First Doctor's Appointment

Dan accompanied me to our baby's first appointment. During the first thirty seconds of the ultrasound, Dan and I both seemed to be holding our breath, afraid that maybe they wouldn't find the heartbeat. The technician first commented, "That's a tiny baby". We waited to detect the heart-beat, those few moments excruciating as we both thought, "Tiny because it hasn't developed??" But when the rhythm popped up on the screen, and the quick pace of our baby's beating heart sounded throughout the room, we both smiled with sheer relief...and cried a little while holding hands. The technician was so sweet to us and I couldn't help but give her a hug to convey the happiness we felt in seeing and hearing our baby, alive and well.

While the date of my last period (Aug. 8) would technically place my due date on May 16th, the ultrasound shows that really I'm only seven weeks and four days along, which puts a more accurate due date of May 20th. I'm not surprised because I knew I had to have ovulated later than most women. So I'll only be 8 weeks by Friday! A part of me just wants to rush through this year as fast as I can and get to the "good stuff!" That makes me laugh, thinking about how I often treat my meals in the same fashion: hurry through the vegetables and not-so-yummy health foods to enjoy the fattening main course! (Ok, maybe that's not the best analogy...)

Anyway, I don't want to treat this year like it doesn't matter. I want to do as much as I can to be productive and fulfilled. The timing of baby's arrival is perfect (although I would be happy if he or she arrived a couple weeks early!) Dan graduates in April, we'll have the baby end of May, which still allows Dan plenty of time to study for the bar on July 25th, and then we move to Las Vegas in August. Lots to look forward to next year!

As for this year, the fall is going to go by pretty quickly. I'm spending a week in Hawaii, for one thing, courtesy of Pawnee and Thomas! They made plans months ago to take the Ortho-Practice to Hawaii for this Continuing Education Unit course. One of the employees bailed out, so with a ticket and room already paid for, who else has as much unstructured time as I do right now?? Just when I had thought about getting another part-time job... oh well! I'll spend money instead! Haha... I'm very grateful for Pawn and Thomas for considering me, and can't wait to spend a whole week with them in Hawaii, especially with this crummy rainy weather here in Utah.

Then there's Arizona for Thanksgiving, and New Zealand for Christmas! I feel very blessed with so many things in my life. Lots of happy times ahead.