Ultrasound Pics of Baby Wassmer

Last night as I was volunteering at the Children's Hospital I was told that the Ultrasound Department was looking for volunteers for some of the Image Techs because they are trying to get their NTS certifications. NTS stands for Nuchal Translucency Screening, which is a detailed ulstrasound that allows the tech to measure the space behind the baby's neck. It's the measurement of this space that allows doctors to see whether or not the baby is at risk for Down Syndrome. This is also usually combined with a blood test, but they did not do that here since I wasn't really testing for it. FYI, Baby's neck space is within normal range, and the tech kept saying Cletus has a "nice spine." Yay! The measurement of Cletus also detected that he might be a couple days older than originally thought. Cletus kept moving around, and moving his hands up around his head. It was neat to see a real baby shape and to see movement, since the last thing we saw was a little blob. Instead

of being 13 weeks, 5 days, it said he was 14 weeks, 1 day. Not a big deal. We tried to see if we could see the gender, but the tech could not tell either way, so we will have to wait until our next real ultrasound with our doctor. That will probably be a few weeks from now. Tom and I are anxious to know what we're having and to give Cletus a real name. Until then, enjoy the pics!

Above: Me at 13 1/2 weeks. Clockwise: Baby Wass facing downwards, you can see his arm and fingers; Baby's belly, the shot is from above looking down, you can see his legs too; Baby's profile; and Baby's spine from the back (his head is down and butt up top).

Christmas and New Years in Jersey

Tom and I just got back from a nice 10-day vacation to the Jesery Shore where we spent Christmas and New Years with Tom's parents and brother, Chris. We arrived with much ease, 2 days before Christmas (not expecting travel to be that easy). We got first class from SLC to Newark, so that was nice. We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas day with the family, having dinner with the Sabols (they were at our wedding). We ate a lot of good food and cookies (well, Tom ate most of the cookies and I ate the fruit). It seems that I can always trust Jane to bear good fruit - fruit salad that is!

While I was there, I passed the 12-week mark and entered into my 2nd trimester! They say this is the best part. I'll be sure to let you know! The books say Cletus the Fetus is about the size of a small peach now (probably not as round, but just a long). Cletus got "his" first Christmas presents too - a few onesies, toys, a big stuffed duck and a crib! His mom also got the coolest diaper bag - on sale!

For New Years Tom and I planned to head to Times Square with a million other crazies and celebrate with all the hoopla. Come the afternoon of Dec. 31 and nice little snow storm blew in and froze the state solid. With the snow, wind and extreme cold we opted not to go and stand in a crowd for 8 hours where we couldn't leave to eat or use the bathroom. I hope to attend some other year. Instead Tom took me out to movie and pizza. May I say that "Marley & Me" is not just a happy-go-lucky dog movie. Bring some tissues.

So the next day, Jan. 1, 2009, the family went to the local beach to take pictures where I think in the 5 minutes we were outside my face was going to fall off. I think not going to Times Square was a good cawl (Jersey tawlk for "call").

Payton waited paitently at home for us, and was delighted upon our return. She is outside right now with Tom helping him split some logs for the fire. She's such a daddy's girl.

On our way home, we also got back with much ease, which was also not expected due to all the holiday travel. We are thankful that we were able to get home one time and with such ease. Tom and I will miss the good food, cookies, the shore and the larger bed we had! Ha!

I start school again on Monday and will be done with this term on Jan. 22. After that I head to my externship and I am DONE!