Baby is moving as I type. It's amazing how strong the kicks are, my belly now becoming morphed from side to side with all the rolling and rocking inside. There's still much more growing to do, but every new step and transition is something amazing and I wish I could document every single moment.
Sometimes when we're out at a resteraunt or grocery shopping, I'll start to feel Baby kick and I'll randomly want to reach out and touch a stranger passing me and let them feel it for themselves.
"That's our baby," I'd say, "Isn't it wonderful?"
And it is. I wish I could bottle up the feeling of having your child move for the first time and sell it as a perfume or a song; everyone would buy it. When you've never had it, it's easy to feel like you're not missing anything. That's the way I used to be. But as soon as it happens to you, you're addicted. You're in awe. Everything makes sense. Your life changes, and along with it follows your capacity to love something. Your worry and concern increase in a new and very different way.
I did not know it was possible to love something so much, something that I have not even touched.
And in four months when I finally do, I think I might have to just explode.
It's amazing how quickly the belly starts to pop once it really starts to grow. I know that I used to fit into certain t-shirts before the pregnancy that I can't squeeze into anymore, and it feels strange to realize that I'm starting to fill out my husband's shirts. The growth is gradual, so slow you barely see it happening, even though it's occuring right there before your very eyes.
I'm glad we're taking pictures so regularly. It's amazing to think that the reason for all this stretching and "roundness" is because there's a tiny little baby inside who's also growing with each passing day.
There's a new 24 week picture in the photo album. Enjoy!
2008-02-08 (23 weeks)
MilkBone
It's noon, and I'm snuggling on the couch with my little black poodle. We're staring out the porch windows at the white glazy snow beyond, and I shudder. I totally wish I could be in Hawaii right now.
Chad walks over and hands Bandit a milkbone. Our dog has this odd habit of getting me to hold any bone he's chewing, and he promptly drops the bone in my lap and stares at me. I smile knowingly, pick it up and let him munch away.
As the milkbone cracks open, I am surprised at how great it smells!
"This bone smells like Goldfish Crackers!" I tell Chad, chuckling to myself and staring at my dog in envy. He's making it look good.
Chad snorts at my comment and smiles at me. "Why don't you eat it, then?"
I stare at the dog bone in my hand and sniff it carefully. "Okay."
Before Chad can even spin around to stop me and scream out about how he was just kidding, I'm already swallowing a big chunk.
"Did you seriously just eat that?" Chad is standing in front of me, stunned.
"Yes." I reply. "It was definitely milky."
"You're disgusting."
"You can't tell a pregnant woman to eat something she thinks smells good."
"Apparently not." Chad is shaking his head and walks out of the room. I laugh, and stare down at Bandit.
He's glaring at me with his little black eyes, sniffing the air and trying to figure out where the heck his bone just went. If he could talk, I know he'd start complaining about how ever since I've gotten over the morning sickness, I've been eating everything. And now his food to boot? Oh the horror.
I smile at him. "Oops. Sorry."
2008-02-07 (23 weeks)
Headphones On My Belly
Our prenatal visit was on Tuesday, and it (as usual) went quickly and smoothly. I don't really ever have any "concerns" and so the checkup is mainly just to listen to baby's heartbeat and get weighed. This last time, the Doctor told us the heartrate was148bpm which was great. Right on track. And in total thus far, I've gained 13lbs. Also, right on track.
I've been having a strange cough lately though, which I brought up at this visit. And that's when I realized how much of a *pill-pusher* our Doctor really is. She didn't bother listening to my chest or anything. She just told me that it was "probably heartburn" and that I should start taking Zantac.
Uhm, seriously? Another pill? Because the last time I checked I didn't take the perscription she gave me for the morning sickness that practically peeled skin off of my face, so why would I take it for a silly cough?
So, needless to say, if the cough persists (which it's doesn't seem to be) I'll be going into our normal family doctor and seeing if he has any suggestions. Like lemon tea. Or rest. Or a combo of vitamins that are natural, healthy, and I'm sure exist.
I've also been playing Baby music from my iPod. The first time I did it, Baby started kicking directly under one of the headphones and will always start to roll around and kick everytime I do it.
Here is one song that Baby seems to really like. What can I say? My kid has good taste.
