Flutterby

18 Weeks and sporting a new top from Grandma Bisha.

18 weeks and the baby is moving! Or is it gas? Maybe...no, that was definitely baby! There is no other way I can think to describe the very first movements as anything other than a flutter. It feels like a butterfly taking off from its chrysalis for the first time, a brief burst of flutter and then a delightful feeling of assurance that there is life inside of me. Smidgey seemed to really enjoy rock climbing in Rumney, NH and started moving more and more throughout the weekend. I have only felt the baby move on the outside twice, but have put in a request for the baby to work on that so Daddy also has a chance to be part of the fun.

Daddy recorded 11 stories and the ABC song for Smidgey to listen to on the BellyBuds over the weekend. It was the most precious and sweet act he has done so far. After 20 minutes he declared that he was done being dad for the day. I told him I felt the same way sometimes and asked if he would hold the baby for a little while :-). So many special moments. Hard to imagine life getting better than it was, but it looks like we are on our way.

Disputes, Reviews and Reconciliation

Jim willingly came to Babies "R" Us with me to work on our registry. 15 weeks pregnant seemed a little early for this, but Aunt Crystal is a pusher (suddenly and unexpectedly). We stopped off at a Cafe in Syracuse for vegan milkshakes (have we lived in Ithaca too long already?) and spent some time meandering through each aisle. The amount of possible choices is insane and I can see how new parents end up with a house full to brim of unnecessary items. Initially Jim voted to wait in above position while I did the rest, but once he realized he could use his "shopping app" and dispute my choices, he quickly decided to join in the game. The only dispute we have left to resolve is the infant carseat/stroller combo, jogging stroller debate. Decision tbd.

15 weeks, just starting to show!

Slowly but Surely

On June 3rd we finnnnaaaallllyyyy got to hear Smidgey's teeny little heart for the first time. It felt like a painfully long time between the first ultrasound and this appointment! It was absolutely amazing. Jim was kind enough to video, from just below my chin. Thank you, darling. I will treasure this moment forever. 

Sour Patch Kids and French Fries

When the pregnancy sickness set in there were many things running through my mind. As my friend Robin says, "No one would do this if they didn't get a baby out of it." I was only sick 24 hours a day, seven days a week from weeks 6-11. It was like a switch on and a switch off. I do have to admit that I have been judgmental toward any pregnant woman eating french fries. My deepest apologies. There is something about french fries that makes the evolution seem less cruel. They fill the belly and allow some respite at a restaurant amidst all of the awful smells, most of which I know loved at some point in the not so distant past. I am told I will love them again. I do not believe it.

Besides french fries, bbq chips and sour patch kids have been my life. Really anything sour. Lemons. Limes. Limeade. This is driving Jim nuts. We typically do not have corn syrup or deep fried anything and that is about all I want, with the occasional dark cheery Chobani before bed. Jim's response to this weird behavior of mine was to make me homemade bbq chips with homemade bbq sauce while I laid on the couch in misery...I mean, with joy and happiness.

In case we are crazy in love with this baby enough to make us do this again some day, here is a list of things that helped:

• Fresh air
• Sour patch kids
• Lemons and Limes
• French Fries
• BBQ Chips
• Ginger Tea
• Peppermint Tea
• Peppermints
• Dark Cherry Chobani Yogurt
• Soup
• Pretzels
• Eating constantly
• Toast
• Napping 

"GE makes the ultrasound machine...HOLD HER HAND!"

Thought I could hardly wait for the first ultrasound (they make you wait until 8-10 weeks, which seems like forever in baby growing time), I realized this was Jim's first ever trip to the gynecologist. Jim was holding his breath for twins...I was holding my breath for a baby.

The baby almost tricked Jim with the yolk sac (hanging underneath the baby, umbilical cord at the top), but I was thrilled and relieved to here the technician tell us that was a picture of our baby. Jim didn't even notice the tiny smidge initially. He was analyzing the machine, made by GE (of course, in his mind) and why did they build-in the computer? Wouldn't that make updating the software difficult? Suddenly his hand shot out toward me and he put my hand in his when he finally noticed the baby on the screen.

After wrapping our heads around the human life inside of me, we wanted to know the due date, determined to be "in between December 9 and December 11," which we interpreted to be December 10, Jim's birthday.

The Biggest Little Bisha Adventure Yet

After a delightful weekend skiing Whiteface in Lake Placid in the Adirondack Mountains, Jim and I found out we are expecting our first mini-Bisha. I kept the news to myself after finding out in the evening and woke up bursting with excitement.  We are both delighted and beginning to navigate the impact this addition will have on our currently adventurous lives.  Looks like it is soon time for a jogging stroller and an Osprey baby backpack. Camping with a baby? We will have to figure it out :-).