Baby Heartbeat

So, we FINALLY got to hear our little one today! I had my first prenatal appointment! I went in, filled out the mountain of paperwork, and waited for my appointment. Of course they were running like 40 minutes behind schedule. I think we'll try to schedule them for the mornings from here on out. I realized how very blessed I have been health-wise as I was filling out the paperwork. I think it probably takes some people a whole lot longer to explain their personal and family medical histories.

Anyway, the appointment was good. I had to give urine and blood samples, and then the doctor asked if I had any questions. Not really, since we'll be moving before delivery anyway. Then we got to hear the heartbeat. :) It made me happy to hear that swooshing pitter patter (157 bpm). There's a TINY PERSON growing inside of me!! The doctor said she could hear the baby moving around, and apparently he/she (I just hate using it to refer to my baby) was wiggling enough that she had to find the heart beat again a little bit over from where she was listening. I can't wait until I can feel all that wiggling. AnnaMarie told me to have them take a listen around for a second one, but I thought I'd sound too silly, so I didn't.

When I got home Spencer reminded me that I could post it on facebook, so I did, and oh. my. goodness. So many people have liked and commented and been wonderfully supportive. So, thank you everyone. I feel so loved, and it kinda brought a tear to my eye.

This step into parenthood is life-changing already. It's so exciting, but a little bit terrifying. haha. I'm amazed that God is entrusting one of His little ones with us. The responsibility to teach and to nurture and to love is huge. I hope we can be everything this little person will need. I hope we will know how to support and love and encourage them. I kind of have the best parents in the world, so I'll try to take a page or two out of their book, but I guess we'll just have to figure it out as we go along. It'll be an adventure.

P.S. Right now the baby is about the size of a lemon. A few weeks ago when we told our families, I was talking with my 6-year-old niece Katie. She asked how the baby was doing and I told her the baby was about the size of a lime. She just said, "What? How could a baby even be that tiny?!" It was funny. AnnaMarie tried telling her that she used to be that small, but she wouldn't believe it for an instant.

P.P.S. The whole "crazy pregnancy dream" thing is totally true! Last night I had a dream that I was in the airport in Mexico and we were being picked up, and after a series of events and waiting for people, we were finally ready to go, when a volcano started erupting! I could see it out the window. And there were earthquakes. Then, suddenly we were all at the Bracket's house (my cousins) and a t-rex was trying to get us! We were hiding in the garage, but it was using it's head to rip through everything (because his arms were too tiny to help). It was all very strange, but I think the t-rex part came from this meme I saw on facebook yesterday.

Thanks again for all of your support and votes of confidence in our parenting abilities!