Pics from the Ultrasound

Here are some new pics of our baby boy, and a couple of my belly. For some reason, I feel like I just can't get a good pregnant photo...perhaps it's the angle. Anyway, enjoy the pics.

It's a Boy

We had our 19 week ultrasound yesterday and the tech was able to confirm what Tom and I had been suspecting, that it was a boy! I asked her if she was certain and she pointed out the parts that only boys could possibly have, and let me tell you, they are quite defined. Tom is proud. The baby also came away with a comment about his little feet - they are skinny and long, just like Tom's.
Tom was relieved because he said if it was a girl he wasn't sure what he'd do with her. I giggled, but I understand the panic. I am not sure I know what to do with a boy, but I know plenty of people who do. The pics of the ultrasound are on their way, I wasn't able to transpose them this quickly. I will also try to include a new belly pic if I can get one.
Next is seeking out a name. I think this will be a longer process than I hope, but we'll see! Tom and I are not sure we're going to reveal the name when we do have one either. We haven't discussed that, so even if we settle on a name, we may not tell you! Ha ha!

Two more weeks!

In two weeks we will have the ultrasound that will determine what our baby is, as long as baby cooperates! Tom and I are getting anxious to know what we're having and I am anxious to start with the naming process. My belly had grown a bit and I am beginning to feel new things. I have not felt the baby move yet, at least, not that I've been able to recognize. The books all say any day now. Right now, at 18 weeks, Cletus is about 5 inches and 5 ounces. The things I do feel are new pressures on the belly, tightness in certain areas (which I think is internal, not my skin yet), and it's really a neat thing to be able to feel my uterus. It's also kind of wierd.

I am heading into week 3 of my internship at Children's Hospital. I've been working in the Plastic and Neurosurgery office, working as a Medical Assistant. I get to assist in some minor procedures, which I really enjoy. It really doesn't freak me out that all I see are babies who have had deformities and have had surgery. I know deformities happen, and I see many cleft palate babies. Most of them have already had their surgeries and are in different stages of recovery. I like it there, but it will end in two weeks. After that, I will start looking for a job. Actually, I already am, but there's not much out there right now, so we'll see!

Stay posted for the next round of ultrasound pics, and the annoucement of our baby boy or our baby girl!

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!

The Holidays

Thanksgiving was a great trip back to Colorado to see family and friends, even though it was short. It snowed while we were there, so it was nice to wake up to a bit of frosting on the trees!

Baby Wassmer is doing just fine. I haven't been sick at all, just tired a lot, but even that seems to be tapering off. I am now 10 weeks and starting to show...but not the "pregnant" show, more like the "that girl needs to lay off the potato chips" kind of show. Perhaps in a few weeks I'll look more pregnant. Our next appointment is this week, so I'll be sure to post any updates!

It's officially Christmas season! We have our tree up, Payton has her light-up collar and the truck has its wreath with the lights on it. Yes, everything has lights on it! We will be leaving the 23rd or 24th to head to New Jersey for Christmas with the Wassmer family. Payton will be traveling with us! She's pretty excited to see Grammy and Pops and head back to beach...even if it's freezing. While we're there Tom and I are going to see Phantom on Broadway and we might hit up Times Square for New Years (depending on how I feel).

The Heart Beat

Today Tom and I went to the doctor for our first visit, and it went well. We got to do an ultrasound, so we saw the baby blob (not quite defined yet), and got to hear the heart beat. It was really cool because the beating was very loud and clear, going about 130 bpm. It was so neat to see that little heart beat as well. The motion can't be caught on a still shot, of course, but we tried to take a picture of the picture, so forgive us that it's not quite clear. For me, hearing the heart beat at 6 weeks (when many women don't even know they're pregnant yet) takes the whole "choice" thing out of it. The Lord is good to bless us with children, and I can't wait to welcome this little one into the world near or on July 12!

Newest News

We're back with the latest news! As most of you might know already, and some not yet, Tom and I are going to have a baby! I discovered my little pink plus sign nearly 2 weeks ago, and my doctors appointment is next week to determine the actual age and due date. It is truly a blessing, and a wonderful feeling (even though I have no symptoms yet). I just can't believe I'm actually pregnant and that we're going to bring the biggest blessing the Lord could give into this world. This means He thinks we're ready and capable! I guess He knows better than we do. He always does. And to think that I get to experience this all for His glory, in His plan, and that He allows me to be a part of His purposes. We are praying for protection for this little one and that it will remain in place for the next few months! Please join us in our prayers for a healthy baby, coming sometime in July.

Exciting Things!

Six months of marriage and I am loving it! We just moved into our new home we're renting from some friends, and it is so nice to have the extra space. One more term of school down, only 2 more to go! New things are developing, and I'm sure there will be some new updates coming soon! Stay tuned...

Harvest Time!

Hello all!

Much has happened since August! I just finished my 2nd term in school, and only 3 more to go! I still enjoy it and I still have all A's. Tom has been working two jobs, SkyWest, and the other is with a man from our church who does contracting work. Tom really enjoys it because he can get his hands dirty, dig and build.

Two weeks ago a brand new Chic-Fil-A opened here in Fresno. It was the best breakfast I've had since I moved here. I was there bright and early to watch the 1st 100 customers go in and get their prices (I was not one of them), but I probably was 101 since no one else was there yet. For those of you who know, Chic-Fil-A was one of my favorite places in Jacksonville and when I moved to Fresno I was totally bummed that there wasn't one. The Lord has answered my prayes!

Last weekend was a baby shower for a lady in my church. I helped orchestrate the ordeal, and it turned out nicely. This lady and her husband have been trying to get pregnant for over 3 years and after studies were done, it was found that her husband was almost sterile. It's been a miracle baby summer for our church. She's not the only one with babies who have defied the odds!

Tom and I are still praying about his move to Captain, which could possibly take us somewhere else. The other place we'd consider is Denver. So we'll see. I was also able to sell my car this week! Sad to say goodbye to Sid, but glad to see the monthly payments gone. Here's a picture as a memorial. I told Tom that he promises me a new Honda again one day.