Today, we rounded out the first trimester with another peek at baby E. It was incredible - baby was super active, bouncing up and down with arms above his or her head, arching its little back, posing for the camera. Baby measured from crown to rump at 6.9 cm (roughly 2.7" - we have a tall baby already). Baby's heartbeat was a strong 156 bpm - always gratifying to see. Today's appointment was part of a routine genetic screening which involves a particular measurement of the skin fold on the back of baby's neck and a blood draw which tests for the risk of down-syndrome and trisomy 18. Well, baby was a little stubborn today - totally not in the right position to take the measurement. After I turned over on each side and wiggled around a bit, baby reluctantly laid on its tummy allowing for an accurate measurement.
Looking quite like a Ninja-Turtle waving "hi" to Dad :)
Finally staying still...for a moment at least.
(in front of baby's face are arms - two of them!)
I have been growing, too! I'm feeling less puffy, more pregnant, which actually feels great. I have been extremely fortunate to not have any morning sickness, though I have had my share of the common cold this season. I am convinced that this little human is sucking the life out of me, soaking up all of the nutrients like a sponge (eat up, little one). I'm hoping to gain some of my energy back in the coming weeks.
12 week belly-shot
My mother and mother-in-law both share january as their birth month and both happen to wear pandora bracelets - this year for their birthdays they got very special charms...unfortunately, I wasn't able to get my mom's reaction on camera...but here is my MIL's: 
