First Movements for Daddy

Ok, so Molly wanted me to get on here and write this post so that I could "document the experience" of feeling the baby move for the first time. Last night, as we were watching American Idol, she asked me to come over and put my hand on her stomach. At first I didn't feel anything, but after a few minutes I noticed a slight little flutter. It happened so quickly that I wasn't even sure if I'd really felt something. Then, a few minutes later, baby yet to be named (as Travis calls him/her) gave me a good solid kick. I have to say, it was a pretty incredible experience. Molly has been telling me about the movements, and, of course, I have watched the baby on the sonograms, but to actually feel a living little body inside of her stomach was completely different. It's just one more little sign of a process I can only describe as miraculous. I'm not sure how anyone can go through this and not believe in God. It's all simply too amazing.

Anyway, Molly is doing well. She's had some trouble sleeping off and on, but overall she's been a real trooper--especially with working long hours for both the inauguration and the ongoing impeechment. Through it all, she's done very little complaining, and (with the exception of a few wild hormonal shifts) has had a great attitude. It's a good thing women go through this and not men, we'd probably never be able to handle it. I guess that's all. I'm sure Molly will be posting back again sometime soon.

Half Way There!!

Today marks Week 20, also known as the half way point of the pregnancy. It truly doesn't seem like we're already half way there, but we are. This really makes me a bit nervous. It seems like we have so much to do before our little one gets here. I know it'll be OK, but it all seems so surreal. I'm adding a new picture of my growing belly. My dad says no more belly shots, but it's necessary Dad. This is part of history for our baby. It's a great way to document this whole experience. It's a reminder of how far we've come on our journey of trying for a baby.

On a different note. . . my appetite came into full swing yesterday. I came home from work and started cooking. We had baked pork chops and mashed potatoes. It was delicious. I really wanted chocolate chip cookies, but we didn't have any on hand. I settled for a rootbeer float. Adam offered several times to go get me cookies, but I just didn't want to be the pregnant wife that has my husband running all over taking care of his wife's crazy food cravings. So instead I went to the grocery store tonight before my haircut and bought break and bake cookies, cookie mix, and some Nutter Butters. I think that craving will now be very well taken care of. So, I won't be surprised if at the next Dr.'s appointment I've gained a pound or two.

One other thing I wanted to mention for records keeping sake, is that I went to Chicago on Friday for work. I was lucky enough to be able to take the State plane so it was only a day trip. But I wanted to have record of the baby's first plane ride per se. The baby was doing a lot of moving around during the trip until I put on my iPod, and then it pretty much chilled out. Crazy how the baby can hear all these different things. Guess we're going to have to start watching what we say!! :)

"For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations." Psalm 100:5

Dr's Visit and Sonogram

Profile of the face. The baby wasn't cooperating very well.

This picture reminds me of a Sr. Picture, with your hand resting on your chin! Cracks me up!

Little alien face, but cute none-the-less!

Picture of the head, body, and spine.

A little foot with all it's toes!!

Today we went for an ultrasound and Dr.'s visit. We're a few days shy of the half way point (20 wks). Both Nana Meehan & Grandma Kershaw came with us to see their grandchild in action, but there was little action taking place. This is a pretty chill baby and the little guy didn't want to move around for anything. It's a good thing we didn't want to find out the gender because the baby had it's legs crossed for a good part of the sonogram. The technician kept trying to get a profile picture of the baby, and did a lot of poking and prodding on my stomach and the baby wouldn't change positions for anything. Adam said it's because the baby was sleeping and acting like me. I won't wake up for much either!! Anyway, we were still able to get some good pictures, so we hope you enjoy them.

The baby's heart rate was 158bpm, which is pretty much consistent with what it has been. We were able to see the heart, kidneys, bladder, brain stem, spine, as well as arm, legs, and fingers and toes. All checked out very well.

I'm doing well also. Getting a belly, but that is to be expected at this point. I actually lost half a pound since the last Dr.'s visit, but Dr. Putman isn't concerned. He said the baby is looking healthy and is right on target so he isn't worried. He told me to just keep doing what I'm doing and I should be OK. After the appointment we all went to Steak n Shake. I ordered a milkshake, and figured it couldn't hurt too much since I haven't gained any weight!! I'm sure the extra pounds will be catching up to me soon!! Time will tell! The baby has definitely been doing some moving around lately that I have been able to feel. It's still going to be several weeks before we'll actually be able to feel it externally. Adam is anxiously awaiting that moment!

Today we also stopped at Babies R Us to check out a few things. We plan on going back in the next couple of weeks to register for some things. It's so hard to know what you really need and what isn't necessarily necessary! I guess we'll figure it all out soon enough. So much is just going to be trial and error I suppose.

Well, I think that's pretty much it for now. Love to you all!

First Baby Movements

Yesterday and today I keep feeling this little fluttering/kicking in my lower abdomen. I'm thinking it might be the baby letting me know that it is alive and well. It's a pretty weird feeling, but since I've never felt a baby move before I'm not 100% sure that is what I'm feeling. The fact that I've felt it more than one day in a row makes me think that little baby movements are what I'm feeling. Just a few more weeks and we'll be half way through!! Amazing isn't it?!

First Maternity Outfit

So, today I officially wore my first entire maternity outfit to work, and tomorrow I'm officially 18 weeks pregnant. These pants feel so much better than the jeans that were starting to get a bit tight in the belly. I got the shirt from my parents for Christmas, and bought the pants on a whim at Penney's the other day for $9!! What a bargain! The pants are the only purchase I have made, but did get several shirts and a pair of pants for Christmas. I also got a gift card to Motherhood Maternity, so a shopping trip is in my future.

I had Adam take these pictures of my first outfit, as well as to show off the belly as I had been promising. It looks bigger in these pictures than what I thought. I'm not really digging getting these pictures taken, but for the sake of my blog and sharing with my child in the future I'll take one for the team.