One more thing, i just wanted to let everyone know that my boy's estimated to be a little over a pound by now, and is likely over ten inches long from head to toe!  But I've read that his size closely matches that of an eggplant.  Be sure to check one out next time you're in the produce department!

Joe and i can also see him moving around now on my tummy.  No distinct body parts, it just looks like he's trying to poke his way out.  It's so fun!  I know it may seem silly to some, but these are the little things that make this mommy's heart smile.

So the Seahawks didn't win the Superbowl, at least they made it, right?  We're trying not to take it too hard but Joe's a little bummed today.  But i guess the good thing is that when the Hawks do finally win the Superbowl, little joey will be able to see it and not just hear it.

Still no new news as far as baby goes..... this pregnancy thing is continuing to treat me very well.  It's starting to feel a little awkward leaning forward to put on shoes and i make strange grunting noises when i bend, squat or have to reach for something in any way.  My emotions are quite spontaneous, or my tears are i should say.  Joe and i were walking to Fred Meyer the other night and he said something to the effect of 'you're walking different now', and boom! the floodgates suddenly opened and everything in the world seem to be crashing down on me right at that very second as i wailed, "but i'm not supposed to start waddling YET   Of course he just laughed at me in the loving way that he seems to do more frequently lately and assured me that in no way did i look like i was waddling, i just moved like i was carrying a little more weight in the front because of course, i am.  Joe really has been a champ at making me feel more beautiful as the pregnancy progresses instead of like a fat cow, which is how I sometimes feel.  I don't know how so many women go through pregnancy alone, I don't know if i could make it without his love and reassurance. He really is my hero.

Sometimes i have so many doubts about my ability to be a mother.  And i'm not even talking about the things down the road like instilling family values or being a good role model.  I'm just thinking about keeping this kid alive!  I have no idea how to care for a newborn, i've never really spent much time with babies my whole life.  I've told Joe that if this little boy is still breathing by the end of each day then i get a high five and a congratulations.  I ask him if he's nervous about me not knowing what i'm doing and he's says no, he doesn't know what he's doing either, but he knows that i'll do great.  That's where my worrying ends.  Seriously though, i'm trusting many older women who have told me that i'll learn as i go, and i'm sure they're right.  My dependence on God will likely increase during those first days home from the hospital as i will be asking Him for much guidance, wisdom and peace of mind.  No matter how scary it may seem to me at times, i really can't wait for the time to come.  I am so excited about being home with my little one, we are going to have so much fun together....going for walks, taking baths, discovering our feet, napping on the couch.....  Yuck, i have to leave my dream world in a couple of minutes and head back to work.

Something fun to report, joey got his first piece of mail already and he's not even born yet!  Gramps and Grandma Betty (great gramps and grandma to him) are in Arizona right now but they sent him the cutest little sports outfits that he'll have to grow into.  so adorable.  The package in the mail said "To: Joseph Anthony Ewer"  I had Joe take a picture of the label.

I also think i'm pretty close to being finished with my registry.  I did end up using Babies R Us along with Target because they have so much stuff and their online registry is really easy to use.  I just hope i've covered all my bases as far as necessities.

I know i'm forgetting to mention something but i've gotta run so i'll write more later if i think of it.  Thanks to my family for all the love and support, this kid sure is lucky to have so many people looking forward to his arrival. 

My baby, that's for sure!  His movements are becoming pretty predictable for the most part.  The times i notice him the most are usually shortly after i get to work in the morning as i sit at my desk, about mid-afternoon (again, sitting at my desk), and of course as soon as i lay down at night to go to bed.  The night time ones are always the strongest kicks that make my body jump.  I ask for it though because i'm usually provoking the little guy by poking my belly just so i can feel him respond.  He always does too, i love it.  I only do it just enough so joe can feel his son saying goodnight.  Works every time.

I forgot to mention my doctor's appt. last thurs., probably because it was pretty uneventful.  Blood pressure's on the normal to low side as usual.  They recommended that i get a flu shot so i had that done while i was there.  I got to hear the heartbeat again but it took a while for the doctor to be able to read it on the doppler, he said the baby was moving around too much!  Yeah, i could have told him that.  I also found out that i gained 7 pounds from my last appointment!  The doctor said that's a little bit of a jump but overall my weight gain has been normal.

I started my registry on-line with Target.  I know i have a ton more things to add but i figured i should at least get it going or it would never get done.  I think i'm going to skip out on Babies R Us altogether, just because Target is more accessible to most people and i think BRU is overpriced on some things.  but then again what do i know?

We bought our crib this past weekend off of craigslist.  We have to sand it down and stain it a different color.  It's my fault, i don't want to talk about it.

Speaking of craigslist, i love it.  Use it whenever you can, baby things are way too expensive brand new.  I also got an amazing deal on a PILE of maternity clothes that a woman was selling for only $75.  There were 14 pieces of clothing!  I'm waiting to hear back from someone who had a pottery barn bedding set for sale, i'm sure it's probably sold already though.

jeez, i really don't have anything new to report, life is a little uneventful right now.  Except for the Seahawks going to the Superbowl!!!!  We had a bunch of people over for the last game, that was a lot of fun.  Baby boy heard a lot of shouting that day.  Joe's been waiting his whole life for this to happen...literally....it's taken them 30 years.

Well i've had enough rambling about nothing for now.

I'm 20 weeks today!  Something about knowing that i'm halfway through my pregnancy is so exciting.  Not that i'm dying for this to end, so far i love being pregnant, but i sure am looking forward to being home with my little boy.  Man, this kid is a mover!  There's so much activity going on in there.  Or maybe the poor thing just can't seem to get comfortable.  It makes me feel good to feel him squirming around, at least for now.  His kicks are already getting stronger, we'll see how i feel about them in a couple months.

Joe's such a good dad, he's already playing games with his son.  A couple nights ago after we layed down for bed, joe was saying goodnight to the baby, who was giving a couple of goodnight kicks back to him.  Joe decided to try and talk to a specific area of my belly and see if the baby would poke back in that same area.  First he was talking really low on my stomach, and a few moments later baby gave a poke in the same spot.  Then he started talking right up near my belly button, saying "okay joey, come up here now, move yourself up here". sure enough, a few moments after that, a little jab right in that spot!  Joe did this about three more times in different areas and baby was right behind him every time.  Already trying to impress his dad.  I was so proud of him.  Sometimes i want to meet him so badly i can't stand it! 

I put a couple of pictures up in the photo album finally.  If you're wondering what's up with my head in the 17 week picture, i was trying to do something about my hair.  You know how you read about how beautiful and healthy and shiny a woman's hair becomes when she's pregnant?  Well, mine's the opposite.  dry and stringy.  I was trying my own home remedy of brushing extra virgin olive oil and letting it sit for a while before washing it out.  I had it wrapped up in pink plastic wrap.  I'm sure it works if you do it more often than once, but it at least made me feel better at the time.

I've got another doctor's appointment tomorrow, not really expecting anything exciting to happen.  I am curious to see how much weight i've gained.  It's great to get fat and not feel guilty!  Bring on the pounds, i'm not afraid!  ;O