HUGE Sigh of Relief! 19 Weeks and Gender reveal!

This entire pregnancy I have been making small goals for me and Pumpkin. First it was "Get pregnant", then "See a heartbeat" then it was "Make it to the second trimester", "Have a healthy anatomy scan", and my next  will be "make it to viability" (23-24 weeks).

Prior to my appointment on Thursday, I wanted to do one more Old Wives's Tale. I went to CVS to pick up a gender predictor test, and brought it to the pharmacist counter to check the price. "You really want to spend thirty dollars on that thing?!?!" the pharmacist asked, "I can tell you what you are having."

"Really?" I asked.

"I have 8 grand kids, and I guessed the sex correctly of every one of them....I have a knack for it." So I faced her, twirled, and stood to the side, "My guess is a girl. There! Now you don't need to buy that kit."

I found this really funny, but a great final "test". So going into my scan, the tally was Avaleen: 71%, Declan 29%.

I had my anatomy scan at 2:45 PM. Most expectant mothers go in for the anatomy scan looking forward to finding out the sex. Me, on the other hand, I was more worried about the baby being okay. My nerves had been increasing for the past few days, and I was a little anxious going in. Unfortunately, entering the baby loss community makes you ALL too aware of all the problems that can arise DURING a pregnancy. There are so many awful, life threatening conditions that a baby can develop within the safety of mom's belly; Anacephaly, Potter's Syndrome, Spina Bifida, tumors, missing organs. It is really scary when you think of it. And I know WAY too many people who have experienced this devastating news, and some that are currently carrying their babies to term knowing they will most likely never take a breath here on earth. So you can imagine my nerves were on end.

Foster was also noticeably nervous. I think, however, he was more anxious about seeing what we were having. "This is the first time in my life you will ever hear me say that I want to see a penis," he claimed as he paced back and forth in the waiting room.

My sister, Bug, Foster and I sat in the exam room, and as soon as the tech put the probe on my belly, Pumpkin was bouncing all around, flipping, and kicking, and waving. "I love when we have active babies, but man it is hard to get measurements!" The tech explained.

"Oh well, that just gives us more screen time with the little one," I said as I watched the scene in awe as my little pumpkin danced in my belly, "Can you tell if it is a boy or girl?"

The tech looked, and at first Pumpkin's legs were squeezed shut. It looked as if the babe would not cooperate, but after a little coaxing and poking, the legs spread, revealing a perfect little "hamburger". There was no denying it, no matter how many times the tech "rechecked" for Foster, we are expecting our second daughter! A beautiful baby sister for Rosalynn!

Most importantly, everything checked out PERFECTLY!! She is measuring 10 oz, and over 7 inches from crown to rump. My placenta looks great, her cord is right where it needs to be (her sister had a marginal cord insertion which can be dangerous). My baby girl seems to be spreading out the uterus just fine, and making herself at home, the septum is almost non-detectable now, and my fluid levels are perfect.

This pregnancy is going so much differently than with Rosie. This is probably one reason I am alot less anxious than I expected to be through this process. At this point with Rosie I had been bleeding for 9 weeks already with a SCH, she had been diagnosed with the marginal cord insertion, and I was told to come back in 2 weeks because they couldn't see the fourth chamber of the heart ( they found it just fine 2 weeks later). Along with the constant moving, Avaleen was moving her mouth throughout almost the whole scan! She is definitely her mother's daughter! I started speaking in full sentences at 16 months, and have not shut up since...looks like she is trying to beat me to the punch and started talking in-utero!

My doctor came in, and we discussed my palpitations a little more in depth. I told him that since having the monitor, Foster and I realized that I had an increase in action every evening. "Do me a favor," he said, "Take a pepcid 2 times a day."

"Really?" I asked.

"It could possibly be indigestion, or esophageal spasms. They can VERY easily feel like an issue with your heart," he explained. I started taking them on Thursday evening, and ever since, I have had only 1 or two episodes a day as opposed to 7-10. I would be THRILLED if this is just a GI problem as opposed to a heart issue, although, I would be a little embarrassed!

As we walked out of the office, I asked Foster if he was a little disappointed this wasn't a boy. He was honest, and said yes, but by the end of the day he was so excited. He said his disappointment was very short lived, and he is now ecstatic about having a little princess. He has been talking to my belly and calling her by name, "Avaleen, mommy and daddy love you and are excited to meet you," he says. It is so precious! When I thought he had fallen asleep on Thursday night, all of the sudden he started prating out loud, "Thank you Lord for a beautiful baby girl, and Lord thank you for allowing Erin and I to be pregnant another week," and he reached over and rubbed my belly. I know I say it often, but I have to say it again, I LOVE THIS MAN! He is going to make an amazing father!!!

So for week 19 here is my survey:

Size of baby: 10 oz. and a little over 7 inches crown to rump


Maternity clothes: I have a few maxi dresses that are not technically maternity, but everything else is!
Sleep: Doing pretty well so far int he 2nd trimester! Still getting up to pee about 3 times a night, but heck, that just comes with the territory.
Best moment of the week: Finding out Pumpkin is officially a HEALTHY Avaleen Rose!!!
Movement: Alot stronger now. Although she really doesn't have a set pattern yet, I can really feel her if I stop and relax and sit or lay down. I can feel her when I am sitting at the desk at work at night...this is NOT a good sign!
Symptoms: Honestly, other than the occasional "palpitation", all of the first trimester nausea and vomiting is GONE!! YAY!! I still have to urinate frequently, and have tenderness in my breasts, but I will take that over the vomiting any day! Now, I have to admit, Ky farted in the car without warning the other day, and I had to open the door and get out to get away because I was gagging, but honestly, I think ANYONE would have...it was AWFUL!!! HAHA
Food cravings/aversions: fruit, fruit smoothies, and McDonald's Chicken Nuggets. No real aversions, just things that don't sound appetizing at the time.

Gender: Beautiful HEALTHY baby GIRL!!!! Miss Avaleen Rose (Ava)
Belly button in or out: Still in

Stretch marks: TONS of old ones from Rosalynn, and a few new ones popping up on my boobs and hips and on the top side of my belly button!!! BOO!

What I miss: Rosalynn...i really wish she could be here to be excited for having a baby sister!

What I am looking forward to: At this point making it to viability!
Weekly wisdom: My doc told me that too much water is as bad as too little, and salt is a MUST to help produce and move enough blood through your system. His words: "Drink when you are thirsty, eat when you are hungry, sleep when you are tired!"

Dream of the week: I had some awful tornado dreams. "In dreams tornadoes can symbolize feeling that some form of destruction or ruin is imminent. It can symbolize a situation over which one feels powerless or feeling like some random misfortune is soon to enter one's life.

Tornadoes may be symbols of fear. In waking life, tornadoes rip away everything one cares about most. Is there some situation in your life that you fear will cause you to lose it all?

"A tornado dream points to emotional turmoil, as in a "whirlwind of emotions"; and/or rapid or sudden changes in your life. It is a sign to "get a grip" on what is possibly spinning out of control & deal more effectively with your emotions. Meditation and finding some private "think time" for yourself would be a good idea."

This all seems VERY familiar right now! Maybe I should start doing some pregnancy yoga to calm my mind:-)
Belly/Baby Pics:

Ava's little face....she would not flip long enough for us to get a profile, so only the creepy "skelator" face:-)



Her little foot!!! i can't wait to kiss those little toes!!!



19w4d....and you can see the LOVELY wires from the monitor :-)



 We did have a gender reveal for our parents, and I will have to tell you all about that tomorrow, b/c this post has gotten LONG!!! Thanks if you made it to the end!!!