Special little shoes for a very special little...

Yesterday was a really exciting day for the IP's S & E, they found out the gender of their baby during an ultrasound. They are having a GIRL!!! I just knew it. I have said it was a girl from the very beginning when 'she' snuggled in a few days after transfer back in December.  I never wavered from my feelings that this baby was a girl. 

I actually correctly guessed the gender on each of my own 3 kids so the fact that I was right about this one feels pretty darn awesome. That means 4/4 times I was right! 

I had purchased a special pair of one-of-a-kind PINK handmade shoes from my very favorite designer Joyfolie to bring with me to the ultrasound. I didn't even buy a boy pair so it was a good thing I was right. I was thrilled to give these special little booties to the IP's to celebrate all things pink, flowers and frilly.

Kicking and Stretching

I had a quick check-up and blood draw at my appointment this past Wednesday. Baby measured right on track and the heartbeat sounded great. My husband was out of town this past week so the IP's came over with dinner Wednesday night and helped me entertain the kids, they are so thoughtful. It is always great to see them and my kids feel the same. 

My belly is getting pretty big now,  I can't fit into many non-maternity things. My youngest is always rubbing on my belly and telling me how big it is. I am using Trader Joe's Coconut Body Butter on my belly to help soothe the dryness and help with the stretching. It smells so good and isn't greasy, definitely a must have lotion. Now that the baby is bigger I can feel it move and kick all day and night, I can actually feel it kicking around now. 

The wait to find out the gender is torture, S & E have that ultrasound appointment the middle of next month. I can't wait to shop for this special baby. I already have some gifts in mind but knowing the gender would really help me decide what to get.

I took a self picture on Wednesday for my surrogate group, here I was this past Wednesday at 17w,4d.

Baby Kicks

The IP's and I had our first appointment with my mid-wife Kathleen today, she reviewed all of the pregnancy basics with us as well as showed us the birthing room and bathtub where I will be giving birth. The birth-center actually closes during a birth so there will be plenty of room for the IP's family and friends to come, cheer us on and wait until the baby is born. It was a great informative appointment. Baby measured right on track at 15w and the heartbeat was strong in the 160 range.

I am so grateful and happy we made it this far and am so excited that we are now in the care of such a wonderful mid-wife. I also feel very fortunate to have such a supportive positive team, I just adore S and E. I can not wait for the day that I get to put their baby in their arms and make their dreams of being parents come true.

I will go back in 2 weeks for some blood-work and then our next real appointment is early April with the big gender reveal ultrasound mid-April. I have said from the day I first felt pregnant early December that this baby is a girl ...and I hope I am right because I LOVE shopping for girls.

I finally found some good low-waist maternity jeans with the elastic insets on the sides, I am not a fan of the full-panel options and thanks to the Jessica Simpson and Heidi Klum lines at Motherhood I can feel a little more like myself in regular jeans. 

I felt the baby kick last week on February 28th during my 14th week, I was so excited to share the news with E (IM) who then got to share it with S (IF). I am now 15 weeks,2 days pregnant and here is a self-picture from today.