Week 24: Eggplant

If I were more technologically inclined, I would totally post pics. My bump is bigger and rounder every day and as of yesterday, I can watch myself getting kicked! It is really cool. I might have been able to see it earlier if I'd thought to look when I felt the kicks, but it didn't occur to me until yesterday over lunch. His kicks have been getting more and more pronounced, or obvious-feeling (there are tons of ways you could describe this feeling...but it's hard to really explain) and I thought, "I bet I could see these if I looked!" and I could! Last night Stuart and I laid on the bed and laughed at my alien stomach moving around. Then today I had a weird fear that TOO much kicking could mean there is a problem (like he's kicking in desperation) but now I just think he's happy and fun.

My Christmas was amazing and full of the best family and friend times. Not to mention the snowy white Christmas I have prayed for my entire life.

Tomorrow is New Year's Eve and I plan on having a blast. I can't wait to down several glasses of sparkling grape juice (hopefully in a champagne flute) and dance around in my new (empire waist) dress. In order to achieve this I will force a post-work nap (minimum of 2 hours), then a post-nap cup of coffee. Don't worry, 1 cup should do it these days. I drink water like a camel and any other substance really affects me. My friend Bethany even mentioned staying up all night and watching the sun rise on the first day of 2011. That sounds beautiful and I am open to the idea.

Anything could happen in 2011! But one thing is for sure: this time next year, my life will look a lot different in every way than it does right now.

Half-way Hump

I've had a bit of an un-inspired, half-way-there hump. I haven't taken pictures, blogged, journaled or anything in the last 2 weeks.

To catch you up: It's a boy! We found that out on November 22, 2010, when we also learned that he is human, healthy, and handsome! It was amazing seeing him for the 1st time! We got lots of pictures and even a DVD where you can watch him wiggle around!! I didn't cry; just watched wide-eyed as the whole thing happened and I realized that I really have a baby in me. Stuart stood by like a protective dad, cautiously watching the screen. My sister Steph just gasped and giggled in the chair beside me. It was fun having her there too. The nurse had a long list of things to look for in the boy and that made Stuart nervous, but everything checked out OK! It felt like a turning point, knowing that he is healthy with no particular problems to be concerned about. The rest of the day, I would tear up a little whenever I flipped through the pictures again...and again. They even did the 3-D ultrasound, which I was not expecting! I think he has Stuart's eyes and my jaw and mouth. A really cute nose, so that is probably a fluke he got from my mom. We went out to Big Daddy's Burger Bar (seemed appropriate) to celebrate, split a peppermint mocha from Starbucks, got a Christmas tree and took the rest of the day off. It was the most exciting day I have had in a very long time!! I really felt like I was walking on a cloud when we went out to lunch.

Since then, I have really grown. Physically that is- I definitely have a bump! But also in other ways as I have tried to come to terms with the way I am changing. One night I was confused and frustrated that I don't have some of the passions I used to have. It made me mad that I was SO uninspired and unmotivated to do things like music and crafts like I used to. Stuart was saying that God is preparing me to be a mom- I don't need to spend energy right now on some things I used to do, and it's good to be resting up for what's about to come. I'm sure one day I will be creative again. I KNOW we will look back on these last few months fondly. I can't even imagine what it will be like to not have so much alone time together. I can't imagine not getting nice long nights of sleep. Oh man...how I love sleep!!!

I am toward the end of my 21st week. Amazing.