just kickin it

As I layed in bed this morning I felt Xavier kicking me,I'm sure his way of telling me good morning mommy. He kicked me about four times along with some somersaults.

I am absolutely loving this!!!!

I know he was rolling around in there by the way he felt in my stomach. It gave a lil'bit of the willies as he was moving for a long time(long time compared to other movements he's done before). I can't begin to say how happy he makes me feel when I feel him moving. I'm enjoying our family bond time together even more now since I can feel him move and since last week Xavier responds to Marc's voice.

It's the three of us, me reclined, Marc talking to baby while rubbing my tum and Xavier moving. Bliss.

I was getting spoiled with feeling his movements for the first time. I like to feel him moving and grooving everyday but that doesn't happen. Last friday I felt him very lightly when I was in the doctors office and that was it for the whole day and int the evening. I know according to the preg. books that you can go days without feeling the baby move. But I knew if Marc would talk to Xavier he would surely move. So when Marc came home he greeted the both of us and I asked him if he would talk to Xavier. While Marc was talking to him Xavier gave me two kicks, just what I wanted to feel.

Last week was such an important week for us.

First feeling Sweetpea's strong kicks, then seeing the ultrasound of two legs with a pee-pee in between(it's actually Xavier who was kicking me the day before), and last but not least Xavy responds to Daddy's voice.

Lovin' life...

There's my favorite momma 2B searching for an outfit for our little one. Aint she sweet? As you can see by this picture, and of course the ultrasound pics below, both mother and baby are coming along quite well thank God. So much is happening now, but the biggest news is that Sonia is carrying a boy! A SON! Some people still believe in waiting to know the sex of their child until birth and thats cool, but waiting nine months and waiting nine years are slightly different I think eh? For us there was no question. We had to know. So we had a long talk with the baby through Sonia's belly the night before the ultrasound was to be done, and told him in no uncertain terms that his cooperation was mandatory. "Come tomorrow, assume the positon! Let's see the money!"
The next day, as soon as the technician put the device on Sonia's tum, we looked up at the monitor and (insert your own triumphant music here!) it's Xavier baby!
Good thing I was sitting down, cause I was totally unprepared for the feeling that knowing I have a son on the way would bring. Seeing this new soul taking form reminded me of my own as I felt the best single tear of my life roll down my face. Much the way his mother does, I can already see this child will encourage my true nature against a world of dictation. Freedom to live is indeed freedom to love.
ANYWAY, "thank yous" and "love yous" go out to all our family and friends who are sharing this with us. This is even more special because of your involvement.
Yeah, it's all coming together and there's so much to do, but at the end of the day, when it's quiet and we're just layin there thinkin about the future, Sonia will feel the baby moving around, and we're reminded that a new bond is being formed along with the new life. The baby responds to my voice! His most dramatic movements have been when I talk directly over Sonia's belly. Thats my boy! It's a trip, and we're grateful for every moment.

19 wks!

CUTE LITTLE FACE




BODY


FOOT


Xavier's PENIS(baby weighs 11oz.)

First strong kick!

As I was sitting leaning forward typing on the computer earlier today I felt a strong kick! The kick felt like a big bubble bursting in my abdomen. How exciting, first I didn't know what to think for a second then I remembered what my best preggo friend had told me about the first kick. She had told me that when you feel it you'll know what it is and it's much different than a flutter or squirm. The first kick was so strong, stronger than I'd imagined then it happened two more times but it wasn't as strong as the first.

Whoo-hoo!!!

Earlier in my pregnancy I'd feel some discomfort whenever I'd sit leaning forward. I'm sure I was probably cramping Sweetpea and this time the baby let me know to cut it out already.

How absolutely wonderful!!!

Next week I'll be at the halfway point of my pregnancy!!!

Every night Marc or I read to little Sweetpea, it's very relaxing to us and the baby. I imagine when I'll be able to read to Sweetpea good night stories as s/he lays to sleep, I can't wait for those special times.
There's so many special moments yet to be experienced, I know I'll wish that I could bottle them all up and keep forever as Sweetpea grows up.

Hospital Tour

Yesterday Marc and I went to an orientation at the hospital that we plan to have our little sweety. I thought that we would've been the only couple for the tour, but I was so wrong. There was about ten or so couples who attended and the women had such big bellies. I'd guess the women ranged from the high twenty something to 8 months pregnant. I did feel alittle self conscious of my little belly compared to theirs, not being as further along as everybody else.

Then a nurse who works at the hospital gave everyone a handout that she went over. Some of the information was about where to go after hospital hours, neonatal technology that the hospital offers, how many people they allow in the delivery room, etc. I don't know why anyone would allow other people in the labor room while trying to push out a watermelon. I guess I'm not as open as some women, but I plan to have nobody in the room, but Marc while I'm pushing.

Any hoo, as we walked to see the birthing rooms we passed by dark reflective windows. I'd look at my little belly in the glass and put my hand to pat it, reassuring myself that I have a belly too, "look Marc you can see my belly". I pointed over to the glass window so he could also see my belly, he reassured me and probably thought I was crazy.

Being in the birthing room made me feel a little scared. The cold, hard reality of that my time will come. I'll be in this room racked with pain trying to deliver my baby. The room is very nice and spacious, I didn't think the room would be as big as it is.
Next we walked over to the room that I'd be in after delivery. It was nice also, smaller than I had imagined it but a good size for Marc, me and the baby, with some guests. Last stop was the nursery. There was a set of twins and I think two other babies. The nursery was also very nice and they had the clear bassinets that rocks the babies, which is a plus. The nurse also noted that many of the moms keep their babies in the room with them. Moms are able to keep their babies in their room for as long as they like, unless they want their baby to be in the nursery. Which is important for me, I'd like to keep the baby in the room with me for as long as I'd like(which would be around the clock). The babies were so tiny, I was telling Marc that I hope our baby will be small like they were, the babies had perfect small(emphasis on small) round heads and little bodies.

The orientation took an hour, we stayed to ask the nurse questions. She was very nice and I think she would've stayed and talked to us for as long as we wanted to.

I really liked the tour and it reinforced our choice to deliver at this hospital.

Marc: I agree, it was a good way to spend the evening. We got to see where it's all gonna go down. And I must admit I got a little breathless imagining Sonia in that delivery room when the time comes to give birth. People have babies everyday, but this incredible miracle is about as perfect as anything gets in this world; from conception, to the first kick, to the day the babys eyes meet yours and you hear the little ones voice, it's nothing short of awesome if you take a sec to think about it. And that's how I felt walking through the maternity ward last night...in awe. One day soon, it'll all come down to this, and after ten years with soulmate number one, my expectations will be surpassed.

Da Bump

Hello! We mark Sonia's 17th week with a cute lil' shot of her growing baby bump. This is something we'll be doing more often to document the progression. It's pretty exciting to behold. I love it because as each week passes, she running out of alternate explanations for why her tummy is expanding. I think she is still in disbelief sometimes, but she knows and I know that that's our son or daughter in there getting ready to change our lives forever.

My best friends...

My best friend of a little over 20 years Michele, is also pregnant. Michele is 2 weeks further along than I am, we were both so happy and excited to find out that we're sharing the same news!

Earlier this week Michele and her husband Chris found out that they're having a baby GIRL! I am so, so happy for the both of them:) Congratulations!!!