Bumpin'

Last night, while we were lying in bed, I told Devlyn to put his hand on my stomach and feel the baby move. I joked, "Of course, once you put your hand there, the baby will probably stop moving." I was wrong.

The baby kicked Daddy about 2-3 times. I think it kind of freaked him out. But it was so exciting. I think it makes things that much more real for him, too. It's all very real to me because I get to feel the wiggles all the time. But he's only seen ultrasound pictures (which is really awesome, too). Now that he felt our little one move, I think putting the picture together with the feeling is where the magic happens.

Sweet Dreams

They say that pregnancy causes vivid, off-the-wall, and sometimes very weird dreams. I can honestly say I must not be susceptible to whatever hormone causes that. My dreams (when I remember them) are pretty mundane. Sometimes they involve grocery shopping, or maybe even (gasp!) sitting at my computer at work. My loved ones, however, have had some pretty awe-inspiring, whacko dreams.

I've been forbidden to post my husband's dream from last night, but I must say it was out there... involving potent liquor made from dandelions, airport security issues, and Charles Barkley. My sister had a dream a few weeks ago that she got to hold our baby and know what the sex was, but that the baby wasn't "done" yet so the nurse put it back in me after she was done holding it. Bizarre, no doubt. I only wish my mind were as creative and explorative of the subconscious as theirs.

Oh well! Guess I'll be content with listening to the gurgles and thumps of baby with my handy listening device. I tried to find a stethescope at the drug store, but all I could find is one of those electronic listeners. I think they are a waste of money... a stethescope would be better suited and you can probably hear baby's heartbeat a lot more clearly with one. Especially considering the fact that I could barely hear my OWN heartbeat with the "Bebe Sounds" fetal listener. Listening to those sounds just before bed is somehow calming, and of course, so is looking at the little one sucking his/her thumb!

The technician didn't say Baby was a thumb-sucker, but what does it look like to you?

All in all, I'm feeling good and over halfway there. That picture is from 22 weeks. I'm at 24 weeks now, and crossing the "safety" threshhold where Baby might be able to survive outside (with intensive care). I'm so much more at ease about that, that we're going to Mexico in two weeks for our "babymoon" to celebrate life and our last vacation together before two become three. Wonder if I'll have any good dreams about that!!!

Getting Better all the Time

Ultrasound for week 22 was completed yesterday. Had the echocardiogram with the specialist looking on. Baby still has two holes (VSDs) in the heart, one of which is "pretty likely" to heal up on its own - maybe even before baby is born. The other has a smaller chance of doing that, but the good news is that it's small enough that it shouldn't require surgery. And they won't get bigger than they already are.

The EIF (calcium spot) is not a concern to the cardiologist or anyone else, either. It is not likely to have any effect on the heart's function.

It sounded great, looked great, and all other baby parts are normal and healthy. Baby weighed one pound, one ounce yesterday. No idea how "big" he/she is because there isn't enough room for baby to really stretch out anymore. Measurements would be inaccurate. They had estimated the growth rate at around the 77th percentile from the previous (week 19) ultrasound though.

The doctor expects baby to grow to full term without further complications, but just to be sure I will have another ultrasound in six to seven weeks. Careful what you wish for!!! I signed up for the gall bladder research so I could get more ultrasounds and see the baby more. With the complications, I have had the opportunity (already) to see more of my baby than most women get in their whole pregnancies.