Ballet in My Belly

Jason and I went to see Trans-Siberian Orchestra last night (a combination stringed orchestra, 80's metal band and Christmas concert). It was quite a performance! We were entertained by the sensory overload for more than 2-hours--fire, lasers, deep bass, "snow," twinkling lights, electric-guitar & violin solos (complete with 80s stage antics) and the narrator's story. The fun part was taking Baby Girl! She got into it, too. I'd tap the rockin' rhythms on my belly or hum the carols in my head and she's start dancing inside me (or maybe she was fist-pumpin' and screaming, "Freebird!") She was quite active for 10:00 at night!

They say she's practicing all kinds of moves in there in preparation for life on the outside--including dancing (apparently) and pedaling against my belly, a sort of prewalking skill. As she gets bigger and stronger, the movements are certainly becoming more powerful…and occasionally, even jolting--"Oooh! Wasn't expecting that!".

I'm officially 26 weeks tomorrow (I think). That's two-thirds of the way through this gig! And [key sad violin music] my belly button is starting to make its break toward the outside. Again, They say this is perfectly normal. My growing uterus swells enough to push my abdomen forward, making my navel pop out like a timer on a well-done turkey (even though I have a way to go before Baby is "well done"). This happened with Nate, too. My belly button did revert back to an "innie" a few months after delivery (though it had more of a stretched-out, "lived in" look!)

Tomorrow is Christmas! (Time to go wrap gifts!) To answer a few questions about our Christmas card (the above family photo), it was taken over Thanksgiving. I was 22 weeks pregnant, or so. I hope you all have a wonderful celebration--wherever you are or wherever it takes you. Enjoy the memories you'll make this season! :) Merry Christmas!