Breaking the news to Kobi...

For any of you who haven't had the pleasure of meeting Kobi, you are truly missing out. At least that's what Kobi and I think! :)

Kobi is definitely one of the most spoiled rotten dogs you have probably been around. Jay makes fun of his weekly "schedule" (doggie daycare on Mon & Tues, G&G on Wed, my parent's house with their maid on Thur, home on weekend), but Kobi thinks it's wonderful. However, I must admit that he does kind of have a grumpy side. Not a mean side, just a grumpy side. He tends to pout a lot and growl a lot when he gets jealous. So, needless to say, we had to find a little way to "break the news" to him about this little baby that's on the way.

TaDa! Dog Meet Baby to the rescue. Though Kobi wasn't nearly as excited to see his gift arrive in the mail today, I certainly was. We are going to start with the basics.... baby sounds. Crying, cooing, whimpering, starting to cry, screaming, etc. I figure we'll start with the simple baby sounds, and then gradually work our way to baby smells, and finally the baby! I'm hoping for positive results... so wish us luck. :)

Shy baby

We had our 16week 4day appointment today, and we got to do another ultrasound! I'll start out by saying "No - we do not know the sex of the baby yet", but it was so neat seeing our little one flipping around. The appointment was for measuring and doppler, but I used my sweet voice and got Dr. Gayle to go ahead and take a peak. After 20 minutes of ultrasound time, still no luck... baby Langham was a little too shy to show his/her privates. Dr. Gayle tried three different times, but still no luck. Looks like we're not suppose to know yet!

Despite that, Dr. Gayle did a full ultrasound so we could see everything else. We could see.... the stomach which means no swallowing atresia or fistula problems, 4 chamber heart which means no septal defects or valve disorders, ocular lens which means eyes developed properly, counted the extremity bones so no malformations there, looked at fingers and toes which means no webbing, umbilical cord connected properly with two arteries and a vein which means oxygen and nutrients are flowing properly, and lips and gums showed no cleft lip or palate. So to sum it all up, so far everything looks great! We had already decided we'd do the quad screen (bloodwork) today just for precautions, but it made me feel good to know Dr. Gayle isn't too worried about that coming back with any problems after seeing the ultrasound. Hopefully everything will continue to go great!

Throughout this whole "evaluation" as baby moved around and changed positions constantly, he kept looking to see if just maybe we could see some private parts, but no luck. Baby loved leaving the umbilical cord between its legs. Jay and I LOVED seeing baby Langham move around all over the place. Dr. Gayle kept laughing because the little booger wouldn't stay still. He/she finally went into a sleep cycle, but that only lasted a few minutes. It was very entertaining! I've posted all three ultrasound pics from today -- the top one is a close-up, the middle is my favorite, and the bottom one is baby sucking his/her thumb. Isn't that neat?!

16 weeks and larger clothes

Well, we've reached the 16 week mark! I can't believe how fast my tummy has started to show baby Langham just over the past week or so. Had so much fun this weekend at the Boardwalk in the baby stores. My mom and I couldn't hold back and had to buy a few little baby gowns. Then we made our way to the store Motherhood so we could purchase a belly band. It's my new favorite clothing item! Since most of my pants won't button, I'm loving being able to wear my pants unbuttoned with the band over them instead of moving straight into maternity clothes. Since everything still fits great except thru the belly, so this band is coming in handy.

Here's my weekly update from "What to Expect..."
With a whopping weight of anywhere from 3 to 5 ounces and a crown-rump length of 4 to 5 inches, your baby is growing up fast. Muscles are getting stronger (you'll start to feel movement in a few weeks), especially the back muscles, enabling your little one to straighten out even more. Your baby-to-be is looking more and more adorable, with a face that has eyes (complete with eyebrows and eyelashes) and ears in the right spots. What's more, those eyes are finally working! Yes, it's true: Your baby's eyes are making small side-to-side movements and can even perceive some light, though the eyelids are still sealed. Your baby is also becoming more sensitive to touch. In fact, he/she will even squirm if you poke your belly.

15 weeks

I cannot believe how fast these first 15 weeks have flown by! They have been so much fun and so exciting, and baby Langham is growing fast. I'm kind of in that "have a belly bump but looks more like fat than pregnancy" phase. I love having a little belly bump but I'm so ready for it to "look" like I'm pregnant -- I know people who see me in public are thinking I just finished a huge meal and/or need to be getting some serious exercise. Still haven't taken a belly picture yet -- we keep meaning to but then we forget...and then another week's gone by! For those of you who have been reading my weekly updates from my pregnancy book... I thought we had officially moved out of the produce section, but it looks like week 15 is a navel orange (I'm not exactly sure the difference in a navel orange and a regular orange, but I'm sure my smart big-word sister will let me know). So here's this week's excerpt from "What to Expect When..."

Your baby, who measures 4.5 inches this week and weighs around 2 to 3 ounces, is about the size of a navel orange (Jen, please call me and explain). Looking more and more like the baby you're picturing in your dreams, his/her ears are positioned properly on the sides of the head (they used to be in the neck), and the eyes are moving from the side of the head to the front of the face. By now your baby has the coordination, strength, and smarts to wiggle his/her fingers and toes and even suck a thumb. But that's not all your baby can do now. He/she can also breathe (or at least make breathing movements), suck, and swallow -- all in preparation for the big debut and life outside the womb. And though it's unlikely that you'll be feeling any movements from your little one this week, your baby is certainly getting a workout -- kicking, flexing, and moving those arms and legs.

14 weeks... & another ultrasound!

Yesterday I was at work, and a few of the girls kept trying to get me to let them do an ultrasound on me. So, being the weak person that I am (and the extremely excited pregnant person that I am), I gave in! The only ultrasound we had was at 7 weeks, and though I was going crazy to do another one, I didn't want to risk finding out the sex without Jay there. So I made a deal with the girls...if they could definitely tell, I didn't want them to tell me but I'd make an appointment at Dr. Gayle's so we could look again and Jay could be there. But despite the fifteen minutes of picture time, baby Langham wasn't ready to show his/her true colors. Guess we'll be waiting a few more weeks.

I have to admit, it probably didn't help that every time I looked at the ultrasound screen, an extremity would go flying across the screen and I'd start laughing uncontrollably. I tried looking away, but I kept picturing the right arm swinging towards his/her head like he/she was scratching it -- which led to more laugher. Then he/she kept kicking it's feet out, and I don't know why but it was just all so funny to me! It was so neat seeing all of that move for the first time! I can hardly wait for Jay to see all of the movement. I find myself throughout the day looking down at my belly bump and picturing that little baby moving so much inside. What an amazing thing!

From "What to Expect..."
Beginning in the second trimester, fetuses (like the children they'll eventually become) start growing at different paces, some faster than others, some more slowly. Despite the differences in growth rates, all babies in utero follow the same developmental path. This week, that path is leading your baby - who is about the size of your clenched fist - toward a straighter position as the neck is getting longer and the head more erect. And on top of that cute little head, your baby might actually be sprouting some hair. Eyebrow hair is also filling in about now, as is body hair called lanugo. Don't worry, it's not permanent. This downy coating of hair is there to keep your baby warm for now - like a furry blanket. As baby fat accumulates later on in your pregnancy, most of that hair will be shed - though some babies, especially those born early, still have a temporary fuzzy coating at delivery.

60 years of marriage

Last Saturday evening, we had a surprise anniversary party for my grandparents. 60 years together! Isn't that wonderful?! My dad's brother and wife came in town from New Orleans along with two of my cousins AND Jen & Ray. My other set of grandparents were there, and as the main surprise, my grandmother's 2 sisters came in town from Waco, TX. My parents had planned a big dinner at The Mabry House, complete with a wedding cake and an unbelievable scrapbook that my mom put together for them. It included pictures from when they were first dating, their houses they lived in over the years, their churches, pictures from their boys growing up, their grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and kept going all the way until now. It was so much fun to look through, and it brought back wonderful memories from our trips to Houston to visit them. One of the neatest things was the box of cards they received. My parents had sent out letters to their friends, family, etc letting them know about the upcoming 60th anniversary, and asking if anyone wanted to send a card. They received over 60 cards and letters for my grandparents to read. What a special gift! Congratulations Grandmother and Grandaddy Gene!

Last week of 1st Trimester!!!

I loved this week's excerpt from my pregnancy book. It says...

As your first trimester comes to a close, your fetus (who seems to be working its way thru the produce section) has reached the size of a peach, about 3 inches long. Your baby's head is now about half the size of his/her crown to rump length, but that cute little body is picking up steam and will continue growing overtime (at birth, your baby will be one-quarter head, three-quarters body). Meanwhile, your baby's intestines, which have been growing inside the umbilical cord, are now starting their trek to their permanent position in your baby's abdomen. Also developing this week: your baby's vocal cords (the better to cry with...soon!).

working.... then resting

I had to spend today recuperating from the three 12-hour shifts I worked during the weekend, but it was well worth it. A good excuse to stay inside out of the heat. It was so nice finally working full time on the Labor Unit. Had several babies over the weekend, but most of the excitement came from the swarm of pregnant women who came in swearing they were in labor but actually just needed water! What is up with people thinking drinking two bottle waters a day is enough hydration? Even if you're NOT pregnant, I sure hope you drink more water than that! So, here we had a floor full of women (who are already dehydrated somewhat due to pregnancy) who swore up and down they were drinking tons of water -- but when asked how much "tons" is, I had to hold back laughter. Was a very good weekend though, and I learned a lot!

When I read the pregnancy books and hear people talk about when they were pregnant, it's so exciting. But it just really hits home thinking about everything that goes on in the development of that baby. We were talking on the Labor Unit over the weekend how we don't know how anyone can have a child and not thank God every day for such an awesome miracle. No matter how many births I watch or assist in, I still get chill-bumps every time a child is born. Even after a baby has fully developed in its mamma over those 40 weeks (that's a miracle in itself!), the turns and twists it knows how to take so perfectly during labor and delivery is just simply remarkable. Scrubbing in to assist the MDs in delivery (while I was nurse assistant) allowed me to learn the delivery process up close & personal -- now I get to be the nurse and focus on the mom & dad. I love being a part of someone's "best day of my life" experience.

I LOVE MY JOB!!!!!

Appointment #2

Today was another big day! We had our second doctor visit at 12 weeks 3 days. Jay had a project meeting in Minden with a big deadline tomorrow, so he couldn't go with me. So, instead of going by my lonesome self, I took my mom along. It was a lot of fun! My appointment was with Dr. Gayle's nurse practitioner, Julie. And just like Dr. Gayle, I absolutely LOVE Julie. She's wonderful! After working on L&D at WK Pierremont for fourteen months during school, I'm so glad I switched my ObGyn last year. It was nice choosing a doctor after observing his deliveries and surgeries!

In Julie came with the doppler... and we got to hear that fast little heartbeat. It didn't sound as fast as last time, but it was still hopping along at a great rate. My mom loved hearing it for the first time. Julie said everything looked great from my last appointment and lab work. For some strange reason, instead of gaining weight, I lost weight (only 1 lb). Don't see how that happened from everything I've been eating and this enlarging thickness around my waist. But that's pretty normal for the first trimester. It definitely gives me a good excuse to eat more. After leaving the office, we used that as a good excuse to stop and get a Humphrey. :)

Another perk about pregnancy.... Lucky me, my hair has thickened! I've always complained about my thin straight hair, but these hormones are helping me out here. There is one place in my hair that seems to be breaking off some, but I figure as long as it's not falling out I can't complain much!

I asked Julie about the next few visits to see what all they will do each time. Jay didn't like missing today's appointment, so I wanted to be prepared to tell him which ones would be ultrasounds and which ones wouldn't be. She said that we'll do the anatomical ultrasound to determine the baby's sex around 20 weeks. But... since Dr. Gayle & Julie are at WKP... and I happen to work at WKP L&D... she did mention we could always start playing earlier with the ultrasound on the labor unit just in case..... that sounds good to me. :)

My next appointment is at 16 weeks 4 days (end of August). I can't believe how fast this time is flying by! Part of me wants it to keep truckin' along, and the other part wants it to slow down! I'm loving this pregnancy!!!

12 weeks

We've upgraded to a plum this week!

From "What to Expect When You're Expecting"
Your baby has more than doubled in size during the past three weeks, weighing in now at 1/2 ounce and measuring (crown to rump) about 2.5 inches. About the size of a large fresh plum, your baby's body is hard at work in the development department. Though most of his/her systems are fully formed, there's still plenty of maturing to do. The digestive system is beginning to practice contraction movements (so your baby will be able to eat), the bone marrow is making white blood cells (so your baby will be able to fight off those germs passed around the playgroup), and the pituitary gland at the base of the brain has started producing hormones (so your baby will one day be able to make babies of his/her own).

11 weeks

From "What to Expect When You're Expecting"
Your baby is just over 2 inches long now and weighs about a third of an ounce. His/her body is straightening out and the torso is lengthening. Hair follicles are forming, and fingernail and toenail beds are beginning to develop (nails will actually start to grow within the next few weeks). Those nails are forming on individual fingers and toes, having separated recently from the webbed hands and feet of just a few weeks ago. And though you can't tell baby's gender by looking yet, ovaries are developing if it's a girl. What you would be able to see, if your womb had a view, is that your fetus has distinct human characteristics by now, with hands and feet in front of the body, ears nearly in their final shape (if not final location), open nasal passages on the tip of the nose, a tongue and palate in the mouth, and visible nipples.

This is going to sound funny, but I was reading in "The Pregnancy Book" and there's a section on things to expect this month. One of them is "vivid dreams". The book says since your hormones are still going crazy at night, pregnancy dreams tend to be more intense than pre-pregnancy dreams. It says that they will seem more real and more exaggerated. This is so funny to me because it's been happening! A few nights back, I dreamed I was running, and when I woke up I felt like I had REALLY been running. I had to lay there for a minute and figure out what had just happened. But the best one was last night... I woke up after having a very real dream where I was eatting cupcakes at a party. I think I ate about five of them, and I can still picture the icing piled on them. When I woke up, it's like I could taste the sweetness in my mouth, and I felt like I had a tummy full of sweets. Crazy?!!!! Made me feel better that it happens to other pregnant people. :)

Counting down to football

Whether this little baby is a boy or girl, with Jay as its daddy it's definitely going to be growing up as a Saints fan. Unless, of course, Uncle Scott persuades him/her into cheering for the Cowboys, but we'll see about that. So as football season draws near, so does Fantasy Football. And oh how we just love Fantasy Football time.

For those of you who have not lived with a Fantasy Football player, let me have the pleasure of painting you a picture. First comes draft night...and oh do we have to do some research prior to draft night! And this year Jay's brother Scott is the commissioner, along with some of Jay's help...which means LOTS more time entering data into the website. Then comes the many nights (every night) of "blogging" -- grown men bickering (not really the best word to describe it, but you get the picture) back and forth on their fantasy football website chat area. It's quite entertaining to read.

THEN comes the big night each week -- drop / add night. Oh my goodness, this is a HUGE night. Predicting who is going to drop who, who gets to pick that player up, and so forth. NOTHING else can be planned on this evening. ALL time goes to picking your players. This is, of course, after HOURS of researching players during the week. We must know vital information on every player including stats, injuries, arrests, how long the fractured toe will take to heal so we can guess whether or not he'll play and if so how long he'll be in the game, long enough to get ten yards and get me some points?, long enough to throw my receiver a 20yard pass so I get two more points than the other guy's receiver?, is his mamma going to be at the game distracting him?

And need I remind you that all we get out of these hours of player-stat-research-drop/add-time is points on the computer screen -- we're not actually getting to bring these players home with us for the week or get a cut of their multi-million dollar contract salaries. We're just hoping they play good so we get some points next to our name. I can't begin to tell you how important this is.

The winners do get some money though. Jay and Scott DID win the season last year, both going to the Super Bowl. (Yes, that's right...there's a Super Bowl) So, they won a nice little chunk of change. But Sarah & Baby won't be spending any of that. That money is set aside for the next exciting sporting event... Fantasy Basketball.

So there's our little "shout out" to the upcoming football season! Went to Arlington last weekend to see my Aunt & Uncle and got a few pics of the new Cowboys stadium (above) with the retractable roof. Even though I'm not a big Cowboys fan, the new stadium might convince us to buy some tickets... :)

http://stadium.dallascowboys.com/

10 weeks

I'm still feeling good overall. Exhausted some days, a few headaches here and there, but no nausea so I'm very thankful for that. I can't complain -- this pregnancy has been so enjoyable! Even when I have a splitting headache (which really has only been a few times), knowing WHY I have that headache makes it worth it. I can get thru any "ugh" feelings knowing it's for our little Langham!

My other pregnancy book (The Pregnancy Book) describes the whole month in one paragraph, so I'll include that exerpt closer to the end of the month. It's so much fun to read about how our little one is growing each week! My mom asked the other day what fruit the baby is this week...looks like he/she is a prune. :)

From "What to Expect When You're Expecting"
At nearly 1.5 inches long (about the size of a prune), your baby is growing by leaps and bounds. And in gearing up for those first leaps and bounds (and baby steps), bones and cartilage are forming -- and small indentations on the legs are developing into knees and ankles. Even more unbelievably for someone the size of a prune, the elbows on baby's arms are already working. Tiny buds of baby teeth are forming under the gums. Further down, the stomach is producing digestive juices, the kidneys are producing larger quantities of urine, and, if your baby's a boy, his testes are producing testosterone (boys will be boys - even this early on!).

No more studying!!!

Well, the results are in...and somehow I pulled through and passed the NCLEX! I'm officially a Registered Nurse! I know my family is so glad it's behind me because I think I might have been a little grumpy over the past few weeks.

After lots of review and studying, I took the test on Wednesday morning. There were several factors that made me leave there in tears....

First: Anyone else who has taken this test knows how doomed you feel when it's over. I think everyone who leaves starts thinking "there is no way I answered a majority of those correctly." I don't know where they come up with some of those questions!

Second: I had a little episode during the test. I guess on a rather empty pregnant tummy and a mini panic attack taking place, my body gave in and I passed out. Yes, that's correct. Fainted during the test. Luckily Rebecca was taking the test behind me and took care of me. Made me think that (just like his/her mommy) baby Langham isn't going to be a good standardized test taker.

Third: My test cut off at 75, the minimum number of questions. Before the test, I was praying so hard that it would cut off at 75 -- I did NOT want to get all 265 questions. But after the passing out episode, I felt horrible about the questions I had answered, so I started hoping the test would keep going. Oh well...guess I answers (or guessed) enough correct answers. :)

Thanks to EVERYONE for all of your prayers and support!!! And many congrats to everyone else who has already passed the NCLEX! It was a tough journey but we pushed through nursing school, and now we can do what we all do best....help others.

WE DID IT! WE DID IT!
Sarah Langham, RN

9 weeks

From "What to Expect When You're Expecting" Your baby (who has officially graduated now from embryo to fetus) has grown to approximately 1 inch in length, about the size of a medium olive. His/her head is continuing to develop to take on more baby-like proportions. This week, tiny muscles are starting to form. This will allow your fetus to move his/her arms and legs, though it'll be another month before you'll be able to feel those little punches and kicks.

Family & Friends make everything twice as exciting!

We cannot thank all of you enough for your support! This has been such an exciting time for us, and it only makes it better to know we have family and friends out there who are just as excited! Thanks for your sweet posts. I've had SO much fun reading them!

I'm still feeling good... I little scared to say that -- I'm terrified it's going to hit me all of a sudden, and then I'm going to regret bragging about feeling well! I get quesy at times, but no true nausea. Luckily the only food I crave at this early point in the pregnancy is fruit and cooked vegetables! I sure hope it stays that way. :)

I've laughed so much since my appointment last week -- I'm only 8 weeks 2 days, and I've already got people trying to guess the baby's sex. :) I mention the 162 heartrate and people start screaming "it's a girl". Then I mention no morning sickness, and people start screaming "it's a boy". It has been quite entertaining! And I've loved every minute of it.

8 weeks

It's been fun each week reading thru my books that Lisa & Heather gave me. My mom gets a kick out of them comparing the baby size to a food each week. Thought I'd share these with you. God is such an awesome God -- It's a miracle to realize how babies come to be babies. To look at an infant or child and think about how they grew those nine months is just amazing.

From "What to Expect When You're Expecting":
Your baby is growing up a storm, this week measuring about the length of a large raspberry. And that sweet little raspberry of yours is looking less reptilian and more human, as his/her lips, nose, eyelids, legs and back continue to take shape. And though it's still too early to hear from the outside, your baby's heart is beating twice as fast as yours. Something else new this week: Your baby is making spontaneous movements (twitches of the trunk and limb buds too tiny for you to feel).

From "The Pregnancy Book":
Baby is around 1.5 inches long, about the size of a large olive, and weighs around 1/2 ounce. The previously hunched-over head and curved body are now more erect. All the internal organs that will be present in the fully grown infant have already been formed. The heart is now divided into four chambers. Hands, feet, fingers and toes are fully formed. Major joints, shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee and ankle are evident. Mouth, nose and nostrils are more formed, earlobes show, and all the structures of the eyes are found. Body and limb movements can be seen on ultrasound. The developing baby is no longer called an embryo -- it is now a fetus (meaning "young one") and begins to look like a miniature human being.

First Ultrasound

So today was the big day -- our first ultrasound! Since Patti (Jay's mom) is a twin, we were a little nervous about how many heartbeats we may hear today. Conclusion: only one! I've been saying this whole time that I just don't think God made my back to carry two babies. :)

Dr. Gayle said everything looks perfect. The heart rate was 162, and it was such a wonderful experience to hear it for the first time! Fast and strong. He gave us several printouts, but this one is the clearest. The 3D ones look a little too much like a baby koala bear (or a bighorn sheep, according to my dad) from the way the yolk sac and baby are positioned, but the other images came out pretty clear. Today was so much fun because it makes it so real! Seeing the flickering heart was so amazing. Though I see baby ultrasounds on the labor unit pretty often, it was just so much more touching to see our own little baby growing. What a blessing!

I like HAPPY pregnant people

The 14 months of working in Labor & Delivery at Willis Knighton Pierremont was such an unbelievable experience. I quickly found my nursing niche. But when it came time to graduate, with no positions available at WKP (at the time), I was excited to accept a job at LSU in the Labor Unit / Triage. I figured such a high-risk labor unit would be an awesome learning experience. And it was...for the 3 weeks I was there. Yes, you read that correctly...I quit after only 3 weeks.

Loved their unit, but if you know me at all, I think you'll agree that I'd rather be around HAPPY pregnant people. And "happy" is not the word I would choose for the majority of pregnant women there. So, I quickly changed from LSU to WK Pierremont. Luckily the timing was perfect, and they had a day position for me. I am SO excited!!! I'll be back with my WKP girls!

Little Langham

Anyone who knows me knows I'm way too impatient to wait until later to spread the news. WE'RE HAVING A BABY!!!!! It's still pretty early, so all we can do is keep praying and hoping everything goes well. But there was no way I was going to be able to hold in the good news for another six weeks. I did good holding it in for 1 week! :) And it was extrememly difficult getting Jay not to tell anyone.

The only thing I wish I would have done last Friday when I first found out was set up a video camera when I announced it to Jay. The moment was priceless. Even after handing him the test that said "pregnant" bright as day across the result window, he still didn't get it. Then it clicked...and he kept saying "you're pregnant? No you're not. Are you really? No you're not. You are?!" We both smiled and laughed and were so excited. But it's still taking a few reality checks to believe it's real.