The day our lives changed forever.

It has been a very long time since I blogged, time just got away from me I guess. So I am just going to pick on the day that started it all. August 10th, I had a check up with my OBGYN which was also the start of my 38th week. As of the 15th the baby still had not dropped and I was only dilated 2cm. The issue that was holding everything up was the amount of amniotic fluid in my belly, still such a large amount that the baby couldn't engage and drop into the birth canal. So home I went, with tears in my eyes.

At this point I was in so much pain I couldn't see lasting much longer both mentally and physically. By chance I shared this info on Facebook and a friend of mine said the Chiropractor she works for advised her to tell me that she thought she may just be able to help me out. So I set up an appointment for August 11th. I saw the Chiropractor who helped realign my hips and worked on some pressure techniques on my belly to help the baby align and move a little farther down. At the end of the session, the baby had moved very close to the birth canal. I made an appointment to see her the next day and headed home for a bit. On my way home my contractions began to pick up, but this was nothing new to me...I had been dealing with false labor for 3 months.

 As the evening approached, Jeff and I sat down together and ate dinner. I knew something was off when I couldn't finish my hamburger and french fries due to the amount of contractions and pain I was having. I called the Doctors evening exchange and spoke with a nurse who advised me to wait till I was in a ton of pain and couldn't take it anymore. After hanging up and sitting there for a few minutes, Jeff said get ready, I am taking you in. He said he had never seen me struggle to breath and was worried. So off to St. Johns we went.

 I checked into the Women's Evaluation Unit and the mid-wife came in to check me and she got very excited. She said I was 4cm dilated and my amniotic sack was bulging. She all but ran out of the room and called my Doctor. My Doctor said to take me over to labor and delivery and admit me. Jeff and I sat there in complete shock! We for sure that they would send me back home like the other times. So off to L&D.....we knew the night would be a long one. We called our family members and updated them and told them we would call them when things began to progress. It was close to 10pm by now and we both were tired. Jeff was able to get a little sleep and I worked thru the contractions like I had learned in the few Lamaze classes I had been able to attend.

By 8am I was not progressing and Dr. Mueller had me start a small dose of pitocin to see if that might just kick things into gear...the morning passed and afternoon arrived. By lunch time Dr. Mueller umped the poticin and tried to kick things up again...all that happened were stronger more painful contractions. 3pm rolled around and I had been in labor for almost 20 hours with no pain meds or epidural. I told Jeff and my Doctor that if I was going to continue I was going to have to have an epidural....this was not in my birth plan, I wanted to do a natural labor but 20 hours had worn me down by mentally and physically. The contractions were 30 seconds apart and at a pain level of 10...I was done.

 Jeff left to get some coffee and I sat with a family friend waiting for the anesthesiologist to get there. He arrived around 3:30 and began to insert the epidural. Jeff walked in just as he began and turned green...he couldn't stand the thought of me in pain, I assured him I was fine. The pain on my face was from the contractions. After the Doctor was finished I could start to feel a little relief. At the same time my blood pressure dropped to a very low level as well as the baby's blood pressure. A nurse came in rolled me on my side and gave me an oxygen mask. I looked over and Jeff had a look of panic on his face. Thank God Jackie was still there, I couldn't get to him and reassure him...she talked to him and took his mind off of things for a few minutes.

The nurse also checked me and see if the baby had dropped, and the baby had! I was so excited!!! This meant Dr. Mueller could break my water safely and things would progress...perfect timing! Dr. Mueller came in at about 3:45pm to check me and she said the baby was engaged, but then her face turned from a smile into a frown...as she touched the baby's head, it floated back up....no such luck. She looked at me with a sad face and said I really think we need to get the baby out. I knew what she meant...my blood pressure was low, things were getting a little hairy. I said, it's fine, if a C-section was what needed to be done, then lets do it. Get the baby out safely, that is all that mattered to me at this point.



 As I was being taken to the OR, I kept rubbing my belly...this would be the last time I would feel the baby inside me...kind of a bitter sweet moment, I poked at the baby's feet and the baby kicked back at me...this was our game...the last time we would get to play it.

Once in the OR, it was about 5:15pm. I was being prepped for the surgery, it was cold in the room and they just tossed me around getting me ready...they moved fast. Jeff came in shortly after. He sat behind my head and talked to me...I think we were both scared to death...I wasn't prepared for this, I hadn't done any research on this...crap I didn't know what to expect. I was so tired...the drugs made me want to go to sleep so bad, but I kept telling myself wait a little longer, the baby is almost here!

 At 5:30 they started taking the baby out, at 5:34 I heard the most beautiful scream I had ever heard. Then I heard Dr. Mueller say he peed on me...it's a boy! I said, a boy??? I thought it was a girl...they brought him over to me and he was covered in white stuff...he looked just like me when I was a baby...he had tons of hair and huge feet...those were my first thoughts...God he was beautiful!! I stared for a few seconds and they asked me his name, I tried so hard to say it out loud but all I could do was whimper thru my tears and sobs and say, Jackson McCormack...then he was gone...he was behind me being cleaned up. I yelled to Jeff to not leave his side...leave me hear and go wherever they take Jackson, Jeff promised. Jackson cried the whole time they cleaned us both up and sewed me up. They waited till I was ready to leave and took me to recovery.

Jeff carried Jackson like a proud father. Things get a little blurry for me here...I was so tired...I remember lying in the recovery unit and seeing my parents come in...Jeff's sister Kelly and G.G. came in....everyone was laughing and crying...I kept trying to focus and see Jackson, he was being passed around. I couldn't take it anymore, I hadn't held my baby yet...Jeff put him in my arms the best he could and I cried just looking at him...God he was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.

That is about all I remember from that point, the nurses cleaned me up and took me to my room and Jeff with the rest of the family went with Jackson to the nursery to bath him and get him ready to come to my room. I am sure it was only a half hour or so but it felt like the longest half hour of my life...I wanted my baby! After being in my room for just a few minutes my BF Liz popped in, then everyone else...along with my sweet baby boy....we were finally together again.....my life is complete!

Glowing

We had our Maternity photo session last Sunday and here are just a few of the pics :o) Terri did an awesome job and made it fun, even in the heat. We had the session at Tower Grove Park at 9:30am and it was already about 85 degrees out. For the first time in my pregnancy I actually felt beautiful...I love this bump!

33rd & 34th week catch up

Last Friday, the 1st of July, we had our 33rd week check up and ultrasound. Things seem to be going well. My contractions began to pick up again, so Dr. Mueller has me taking the Procardia every 4 hours instead of every 6.

The Ultrasound showed the baby is about 5.5 lbs and growing. We did get to see the baby open his/her eyes and look at us, it was so strange to see. The baby seems to be developing well, about 1.5 lbs larger than usual so Dr. Mueller thinks this is gonna be a big baby, the baby should gain about 3/4 of a pound a week until the 40th week, which would put the baby at about 10.75 lbs...ahhhhh!

We go back and see her on July 15th for my 36th week check up and she will most likely take me off of the meds and see how the contractions go. If they pick up, she will most likely go ahead and induce me so there is no undue stress on the baby from the contractions.

The baby is really really rally active. Anytime I am sitting still he/she kicks away. Jeff really gets a kick out of it...sometimes it is a little creepy for him. It really is alien like.

Yesterday started our 34th week. If we can get this little creature to stay in for just two more weeks, the lungs will be fully developed by then. That is what this week and next will be the main focus with the baby.

Quick update....

Jeff & I saw Dr. Mueller today and everything seems to be fine now. The contractions have slowed to about one every 35-40 minutes, which is perfectly fine. If they go down to one every 15 minutes or lower then I have to call her and most likely hightail it to the hospital.

She will keep me on the medicine for another 4 weeks and we will go from there. She thinks this sweet baby may come 3-4 weeks early due to the size and fact that my body and the baby are ready to go now.

For now it is light house work only and I am going to cut back on the amount of kids I am watching :o)

32 weeks going on 39....

So we are starting our 32nd week and boy has it been a start. This past Friday I went in for my 31 week checkup and things are moving along fast.

Dr. Mueller measured my belly at 39 weeks....which means the baby may be very big already. The baby should be about 3.75 lbs and about 16.7 inches long. However that is not what my belly is telling us. I also told the Dr. that I have been having a lot of the Braxton Hicks contractions and she seemed a little concerned. So she told me to count them this weekend and I am averaging one contraction every 3-5 minutes when I am up and active and one contraction every 7-10 minutes when I am at rest. I notified the Dr. this morning and she said that I was have to many contractions in a short amount of time. So I am being place on Procardiato help stop them. I go to see her tomorrow at 2:30 and am guessing I will be fitted with a fetal heart monitor and maybe put on bed rest.

Other than the above I am feeling fine :o)

 

31 weeks and 4 Oranges

So 31 weeks has arrived and I can't begin to comprehend that I have another 9 weeks....I am so uncomfortable, there are no words....but I keep telling myself, over and over and over.....in the end, I am going to have this beautiful baby.

The baby is about 16.25 inches long and weighs about 3.3lbs, roughly the size of 4 navel oranges. The baby is beginning to turn from a reddish color to pink. Fat is developing to protect the baby for it's main exit.

Yesterday I had Braxton Hicks contractions all day on top of severe leg cramps last night. So I have amped up my water intake and am eating a banana in the morning and evening.  Jeff & I got a yoga ball for me to sit on and help relieve some of the back pain that I am experiencing, so far it seems to help, but only when I sit on it.

Me at 31 weeks...not the most flattering photo, but it is all I have until we have our maternity photos taken next month.

Our little Cabbage Patch Kid

This week starts our 30th week...I am soooo soooo ready for the next 10 weeks to fly! I wanna meet this little creature :o)

The baby is about 2.75 lbs and almost 15.7 inches long. All in all about the size of a cabbage if the baby is in all balled up. The one thing I have noticed it the amount of hiccups this little thing gets. From what I understand, the baby is starting to learn how to breath which causes the hiccups.

I have become uncomfortable more and more each day. My belly is dropping and the baby is very active...sometimes causing the pain I am having, but it is all worth it.

I am not sleeping well, between the baby moving, having to get up and use the bathroom and unable to find a position that doesn't put pressure on the belly or hips as become a major issue...10 weeks...10 weeks...keep telling myself this!

Our First Baby Gift

We received our first gift for the baby today from a family friend, Annette Menendez Jones. She made this beautiful crocheted baby blanket. I can already picture where in the baby's room, I am going to put it :o)

Thanks again Annette, it really is beautiful :o)

75 days and counting!!!!

Sunday began our 29th week!!! Ahhh getting closer and closer :o)

The baby is about the size of a butternut squash, weighs about 2.5 lbs and measures around 15.25 inches.

In just the last few days I feel like my belly is dropping, which is causing some pains I have not had before...mainly bad back pain. I keep telling myself it will all be worth it in just a few months.

Movement has been constant, just yesterday morning Jeff was lying his head on my belly and the baby kicked him in the face ;o) I swear the baby has stage fright most of the time. I will feel or see the baby moving and then get Jeff to look over and the baby stops...I just want Jeff to see how crazy the little thing gets in there!

In the last few weeks I have been working of picking outfits to bring our baby boy/girl home in from the hospital. I found a lady who makes the sweetest onsies :o) As well as these sweet little crocheted hats to keep baby's head warm.

Cauliflower....yah...what can you say about that???

 

This week starts our 26th week of pregnancy.....August please get here fast. The baby is roughly 14 inches long and weighs about 1.75 lbs, the size of a head of cauliflower.

This week the baby looks like a thinner, redder, more wrinkled version of what he/she will look like at birth. Over the next few weeks the baby will gain weight and fatten up :o)

I have been getting more leg cramps, especially when I try to stretch out, not so cool when it happens in the middle of the night :o(

I signed up for Lamaze class at St. Johns. The class is 6 weeks long and covers everything from Lamaze, breast feeding, newborn child care, natural child birth and a tour of the birthing center. Jeff has to work during the class time so Carol has offered to go with me and support me,  I am so thankful for that.

The baby moves non-stop...I can see the baby moving just under my skin which is so strange to me. The baby seems to kick when I laugh of Jeff talks.

We are eager to see this little creature, I don't know how I am going to make it thru the next three months!

All it took was one boy & one girl....

My newborn picture

Jeff's newborn picture

Our sweet little baby

Take this handsome little boy and sweet little girl and they have to make a beautiful baby right?!?!

Long toes & a sweet little nose

We had our 24 week appointment this past Friday and it was great. We got to see the baby again and this time he/she was nice enough to show his/her face. The baby has very long toes and a tiny little nose. The Dr. was able to see the heart better this time around and things look great. The baby's brain is developing as it should along with everything else.

The 1st picture is the forearm and hand, the 2nd picture is the calf and foot, the 3rd picture is the baby look toward us, to the right is the forehead, two eyes, nose and mouth. Just below the head to the bottom right is a hand and to the the bottom left is the rib cage. The 4th picture is a side view of the baby..the head is to the right...you can see the forehead, eye, little nose and lips..even the little chin :o) I think the really amazing thing is that at 6 months the baby will look exactly the same when it is born...just a bigger version. I keep looking at the side profile picture and thinking that is my baby's face...that sweet face is the one I will see in about 3 months...how crazy is that?!?

Today starts my 25th week. It is hard to believe that my uterus is the size of a soccer ball! I haven't had any weight gain yet, but I am having a little swelling in my ankles and toes...I am supposed to stay away from salt, it is now my enemy.

Getting ready for our kernel to pop

Today starts our 24th week. The baby is about 12.5 inches long of the size of the average ear of corn. I thought this was a very odd vegetable to compare the baby too! He/She is weighing in at 1.25 lbs. The baby's respiratory system is growing at a fast [ace, the lungs are developing and moving amniotic fluid in and out. The baby is getting it's oxygen through my placenta.

I felt my uterus move up in the last few days....it was below my belly button for such a long time and now its just above it. The baby is now swimming up and around my ribcage. He/She moves all of the time....seems to like the upper left side of my belly.

We have a OB appointment this Friday and an ultrasound. Fingers crossed we get a better look at the baby this time!

Our Yummy Mango

Today starts our 23 week! I can't believe that we are over half way there!!!! So much has been going on in the last week or so. Our sweet baby is about 11.5 inches long and now weighs just over 1 pound! It seems like it took forever for a pound to come around. The baby has been very active...anytime I find time to sit and rest I can feel him/her moving around, usually in the same spot...just below and to the right of my belly button.

Last night I was sitting on the couch and for the first time I saw my belly move when the baby kicked around. It was the most amazing thing so see...actually at this moment he/she is awake and kicking :o)

Pregnancy brain has taken control of me. I am forgetful and more clumsy than usual....it that is at all possible. I seem to trip over things on a daily basis and just plain forget what I was doing.

Plans are coming along on the baby's room. I finished registering at Target and Babies R' Us....so glad that is over. The room with be a light purple on top and a eggplant purple on bottom. The furniture will be black with silver accents. The accents around the room will be a lime green and the bedding will be black & white. 

I think we have settled on one name if the baby is a boy, Jackson Michael and if it is a girl, we have Savannah Marie and Molly Grace...I can't begin to imagine what it going to be like to see this sweet baby face to face.

I have Jeff & I registered for 6 weeks of baby classes at St. Johns Hospital. They cover ever area of birth, child care, breast feeding, first aid, Lamaze etc....we both are looking forward to taking them.

So far I have yet to gain any weight with the baby. My only pregnancy symptom at the moment is slight swelling if I am on my feet for long periods of time.

We go for our 24 week appointment on April 29th and will have another ultrasound. Fingers crossed we will get to see his/her face!

Happy Feet

We went for our 20 week ultrasound yesterday and are sweet little baby decided to hide from us. We were able to see an arm & fist, both legs and both feet. The baby was fast asleep upside down :o) We did get to see him/her yawn and move an arm a few times, but that was it. The baby weighs 13 ounces and is about 7 inches long....still so tiny!

I haven't been able to blog for the last two weeks because I was on vacation in Rome, Italy. Vacation was great, exhausting and fun all rolled up in one big ball. My only down fall was a down fall...I was walking down some steps in Positano and fell down a few steps, I heard 3 pops or snaps in my ankle...I go to see an Orthopedic Doctor on Monday to have it looked at. I managed to fall on my side so this sweet bundle was safe & sound.

We go back on April 29 for another ultrasound to get a better look at the baby's heart and maybe a look at the face. Dr. Mueller says everything looks great...the baby's heart rate was about 156 bpm. I haven't gained any weight as of yet...most women will have gained between 10-13 lbs by now, but I have managed to loose and gain, so I am balancing my weight where I started for the most part.

I thought I had been feeling the baby move for the past two weeks here and there, my belly would get really hard just below my belly button, it would last for about 30 seconds and then go away..I figured it was the baby pressing against me. Dr. Mueller said it was contractions, very normal and nothing to worry about. I have felt a few flutters as well....she said I should start feeling movement in the next two weeks.

The baby will almost double in length in the next week which seems so crazy to me!

My Heirloom

We are in our 18th week now and getting bigger every day. Our sweet little thing is 6 inches long and weighs 6.7 ounces, about the size of a large heirloom tomato. This week the baby is working on hearing. Many of the bones are starting to harden and one of the important ones is in the inner ear. This is why the baby may react to the sound of my belly growling, or my heart beat. I notice when I do feel a flutter, I am always asleep and wake up just as it is passing. I look forward to when it will be constant...I am sure I will eat my words later.

I leave for Italy in less than 48 hours for a 16 day adventure with this little bundle joining me the whole time. I am very excited and a little nervous at the same time, however my OB assures me it is ok. I am really looking forward to getting out and walking and enjoying some good food and fresh air. I think it will help pass some time.....Can't believe we will have our 20 week appointment the day after I get back....I wanna see this little thing so bad!

Belly flutters.....

Well after waiting and waiting, I finally felt it! The flutters!!!! I was asleep on the couch Tuesday night

 (March 8th ) and I woke up out of my sleep with the feeling of a butterfly in my belly. It was just below my belly button to the left and it was a feeling I have never had before...it was so strange and amazing at the same time. So I went upstairs and laid down hoping I would feel it again....to my disappointment, nothing. From what I have read and been told, it comes and goes...they will become more frequent in the next few weeks.

Our Little Sweet Potata

Today marks the beginning of the 17th week. I had a OB appointment last Friday, March 4th, for my 16 week or 4 month check up. Everything is great! The baby continues to have a strong heart beat. I haven't really gained any weight...I seem to lose then gain, lose then gain etc....The Dr. says that is just fine, since my belly is already getting big :o)

The baby is about 5.3 inches long and weighs about 5.9 ounces....about the size of a sweet potato...I like the pick of food this week :o) This week the baby is working of simple reflexes like swallowing, sucking and blinking. The baby may even have hiccups at this point...seems so strange to me....

The baby is starting to develop fat, which will help prepare the baby for the temperature change when he/she is born.

My left hip is still giving me problems, the Dr. said it is normal and there isn't much we can do about it...boo!

Jeff's Mom and I are leaving for Italy in 9 days! The Dr. suggested that I take a baby aspirin before each flight, drink plenty of water and get up and walk around the plane as much as I can. This should help me avoid any chances of blood clots during such a long flight.

We have our 20 week or half way point, appointment the day after we get back from Italy, April 1st. Jeff is still holding out on finding out what we are having....not sure if he will change his mind at the Dr.'s office or not....we shall see.

Im popping in the 16th week

Today starts our 16th week! The baby is about 4.6 inches long and weighs 3.5 ounces....he/she is about the length of an avocado...and my belly is quickly becoming the shape of one!

This week the baby's limbs are more developed, legs and arms are longer and becoming more controlled in movement. The baby's skeletal system is developing more as calcium is deposited onto the bones. Over the next few weeks the baby's weight will double.

My belly really popped this last week. The skin is starting to itch from the stretching but lotion has helped. So far I haven't felt any fluttering yet....they say by week 20 I should start to feel some kicking.

The morning sickness seems to be gone 100% and I can brush my teeth without problems...yay me! My back tends to get achy and I get short of breath at times. It is hard to believe that I have 50% more blood in my body. My hips have been hurting from them rotating outward, by my lovely chiropractor has been helping me with this. Sleeping is getting better, which was much needed.

I have a OB appointment this Friday, we get to hear the heart beat again....very excited about that!

Sweet Little Thang

We are entering the 15th week now and my belly is starting to really pooch out. This sweet little baby is a little over 4 inches long and weighs 2.5 ounces, or about the size of a Navel orange. The baby is growing hair on the head and if we have a dark hair child, is growing the follicles that will make the pigment for the hair color. Oddly enough, the baby is covered in a very fine hair which helps protect against exposure to the amniotic fluid.

The baby's skin is almost translucent  and you if you could see the baby you would be able to see small blood vessels forming underneath the skin. Some babies even suck their thumb around this time.....I am praying for a non thumb sucker...gross!

As for me, the morning sickness hasn't appeared in a few days, which has been a nice break. Brushing my teeth is getting a little better too. The stuffy and bloody nose has come back and from reading, I found this is normal during this stage. My body is again producing more blood for the baby which causes my mucous membranes to swell causing stuffy nose and nosebleeds....glad to know it isn't another sinus infection!

When life gives you a Lemon....

Today we start the 14th week of our pregnancy. The baby is 3.4 inches long and weighs about 1.5 ounces, about the size of a large yummy lemon.

This week the baby's well defined face can make expression like a squint or frown. He or she may also start growing some hair on the head and eyebrows. If we are having a girl, her eggs are already developed inside of her ovaries. If we are having a boy, his prostate glad is developing.

They say that the morning sickness should be moving on, but it isn't. I have had a hard time in the early mornings...I guess this is the baby's way of saying, "Hey, how are ya?". My belly is starting to move up under my belly button and becoming a little more pronounced.

I picked out fabric for the baby's bedding, it is black & white....I really like it. I can't wait to start on it...I think it will help me get thru the next month.

I Promise

Dear Baby,
I was lying in bed last night thinking about you. I was thinking about how messed up our world has become and how scared I am to bring you into it. There is so much hatred between man…it seems like our world is falling apart. I am sure my parents had the same thoughts as they were bringing me into this place. I guess every generation has seen war, poverty, destruction, violence…

So I thought to myself, I will make a promise now, that I will do my best to make your life the most positive experience. To make sure you never have to experience pain with it is not necessary. I promise to love you unconditionally, no matter what you do in your life, I will always always always love you. I promise to raise you to become the best person you can be, to love yourself for who you are. I promise to educate you on the choices of right and wrong, to instill morals and values to live by and treat people by. I promise to tell you every day for as long as I live, that I loved and wanted you before you were ever born. I promise to give you everything you need to succeed in life and to aid you in your path in life, whatever that might be. I promise to shelter you from others hurtful words and harmful ways that best that I can. I promise to teach you to become a strong and independent person. I promise to teach you to see the best in others, even when it seems impossible. I promise to teach you to never take anything for granted, for life is short and you never know when it might be taken away. I promise to teach you to love your family and friends unconditionally, to always be there with an open mind and never to quick to judge. I promise to teach you how to find your match in life, to find someone who will love you just as much as me. I promise to see you live the life that both your Dad and I along with God want for you. I promise to teach you that living isn’t about what we have, it is about who we have with us thru the journey of it all. I promise to teach you to surround yourself with different types of people, so that you may know diversity and love different types of people.

There are so many things that I promise you….and in just a few short months I will get to begin teaching you these things. I can’t yet feel you, but I know you are there. I love you baby…more than I will ever begin to explain to you.

Love,
Mommy

Just Peachy

Today starts the 13th week of our pregnancy, and everything is just peachy. Our sweet peach is 2.9 inches long, or about as wide as a large peach...and weighs in at a hefty .81 ounces! The baby's tiny body and large head are now beginning to catch up with each other and become proportional...no more alien looking baby here! The baby is also starting to learn some more motor skills, working on flexing his/her arms and legs. We won't be able to feel any movement for quit a while.

This weekend was an interesting weekend. I had to go to Costco on Sunday for a few items...ended up having a bout of morning sickness in the store. I had began to feel dizzy and nauseous and decided to sit down on a crate of apple juice. As I was sitting there looking rather green, a nice lady stopped and asked if I was ok....I explained that I was pregnant and not feeling well. She was nice enough to offer to help me to the check out and make sure I was ok. As I started to walk I could tell I was going to throw up...I saw a trash can and bolted...As I threw up and elderly lady handing out corn dog samples turned around in shock and asked if I was ok...the lady with me explained what was wrong...She told me not to worry and gave me a napkin to clean up...mortified, I was able to make it to the check out and to the car...I laughed when it was all over...I will be so glad when this part of the pregnancy decided to move on!

The sound that stole my heart

Today was our 12 week appointment. Jeff was unable to go with me so I had to brave it alone. To be honest, I was scared. I know the 12 week mark is a big one to get past. As I lay there on the table waiting for her to find the spot where the baby was seemed like it took forever. In the back of my head I am saying, why is it taking so long....please let there be a heart beat...then as is from no where...I can hear the beat as clear as day. A huge smile came over my face, even the Dr. cracked a smile! She listened for about a minute and said the heart beat was strong and I could relax. I can't tell you how I felt when I heard the heart beat and those words roll off of her tongue. I became relaxed and as she was finishing up, I said can I hear it one more time? She smiled and found it again. The baby seems to be nice and comfy in the right, lower area of my belly. We go back for a 16 week appointment on March 4th....seems so far away. Ahhhh what a great day!