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!

In the Beginning (Let's Get You Caught Up)

Well, here it is...our arena to help all of you who care stay up-to-date with the saga of our expanding family. Here's what you might have missed so far:

07 Aug 07 (6 weeks): Found out I was pregnant with a home pregnancy test while on vacation at my parents house in Minnesota. Hubby, Jason, was still in San Antonio. I decided to keep it a surprise.

10 Aug 07: Surprised Jason at San Antonio airport. Nate (DS #1) was wearing an "I'm the Big Brother" T-shirt when we got of the plane. Result: Jason thoroughly confused. I explained, Jason was near tears with excitement.

17 Aug 07 (7 1/2 weeks): Started feeling pretty nauseous. Later found out I did indeed have the flu on top of this preliminary morning sickness (the fever & chills gave it away in the end).

22 Aug 07: "The Scissors Incident." OK, I just needed to be horizontal and have my eyes closed for 15 minutes. "'Bob the Builder' is on, that should hold his attention for the duration," I reasoned. I told Nate (the 2-year-old), "Mommy just needs to close her eyes for a little bit." (It was certainly a physical need.) He proceeded to climb over me on the couch as soon as he saw my eyelids drop. No matter. I was so tired, I slept right through it...until that "mommy instinct" kicked in. He was climbing over my head, but something felt wrong. I threw my arm up toward my head (eyes still closed) and felt something out of place, but couldn't place said object. I opened my eyes to find Nate running a pair of scissors (the big, adult kind) through my hair. Suddenly I was wide awake. I scanned for both of his eyes and both of my eyes--CHECK! Our hair? Still in place. We came through unscathed. "Bob the Builder was still on, so I hadn't been out for too long. How quickly chaos ensues...

27 Aug 07 (9 weeks): Very nauseous. (This time due only to "morning sickness.") Can only eat white bread (especially Mexican bolellos and English muffins) and pineapple juice.

4 Sep 07 (10 weeks): First OB appointment at Wilford Hall--just paperwork & bloodwork

7 Sep 07: Road trip to Corpus Christi--beach & aquarium (Baby likes swimming in the ocean!)

17 Sep 07: Joined gym. Baby is now doing yoga with Mommy 3x per week!

20 Sep 07 (11 1/2 weeks): OB Appt. Nurse Practitioner didn't believe I was 11.5 weeks (I told her I carry LOW), scheduled bonus ultrasound to check dates! *Cravings: add white cake & donuts--especially the mini chocolate-covered ones!

1 Oct 07: Made the big announcement to friends in cyberspace via photo on Nate's webpage.

4 Oct 07 (14 weeks): First ultrasound. It looks like a healthy baby--very active. Apparently I was having a contraction during the exam. I couldn't feel a thing, but the tech said she saw it on the screen. Who knew?

8 Oct 07: Cravings: watermelon, strawberries, tomatoes, carrots, cereal, sour things (grapefruit, lemonade, etc.) Most nausea gone; now just left with the exhaustion!

23 Oct 07: Broke out the maternity jeans today (had been getting away with my knit gauchos, but wanted a change). Also felt first flutters of quickening this week.

26 Oct 07 (16 1/2 weeks): Nate got to hear Baby's heartbeat at OB appointment. His response: "Mommy, that's loud." The appointment was supposed to be yesterday, but the line at the commissary was 40 minutes long! I was forced to chose between buying my family groceries (after spending over an hour strolling the aisles with a toddler) and being on-time for my uneventful appointment. I chose food. They chose to cancel.

4 Nov 07 (18 weeks): Jason and I felt Baby's first good kicks while lying in bed.

07 Nov 07: Cravings: ham sandwiches with butter, apples and string cheese, lemonade, orange juice, carrots, oatmeal and, yes, pickles!