It's a ...

BOY!!

Henry Mercer VandenBerg (named after Nick's father, Arthur Henry VandenBerg ... Mercer is Nick's favorite boy name) is happy and healthy in there... according to the ultrasound tech he's measuring 2 weeks ahead, and according to my belly measurements he's measuring 3 weeks ahead!! If I hadn't already had 3 early ultrasounds, they would have moved my due date up, but since those were specific to the date - we just know he's a giant! He's also already 1lb 1 oz (the baby book says he should be only 9oz right now). My OB says I will probably have more ultrasounds as baby gets even bigger to keep track of that!

Here are some pics of the big boy:



Thank you all for your support and prayers - it means so much to Nick and I - we are beyond thrilled that everything is going good and our son is happy and healthy in there!

"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart." Proverbs 3:3

20 weeks

Here's the monthly belly shot :) First he caught me laughing because I was going to sneeze, then it never came...



We can't wait for our big ultrasound in 48 hours!!

Team Blue?? Team Pink?? Maybe staying on Team Green?!?

19 weeks and 2 days

The Gender Game!!

I added a poll to the left side for you to cast your vote: Is it going to be Baby Nora Lee VandenBerg or Henry Mercer VandenBerg?! Only one week left until the big reveal (assuming baby cooperates!) Cast your vote now ... and if you're right, you'll get a prize! (not really, but it just sounds more fun)

18 weeks 4 days - and Thumping! :)

Only two weeks to go until we find out if we're team blue or pink, or stay on team green if baby doesn't cooperate!!

The excitement this week has been that I now feel the "thumping" of baby pretty often - atleast a couple times a day.

And last night once I laid down to watch a movie I felt some movement so I put my hands on my lower tummy and sure enough - I felt a thump!! I can't wait for Nick to be able to feel it too!

How far along? 18 weeks and 4 days
Total weight gain/loss: I don't want to answer that question today...
Maternity clothes? Yup - still loving them - but can still wear regular shirts - jeans only w/ belly band
Stretch marks? Not yet
Sleep: Rough times -- my legs keep falling asleep and aching!
Best moment this week: Feeling the thump against my hand!
Movement: Getting more frequent by the day!
Food cravings: This week ... cheeseburgers :)
Gender: Today I'm thinking baby's a boy
Labor Signs: Nope
Belly Button in or out? The top half of my belly button is getting flatter by the day!
What I miss: Being able to be comfortable for more than 5 minutes at a time!
What I am looking forward to: When Nick can feel baby thumping as well!
Weekly Wisdom: "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumpahal procession of Christ and through us spreads weverywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him." - 2 Corinthians 2:14
Milestones: Obviously the increased movement!
Realization of the week: I need to start walking again...

17 weeks and 1 day

An idea stolen from other preggo bloggers ~ a good way to update since I don't feel like I have much to say right now!

How far along? 17 weeks and 1 day
Total weight gain/loss: +7 -- right in the middle of where it should be right now
Maternity clothes? I loved my belly band, but now I'm loving the maternity shorts I have (thanks Jill!) so much easier than dealing with the silly band all day!
Stretch marks? Not yet
Sleep: Better now that I try to limit water intake after 6:30pm
Best moment this week: Being able to have a couple days to just relax and watch SATC
Movement: One for sure movement, other times where I think it was, but not sure
Food cravings: Pasta --- all pasta! And popcicles!
Gender: I change my mind every day!
Labor Signs: Nope
Belly Button in or out? Innie
What I miss: Summer drinking ... *sighs*
What I am looking forward to: The ultrasound in 3 weeks -- and starting on the nursery
Weekly Wisdom: Hmm... I'm not feeling any wisdom bits right now
Milestones: That one moment where I knew I felt baby move!
Realization of the week: Maternity clothes are comfy -- why don't people where them all the time??

16 weeks

Second round of belly shots -- gonna stick w/ the monthly pics from here on out.

I'm still feeling good -- my back gets sore if I'm on my feet too long, I love popcicles, and I can't stop rubbing my tummy and staring at it in the mirror :)

15 weeks 3 days

Hello readers :)

We had another OB check up today - it all went well. I'm cleared to go back to regular activity, my OB (remember I had to see someone else during the ER scare and follow up) agrees it was probably the meds that caused the bleeding, maybe even a weird allergic reaction.

It took her a while to find baby's heartbeat because first her machine needed new batteries, and then baby wasn't cooperating :) I pictured him/her in there moving all over and trying to kick the pressure it was getting. We could hear the sounds from all the movement of baby - but no heartbeat until doctor held my belly in a way that baby couldn't move anymore!

We'll have the big 20 week update on July 16th and hopefully will know if we're team pink or blue then!!