3rd Sonogram

Hi, baby girl!

Today we had our sonogram at the doctor's office.  Even though we just had one a few weeks ago, we still enjoyed seeing the changes.  Plus, since this one was more for medical reasons than vanity reasons, it was a whole different experience.  We got to watch them measure your body proportions, count fingers and toes, look for specific facial features, etc.  They have confirmed you are a girl (again, you know that) and told us that everything about you looks healthy.

This week, the baby app says you are 10 1/2 inches long and weigh about 3/4 of a pound.  You are growing leaps and bounds, and we could even see differences from the sonogram 3 weeks ago.

Nothing between those legs... still a girl!

Look at that leg!

Sucking your thumb (maybe)

Your spine!

With each sonogram, it has become more and more real to us that there is a baby inside there!  We can't wait to meet you, little one!

Loves you!

Mommy

Gender Reveal Party

Hi there, little one!

Your Grandmama Kim and Grandpops James hosted a gender reveal party for you today at their home.  We had quite a few people there, from friends from work to family from all over.  Some of our out-of-towners included Gay and Kevin from Lubbock; Aaron, Kristen, and little John from Shreveport; Rayla and Morgan from Ruidoso, New Mexico...  all came to find out if you are going to be a little miss or a little mister.

Highlights:

We asked guests to wear pink or blue to cast their vote.  It was a pretty even split.  

  

Your dad wore a blue shirt with pink shorts (a last minute addition, I might add), and I wore pink.  

Baby John, along with the rest of the Atkins clan, wore pink 

The Jackson side (except Uncle Darren and M'kenna, who he dressed) wore blue.  The entire Lucas side (except Uncle Nate) wore pink.

We asked guests to guess how many pink and blue M&Ms were in a jar for their chance to cut the cake.  After we played a silly wives tale game to see what the old wives tales would predict you to be (boy, by the way), it was time to cut the cake.  Your Grandmama Kim was the closest guess at the M&Ms, so she got to wield the cake knife.  Drum roll please....

It's a girl!

I know you already know that... but that sliver of pink icing in the cake was our exciting way of finding out alongside our friends and family today.  And how much fun that was...

Now, we have a name to choose, a nursery to decorate, and plenty of pink outfits and accessories to stock up on!  Let the fun begin!

Love you, little GIRL!

Mommy

2nd Sonogram

Hi baby!

Today was an exciting day for your daddy and I... we scheduled an 18 week sonogram with an imaging company, Stork Vision (our doctor wanted to wait a few more weeks since he is looking at other developmental characteristics, whereas we wanted to know the gender as soon as possible!).  Although we will have the ultrasound technician determine your gender today, you father and I will not know.  It will be securely sealed in an envelope, not to be opened until it is in the safe hands of our baker, who will be making a reveal cake for our party this weekend, where all guests will find out the gender with us!

After taking a few photos for the company's medical director, she started giving us the grand tour of your mommy's belly.  The difference between the last sonogram and this one is astounding!  You have grown so much!Last sonogram you were the size of a grain of rice; and now you are curled up to about the size of a large bell pepper.  You were so active; we got glimpses of every part of you.

Fronts of both of your shins, top of your head

Two tiny feet!

Good profile of your face

Waving hello to your audience...

Another profile view

Your first recorded smile... creepy, huh?

We got to see your heart beat!  Music to our ears!

BIG stretch!  You can see your heart in this one, too.

Sneak peek at 3D imaging.  Notice how skinny you are (fat builds up later).

Your Great Aunt Eve said that if you don't continue to grow in there, we will have to invest in a bunch of hats! :)

We can't wait to show off your fashion shoot to friends and family, and your daddy especially can't wait to find out your gender at the party on Saturday.  

Love you, little one!

Mommy