Week 11.

Dear fig,

last week you were kumquat-size, which sounds SO much cuter than fig...  But this has been a huge week for all of us.

Sunday was Mother's Day.  We had celebrated with your Grandma Henningsen the night before by going to 1964, the Beatles tribute.  On Sunday we went to brunch with my parents (I'm not sure yet if they want to be called Oma and Opa...),  Great-Grandma Holthusen, Great-Uncle Bill and your Uncle Konrad and his girlfriend (maybe your future Aunt?!?!), Johanna.  We had a very nice time.

On Monday we visited the doctor again and this time we heard your heartbeat for the first time.  It was so, so amazing.  We also had dinner with a couple locally that we are good friends with and finally got to share the news.  It was so fun to wait for them to ask "So, how are you guys?!" and just get to respond "Pregnant." and watch their jaws drop.  Their reaction was even more positive than I expected.  Your dad and I will be going to their wedding in about a month and it is going to be a blast!

On Tuesday, you went to your first metal concert!  Rammstein!!!  The tickets were a birthday gift for your dad.  We didn't know about you when I bought them.  It was awfully loud, but your dad says that metal is in your blood.  :)

Wednesday was your dad's 32nd birthday.  We slept in a little and then made our way out to Skokie, near Old Orchard Mall, where we had our NT scan.  That means that we got to see you again!  The technician took some measurements.  You just held still long enough for that, then we saw you do a flip and even wave!  So exciting!  We got a picture of you.  They took some blood from me.  Then your dad and I went to lunch at the Cheesecake Factory to celebrate.  We even went into a children's store after lunch to look at some toys and strollers for the first time.  We didn't buy anything though.  Not this time anyway.

On Thursday, things started progressing as far as my job goes.  My boss is leaving for New York.  The secret finally came out today within the department and I can start looking at my options.  Hopefully, I'll be staying right where I am, just changing labs.  It was been very stressful, nonetheless.  And then we had dog class with your Lita!  She is doing just awesome.  Our trainer told us that we can start training her with a babydoll to get her ready for your arrival.

Today, I got a call from your Aunt Cassie.  She told me that your cousin Tyler has been sick with a virus, called Parvovirus B19.  It's not serious, it causes a rash, mild flu symptoms and is commonly called "Fifth's Disease".  It can, however, be serious to little ones in utero, i.e. you!  Your Aunt is also pregnant right now, so she got her blood tested to see if she has gotten it.  She called me since we have seen Tyler recently and I'll be calling my own doctor tomorrow to see about getting tested.  Always something around here!

It has been a very long and tiring week and I'm so excited about being lazy and relaxing this weekend a bit!  We are still awaiting the arrival of one of my best friend's little girl as well.  She is due to arrive next Saturday, but it could be any day now!  So exciting these days.

Keep growing, baby.