Armstrong the Determined

Bethany was thrilled to be able to hear the baby's heartbeat at just 9 weeks along... the faint but definite, and veeeery speedy little heartbeat of the Determinator. Richie got to hear the faint, wonderful noise at about 11 weeks, bombombombombom...

But yesterday both of us got to go in for Bethany's 16-week checkup and hear it again, and ouch!

Our eardrums almost blew out. The heartbeat was so loud and strong! Even the doctor grinned with hearty satisfaction.

All that to say, the baby is healthy and well, with his or her little heart pumping right along at 150 beats per minute, and growing quite nicely we think.

Although Bethany has gained about 10 pounds thus far, she still has to convince people that she's pregnant. The typical response when she tells someone is an immediate look of shock, then eyes darting straight down to her belly, then a laugh, then a confused, "What???!" But the doc said she's beginning to "pop out," so she's happy to be getting some credit... :)

Let the popping begin.

Pop.