It was a Kick!!

Yesterday marked 21 weeks and the 1st time that Jacob was able to feel his little girl kick. That's right last night while laying in bed little Sophia was kicking away and Jacob was able to feel it. Each day I feel more movement than the next but it's usually just during the day while I am at work so last night was special for many reasons. Every time she moves or kicks I giggle. It just cracks me up how active she is and to think that I probably do not feel every movement.

According to Babycenter.com, our baby is about the length of a carrot and weighs about 3/4 of a pound. We went to the Dr's 2 days ago for another weigh in and it seems mom and baby are on target for growth rates. Sophia's heart rate is 160 and I have only gained 10 lbs. I am a little surprised it's 10 lbs already but from what I read that is pretty average. I am still going to the gym, 6 days a week with Jacob. Sometimes I run/walk others I use the elliptical walker. Right now I enjoy light weight training over any cardio however cardio is needed so its 3 days a week for 20 minutes.

Every day has been wonderful and we truly can not wait until we get to see our little girl.

To do lists

My To-Do-List (that runs through my head all day every day)

1) Get workout clothes that fit my growing belly
2) Figure out what we need to register for
3) Register for Baby Shower
4) Help mom with baby shower details
5) Visit Kelli and her new baby
6) Figure out who's health care will cover the baby
7) Find a Pediatrician
8) Figure out Day Care
9) Decide what colors will be in the nursery
10) Try to do something on my list

Was that a Kick?

This weekend we road up to J's parents for the 1st visit to camp for the summer. As always it was extremely relaxing and I had such a great time enjoying the company.

We arrived Friday around 3 to the house to meet his parents there. That's where we got to meet Willy the handy man or I should say contractor who is remodeling the bathroom. His work is unbelievable especially for just one guy. After all said and done the bathroom will be transformed into something to their own spa. We got in a quick workout in the gym and than headed to camp to unload our stuff and get ready for dinner. We ate at the Grandview, our first time there, which was a very good dinner. I had filet mignon and Jacob had the seafood buffet. Our discussions at dinner were mostly about us looking for a house and what to expect when I go into labor.

Saturday was a nice day. D had a wedding shower to attend that afternoon while Bob went for a walk. J and I headed back to the house to do some laundry we brought, went to lunch at The Busy Corner Cafe than head to Wal Mart for some essentials we needed. By the time we got back, D and Bob were back and had some things prepared for the grill. I was so looking forward to the 1st grilled camp dinner. It truly is my favorite. It's marinated chicken, mixed veggies, glazier hot dogs and sausage on the grill. Oh and let's not forget the salt potatoes that D cooks up to go along with the grilled yumminess. For dessert, it was strawberry shortcake. Like I said it's the meal I look forward to when going to camp.

Spike TV was playing Kill Bill Vol 1 and 2 this weekend in memory of David Carradine. Jacob and I have seen these movies a few times but his dad had not so we sat down and started watching. During vol 2 while I was relaxing on the comfy chair I feel something unusual in my abdominal. It actually took me by surprise and than I realized I just felt Sophia kick. I couldn't believe it! People have been asking me for a few weeks if I feel anything and than they describe what I should be feeling and until that moment I hadn't felt anything. We have seen her move during sonograms but no feeling it. It happened about 3 more times and than it went away. I am assuming it was a kick or movement of some kind but since this is my 1st I can only go on the descriptions people have given me. It feels like a hard flutter or actually it feels like a little human is kicking me. :)

I can't wait to feel her again and to have Jacob feel her. The only emotion I have now is excitement, extreme happiness and calmness. I didn't expect to feel calm but somehow that's how I feel when I think of Sophia in there growing and waiting for the perfect time to introduce herself to the world.

Half Way There!

Today marks the start of the 20th week of pregnancy which means we are half way there. HOLY COW!!! We are half way there!! Its so exciting. Its like the best build up of excitement ever experienced.

We have some big decisions to think about such as daycare options, finding a pediatrician and many more. Our 1st parenting class is in a few weeks which is a 8 hour class on a Saturday. It is a little early to take the Prepared Childbirth class but I would rather take it now than wait and end up missing it. I am interested in finding out what we will learn but I am not looking forward to watching the birthing video. Yes this may sound silly since I will be giving birth in about 20 weeks however I do not want to watch giving birth at all. The less I know the better I am because I think the anticipation would be worse. We have to find time to register for baby gifts for our baby shower which is extremely overwhelming. There are so many products to choose from how do we know what we need and what brand is the best? I have asked the many new moms I know but everyone has their own opinion. We did start a registry on a website but its just clothes and diaper bags. At least I can pick those things out.

Below is my favorite picture of me and J so I thought I would share. Its the one that will go in our baby girl's baby book we have.

Memorial Day Weekend Trip

Jacob and I visited my best friends in Texas for Memorial Day weekend. We got to meet Lean and Aaron, the new additions to Carrie and Shannon's families. We stayed with Carrie, Erik and Leah for 4 days and got to witness what its like having a new born around 24 hours a day. Well at least during the day. We didn't have night duty but soon enough we will.

Leah

Leah is absolutely adorable, even when she is fussing. Leah is a lot of work, she demands to be held and walked around pretty much all day but all babies are demanding in some way. I have to say that she makes the best faces I have ever seen an infant make.

Aaron

Aaron is super cute. He has a really big smile and this beautiful big eyes. I think he looks like Shannon but we will see as he grows up. We went to Shannon's parents house for a BBQ on Saturday which was really nice. Anthony, Aaron's older brother has grown a lot and loves the water. He we so happy when he got to go in the pool.

Anthony and Mommy

The visit was a lot of fun but 4 days is not long enough so we are trying to plan a family vacation in the summer of 2011. I think that we will need family vacations each year to make sure our kids know each other and for us to spend time together. It was a great weekend and its always hard for me to leave. Until next time I will watch Carrie and Shannon's kids grow up through pictures.

It's A Girl!!

Yesterday we went to our 18 week sonogram and one of the 1st things the lady asked us once the goo was put on my belly was if we wanted to know the sex of our baby. This has been an on going discussion but a couple of weeks ago I agreed with Jacob that we should find out. The main reason I wanted to know was so we could work on names and to know how to plan the nursery.

So the nice woman starts to move her wand around my abdominal and what does she find? A little girl all curled up. At first it was just like the last sonogram, the lady taking pics at different angels and Jacob and I staring at the screen in awe. Some things were very different though. This time the baby was much bigger than the last time but still wanted to give us a hard time and wouldn't get in the correct positions for pictures. We got to see blood flow to and from the lungs and kidneys. We saw the spine, legs, feet, arms, hands, 4 chambers of the heart, stomach and finally we got to see that we are having a girl. It took me a few seconds to realize what she said but once I did I was smiling ear to ear. Jacob grabbed and squeezed my hand and I had to fight back tears. It still is very surreal that we are having a baby and now knowing that we will have a little princess to meet, it just becomes almost like a dream.

It didn't matter to me either way if we were having a girl or boy but knowing is a lot of fun. I am still curious if the news would be sweeter if we waited until the day the baby arrived but than again maybe knowing at anytime is the greatest news. It occurred to me yesterday that I don't think I have ever experienced true happiness before yesterday. Being pregnant and waiting to meet the little angel is truly an amazing feeling. It's great to be me and have this life.