The long and lean string bean!

When I first started this blog I laid some ground rules. One of those rules was that in writing about our baby, I promised not to act as though she was the greatest baby to ever set foot on the earth. Well, I am afraid that this post might break that rule. Just a little.

Marin had her four month doctor's appointment today and she got a great report! She has already hit many of the six month milestones, and her doctor was impressed with Marin's strength and her overall happy, cheerful attitude. All through her examination, Marin smiled up at the doctor and cooed at her. Dr. Bergquist kept saying what a good baby Marin was and how laid back she seemed. (Yes, people, somehow I produced a laid back child. She gets that from her daddy, for sure!) She didn't even cry that hard when she got her shots!

Here are her 4 month stats:
Weight: 12lbs 12oz (10th percentile)
Height: 25 1/4 inches (70th percentile)

That's right; she is a long and lean string bean! Although the doctor was not concerned about her low weight (it has always been on the low end and she is still growing and thriving) she did say that she wants to monitor it a little bit to make sure that she doesn't continue to place in a lower percentile group next month. Although you may not know it to look at us these days, Jason and I were both skinny rails when we were children. Marin's little waist is so tiny that pants and bloomers are constantly falling off of her. But, we can't get the next size down, because then they are too short. Still, have you seen that girls chunky monkey thighs and arms? The girl can eat, and she is no wimp.

After the appointment I worked from home (but not before a quick, harmless shopping trip (shhh) for Marin's first party shoes that she'll wear to my brother's wedding this weekend). Marin napped for a few hours in the afternoon, but when she woke up she was the perfect apprentice. Here she is hard at work helping mommy.

And of course, Norah had to get in on the action as well.

Update

Just a really quick update... My doctor's appointment went well this morning. I am still 2cm dilated, but I am 50% effaced. What does that mean? Good question. ;) They tell us it means that things are progressing well and that it could be any day now. We just have to wait for that one tipping point that will put me into active labor. The waiting is BRUTAL.

The good news is that I am ahead of the game. Apparently very often women are not this far along when they do start having regular contractions, so that might mean less waiting in labor for the baby when he/she does decide to come and meet us. We'll see...

The baby's heartbeat is still really strong and regular, so he/she is happy in there, just chilling out not wanting to come out in this cold weather, maybe. :)

And so.... we wait.

19 1/2 weeks with a view!

Jason and I love the Golden Gate Bridge. We got engaged at a picnic spot overlooking the bridge 5 years ago. It is for this reason that it was so fun to be back this weekend, pregnant!

My friend Hannah got married in Sonoma last Saturday, and Jason and I took a few extra days to enjoy Sonoma, Sausalito and the bridge! On Monday, we went back to the spot where we had our picnic and snapped this belly shot for the 19 1/2 week mark. We can't wait to be back with the baby someday!

When we returned, we had another doctor's appointment. We were glad to learn that the baby and I are still growing just as we should be.

Another really exciting thing, is that I have begun to feel the baby move! It feels really strange, actually. I have been telling people that it feels just like a heart murmur, but in your stomach, but apparently not too many people have had heart murmurs, because when I say that I get a lot of blank stares. :) My sister-in-law Holly, said that it feels like a goldfish swimming around in there. That's a good way to describe it, and one that more people can visualize than a heart murmur, apparently. :) I think it's going to be a swimmer, because it is doing a lot of flutter kicking in there. Or maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part. :)

I'm excited for the moving that Jason can feel. I think that will be the neatest part. Of course, that is also the part that they say keeps you up at night, so maybe I'll change my tune on that one near the end.

I'm 20 weeks tomorrow, so I'm officially half way there. It's hard to believe that this little flutter kicker will be here in about 4 months and a few weeks! Where is the time going? I definitely should probably already have more done! Looks like I'm in for busy winter.

Quick Update....

Just a fly by post today....

We had a doctor's appointment yesterday and everything looks great! I gained weight this time, which was good because I had lost the last time. I got the okay to go back to a little more activity, and immediately went swimming last night! I'm feeling better, eating a little more, and growing. All good things.

We heard the baby's heartbeat again. It is one of my favorite sounds in the whole world. It was strong and steady and it didn't take my doctor anytime to find it this time. The heartbeat sounds a little like galloping horses. I know that I am getting a little tummy, and we have the crib and we're researching day cares, and all of this is really happening, but to actually hear the heartbeat makes it seem more "real" than anything! It is so crazy that something is living in there!!!

I'm 4 months on Thursday, so I'll try to remember to post another belly shot. There is definitely a belly there now. Although it probably isn't clear to a stranger if I just have a gut or if there is a baby in there. :)

I can't believe time is going so quickly already!

Our First Doctor's Appointment

At this point it is probably mostly bloat, and whatever I was able to hold down from dinner, but it is our starting point none the less. Meet Baby Patterson. :)

Last Friday we had our very first doctor's appointment. We were thrilled that everything is growing as it should and is just the right size. We learned all of the rules and the drills and our doctor, Dr. Miller, shared in our excitement. It's amazing to me how much love you can have for something that is only the size of a kidney bean. I'll never eat chili the same way again. :)

On Wednesday, July 2nd, we go back to the doctor to hear the heartbeat for the very first time. We can't wait for that milestone!

I'm feeling pretty icky. It's not exactly a pretty journey to this point, but it sure is worth it. The baby must like fruit, because I can't seem to get enough. Green apples especially. Every time I see a green apple I can picture my teeth digging into it and practically taste the juice on my tongue. Mmmmm.

Jason has been so darling by helping out with pretty much everything around the house because I am dog tired and ready for bed WAY early. Because I normally have such a high energy level he jokes with me that now I am "normal". Come on, we all know that I'll never be quite normal. :)