16 Weeks

I was telling Hien today that today was the first day I don't feel fat anymore - I just feel pregnant. Yeah! Feeling good and more energy these days. I am reading a book called "Husband Coached Childbirth" by Dr. Bradley and love it. It is making me feel more confident and not so scared of the birth process. I am not having food cravings at least for now. But I do eat a lot of watermelon. I buy one a week and usually eat it all in 3 days. I LOVE IT.

Today was our 16 week appointment at the birth center. This was our first visit with Valerie(one of the three of our midwives). Now we have met all three of our midwives. Our appointments so far are mostly about us bringing in questions that we have, checking glucose levels and hearing the heartbeat on the doppler. I love that I can ask as many questions as I have - which I always have a handful of. :)

Listening to the heartbeat again - probably my favorite thing we do at our appointments.

Her heartbeat was so strong and fast - timing in at 140 beats per minute. It is so amazing and comforting to hear it.

Valerie and I. She was personable, easy to talk to and fun because she was enthusiastic about us and our baby.

15 Weeks and our first camping trip together

This was on our first camping trip together this weekend. We went to Denny Creek campground by Snoqualmie Pass and had an awesome time. We originally drove near Ellensburg and it was so miserably hot that we decided to take our chances and head back west towards the pass. God blessed us and we found the greatest campground that had a couple spots left (considering it was July 4th weekend) and took checks (I forgot to bring enough cash). We ended up having to move campsites the second night - so all in all, Hien set up and took down our tent three times! As you can see in the picture, she really decided to grow this week and I had the growth pains that went with it.

We hiked to Franklin Falls - very near our campsite. Look at my baby bump...

Hien dared me to go one rock closer than the person that went before me. Quite a mist when you get that close...

It doesn't take too much work to roast hot dogs when you are Hien...

What does Hien do when he goes camping? Yes, he still practices his golf swing... Oh how I love him!

Roasting marshmellows for smores...

Thumbs up babe! Great camping trip!

It's a GIRL!!!

Profile of our little girl. Unfortunately this is only a photo of our ultrasound picture so it isn't as clear as I wish it was. You can see her eyes and nose and she has her mouth open. So cute! I had hoped to download our DVD recording but we don't have the equipment to do it. We ended up getting an ultrasound done early because I was experiencing some cramping pains. Our midwives wanted to diagnose between normal uterine growth pains and anything that would have been harmful. Thankfully and praise God that everything looked normal and healthy. Finding out the sex was just an added bonus!



So you probably won't be able to see well but what you are looking at is her two legs/thighs and right in the middle where the legs meet are her girl parts :). It is amazing that at 14 weeks, you could tell. The doctor was quite positive it was a girl but said "If it isn't, then you let me know... but It's a girl..."



Waiting for the ultrasound:

Baby Shower at Queen Mary Tea Room

Sandy hosted a baby shower for Vanessa (6 1/2 months pregnant) and I (14 weeks) on Saturday, June 27th at the Queeen Mary Tea Room in Seattle.


Sweet little Rusty and I

The high tea was amazing. The bottom layer had three kinds of sandwiches - egg salad, cucumber and cream cheese and everyone's favorite chicken salad with mustard butter. The middle layer was fruit, cheesecake squares and chocolate cake with ganache. The top layer had lots of variety with scones, crumpets, carrot cake, butterscotch bars, quiche and sausage rolls. There was one of each for everyone so not only were we full but Sandy took home leftovers.

Group shot.... the ambiance was amazing - small, cozy and elegant.

Mandie and Ruston

"Where is my food?"

Sandy and Krissy

Mom, Sara and Elaine

Vanessa opening her gift from Sara and Krissy

Vanessa and I

Our picnic breakfast at Juanita Beach

We wanted to try out our new Coleman stove, so we made pancakes and bacon. Worked great but you can see the first burnt pancake on the table by the stove - gets a little hotter than a normal stove.