Skin Volcano

Our little man is kicking up a storm these days. He rarely kicks on demand for me but as soon as Mike asks him to he usually does and last night it just took Mike laying his hand on my tummy for the kicks to start. Mike would remove his hand and I would put mine on my belly and the kicks would stop, I'd move my hand and Mike would take over and then keeeeee-yaw the kicks would start again.

Mike's super cute and while rubbing my belly he gives Smidge soccer tips to help him with his kicks; "Come on kiddo: inside kick, outside kick!" We figure our child is going to be a a superstar in whatever he decides to do so if soccer is one of his hobbies he'll definitely have a head start on all of the other kids whose parents weren't on the ball enough to coach them while they were in the womb!! Now, if he decides to sing then I might hesitate to take credit for his 'in the womb' vocal lessons. We are fairly certain our child will be walking around singing things like "Rub in the belllllllly buuuuuuuutterrrrrrrrrr" to the tune of whatever tickles his fancy on that particular day since Mike and I sing made up lyrics to various tunes on a regular basis. You might say we are vocally challenged.

Anyways back to the kicking. The baby kicks so hard my belly jumps and I've tried to record it but the end result is always the same: 3 minutes of what appears to be a one eyed Jabba the Hutt rising and falling. Trust me when I say it's not a pretty sight, and this is coming from a woman who can't stop gazing at her belly. Eventually I'm sure my belly will look like a pretty version of the ground rising in the movie Tremors and then I will definitely record it but until then I'm holding off on the video attempts since watching it freaks me out.

Speaking of freaking people out, I learned this evening that when I push on my belly in a certain way I can flip my belly button inside out! From the look of horror on Mike's face when it first happened it is quite obvious that he doesn't think my new trick is as cool as I do. Basically I can now turn my belly button into a skin volcano. A SKIN VOLCANO PEOPLE, how cool is that? Another great reason to get pregnant: create a person AND turn your belly button into a skin volcano.

Baby Brain

Dear Smidge,

Mommy appreciates the fact that we need to share my goods in order for you to grow big and strong but could you please ease up on the brain draining? It was a VERY long day filled with one DUH moment after another.

Mommy wants you to be a smarty pants but I'd also like to keep my job and if I continue to write requests like "Please send keays to me as soon as possible" instead of "Please send Barney's SEA package to me as soon as possible." I might be looking for a new one. The reply to the keays email went a little something like this: "I am waiting on a copy of the most recent report card from Barney's teacher. Once I receive it I will let you know so that you can pick up the package. Who or what is a 'keays'?"

More of today's moments may lead to the end of compliments like the one my boss passed my way today: "Do you really need to take time off to have your kid? Can't you swaddle it and strap it to your back in September so that you can return to work? I need you." I suggested she should remember this comment and that she should still "need" me in a year so that I can return to this same position.

Smidge, Mommy loves you and Daddy does too. Keep sucking up all the nutrients you need but you can ease up on the gas production; Daddy doesn't believe you're the root of the problem but you and I know the truth.

Wiggle away little nut!

Love always,
Mommy xoxox

Thumper

photo credit: Bob Fornal

Yesterday was a day of mixed emotions but all good when it comes to baby Smidge! Mike found out in the morning that his broken foot will remain as is unless he has surgery - unfortunately surgery will leave him with metal plates in his food and the foot fused to the joint which means he'll be able to move it up and down but not side to side. The good news is that with the help of physiotherapy he'll be able to walk and possibly, hopefully, run after Smidge. The bad news is his competitive soccer days are very likely over. I know things could be much worse but that doesn't make his disappointment dissipate.

Thankfully our day ended on a fabulous note when we went to Dr. Baxter for a prenatal appointment. I've gained about 7 lbs since our first visit 3 months ago which my doctor was happy with and the first round of test results from our early screening came back clear! My hemoglobin is normal but on the low end of the scale which might explain the light headed moments I experience over the holidays, she told me not to go any more than three hours without eating and to let her know if the spells return. Three hours?! Holy smokes, I don't think I go longer than one.

We heard Smidge's heart beat again and it was beating loud and strong! Of course I couldn't stop a couple tears from sneaking out... what an awesome feeling it is listening to our baby. The final bit of excitement yesterday was booking our 20 week ultrasound, assuming Smidge cooperates, on January 29th we'll find out whether we have a he or a she coming our way! Super exciting!

Be sure to vote on whether you think Smidge is a boy or a girl! There's a little poll on the right sidebar. :)