As promised, here’s the succession of belly pictures so far. Definitely noticing a little rotundness here lately. I think it looks less like a baby belly right now, but more like I just ate a huge bowl of pasta…with garlic bread, a side salad, and a huge piece of cheesecake. Mmmmmm, pasta… Anywho, I think I’m just ready for it to pop a little bit more, even though I actually notice a little roundness now.

6 Weeks 2 Days

8 Weeks 2 Days

11 Weeks

13 Weeks

15 Weeks

17 Weeks

In other big news, we went in for a quick check-up on Wednesday, June 30th when I was 16 weeks. We were hoping for a peek at what’s going on between Papergrape’s legs, but no go. The little one was absolutely not cooperating and was laying really low in my abdomen with most of his lower half hidden behind my pubic bone. We were just there for a medical history visit, so we didn’t have time to try to get Papergrape to move around, and we went home a little disappointed at not knowing what we were having.

We immediately called Stork Vision to set up an appointment for Monday July 5th at 11:30 to have a 2D ultrasound for gender determination. That Monday as soon as we took a peek in side the ole’ uterus, Papergrape was turned around facing my spine, hunched over like nobody’s business. I was kinda proud our little one wasn’t giving up the goods so easily, but also quite frustrated. I was ready to know boy or girl, and ready to do a little shopping! : ) After about 10 min., it was clear we weren’t going to make any progress because PG just wasn’t budging. Our ultrasound tech, Pam, gave us the option of coming back in about 30 minutes after her next appointment to see if there was any change in the baby’s position. We jumped at the chance, even though my bladder was about to burst! I had drank two bottles of water prior to the appointment to try to ensure that my full bladder would push my uterus up and out, hopefully giving us a better view of the babe. Ughhhh!! I needed to pee, but there we were 30 minutes later. Martin calmly waiting to see if there were any changes, me squirming with a grimace on my face trying not to disgrace myself on the ultrasound table. And….NO CHANGE!!! Papergrape had shifted up a little but still no money shot. Pam, the tech, was super nice and said I could try anything to try to get the baby to change positions. I’m trying to imagine myself and Martin getting me into a headstand…maybe I could use the wall…when my genius husband suggested I try a little yoga. He’s a quick thinker, I tell ya!! I immediately got on all fours on the table with my butt in the air and my head on my arms on the table. Then, I moved to the floor and got into a downward dog position to see if maybe it would shake that baby up a bit! The visual now is hilarious, and I forgot to ask if the tech had ever seen that method before.

Following the yoga session I got back on the table and as soon as we got a look, the tech and Martin called out simultaneously, “It’s a boy!!!” And there it was, in all it’s glory, our son’s little frank and beans!! We were elated but also in shock! A son…oh my gosh…a son! So that is exactly what’s growing in my belly (well technically uterus), our son Finley Arthur. We are so excited to meet you, Finley! You are already so loved and anticipated by not only your parents, but so many others. I promise to love you, encourage you, laugh with you, sing with you, dance with you, and appreciate you always. We love you so much, Fin!