Nursery Bedding

Well...the holiday break from school has allowed me endless hours to lie on the couch and search for baby bedding. Upon searching through my options I found a few sets on target.com that were relatively gender neutral AND on clearance! I showed them to BJ and we decided that we'd use money we received for Christmas gifts from my parents to purchase the bedding set. As it was on clearance, my fear was that it would not be around by the time I have a shower. Now we're waiting for it's arrival and then we can make decisions on how to paint the nursery. Fun!

The Pencil Test

This past weekend we traveled home for the holiday festivities. In some instances, it was the first time we'd seen family since becoming pregnant and it was nice to share updates with everyone. While at the Goodner family Christmas party, some of our family members were asking if we were going to find out Baby T's gender, and we told them we didn't think so. A cousin mentioned that we should do the pencil test. The entire family was instantly excited, and started sharing their own experiences with this "research based" (insert sarcasm) test. A needle and string are inserted into the eraser of a pencil and then this small gadget is held above your wrist. Based on the way in which it twists and turns about, you are able to tell the number of children you will have, as well as the gender of each child in order. We allowed ourselves to be party entertainment to discover that we're going to have FOUR GIRLS! It was rather interesting that this test revealed the same results for both BJ and I...a good thing however. So, only time will tell if this test is accurate. I'm quite skeptical myself, but BJ was pretty shocked that the results were the same for each of us. I think we both were a bit freaked out at the possibility of four children, not just that they were all girls. Poor Grandpa Ralph left the room upon hearing the results and said they were incorrect. Only time will tell...

The Nursery Starts to Take Shape

We received a call from Babies R Us and the furniture had arrived. Our only dilemma was how to pick all of it up since we don't have a truck. Fortunately, Papa and Nana Jennings came to the rescue. BJ had to work, so the three of us headed over to Fairview Heights on a Friday evening after work to make the pick-up. I must admit that I felt like Sanford and Sons as they loaded three enormous boxes into the back of my pops truck. We strapped them down and headed back home. We didn't get to unload everything until the next morning when BJ was home. It felt like Christmas waiting for them to set everything up. They just had to assemble the crib, as the two dressers came fully assembled. I was sort of anxious because the ratings on Babies R Us had indicated concerns by other parents-to-be that there were pieces missing and it took longer than two hours! I shouldn't have questioned our team's ability because the crib was together in no time. So exciting! Now I'm even more anxious to figure out the bedding so we can paint the walls. :)

A nice surprise...*14 weeks, 1 day*

Today was my typical monthly check-up with the doctor. I had some anxiety about going because I'm tired of thinking about the cyst situation, and I'm desperate for answers. Unfortunately, I was sure they weren't going to address it today since they said I'd have the Level 2 sonogram at 18-20 weeks. The appointment today was primarily to complete paperwork. The nurse practitioner asked about hearing the heart beat at 10 weeks and I told her we had been unable to....so, she offered to let me have a quick sono and see the baby instead of searching for the heart beat! I was so excited, although felt bad because BJ hadn't been able to make this appointment and I told him he wouldn't be missing out on anything. Baby T has changed so much! I could immediately see the profile of Baby T's face...so sweet. We also looked at the fluttering of the heart which was 140-150 bpm. Baby T was actually pretty active, and we could see him spinning. I wish BJ could have been there.

Still no news on the cyst...my patience is being tried. I just want answers. They'll be calling this week to schedule the Level 2 sono at St. Mary's in Clayton around the 18th week. Before my next appointment, I have to go give the standard prenatal blood work. I also opted to have the cystic fibrosis testing done. I guess it will just prepare us if there are any concerns. I'm still not going to do any of the genetic testing at this point. I'd rather wait and see the results of the sono.

I think the time will go by quickly with the holidays, and we'll have the sono before I know it. I can't wait!!!