Half Way to Baby!

As of Wednesday (Jan 28) we've made it half-way through the pregnancy and are just 20 weeks away from meeting our little one! According to our count-down, we've got just 140 days. I can't believe how fast the first 20 weeks passed, although it was pretty hard during the first 15 when we weren't telling anyone. It's hard not to tell everyone now. June seems so far away, but I'm sure it'll be here before we know it.

We're starting to think a bit more seriously about registering and how we want to decorate the nursery (although it won't happen until our move to Minneapolis in mid-July). We've got one more ultrasound coming up on Tuesday, but we're sticking to our previous decision and won't be finding out the gender. Hopefully they'll be no slips or hints from the doc. We should be okay. As we get closer to the due date, we'll be curious to know what everyone thinks! We'll have to start some kind of poll. :)

19 Week Pics

We've Got a Dancer

Or a little musician. In the last week I started putting speakers on my belly and listening to music with the baby. I was quite surprised the first time when I put the speakers on and, within a minute, I started to feel strong kicks. They were so strong, in fact, that I was able to see them outside my belly. That was a first. That first dancing session was to "Lullaby Renditions of Radiohead." Really, what else would be the first CD Pete bought for his little one? In the last few days we've listened to a variety of other tunes including Christopher O'Riley (playing Radiohead), Jack Johnson, and we even jammed out to Mozart. It's just way too much fun to feel the baby dancing each time we put on the music. (And don't worry, we're careful of the noise level for those little ears.)

Daddy Felt It Too!

It's been just over a week since I started to feel the little one moving. Since then, I've been anticipating the time when Pete would be able to feel a little movement, too. Last night it happened! We were watching the beginning of season 3 of "Lost" (so good!) when I felt a strong little kick. Up to this point I hadn't been able to feel anything from the outside, so I didn't expect him to be able to, either. I had him push on the spot and the baby kicked! He felt it!

The little one is definitely getting bigger and stronger. I'm rarely feeling the little flutters I felt the first few days. They've now escalated into little taps. We played our first game this morning. I pushed lightly on my lower belly and a moment later a little tap echoed back. This happened three or four times. It was like our first interaction! Oh, the baby must know I'm writing about it because it just started squirming again. I love those movements!

Movin' & Groovin'

I can feel the baby! Last Thursday afternoon, the day after I reached 17 weeks, I felt the first baby movements. At first, of course, it was hard to tell if it was really the baby, but by Thursday night I had no questions. I've felt the little flutters more and more each day. Occasionally, I even feel a tiny thump. The first thump I felt was during worship on Sunday morning. I think the baby was dancing to the music. Now we're looking forward to the day when Daddy will be able to feel some movement, too.

Speaking of listening to music, we're now singing, playing music, and reading to the little one as often as possible. Apparently, the sense of hearing is much more developed now than it was even two weeks ago, so we want to take full advantage of those bitty ears.

Today I'm 18 weeks along and things are going really well! I feel healthy and full of energy...most of the time. The belly is starting to pop out more and more. Most of my regular clothes are still fitting, but I feel I'm in that in between stage of sort of being ready to move into maternity clothes. I've worn only one maternity shirt so far. I have a feeling it won't be too long before I'll have to adopt the new wardrobe.