Week 8 (and first prenatal appointment)

Baby D2 is 8 weeks inutero today. My morning sickness is still in full force and effect. Today was my first prenatal appointment. It was so great seeing Dr. S again. Seeing her today reminded me of how much I like her. I'm so excited she'll be delivering Baby D2. She seemed excited to see us. She greeted me with a hug, which was endearing. It was also her first time seeing Zoe since she was 6 weeks (and fast asleep in her car seat). After my 6 week postpartum check-up with Zoe, I decided to return to my old gynecologist, whom I love (she doesn't deliver babies). I'm quite certain my time with Dr. S will be limited to the delivery of Baby D2, but it's nice being back with her even if for a short few months.

Dr. S prescribed me a new prenatal vitamin with extra vitamin B6, which may help with my morning sickness. I have to take three pills a day, which concerns me because I'm a horrible pill taker! She also wrote me a prescription for an anti-nausea medicine (Zo.fran) if the vitamins don't work. I'm hoping the vitamins do the trick. We'll see.

Baby D2 looked great on ultrasound. We took Zoe to this appointment to include her in the excitement. She whined and was reaching out for me most of the appointment. I think she was a bit afraid by all that was going on. (Dark room, trans vaginal ultrasound, a new person talking to her, Mommy lying back on a table, etc) She quieted down and listened intently, though, when we heard the baby's heartbeat. It was cute. Baby D2 had a nice strong heartbeat. 161 bpm, and s/he was measuring 8 weeks on the dot. My official due date is April 20. I'm curious to see what happens with this little one's birth since Zoe came at 38 weeks.

Baby D2 is growing like made. Over a millimeter per day. Although it's too early to feel it, the baby has started moving his/her tiny little legs and arms, although its toes and fingers are still webbed. Eyelids almost cover the baby's eyes (I wonder if s/he will have blue eyes like Zoe, although they are now turning grayish/greenish in color). Breathing tubes extend from Baby D2's throat to the branches of his/her lungs. The baby's brain continues to develop as nerve cells are branching out to connect with one another. Despite all this development, the baby's external genitalia still haven't formed enough for us to know if it's a boy or a girl. The gender doesn't matter. We just want our little one to be healthy (but who doesn't, right?!).

This week the baby is the size of raspberry (wish I wanted to eat one...):

Week 7

Baby D2 is 7 weeks inutero today. Similar to Zoe's pregnancy, this first trimester is creeping along. Perhaps the persistent morning sickness I'm experiencing is to blame. My morning sickness has worsened. Thankfully (or not?), I'm not vomiting, but I'm very nauseous. So very nauseous. I'm really anxious for this to pass so I can begin really enjoying my pregnancy. I determined a couple of weeks ago that I was going to exercise regularly with this pregnancy. That worked well until my morning sickness struck. Now all I want to do is lay down every chance I get.

This week we'll call Baby D2 a brainiac because his/her brain is generating at an astonishing one hundred new cells per minute. Wow! Arm and leg joints are starting to form and Baby D2's permanent set of kidneys are forming. The baby's liver is hard at work already, and the pancreas and appendix, which are already formed, will soon begin doing their job as well. I'm truly amazed, even with a second pregnancy, at the work of God. I still do not know how people deny He lives and that we are indeed wonderfully and fearfully made.

This week the baby is the size of a blueberry (I wish I could stomach the idea of eat a blueberry right about now....blah):