So, we returned from our first ultrasound appointment at 5 months yesterday, and it was quite the wonderful experience. We were able to see in shades of gray our little baby… moving its arms and legs, opening its mouth, and just generally squirming about. It was cool. It is amazing that we have the technology to do this. I am completely awed by it. Tanya said, after seeing how active it was, that she rarely felt it move, so it must have done something pretty big for her to feel it.

The wonderful technician from the Reedsburg Area Medical Center looked twice to determine (not a 100% mind you) the gender of our baby. To her and to us it seemed to be a girl.

I, of course, as most men do, was hoping for a boy, but for some inexplicable reason was expecting a girl. Most other people thought it was going to be a girl too. I will be happy just a long as she is healthy. Its gender is not guaranteed at 100% yet, but we are pretty sure’ish.

I am looking forward to raising her and teaching her my geeky and eccentric ways. Poor kid. I all ready feel sorry for her. =0 =)

We have had names picked out for either a boy or a girl for a long time now. The girl’s name was picked from the Russian tradition of first name/father’s first name/last name, so her (english’cized) name is Ooliana James O’Neill. I promise it works better in Russian – Ульяна. Her first name is, I think, Tanya’s great grandmother’s first name.

Ultrasound Pictures

If you have never seen an ultrasound picture before you take a look at ours below:

Side view of baby. You can see her head, open mouth, and torso.

Side view of the full body of the baby. You can see a leg in addition to the umbilical cord in the back, I think.

Close-up side view of head and brain.

Front view with baby on her side and looking at you.