Ultrasound #2 11/12/07-Its a Boy???

We had a 1st trimester screening done on Monday to check for Down syndrome, Trisomy 13 and 18 (the most common types of chromosomal conditions). They do this by measuring the fluid filled space at the back of the baby's neck, examine the nasal bone and test my blood for certain levels of protein, all this together will give us a risk ratio of the baby's possibility of something being wrong, the doctor said the baby looks very healthy at this point so we are praying for good results which will come in a few days. The baby is very active, moving around the whole time they were doing the ultrasound, I blamed it on singing on the way to the doctors office. We heard the heartbeat for the first time which was amazing, 170 beats a minute, I know I know... looks like a girls heartbeat (at least that is what my mom tells me); however looking at the ultrasound I think it may be a boy, take a look let me know what you think!!!
Josh and I are doing fine, my tiredness still drains me from time to time and my jeans are not feeling so great anymore, but all in all I cannot complain. Josh stays busy with teaching and coaching but he is very excited about the little Eskew to come. We have decided on names, if it is a boy he will be Blake Metcalf Eskew (Blake for my brother and Metcalf for Josh's grandfather) and if it is a girl she will be Charlotte Louise Eskew (for my grandmother Louise-her name and Charlotte for where she grew up). Friday we mark the end of my 1st trimester and the beginning of the 2nd so we will be happy to get to that point and out of the "critical" time period, time is moving so fast, next time I turn around the baby will be here!!

Big Brother and Big Sister

For those of you who know us, you know our dogs are just an extension to our family, and they are considered our children in the non-human form (although I think sometimes they are a lot smarter than a lot of humans I know)!! Marley (the little white poodle) is 10 years old and Berkley (the big golden) will be 2 in January. They have both brought much joy and excitment to our lives. Marley attended pharmacy school with me and then was adopted by Josh once we were married. Berkley was a late Christmas gift to Josh in 2005, but I will have to admit she is definitely a "mama's girl." We are excited to see the interaction between the baby and the dogs (and yes there will be much interaction). My prediction is that Marley will be a little jealous at first and Berkley will be the protective one. Only time will tell.

First Doctors Appointment

Today we had our first doctor's appointment. Everything is perfect with baby and mommy. We were able to see the heart fluttering on the ultrasound and the baby was moving its arm and leg buds (must be the coffee)! It was an amazing experience for both mom and dad, and it definitely gave us the visual confirmation that there is actually a baby in there. WOW!!!