16 Weeks & Hearts are a Flutterin'

This week began with a great visit to see Dr. Owen.

Baby D's heartbeat was loud and strong - the doc said it was perfect in the 160 bpm range.

However, Baby Daniel's heart wasn't the only one pumpin' fast - Justin and I made a couple big decisions. After a reassuring discussion with Dr. Owen on result percentages, benefits and insurance coverage,

we first decided to go ahead with the Quad screening which tests for the baby's risk levels of Down syndrome, trisomy 18 and open neural tube defects.

Then, after discussion about options, benefits and potential risks we also decided to schedule our induction date - 7/23. We can cancel at any time should I change my mind but I have to say, once I heard it was a guaranteed way to ensure Dr. Owen delivers Baby D I was pretty much sold.

The middle of the week was kinda rough - I got a headache like I've never felt before. Not quite as torturous as a migraine but it ran a very close second.

I felt like I was turning in to some character off Mad Max growing a metal-spiked mohawk out of my skull.

The pain initiated at the base of my skull, radiated up across the top of my cranium and pinged the sinuses behind my eyeballs at the rate of a steady, thunderous beat. The pain became so much that I was puking...again. A couple days of that and it eventually subsided.

One of my coworkers said she "[could] see [my] tummy!" So, I've included a couple shots so you can see what you think. In certain clothes, the baby bump is pretty clear but for the most part, only Justin and I know there's a difference.

Our last Valentine's as a "we" was very "lovely" - we had a four-course meal at La Diosa. Justin had lobster and I had a filet for our main course. The red velvet cake dessert seemed extra delectable!

Even though I couldn't toast with champagne, drink wine with our meal and I
had to fight falling asleep after the main course,

the candle-lit dinner and romantic, live, Sinatra- and Bouble-ess music was all just fabulous! Thanks for the special evening, Daddy D, and here's to next year's Valentine's as an "us."