll post pictures soon!

One More Day!

Tomorrow's the day, folks! We'll find out what Baby Rakes is during our appointment tomorrow morning at 9 AM! Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers--this ultrasound will also make sure Baby Rakes is developing normally and is healthy.

I'm too excited to write anymore, so be sure to check in tomorrow for the real news!

Thanksgiving Day(s)

Baby Rakes had a great first Thanksgiving! Though I'm sure he or she had no idea, for the most part, that we had a great holiday, there were many firsts for Baby Rakes: wonderful, copious amounts of food; two car rides longer than 15 or 20 minutes; hearing the Beatles and dancing along in the car; and lots of new voices. Needless to say, we all three were pretty exhausted by Saturday night when the three-days' worth of festivities ended. Sam and I spent this rainy Sunday sleeeping late and watching movies in our pajamas--a great end to a pretty spectacular Thanksgiving!

It was so great to see relatives, many of whom I hadn't seen since I found out I was pregnant. It's nice to know that Baby Rakes has such an amazing group of people to welcome him or her into the world! Thanksgiving is the perfect time to remember things like that and all the blessings we've been given this year.

The countdown to December 4th continues; by the end of this week, we will be able to call Baby Rakes "him" or "her"! Only five more days!

Many of the relatives I saw didn't know I had a blog up and going, so welcome to all those who found out about The Pre-Life and Times of Baby Rakes over Thanksgiving! I hope you'll leave lots of comments and enjoy the updates.

Belly Picture at 18 weeks

Here's a picture of my stomach at 18 weeks. Grow, baby, grow!

Update to "Week 18" and Random Stuff

The day after I posted "Week 18," I found out that my nephew Oliver took his first steps! So, not only did Sam feel the baby for the first time, but our nephew began walking. What a wonderful day!

Today I feel like I am getting bigger. I've had some problems gaining weight, which is hilariously maddening considering I've not had that problem before, so I've begun drinking Ensure to boost my caloric intake. I'm pretty sure it is helping. I've gained a pound since I started drinking them foru days ago! That makes a total weight gain of (drumroll please): 2.4 pounds! I know, it's a little shocking with me halfway through my pregnancy. Dr. Mah (my obstetrician) tells me there's nothing to worry about though, and my stomach contiues to grow despite my low weight gain.

And yes, folks, that is possibly the only time you will a)see a woman announce her weight gain in such a public forum and b)complain about not gaining enough weight. Mark it in your history books.

Through it all, Baby Rakes keeps assuring me that all is fine in utero--kicks and twists and punches and turns--all a little uncomfortable but still smile provoking.

My New Favorite Pasttime

Today I realized that I can watch my stomach and see the baby move! Every once in a while, I can see a little bump move for just a second as the baby kicks or moves. It's absolutely fabulous! I don't get to see Baby Rakes very often (only twice now), and to be able to imagine a little baby making all that commotion in my belly makes me just so happy. It's comforting to know everything is okay for the time being with Baby Rakes.

On December 4th at 9 AM, I will have the ultrasound in which they will determine Baby Rakes's gender! We'll also get a DVD of the ultrasound "movie" and measurements will be taken of the baby to make sure it's developing normally. Maybe "normally" is a bad choice of words--Sam and I are this kid's parents, so surely it won't be too normal. =) Anyways, rest assured that this blog will be my first stop after the appointment to let everyone out there know everything we find out. Be sure to check here on the afternoon of December 4th!

Let the countdown begin: 12 days till we find out if Baby Rakes is a boy or a girl! (Just so you all know and can take bets ahead of time, I'm convinced that it's a girl, and Sam desperately wants a boy.)

Stay tuned for more updates on this first-time mother and father and their kiccking-like-crazy kid!

18 Weeks

Welcome to the pre-life and times of Baby Rakes!

My goal here is to keep all family and friends updated on Baby Rakes's progress, so if there is anything I leave out or am not clear on, please let me know in the comments. Secondly, my goal is to have a kind of living record of the last half of my pregnancy (and possibly beyond) for Baby Rakes to reflect upon once he or she is able to appreciate such things, so please feel free to leave personal messages to Baby Rakes and/or Sam and I in the comments section. Lastly, I simply hope to give you all the updates you need without me forgetting someone on emails or simply telling someone the same prenatal story over and over again...man, these hormones really mess with my head sometimes! =)

So, today we are at Week 18, and Baby Rakes is simply loving life, especially when I get up in the morning. This kid really knows how throw some punches and roundhouse kicks! Yesterday, I noticed a new movement from Baby Rakes; I'm not certain if it's a roll or a flip or a somersault...whatever it is, it is quite the unusual sensation.

Perhaps the biggest news of all today is that Sam felt Baby Rakes kick (or punch) for the first time tonight as we watched the Tom Cruise movie Valkerie! Baby Rakes gave him a wallop through my belly! Sam found it endearing, while I found it a little uncomfortable. =)

Aunt Lacey came by for a visit today, and I showed her an image of how big the baby is now. Lacey was surprised to see "how much it looks like a real baby." She looked at earlier images in Your Pregnancy Week by Week and was a little freaked out by the tail that the 8-week-old fetus image shows. It is true a mother is blinded by her love of the child because I just oooh and ahh over those images every week!

That's it for now. I will try to keep this blog updated as much as I can, memory allowing. Sam will also be writing in sometimes. Thanks for reading!
Laura