Andy feels the baby kick for the first time!

After dinner I sat down on the couch and I felt the baby moving all around. The kicks have been stronger and stronger. Andy has yet to feel the movement until tonight. So, let it be known that on February 27, Andy felt the baby move! He said, "Was that it?" He asked with a schoolboy look and giddy-ish framed question. "Yes" I said with as much excitement!

Friday night with Cameryn and Adam

Shae is in Florida and Charles is working. There's always excitement when Cameryn and Adam are around. Saidey becomes a different dog! She feeds off Adam's energy, and she is more calm around Cameryn and likes to snuggle at her feet. As most of you know, Cameryn is a laid back 9 year old who loves to dance. She is in 3 classes at a local dance studio. Adam, on the other hand, is wide open 7 year old who loves to ride 4-wheelers and get dirty.

While Cameryn was at ballet and jazz class, tap is on Thursday night, Adam and I had a date to El Vallarta; a favorite Mexican joint we frequent at least 3 times a month. Before the little one in the oven, I would enjoy a margarita or two over the years there. Tonight, Adam and I shared a cheese dip and ate every chip in the basket! We also enjoyed quesadillas and chalupas with rice. Yum!

Charles brought Cameryn to our house after dance and now we are watching a movie, Bewitched!

Andy is at Jacob's basketball game. I just got word that DRHS lost by a few points, unfortunately. The road ends here for the guys.

Over half way

February 5 marked our half way point for our pregnancy. So many changes have happened in the last few days. I can feel the baby move pretty much everyday. My appetite has definitely increased, as suggested by Dr. Newell my last visit in January. I have also noticed my sense of protectiveness kicking in gear; it is as if I mentally think I have a baby already born. For example, I hate to admit this, but I am a little more cautious on the roads now, I am more aware of my surroundings when walking, shopping, etc.

On Saturday, February 9, we met our Sunday School class for dinner at our preacher's house. Since we all are around the same age or older and most have children, it was nice to hear the mom's agree with what I am experiencing and they concur that they had the same "motherly" feeling before the birth. The dads on the otherhand, agreed that they noticed their wives belly grow, but reality sank in when the baby was loaded into the car seat for the first ride home. Anyone agree with all this? Am I just weird to start being protective of my belly, of myself on the roads, and more cautious running into the grocery store?

Today, Saturday, February 16, Andy and I are traveling to Charlottesville for the night. We have tickets to see the Blue Man Group performing at John Paul Jones Arena. I bought the tickets for Andy's birthday (November 18). This will be the baby's second concert/event. The first was the Trans-Siberian Orchestra in Columbus, OH, on December 27 at 3:00 p.m.

About 19 weeks

Several of you have asked for more belly pictures. Here ya go! Andy took these late one night when I was about 19 weeks along (Jan 20th or so). I have learned that first thing in the morning my belly looks smaller and as the day progresses, my belly bloats! I did not know this was the case (I have not read this anywhere), but according to other preggos, the belly does swell as the day progresses.

Just as a side note, I love being pregnant. I have only been sick once, and I don't think this happened because I was pregnant, I think it was because I was running around crazy. As for the tiredness, it finally passed around 16-17 weeks.

20 week ultrasound: February 1, 2008

February 1st was the date of our 2nd ultrasound; this was the anatomy ultrasound that is normally done between 18 and 22 weeks. According to Connie, the sonographer, everything measured perfectly. She has been doing fetal/maternal ultrasounds for over 20 years. Because of her experience, she was an absolute pleasure.

We told her our wishes of keeping the baby's sex a surprise and she agreed that there was no better way to welcome a baby into the world with the pure excitement of not knowing. Connie said our baby must have known that his/her parent's did not want to know because he/she was shy throughout the entire one hour plus ultrasound.

I have attached pictures of this ultrasound. Please know that if Connie, with 20years of experience, tells us that what you will see in these pictures are the baby's cord, feet, stomach, etc., that we will not believe you if you think it is a boy or girl after you see the pictures. With that being said, enjoy the pictures!