Baby's first photo shoot

Dear Little Baby Mini Hill,

Today was your first photo shoot and the first time Momma and Daddy got to see your sweet self. We went to Dr. Patterson's office mid-morning. This was our first appointment after finding out about you, and we had been waiting anxiously for this day for five weeks. It was finally here!

It took a long time for Dr. Patterson to come see us, but you were worth the wait. She came in, talked to us and then started the ultrasound. At first, Dr. Patterson turned the screen so only she could see. She took lots of measurements and made sure that everything was going well.

Daddy could hardly wait to see you. He asked Dr. Patterson if he could see you. She said he had to wait just a minute, until she finished all of the technical stuff. He was so anxious and excited!

Then the most amazing thing happened... She turned the screen around so we could see you. It was the most amazing thing we've ever seen. You are perfect. We could see every little detail of your growing body - a perfect head, spine, arms and legs (though they're more like nubs than full limbs right now). 

Momma is a crier, but I kept it pretty together. There were a few happy tears, but mostly I was just so in awe of this perfect little baby growing inside of me. You are real, and you are healthy. It is so amazing to me how God forms you so intricately. At just nine weeks of life, your little body has a beating heart (that we could see working!), all major organs and details as fine as teeth forming under your gums, a nose and eyelids. What a miracle you are!

Here you are! The pictures aren't nearly as clear as you were on the screen. If you look close, though, you can see the umbilical cord on the right side.

You're a little more clear here. Your head is facing down, and you can kind of see limbs in there. Based on the measurements, you're somewhere between eight weeks, four days and eight weeks, six days.

The circle above your head is the yolk sack. It looks a little bit like a halo, actually. (That's what Dr. Patterson said, too.) I was worried that there were extra parts, but Dr. Patterson promised us that goes away after a few more weeks. It's just how you're getting nutrients right now.

Before our appointment, we thought our due date was April 18. After measuring you, Dr. Patterson said that's about right - but she did push it back by a day. So, the big day is April 19. You can come early if you want, though. (Late would put you close to Daddy's birthday on April 22, but we'd both rather you come before then. Plus, Daddy's not big on sharing.)

Your Daddy and I agree that today is one of the best days ever. To finally see you was incredible, and it was amazing to experience it together. 

We love you so much, and we can't wait to meet you. In the meantime, please take it easy on Momma - you seem to like wreaking havoc in there... 

Love,

Momma and Daddy