Introducing...


Baby Chappell!!!!!!!!!


Today was a day I have been waiting for since the moment I saw the strip turn pink- literally. The first doctor's appointment I went to, I expected to see or at least hear our baby's heartbeat. Unfortunately, all they did was poke and prod and ask me the same questions over and over again. Then they scheduled my first ultrasound two weeks later: result? Big disappointment.

For the next two weeks, I could not wait to see our child! I counted down the days, looked at pictures of babies about that size online, thought about baby names, and planned all the questions I was going to ask the ultrasound technician.

The day before the ultrasound, school was CRAZY! I could not concentrate on teaching, because I was so excited to see Baby Chappell! My students could not concentrate on learning either. I would like to say that they are such a caring group of fourteen-year-olds that they were excited on my behalf, but actually they were excited about the weather. Even though Midwestern kids are used to snow and the idea of snow, it is still cause for excitement. Snow brings out the little kid in everyone, including those who have been in and out of the snow for the past four months. However, this snow was slightly different. The biggest blizzard of the decade was scheduled to fall... on ultrasound day.

Daniel was sure we weren't going to have school, and he was also sure we wouldn't be attending the ultrasound appointment. I tried to be optimistic, recounting that businesses around here don't close at the sight of something white in the sky, and as long as we could make it, we'd see our baby. Sleeping last night was very very very difficult... ok that's a lie. I sleep more than I ever have in my life! I fell asleep in seconds. But waking up was NOT so very very difficult as it usually is. I woke up to a call from the doctor's office.

When I awoke to the vibrating buzz of my cell phone and blinked fuzzy eyes at the screen enough to see the doctor's office calling, my heart sank. I thought they were calling to reschedule the appointment. They were. Some wimpy people had canceled their appointment this morning due to the weather, and would I like to come early? (Ok, they didn't call them wimps, I added that!) Ummm... let me think... YES!

I hurried and began getting ready. I stood in my closet and asked the air, "What does one wear to an ultrasound appointment?" Unfortunately, Daniel reminded me that I was supposed to drink 32 oz. of water before the appointment. Unfortunately because 1) I am not the biggest fan of water. And that's a lot of water. and 2) Any amount of anything is a lot to keep down during the am hours these days. I've perfected the skill of throwing up intermittently and STILL being able to shower/get ready for school in 45 minutes. I got 20 oz. down that stayed down.

We skidded and slid through the snow and ice-filled streets to our doctor, only a few blocks away. I remember sitting in the waiting room thinking, "The Price is Right contestants act waaay too enthusiastic. That little boy is cute. Man I've got to PEE!" After 14 super super super long minutes, she called us back. Unlike the bright florescent glow of the other rooms, the ultrasound room was softly lit with lamps and felt calming. The ultrasound technician was really kind to us, and she chatted with us while she put goop on my belly and started rubbing it with the ultrasound thingamajigger.  I remember thinking as soon as he/she popped up on the screen how insane it was to be chit-chatting about the snow day we were having when OUR ENTIRE LIFE WAS CHANGING TO BE COMPLETELY ABOUT THE LITTLE 2 INCH SQUIRMY THING ON THE SCREEN!

The feeling of seeing our baby for the first time was indescribable. It moved CONSTANTLY. The ultrasound technician called it a "live-wire" because he/she wouldn't stay still to get good pictures! This baby definitely has Daniel's genes. We got to see a tiny hand and a tiny elbow and a little spine and fingers and oh how wonderful it was!I could talk about it for hours, but I'll just let you check out the pictures.

All I've wanted to do all day is look at the sonograms. I am wondering how much an ultrasound machine costs... I could watch him/her forever!

Now, hours later, we're sitting here watching the snow fall (supposed to be 1-2 feet tonight!). Daniel's making hot chocolate, and we're set to be snowed in for the next couple days! Just us, and our beautiful, perfect, 6.7cm long baby.