Reese kicks for Daddy

Matt felt Reese move for the first time this morning. When I woke up she was giving me a few kicks, so I placed his hand on my belly and asked Reese to kick for Daddy. She happily complied and Matt felt a tiny vibration. How cool!

The Details

Yesterday, Matt and I swung by Starbucks long enough to grab a snack and update the blog with the big news! Here are the details of our big day...

Our appointment was at 10:00 a.m. and we arrived promptly at 9:59. I was instructed to drink 8 ounces of water upon arrival, and I already had to pee. So like a good patient, I drank more water and held off on using the restroom. While waiting, Matt and I agreed that if the baby was a girl he would get to pick our lunch spot and vice versa if the baby was a boy.

I was not called into the room until and hour or so later. Matt had to wait in the lobby while the technician took all of the initial measurements and photos. I had the same sweet technician as last time named Ariceli. She took a few measurements and then let me use the restroom. When I returned she took a ton of snapshots and measurements of everything from the brain to the heart to the leg length. She walked me through everything she was doing while I watched it all on the screen. Once she was finished she turned her report into the radiologist and went to get Matt.

While waiting for the radiologist to arrive, she showed us even more shots of the baby. We were able to see the spine, ribs, stomach, feet, hands (fingers and nails), face, nose, lips, eyes, legs, arms, etc. Reese's heartbeat was 144 beats/minute.

Reese was quite modest when Ariceli was trying to see if she was a girl or a boy. I finally turned on my left side which helped Reese to move into a new position allowing us to confirm she was a girl. Before seeing this, both Matt and I thought we had seen boy parts, but we were mistaken. When the technician told us "It's a girl!" I was so happy and the tears could not be held back. I think Matt was in shock since he was certain he had seen boy parts!

The radiologist came in shortly afterwards and confirmed she was a girl and that everything looked good.

Here are some of the pictures we received on cd.

Her face:



Her foot:



Her legs:



Her profile:

After the ultrasound we had our appointment with Dr. Leeds-Richter. While waiting, we started making phone calls and sending emails/text messages to our parents, family and friends to share the news. We also decided on her middle name. We've known the first name would be Reese after my close cousin who is more like a sister, Maylee Carol Reese Rogers. As for the middle name we had not found one that fit, but while waiting I said to Matt, "What about Addison for the middle name?" He liked it and that was that.

Our doctor visit was short and sweet and she confirmed that everything looked great and was absolutely normal. I'm measuring at 19 which is on track. Before leaving the hospital we stopped by Nine Maternity to buy me a hot pink t-shirt that says "Tickled Pink". I wore it today!

Matt chose Pappasito's for lunch and then we headed to PotteryBarnKids to look at bedding. We found some we like, but will still be on the look out for more ideas. After a little shopping, we swung by Starbucks to update the blog...I could not stand to wait another minute. I was so excited to turn the blog pink and add her name to it.

We finished off the day with a meeting with Allegro, our builder, to discuss house plans. The plans are coming along great. It looks like we'll end up living in the old house for a couple of years before we build. We'll have to make a few updates for the house to be livable before we move in next April.

The belly at 19 weeks:

Reese Addison Sicinski

The big day has arrived and although Reese was quite modest she finally let mommy and daddy know she was a perfect little girl!

We couldn't be happier, and I am tickled pink!

More on the appointment later today!

What in the world was that?

Baby is on the move! I finally felt Baby Sicinski moving inside of me this week (at 17 weeks)! It happened on Tuesday, September 11th in the afternoon. I was having a rough day at work and all of the sudden I felt this flutter. Before I knew it, it was gone. It happened again and I knew that was it. Baby made my day! It's been happening on and off all day everyday since then. Baby Sicinski is giving mama some tiny kicks on my left side and sometimes in the middle of my belly. (Maybe this is why I’ve been having major heartburn all day lately…thank goodness for Tums) The baby’s movement is a strange sensation that is so hard to describe. My friend Debbie describes it as feeling like blinking your eyelash against your hand. Others say it’s like being tickled from the inside or like butterflies. I think it’s like a tiny thump or vibration that just comes and goes.

I knew this would be happening soon, but not this soon. I'm 18 weeks today and my books said I should feel baby move by week 20. Well this baby is quite active and spunky! Letting mama know she/he is in there. My books also tell me that baby can hear noises now, especially my voice. Now I talk to baby a few times a day! This is all so much fun!

As I mentioned I am 18 weeks today...well that means I am in my 5th month. Who knew we were that far along already? I sure didn't. Earlier this week I pulled out the Mayo Clinic book Wendy lent me to see where we were. I was shocked to see that week 17 started the 5th month. Wow! Already? I told Matt, we are already in the 5th month! It's really starting to fly by.

Only 7 more days until we find out if Baby Sicinski is a boy or a girl! Matt had a fabulous idea; we are taking the day off to shop for baby after our appointment!

Shop 'til you drop!

Matt and I had a great weekend together!

We went for a walk at Memorial Park on Saturday and then ate breakfast at Buffalo Grille. When we got home we took a nap and then went shopping for Matt. Later that evening we had dinner at Outback with Nolan, Wendy and Karsyn after seeing their new house. It's looking good; they've replaced the floors, repainted and are in the process of installing recessed lights.

We spent Sunday afternoon shopping for both of us, but mostly for me! My sweet friend Janelle gave me lots of clothes to borrow, but I still need to grow into some of the tops, so I was in need of maternity jeans, slacks and more tops. We went to the Galleria and browsed in Brooks Brothers then stopped in A Pea in the Pod. They have really cute stuff, but it's expensive! We found a pair of jeans and one top that was on sale. Afterwards we headed to the Gap because I had heard they have great maternity stuff. They do! The maternity section is quite small and is stuck right between Gap Kids and Baby Gap, but I found some great items. Matt was sooo patient with me as I grabbed a little bit of everything and kept handing it over for him to hold while I grabbed more. He even sat in the dressing room while I spent an hour trying it all on. He didn't complain at all...he did have his blackberry to entertain him as if watching me try on a ton of clothes wasn't entertaining enough. In the end I managed to find 2 more pair of jeans, 2 pairs of slacks and a variety of t-shirts and work/casual tops. I was impressed with the selections because they look more like normal clothes; not the typical maternity styles. It was fun to shop with Matt and have his input.

We left the Galleria to return a few items at Old Navy and Matt found him more cargo shorts! You know how he loves to wear shorts year round.

We finished off the day with dinner at Texadelphia and a quick trip to Target. We bought storage bins, so I can pack away all of my skinny clothes to make room for maternity and baby stuff.

Feeling Better, Getting Bigger & Brainstorming Boy Names

Week 16 ~ 4 Months



Mama Sicinski is feeling better! I feel like my old self, well sort of. No more upset stomach and I've got energy! However, I'm not exempt from the pains of pregnancy. Last weekend I realized the tummy sleeve or belly band I was wearing to expand my regular clothes was no longer working for me. Mom and I were heading to Abilene and I was driving (Matt, Scott and Chris went to Colorado for Andy (their cousin) and Angela's wedding. I opted not to go since the doctor told me the altitude would make me sick.). The band was too tight on my growing tummy, so I managed to take it off at a light in one of the small towns we passed through. Ah, relief. I haven't worn it since. I'm all maternity now (at least for pants and capris).

I also started having lower back and abdomen pains last weekend and this past week. It feels like pin pricks and it alternates from my left to right side. I figured it was just the uterus expanding and sure enough Matt and I checked the book to find out that my joints and ligaments are softening and loosening preparing my pelvis for birth. Plus my abdominal organs are shifting making way for the growing uterus. It's not as comfortable to sleep anymore (already!) and my back hurts no matter which side I sleep on. Supporting my back with a pillow seems to help, but I am waking up with back aches! Matt and I are going walking this morning...maybe that will help.

I also noticed last week when I lay on my back or lean over I can feel my uterus sticking out. It's weird! I can feel this ball in my tummy. I think this expansion is also making me go pee more often. I guess it's all pushing on my bladder right now. I can't wait until I can feel the baby moving. That is supposed to happen around week 20.

As you can see, I am showing more!



We are counting down the days to September 20th when we find out if we are having a boy or a girl. Many of you have voted on the blog poll and as of today it's a tie! We know what the girl's name will be, but we cannot decide on a boy's name. Over the weekend in Abilene, I got some ideas from Aunt Jamie, Maylee, Meghan and Mom. Then Matt and I brainstormed over coffee and dessert last night. We are getting there, but nothing is final. I'm hoping Baby Sicinski will make it easy on us and be a girl. We've had her name picked out forever. Many of you already know, but we'll wait to publish the name once we know for sure what baby will be.