Anticipation

We're now down to less than 4 weeks before our little guy's due date (March 23rd), and it's getting more exciting by the day. His little punches and kicks have turned into serious heaves which are visible from a few feet away. It's now very easy (and fun) to hear his heartbeat by just putting my ear to Merrilee's belly. Speaking of her belly, she has basically lost sight of her toes and occasionally solicits my help to tie her shoes for her. We're starting to book things in our calendar in April and May, and are wondering what life will be like when are family turns to 3. "Sure, we can do that on Sunday evening." "Wait, *can* we do that on Sunday evening?"

And, of course, there is his room. Our former "Green Room" is now a full fledged nursery complete with changing table, baby furniture, and a crib. We'll post more pictures of the room later, but, as a teaser, we managed to find a beautiful 1950's vintage teak rocking chair and ottoman by Ole Wanscher for Danish manufacturer France and Son at Mid-Century Design in Hillcrest. Something old, perhaps, for our new little someone on the way.

Tonight we'll be packing for the hospital. Not that we're planning to go right away, but we've been instructed to have our bags ready for when the time comes. Once they're packed, their presence will turn into yet another daily reminder of the amazing changes in store. What a blessing it is to balance our excitement to meet our little guy face to face with our desire to savor each moment of this special time.

What a difference two weeks makes

Over the last couple weeks it seems like I'm feeling more and more pregnant. Sleeping has become more difficult and getting out of bed in the morning has become next to impossible. It's amazing what an extra 20 pounds will do for you, especially when most of it is concentrated in your belly and screwing with your sense of gravity. Oh, and the charlie horses that wake me up in the middle of the night are loads of fun. Aside from the minor aches and pains though, I really can't complain. It seems like he's constantly moving around and I haven't tired of all the little kicks and punches. It's so wonderful to have these reminders of his presence throughout the day.

We decided to start taking a picture every week now that we're nearing the end. We've been told that my belly will grow to unimaginable proportions and very rapidly in the last couple months (I can't believe that is all that's left). Here are a couple of pics from weeks 29 and 31. He's definitely getting bigger. In case you're curious, that is a coconut that I'm drinking out of in the 29-week picture. We learned, courtesy of our doula, that coconut juice is a pregnancy superfood. It's a natural electrolyte replacement, full of potassium and magnesium, great for digestion, and boosts the immune system. Who knew? Since I've already been through an entire flat of coconuts from Ranch 99, I'd like to think that I'm maximizing the health benefits. I also just enjoy the novelty :)

Happy New Year!

2009 is finally here and for us and that means that the little guy will be here very soon! I've officially entered the third trimester and I can feel it, literally. He has decided that he really likes the right side of my belly and lives there almost exclusively. Lately, we have been able to identify various body parts (a foot, a hand) as he stretches himself out. He has started hiccuping every so often which apparently, is part of the process of getting him ready to breathe on his own. As of this week, he should be roughly 2 1/2 pounds and 15 inches long. 

The nesting phase has also begun at our 

house and it is in full force. We have started organizing everything from the laundry room to the kitchen pots and pans. I think there is an underlying fear that we will never, ever have time to do these things in the future so carpe diem! We have also moved in baby furniture and we're starting to get the nursery set up. Taking up residence in the nursery is our brand new stroller. A few weeks ago, our running buddies got together and presented us with the Bob! We couldn't believe how many people were a part of the gift and we are so grateful. We can't wait until we can take our little guy out for a run on Saturday morning with the crew. Until then, The Cheat has decided to keep the seat warm :)

Our little ear of corn

We are officially in our 6th month and I am beginning to wonder when I should start counting down the weeks rather than up. There are now only 16 weeks left until my due date. I'm thinking that it might be fun to make a paper chain like I did when I was kid and maybe we'll cut off one link for each week remaining until our little guy arrives. 

Yesterday we had our 24-week appointment and we were very encouraged to hear that everything is progressing perfectly! My belly is measuring at 24 cm which is dead on at 24 weeks. Basically, the measurement should be the same number of centimeters as weeks (give or take 2 cm) so he is just the right size.  We also got to hear the heartbeat again which is by far the most treasured part of every visit. Our midwife was able to feel around and find his back so she knew exactly where to put the Doppler to get it loud and strong.

Back when we first found out that we were pregnant, we signed up for weekly e-mails from Babycenter  and we always enjoy the updates on what's happening in my belly. Our favorite feature of each e-mail is the comparison of the baby to a fruit or veggie that is approximately the same size. In the past, we've referred to him as "our little fig" or "the lime" or very early on, he was "the poppy seed." At 9 weeks, we learned that he was roughly the size of a grape and he was starting to develop teeth. We developed quite the vision of a little grape with fangs in my belly. Often, our friends will ask "what is he this week?" Well, at 24 weeks, we learned that he is as long as an ear of corn (about a foot). We got such a kick out of imagining a poky little ear of corn with arms and legs that Brad searched and found the perfect graphic. I had to publish it here for posterity :)

Kick me please!

I never thought that I would actually want someone to kick me, but for the past few weeks, I have been anxiously awaiting a kick or punch from the little guy. I've felt a gurgle here and there, but nothing that I could clearly associate with the baby. The proverbial "they" claim that you should feel the baby move sometime between 16 and 20 weeks. Since I am now in the 21st week, I was starting to get a little anxious.

Well, this morning it happened! After a wonderful yoga practice at Ginseng, I was relaxing in savasana (the final relaxation pose) listening to the beautiful music the instructor had playing when I felt a clear kick in the belly! Not only could I feel him from the inside, but when I placed my hand on my belly, I could feel him from the outside too. I am convinced that he must have been performing his own series of sun salutations in utero. After class, I asked the instructor for the name of the song she played and I am trying to track down the CD because he was clearly a fan! Apparently, he has very picky taste though as I'm finding that Thomas Otten's Close to Silence is not going to be easy to find.

I rushed home after yoga and Brad got a kick too. It was definitely an exciting moment to share together! I'm sure that soon enough, I'll be so pummeled from the inside that I'll be asking for a break. For now though, it is such a treat to feel the kicks and punches from our budding little yogi.

Rejuvenation, Renewal, Hope

As Merrilee and I left our local polling place after voting this morning, a light rain began to fall and continued throughout the morning. Later, as we drove through the mist to our 20-week midwife appointment, we talked about the rain's symbolism; how it represented renewal, rejuvenation, cleansing, hope. Today will go down as an historic moment in US history regardless of the outcome of the US Presidential Election: we'll either have our first African-American President or our first female Vice-President.

However, all the political madness disappeared into insignificance as we sat in a small office at the UCSD Medical Center and heard how our baby was completely healthy, was growing just fine, was in the 62-percentile in size for his age, and Merrilee has no risks which would bar her from having a normal, healthy labor and delivery at the UCSD Birth Center. We looked at each other, smiled, and took a moment to appreciate just how blessed we are.

On a day which represents a re-birth of our political leadership, we listened to our baby boy's heartbeat and imagined a birth that is yet to come.

Halfway there!

As of yesterday, the little dude is officially half baked! 20 weeks down and 20 weeks to go! I have a feeling that with the holidays coming up, these next 20 weeks are going to fly by. We decided to celebrate with a little bit of Ben & Jerry's :)

Apparently, he is now approximately 6 1/2 inches long (according to
Baby Center, about the length of a banana) and he weighs around 10 1/2 ounces. Rumor has it that he might even be able to hear us now so we'll have to read him some good books and make sure that he develops a fabulous taste in music. No serious kicks yet, but I'm waiting. Every once in awhile I think I might feel a little something, but it's hard to tell if it's him or my gurgling stomach.

Tomorrow is our 20 week appointment. We're really looking forward to hearing the little heart beat again. Good times!