Once the size of a lime, we lovingly referred to as limey, she's now as long as a banana (love the fruit references) weighing about as much as a can of soda- 12 ounces!

My husband and I just had an ultrasound and learned we'll be welcoming a baby girl into the world come August. And now comes the challenge of picking a name we can both agree on. We each have a few favorites and some we both like, but I was never the type of girl growing up, who planned every detail in a daydream, down to my wedding dress and baby names, so this is new territory for me. My husband told me the other day, "we could always try the jury method to pick a name." Let me explain. If we weren't able to agree on a name we were both in love with, we could each pick our top 10, then one -by -one, eliminate a contender from the other's list, until we narrowed it down to just two, kinda like a jury selection. Diplomatic, but I doubt it'll come to that! I figure we'll be able to agree on a few favorites in the next 4 months, we do have 4 more months, but boy does time fly!

It is just amazing to me all you're able to see and learn with technology these days. My parents and in-laws kind of laughed when we said "Of course" we'd be finding out if it was a boy or girl during our ultrasound. Guess it was always just the old 50/50 chance method back then. I suppose it's part anxiety, but mostly, the excitement of preparing and nurturing even more, that bond with baby as she grows in the months to come. Amazing too, are the assurances we're able to be given with the sonogram glimpse into our baby's world. Seeing my little girl's heartbeat, was the most precious little gift yet, and though I've seen ultrasounds before, there's just something to it, when it's your baby you're watching, and now, beginning to feel. Corresponding the kicks to the little bumps and flutters you weren't quite sure, was you or baby moving. Our baby is a little thumb- sucking, hiccuping, kicker! Imagine, we saw all that, before she's even been born- what a blessing!

It's made me appreciate all you mothers and fathers out there all the more, and just have a bigger picture and appreciation of life. I'd like to think I've always been an optimistic, more humble person, but being pregnant has made me just recognize the wonders of life, and the little things so often taken for granted.

I'm sure there'll be more blogs in the months to come, of the summer pregnancy woes or cravings, etc, but if you have any advice to share or name suggestions-- email me, ncrites@kpho.com