Ultrasound

So today, it was with much excitement, and only a hint of anxiety, that Toni and I headed into Providence Medical to have our (really "her," but I'm trying to stay as involved as possible, here) first ultrasound done.

First, a quick history. Toni and I had been to three doctor's appointments regarding Baby (the name, until we find out the sex) before today. At two of those appointments, Dr. Breeze, Toni's wonderful OBGYN and our primary doctor, had attempted to hear a heartbeat, to no avail. He had assured us that there was nothing wrong, and that by the looks of everything, Baby was developing normally, and that Toni was petite and simply too early in her pregnancy to get a "blip" on the heartbeat monitor.

Nonetheless, he realized that, aside from a slightly extended stomach, we were basically going on faith that Baby was doing fine. That in mind, he set us up for an ultrasound for today, to solidify everything.

So, we arrived at Providence Medical, which is the hospital where Baby will eventually be born. Toni, as she is prone to do lately, what with a growing child smashing up on her blatter and everything, was on the edge of peeing her pants in the car ride over. Upon arrival, she rushed to the bathroom to do her business.

Five minutes later, the ultrasound tech greeted us with a quick "So you haven't peed yet today, have you?"

Turns out, she was suppossed to do this whole thing with a full bladder. No one had told us. "Well, we may not be able to see anything," the tech says, "but we'll try." Downcast, we both concede that we may, AGAIN, be foiled in our attempts to meet Baby for the first time. Oh well.

And yet, as soon as Toni was on the table, jellied-up ultrasound wand pressed to her stomach, Baby was instantly on the screen.

(Click to Make Bigger)

I honestly can't explain how much of a shock that was. Literally the second the tech set the wand on Toni's stomach, that was the image we saw. And "image" is a bit of a misnomer, as Baby was anything but static; in fact, Baby was kicking and bouncing all over the place. Hiccuping. Stretching its legs. It was absolutely surreal to know that something so amazing was growing inside of my wife.

To top it off, everything looked totally normal. Heartbeat was in the perfect range; size was good. Baby had really long legs (wonder where that comes from?), and a really cute face (ditto). And as happy as I am for you all to see the pictures, they really don't do justice to how amazing it is to see.

Love you all, and we'll keep you up to date.

T&T