BIG Baby News!!!

Today Brad and I went to the doctor to check up on our little baby!!!  I am 17 weeks and 2 days.  This was our first official trip to the OB here in Germany.  We will be going to the hospital in Trier, which is about 30 minutes from our house.  It has a level 1 NICU and should be able to handle any complications that arise, but praying everything goes smoothly.  The hospital is called The Mutterhaus, meaning the "mother house".  This hospital is focused on women and children.  I also received my Mutterpass, which is a booklet of all my pertinent medical information and information regarding the baby. I was instructed to keep it in my purse at all times.  I had more blood work done then finally a visit with the doctor.  At each OB visit in Germany, they do an ultrasound to check on the baby.... and

Everything looked good and HE is growing like he should!! Yes, we are having a baby boy!! We are overjoyed and couldn't be more excited.  I am pretty sure that Brad did a "yes" with a huge smile on his face!!!  We had a suspicion it was a boy.  The doctor we saw shortly after we arrived here said boy as well, we just wanted double confirmation.  He was being shy on camera today and had his back turned towards us, but we were able to see all the important parts.  10 fingers and 10 toes to add!!  So, let the clothes buying and nursery decorating begin.  We are taking suggestions for German or American names!!! Please let us know what baby boy Dvorak should be named.  

I will also be visiting the high-risk OB doctor in a couple of weeks that will monitor the baby a little closer.  Since I have lupus, they have to monitor the little guy for heart problems.  The risk is low, but we just want to be extra careful.  So, far everything looks good.  I just consider it a little extra TLC.  We will be able to get a 3D/4D ultrasound at this appointment.  Hopefully there will be photos to follow.

I am finally starting to show and are in the final stages of wearing my normal clothes.  I think the weight has rearranged and centered toward the belly.  I am finally back to pre-pregnancy weight after losing quite a few lbs in the 1st trimester because I was so sick.  I have not been able to button my pants in a couple of weeks, but good thing there was an invention called Bella Bands that you can wear to hide the unbuttoned pants.  :)  My maternity clothes arrive next week, courtesy of Jenn, and I will be ready to wear them.  I am finally releasing the first "bump" photos! Although it doesn't look like much, it feels huge.  I can only anticipate what the upcoming months will fill like.  Hope you enjoy! We will keep everyone updated as our little man continues to grow!!!