It's a...

...girl!!! Yes, it is official -- we are having a little Baby Girl Helms. Jarrett was able to come with me to the ultrasound today, and the whole experience was amazing (despite the hour-long wait in the waiting room!). The ultrasound technician labeled our baby the "wild child," as she was having a very difficult time chasing the little one around because it (she -- still not used to that) was moving around so much. You can see the ultrasound photos above. Because of all of the movement, it was difficult for the technician to get really clear shots, but you can still get an idea. Seeing everything on the monitor was, of course, much more exciting. We saw the little heart beating, saw her spine and ribs, saw her opening and closing her mouth, and even saw her stick her tongue out a few times. Very cool.

Oh -- and Jarrett was able to feel her kick today!

Today was a good day.

Halfway There!

I've hit the 20-week mark... only 20 more to go!

Hospital Tour

I'm a little late in posting about this, but the hospital tour went fairly well on Saturday. Jarrett and I felt like we left a little more confused about the whole check-in process when baby time actually comes, but I'm sure we'll figure it all out more in the coming months. Unfortunately the labor and delivery room that has the big tub for waterbirths was occupied at the time, but the room we did see was very nicely appointed. All six labor and delivery rooms have standard-size tubs, which the tour guide said births have been performed in, and they also have one portable tub that can be brought into any of the rooms. We also found out about a waterbirth-specific class, which we'll have to sign up for in the near future, as they like you to take it if a waterbirth is planned.

We weren't able to go into a postpartum room, as they were all being cleaned after a rash of discharges, but we did get to poke our heads into one of the semi-private rooms. They seemed a bit more hospital-ish than the labor and delivery rooms, which seemed a bit strange to me, but there still was not much to complain about. We didn't get to see the bathrooms, but apparently most of the rooms have a big walk-in shower, and all of the rooms have flat-panel televisions.

I preregistered for the delivery and have already received a confirmation e-mail, so that is already taken care of. It seems crazy, but I guess the next 20 weeks will likely fly by.

The Beginnings of a Nursery

Jarrett finished painting the baby's room yesterday and, as anticipated, we brought home the crib yesterday afternoon as well. Since we already had the glider rocker and the changing table, and I already purchased the crib skirt, bumper pad, sheets, and mobile, we decided to arrange some of the furniture and I put the sheets, etc., on the crib. We have about 20 more weeks before Baby Helms's arrival, so I'm sure the layout of the room is subject to change, but it's fun to start to see it all come together.

Week 19

I am now at 19 weeks, and I definitely felt the baby move today. Weird! But very cool. I can't wait until the movements become strong enough that Jarrett can feel them from the outside.

And it is just one week from tomorrow until we (cross your fingers) find out if we're having a girl or a boy. I still have no preference -- I just want to hear that he/she looks good and healthy.

In other news, Jarrett is almost finished painting the nursery. We found (thanks to Kate) a paint with no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at a store in Virginia-Highlands called Eco-Bella, so it was completely safe to use around me, and it won't continue omitting toxins after the baby's arrival (not that the rest of the paint on our walls is VOC-free, but whatever... I'm sure it's aired out plenty by now). We chose a shade of brown that makes the room feel warm and nice and cozy, and it goes really well with the linens we picked out for the crib. Speaking of the crib, on Saturday we are going to Kennesaw to again visit the woman from whom we purchased our used glider rocker, as she has a crib that matches the wood on the rocker. Don't ask me why we didn't at least look at it the first time we were up there, but we didn't think about it, and once we got the rocker home, we realized how much we really liked it. So there is a chance we'll have a crib on Saturday. Also, prior to the Kennesaw outing, we have a scheduled tour of the hospital, which should be interesting. A baby-centric Saturday, for sure!

Bearing a Resemblance

Who do you think Baby Helms will most look like?

His/her mommy?







Or his/her daddy?






We think we were both pretty cute kids, so we won't be too picky. A combination of the two wouldn't be so bad either. :)

17 Weeks

Today marks 17 weeks for the little sea monkey, who probably isn't looking much like a sea monkey anymore! According to one Web site, Baby Helms is 4.5–5 in. in length, 3–5 oz., and about the size of a Beanie Baby. Apparently I could start feeling the baby's movement any day, but I don't believe I have felt anything yet.

Finding clothes to wear (at least to work) is becoming more and more interesting. I'm definitely wearing Alison's BellaBand out! I have one pair of pants that I can comfortably wear completely buttoned, but otherwise I have to use the Band. Shirts are still fitting fairly well -- Jarrett is actually surprised how many maternity-like shirts I already own. But longer, more flowy shirts have been the fashion over the past year or two, so I do have a decent collection.

We (hopefully) find out the sex of the baby three weeks from tomorrow! (Not that I'm counting down or anything.)