Level 2 Ultrasound

Today I got my level two ultrasound, which checked everything in much greater detail to make sure that the baby was growing and developing properly. I'm SO glad to report that everything looks awesome! They said the brain, spine, internal organs, and external structures all look totally perfect -- what a relief and a blessing!! Thank you to all of you who were thinking of us and praying for us! I've attached some of the ultrasound photos below...enjoy!! :)

Above is a profile shot...

I love this one because you can so clearly see the baby kicking me...he/she is an active little sucker!

Here's a shot of both of the baby's hands...

And both of the baby's feet....

Looks like we've got a little thumb sucker on our hands...you can see his/her little fist right in front of the mouth...the ultrasound tech said that was probably because he/she was sucking on a thumb!

Baby Registry Info

Since people have started asking, David and I (and Baby Brown!) are registered at Babies 'R' Us. You can look us up in any of the stores or online (just click on "Baby Registry" in the top right corner of the web page). Search for us either by my name (since Caitlin Brown is less common than David Brown!), or by our registry number (50306523). Thank you all so much for your kind wishes, prayers and inquiries...Baby Brown is lucky to be coming into such a generous group of family and friends! Who knew you needed so much stuff for a tiny baby!?! ;)

3D Ultrasound Photos

I had my 20-week ultrasound yesterday, and WOW!!! He (or she!) really looks like a little person now. The ultrasound technician said that I was the first person she'd ever had who didn't want to know the sex of the baby, and she even offered to write it down on a piece of paper and give it to me in a sealed envelope in case I changed my mind. She said "You could wait until your husband gets home from his deployment, and then open it together!" Obviously, she doesn't know me...that envelope would've been ripped opened before my car left the parking lot!! So I resisted temptation and told her no, thank you...we're sticking to our guns on this one! They said that the baby looks great...heartbeat is at 150 beats per minute (totally normal) and he/she weighs about 14 ounces (right on target). I've posted the photos below...enjoy!!

The baby sleeping with its hands in front of its face...any guesses on whether it's a boy or a girl??

Ignore the huge hole in the baby's head...it isn't really there ;)


So who do you think he/she looks like??

This isn't a great shot of the face, but I posted it because you can see the baby sucking its thumb!

David's Deployment

Just a quick update to let you all know that David left Saturday for another deployment. He won't be back for three months or so, and leaving this time was harder on him (with me being pregnant and all). If you'd like to send him an email or a letter (he loves getting mail!), just shoot me an email to caiters@hotmail.com and I will respond with his address. Otherwise, please keep him in your thoughts, and pray for his safe and speedy return!

PS -- Don't worry about me and baby...we're tougher than we look ;)

Belly Shot -- 18.5 Weeks

Here I am at 18.5 weeks pregnant...about halfway done!! I am fully in maternity clothes now, and people on the street have finally started asking when I'm due, rather than looking at me like "Wow, she must've had a HUGE lunch!" I know it's all an old wives tale, but my sister is convinced that it's a boy from the way I'm carrying. Anyone else have intuition??

A Quick Update

Wow, I can't believe it's been nearly five weeks since I posted last...I'm so sorry for the delay!! I've been super busy with work and grad school (my semester ends in two weeks...thank goodness), and David is getting ready to deploy (again!), so we've been pretty swamped. We will post a new belly shot this weekend, since things are changing fast! We had another appointment a couple of weeks ago, and everything is still looking great and healthy. Hopefully we'll get a good ultrasound photo at the next appointment, and if so I'll be sure to post it.

Overall, the pregnancy is still progressing really smoothly...I can't believe it's already almost halfway done! The biggest change is that the crazy pregnancy cravings have finally kicked in...every morning I have to get an Everything Bagel with plain cream cheese from Panera, and in the evenings all I want is a plate full of s'mores! I can't even remember the last time I ate a s'more before I was pregnant, but now they're all I think about. Luckily, we have a gas stove, so I can roast my marshmellows right there in the kitchen ;) David thinks the whole thing is hilarious...he calls the baby "The Wizard of Oz," because it's like he's this little man behind a curtain, but he controls everything!

That's all for now, but I will keep you posted! Be on the lookout in the next few days for a new belly shot, and some photos of how the nursery is coming!

12 Week Belly Shot

Hi everyone!! David and I figured it was about time for another belly shot, since it had been almost seven weeks since the last one (can you believe it?!). I decided to wear the same pants (my ultra-comfy cloud pajama pants my sister gave me for Christmas) and pose in the same way, so that it would be easier to see the changes. Can you see the bump??