8 weeks

Well, after what seemed like an eternity of waiting, we finally had our first ultrasound appointment today!! There's nothing that quite prepares you for the moment that you first set eyes on the life growing inside of you. It's like God giving you a glimpse of a miracle he's creating. Seeing that tiny little form up there on the screen with an unmistakable heartbeat brought us an overwhelming joy that we never could have imagined...

...not to mention relief! For the first time today, our doctor was able to confidently tell us that the pregnancy is progressing normally and that everything looks great. Baby is measuring at 8 weeks, 0 days exactly (just as predicted), and has a very strong heartbeat of about 150bpm. Best news I've ever heard! And totally worth the agonizing 8 weeks it took to hear it ;)

Although our 2D ultrasound was not yet able to distinguish them, baby already has little fingers and toes, and - much to the neuropsychometrist's delight - it's brain cells are forming primitive neural pathways! Baby is the size of a kidney bean, and although I can't yet feel it, is spontaneously moving and shifting all by itself.

Baby also has its Daddy back! (for now). Tom took his boards exam on Friday, and the "three" of us spent a much-anticipated long weekend celebrating. We went to two Brewers games (both of which they won!), saw a couple of movies, tried out a new (and delicious!) brunch spot after church, took a 5-mile walk downtown by the lake, and spent a day at the zoo.

Then finally, Baby Leschke, we saw you...for the very first time today. And as small and blurry as you were, you were beautiful. And we love you so much already.