Your new resident is nearly an inch long – about the size of a grape – and weighs just a fraction of an ounce. She’s starting to look more and more human. Her essential body parts are accounted for, though they’ll go through plenty of fine-tuning in the coming months. Other changes abound: Your baby’s heart finishes dividing into four chambers, and the valves start to form – as do her tiny teeth. The embryonic “tail” is completely gone. Your baby’s organs, muscles, and nerves are kicking into gear. The external sex organs are there but won’t be distinguishable as male or female for another few weeks.

This should have been backdated to Sunday, but… Oh well. On Monday the ultrasound told us we were 8 weeks and 1 day. So each Sunday I will try to remember to post what is going on inside my belly! (Thanks to BabyCenter.com)

“Your baby is now 5/8 of an inch long, about the size of a kidney bean. New this week: Webbed fingers and toes are poking out from your baby’s hands and feet, his eyelids practically cover his eyes, breathing tubes extend from his throat to the branches of his developing lungs, and his “tail” is just about gone. His arms have lengthened, too, and his hands are now flexed at the wrist and meet over his heart. His knee joints have formed, and his feet may be long enough to meet in front of his body. In his brain, nerve cells are branching out to connect with one another, forming primitive neural pathways.”

Today was Thanksgiving! What a great day to spend with family and loved ones. We arrived at my moms house at 11:00 for Lunch and “Steal it Bingo”. (A long standing tradition in my family).

As a brief explanation, everyone brings a gift, it can be real or white elephant, that’s half the fun is not know whether everyone is stealing a real gift or a gag gift! We play Bingo for anywhere from 1 hour to 2 hours. When you get a Bingo, you take present from the pile. When all the presents are gone, you get to start stealing presents from people. Generally the presents get named while they are still wrapped up. You might be stealing a box of Jewelry, or a pair of new shoes. When in reality it could be a box of thumbtacks and a box of couple of stacks of playing cards.

At various stages throughout the afternoon, we called my grandmothers and aunt and uncles to tell them the big news. We called my dad’s mom first and she was excited and looking forward to coming out to Utah next summer to help with all the “baby things”. The Karl Lentz house was a buzz with Dao’s family and they were all excited to hear the big news. My moms’ mom was last (only because we couldn’t reach her at home) But, that turned out to be a good thing, when we finally reached her, she was at my Great Aunt Nila and Uncle Johnny’s house and we were able to tell them all at the same time. This will be the first great grand baby for my Grandma Lentz, She was so thrilled, I wish I could have seen her face.

I am sure everyone was smiling ear to ear… it seemed to come across through the phone.

Anyway, it was a wonderful Thanksgiving at the Nichols house with Gen (Tonys Girlfriend) and her 2 girls as a great new addition. We ate, played, chatted and even napped a bit. Then is was off to Stephanies house for the Thanksgiving Feast she always prepares.

We arrived with dogs in tow, and Stephanie was in the kitchen preparing the last little bits of dinner. Food was displayed on the table (I say that only because it was picture worthy, I wish I had one to post). We said grace and shared an excellent feast together.

After dinner, I finally learned how to play Canasta. I was so tired and full I was having a hard time focusing (I wasn’t feeling so hot when we left, I was wondering if I was going to get my first bout of morning sickness at 9:00 at night). But, still, now I know the rules and next time I will be able to play with my own hand, instead of just watching Jess. Canasta is a Bennion/Skolmoski favorite and has been played for generations, I am glad I can finally be a part of it.

Full of food and happiness, Jess and I (and the dogs) headed home for bed. It was a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving and thanks to all involved for making it that way. We really are very lucky to be surrounded by such wonderful friends and family whom we love, and are loved equally in return.

So today we told my family the big news. We used the same scenario to tell them that we did to tell Jess’ family but we changed it up a bit. Instead of the photographer saying “Michelle’s Pregnant!” We had Jess say “Michelle is 8 weeks pregnant!” We figured this would be a bit more believable and maybe they wouldn’t think it was a joke the way Jess’ family did.

We were wrong. On the 4th picture Jess blurted out “Michelle is 8 weeks pregnant” and my mom said “Ha ha ha you’re so funny.” To which I replied, “Nope, I really am.” Then the excitement set in. I thought my mom was going to cry for a minute as she turned and said “Oh my Gosh!! That’s so exciting!”

Whew! What a relief. All my fears out the window and Jess gave me a big kiss and hug as I am sure he felt the relief as much as I did.

We had the Ultrasound pictures there so as everyone was getting their own family pictures, we were able to show the newest picture of the newest member of our family.

We went out to dinner at Famous Dave’s BBQ to celebrate… without wine. (at least for me) We all toasted to the new baby. I am not quite sure how many times my dad told the waitress, I was prego… but you could tell he was proud and excited to be a grandpa!

(Pict’s to come as soon as they are available)

So today was the big day. Eight weeks! (and one day if you want to get technical). Jess and I arrived at the doctors office and after a long wait, the doctor told me after a routine pap, we were going to do an ultrasound to try to see the heartbeat.

This is by far the most amazing thing I have ever seen in my life. There was little peanut/Lima bean/alium (alien) shaped thing inside of me and a very little part of it was flashing. THAT was the heart. Tears rolled down my face as I realized that THAT was my baby, our baby. This was no longer just some thing that made my boobs sore and my back hurt, this was a living creature inside of me. Emphasis on the creature. Looks like a dragon to me, but for now it will be referred to as Peanut, (because of it’s shape) or Alium (because Aliens live in outer space, and Aliums, live in your belly)

So Alium made me cry for the first time today, (not the last I am sure). Jess held my hand as the doctor pushed the wand over my belly and this creature danced and bounced before our eyes. We could actually see it moving. Amazing.

Jess’ grip got tighter and I knew he felt the same way I did. This is it, this is for real, this is our baby.

I could go on all day telling you how wonderful it feels to know that there is life being created inside me, but words could never explain, or do justice to the way I feel.

So today was the day for telling Jess’ side of the family. We managed to get everyone together at the Target Portrait Studio for a nice family picture. The photographer was a bit strange… but she did the job. She got everyone into position and then started taking photos. She took about 5 or so, each time saying “Everyone say Cheese!” and each time my heart beating a bit faster. Then on the last group photo she announced, “Everyone say Michelle’s Pregnant”

SILENCE

No one said anything. At which point in time, I stated “No really, I am.” Still Nothing. “REALLY. I AM.” Jess backed me up by saying, “She really is.” And everyone realized we were serious and this was not just something the photographer was saying to make everyone laugh. So everyone gasped, smiled and laughed and we got the photo we were hoping for. (to be posted in approximately 10 days when available on-line)

We then proceeded to take some very cute “Couples” Photos (dogs included) and the night was over. I must admit I was shaking the whole time. It was ridiculous. The car ride there, I kept telling Jess “I’m gonna throw up, I’m gonna throw up.” Not from morning sickness (to which I have had NONE, in the even you were curious *beam*) but from nerves.

Everyone was very excited for us and very supportive. Ryan and Melissa offered their babysitting services upfront which was very big of them, and I love them dearly for it! Of course Auntie Victoria did too. Stephanie & Ali, were both excited and look forward to helping us with the next BIG step in our life. I am sure we will stumble and fall down a bit but as long as we have family to help us back up, I know this will be the happiest pregnancy and baby in the world.

We have to tell our families. This came as a sort of shock to me. I don’t know why, but I am not sure how my family will take it. Jess’ mom and family will be thrilled. It is one more baby to add to the list. My family… I think… may be a little more pessimistic. Jess and I are both starting school and I know that will be one of the first “panic attacks” they have.

I know this, only because it was the first panic attack I had. but I thought REALLY hard about it. I can do this. Jess will only be working part time and by the time the baby comes it will be summer. So I am thinking if I can cut my hours back a little bit, or cut back to 4 days or something. I can still pull school, work and a baby. It will be a lot of work, but I know people that have raised kids in a lot worse situations, and with a lot less support. I WILL GRADUATE!! (with honors is my goal)

So, back to the point at hand, nerves aside. We decided it would be fun to tell the family during a photo. So the photographer will say, “everybody say Cheese”. Then on the next photo say “Everybody say, Michelle’s PREGNANT!” Then snap the photo.

This could go really well, or really bad. I am hoping the faces of shock will make everyone laugh and no one is too upset that Jess and I are doing this SO drawkcab (backward).

We tried to arrange a photo with both families together, but that didn’t happen so we had to split them up, So Jess’ family will find out this Sunday and mine the Day before Thanksgiving. I’ll post the photos as soon as I get them.

I can’t tell whether I am more nervous or excited to tell them. I guess all I can do it wait. Uuuggg this is going to be the longest week(end) ever.

Well we signed the lease! We officially have a house to live in, and to bring a baby home to!

Jess was adorable when I told him. I took him down to the Coffee Connection and we sat outside alone, I handed him the book, all gift wrapped nicely. He opened it, read the title allowed, raised his head and said “Neat! Are you…. pregnant?” I smiled and laughed a little, and nodded. He said “cool” and started reading his book.

Again with the childhood dreams, I wanted the big hug and the kiss and the rambling.. but he, like me was just as overwhelmed. Later he admitted to me, he sat there saying to himself “Dumbass! You should have hugged her kissed her and told her you loved her!” But I already knew and his face said it even if he didn’t.

He didn’t talk a whole lot the rest of the night, he kept rubbing my leg and smiling… a lot of thinking went on that night. He later admitted he was nervous and wasn’t expecting this to happen so soon. But he assured me he was excited… No thrilled for both of us.