Our Son--Merrick Rainier

Most important post first, yes? We're having a son! It's been almost 4 weeks since we found out at the anatomy ultrasound. All of his measurements were slightly ahead or right on target. The report did not indicate that he was developing slowly. Although they aren't going to change my due date, if they did, it would be 12-31-12, which I wouldn't mind as my birthday is 12-13. :)

We did our gender reveal with the following pictures the following day.

It took me by complete surprise that we were having a boy instead of a girl. It took me a full week to adjust to the idea of having a little boy in our lives instead of the girl I had been envisioning. I know my family didn't appreciate me being silent on the day of the ultrasound when they were excited to find out the details, but I just wasn't emotionally in control of myself. We'll just leave it at that.

I am now in my 24th week of pregnancy, and by the first week of October I'll reach the third trimester and be 6 months pregnant. Baby will be perfectly healthy by arriving as early as my birthday to the middle of January. Obviously I'd like him sooner rather than later because I am not excited about expelling a 10 pound baby in mid-January, but it will be what it will be.

I'm feeling great, and find so much enjoyment watching my husband's face light up when he feels Merrick kick. My next appointment is on the 28th, and I will be taking the glucose test that morning. I have to drink a sugary drink in 5 minutes, then get my blood drawn one and two hours after. I learned that at the third trimester mark, the metabolism of pregnant women changes, and it is at that time when they would develop gestational diabetes, which is what they are testing for. If I fail the test, I have to be much stricter about my food choices and check my blood sugar regularly. If I pass, all is well.