Sugar Baby

You're getting so big! You're still very tiny (about the size of a sugar packet - and weigh the same as two sugar packets) but considering you were the size of a poppy seed just 7 weeks ago, I'd say you're growing by leaps and bounds... At 11 weeks you are actually fully formed and just need to keep growing exponentially over the next six and a half months. You're considered a "fetus" now by the medical community instead of just a blob of tissue - But you've always been a "baby" to me even when you were microscopic!

You gave me a much needed break from your favorite button over the weekend and I was thrilled! Not only was I able to think about and look at food without wanting to throw up, but everything I ate tasted SO good... I was surprised that my symptoms were fading so "early" and did let myself worry a little bit (I know, I know... Bad Mommy!). My mind was put at ease though when I found your heart beat on the doppler Daddy and I got last week. When I finally found your sweet little sound I was afraid to move because I just wanted to listen as long as possible - But I also really wanted to record it! I hooked the doppler up to the computer, but you swam away and I couldn't find you again. I'll keep trying as you get bigger.

The break from nausea ended on Monday. I'm now back to constant food aversions and heartburn. I bet the makers of Tums make their fortune on pregnant women. Oh well, we're getting closer and closer to the second trimester every day, so I'm hoping that'll be the key to more permanent relief. Time will tell! In the meantime I'm finding myself getting very impatient with the amount of time before I get to see you again. I wish we could see you at every single appointment... If we had chosen to let the doctors perform diagnostic tests on you we would get to see you a whole lot more often. But we decided not to because the results wouldn't matter to us anyway. We would love you even if you came out with a pumpkin for a head.

We are, however, considering going to an "ultrasound spa" when you're 16 weeks old to see you again and see if we can find out if you're a boy or girl. There is a place nearby called "Peek-a-Belly" which offers affordable ultrasounds for parents who are impatient like us. They offer the 3D/4D ultrasounds too, but those are much more expensive and have to wait until you're much older anyway. The one we're considering is an old-fashioned 2D one designed just to give us a little peek at you and try to determine your gender. It's "only" $59 so it's relatively affordable, but we are also trying to save every morsel right now so it's still a good chunk we would have to give up. I don't get any maternity benefits through my work, so Daddy and I are saving as much as we can now so I can stay home with you for a good amount of time when you're born. We already know I will have to go back to work, but I know it's going to break my heart to do so... Every extra day we can save for will be worth it!

Since we may find out what you are in about a month, Daddy and I are busy picking out names. Girl names seem to be easier than boy names - which may be a good thing because I'm starting to think now that you may be a girl! According to all the old wive's tales there's a 65% chance you are. It sure will be nice to know for sure :) For now it's still fun to give people mini heart attacks by suggesting outrageous names for you (like "Fabio"). Daddy and I have pretty good taste so I think you'll like your name when we finally do give you one. Just leave all that name business to us and you just focus on growing stronger every day. Oh, and if you want to swim to the middle of my tummy to take a nap so I can easily find your heart beat again - that would be great!

I love you always!

Love,
Mommy