The Trailer of Peanut!

I had no idea my insides were ticklish. My outside skin is not too bad... I might squirm with the occasional pedicure when they "buff" the arches... but oh my - i have a little pogo stick inside me that cracks me up and makes me physically shift positions when I can't stand it anymore. I think he's playing with me... he knows that soon i will be tickling him and will have the advantage. Yep, he's a smarty already (i like to think!).

This last week, while I as in Denver, it was late and the Olympics were on in the background in my hotel room, and I was getting caught up on work emails and he was super active - more than usual. I looked away from the glowing screen on my propped-up legs and looked down and my belly. Just to the right of my belly button (which seems to get smaller, or shallower, everyday now) I watched this pulsing movement as it paired with the tickle inside. I was watching him move on the outside. Here it was, for others to see the results of his movement within me. And I laid my hand across that spot to feel it. FINALLY. Others can finally feel this little miracle inside me. It is so funny how this confirmation "makes it real."

When I got to Phoenix for the weekend, Tyia was the first to feel him, but it was so soft and gentle. Nothing like that night in the hotel. Mom got to feel on little poke the next night, but again, nothing strong like it had been.

My bladder seems to get the majority of the targets these days. It doesn't hurt - but it is such an awkward and distracting feeling. I don't hold a poker face very well, so everyone seems to know when he's on the trampoline. :)

I am loving being pregnant. Every single minute of it.

Last night, Rich got to feel his son move for the first time. He was stronger and consistent. Multiple ninja kicks were proudly delivered right into his daddy's fingers. It was so fun. Rich got to feel him wiggle again this morning. I'm so glad!

This afternoon we had our monthly prenatal visit and got a little surprise. The ultrasound machine we used earlier this month to "witness" his manliness was broken and unable to print. So our Dr. today gave me a wink and took us back into the magic room. The machine started out in the 3-d mode. Instantly, on this big flat screen was my son and his perfectly round little face with eyes and ears and a nose and lips and a hand that kept brushing under his nose and fat little arms and the umbilical cord. There are no words to describe this moment! The first time you see your 22 week old son, the size of an 8 inch spaghetti squash and weighing 1 pound, in a real people suit with real people features and movements - there are no words in this earthly language. I was blown away. 

He made his debut on You Tube though. Even though he won't be here for another 4 months... click the link for the TRAILER of what is coming. I simply have no words for this... only a grin a mile wide.

Watch Peanut Here

To celebrate these milestones, we went to our favorite Thai restaurant and I ordered extra spicy, just to see how he'd do. Let's just say he's not stopped moving in the last 20 minutes. :)  Orange juice, Grapefruits off his Grandpa and Grandma's tree, and Nattiya's delicious soups are his favorites. Rest assured, we're going to get along just fine. :)

My belly continues to grow, and so much faster than I expected! I've only gained 2 pounds since my 8 week visit... so I can't figure out where this expansion is coming from... but I am loving this.

Even though I can't wait to meet him, I treasure every second of this miraculous experience while he grows inside me. It's our own special time, and we have our own special secrets. I honestly do not ever remember being so happy. I have such a peace, and a never ending smile within my soul.  I saw a quote by Elizabeth Stone today: "Making the decision to have a child is momentous... it is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside of your body." What a wise woman.

Oatmeal - and the many benefits it brings to my heart

Eating healthy has always come easy, and natural. But if I can find corners to cut, I'll admit - I'll use'em. Lately, the corners aren't worth it - not with this little man inside me - he deserves the fullness of what this earth has to offer. So instead of grabbing my favorite multi-flavor box of instant oatmeal on my last grocery hunt, I opted for the real deal: McCann's Irish Oatmeal. 

Today was the perfect day to try it out - it was cold and rainy outside and I need the fiber (thanks again lil man). :) I measure the water, I measure the oats, I stir... and stir... and stir... and finally the porage becomes smooth and thicker and I can let it simmer. Knowing it must simmer for 30 minutes, I begin my work day. Answer emails, make a few calls - returning to stir between each interaction. It's finally done! And then I realize... I need to reach my sister for her ever-available advice! And so it goes:

Kattie: hi! if one were to make oatmeal (the REAL stuff, not instant) in which it required "simmering" for 30 minutes, creating a monster of a build up on the bottom of the pan (possibly burnt - jury is still out) - what wonderous tricks can be done to ease the pains of cleaning the precious pot?



nicoyar: hahaha!!! boil baking soda right in the pot. It will pull most of it up. Keep the pot warm, a wire wisk does a great job of "scrapping up" the burned on bits too. Once you let it cool it will be harder to get off, so keep it warm/hot.


Kattie: excellent... thanks!!!


nicoyar: Good luck!!! And next time make it the night before inthe crock pot!! LOL add cinnamon, nutmeg, and dried fruit. You'll LOVE it! just put it on low all night


Kattie: i was comparing the nutritional value from these raw oats against the instant, and thought "for 35 mins of effort, the payoff is well worth it" apparently i did not account for clean up time.


nicoyar: ROFL


Kattie: it will make a pretty can to decorate once it's all gone though! hee hee


nicoyar: totally!!


Kattie: mmmm, crock pot - that I will def do! i need fiber. bad. yay home cooking! ok... gotta go boil some white powder thanks again!


*time elapses*
Kattie: you are a genious!!! It totally worked!!!! My pot is spotless... now to clean the mess on the stove from the mini volcano that now looks like melted marshmellow - all over - we're talking within a 5 inch radius of the burner. Teach me to turn my back and slice a pear and sprinkle blueberries on porage while boiling powder. In the end, I have: delivious natural and healthy oatmeal, a clean pot, a destroyed stove, and even weaker confidence on how i'm going to pull this off for a mini-human! hahaha


nicoyar: the baking soda will be good to clean the stove with. It's a great scouring agent LOL and your mini human will be just fine... they'll be over eating the dog poop on the floor (because you were too busy to take Sadie on a walk) while you clean up one mess after another. hee hee hee You're going to LOVE being a mother!!! *knowing grin*  And I'll love being your big sister who has "been there done that and have the stains on my tee-shirt to prove it" who gets to help you


Kattie: *sigh of relief* recycled nutrients, a clean house, and a mother of tried and true wisdom - what more can I hope for!

-end chat-

Blueberries, pear, and spices made it just right!

I've thought about my dear sister a lot today. I turn to her so often for wisdom, advice, or just an ear to vent to and she - without fail - is always there to support me. Sometimes it might be coaching, sometimes it might be to help me see things from a different view, and sometimes it just might be to simply agree with my insane ramblings and merely calm my soul. How lucky I am to have her as my sister. I love her so very much.

Today my belly was full of yummy nutrients, and my heart filled with love and appreciation. Thanks again for another lovely lesson Nik. ;)

It grows!

:)

The mystery is revealed!!!!

I did not think I would sleep last night. I was in awe of what we were going to do today. I took a long shower, thinking "I'm so excited to learn who you are going to be" and at the same time, felt a twinge of "but this anticipation, and unknown is so fun. I love you for you, not for your gender."

I woke up early and laid in bed. Just listening to Sadie snore and Rich breathing next to me. Today I will see you - and you will not be that little blob on the screen. Today you will have limbs, shape to your body, a brain, organs, heart beat, and SOMETHING between your little legs that will tell us so much.

I checked my phone - Auntie Ty was already texting, soon after Nana started - both sharing this was more exciting than Christmas morning as a 6 year old. :) I felt more like a 6 year old about to do a gymnastics routine in a talent show. I showered, ate, and paced. It was time to go, and I was giddy and nervous and excited and scared. We had your Nana's luck with us and got parking space close to the Dr's office. It was Rich's first time being at this new Dr, and he instantly felt at ease in the new surroundings. We checked in, looked at the pictures hanging on the walls, flipped through a book laying on a table, and I was still texting the family - play by play.

"I can't stand this!!!! :) My heart is racing and there is a butterfly festival in my belly"

The Dr was still in surgery, and was running behind. After 20 minutes, the receptionist took us back into a small room. It was dimly lit, white leather couches, and very calm. It was neat, as Rich and I had privacy to talk about what we were about to experience. About 40 minutes after we'd been in this room, and we heard his voice. We were like teenagers with front row tickets waiting for our favorite band to take the stage.

A knock on the door and we were invited to step into the next room - with the magic machine that would let us see what you have been up to, and how you are growing. The Dr came in, greeted us with hugs and was ready to get started. I jumped up on the table and the low hum of the machine noise turned on. The warm goopy gel was squirted on my round belly, and there it was! Peanut - on a big flat screen TV mounted on the wall. Dr B spotted it right away. My eyes were fixated on the shape of a body - inside me - and Rich was faithfully looking through the lens of the camera to capture this rare moment. Dr B said, are you ready to know? Of course we both exclaimed "YES!" and he said: "It's a boy - you're going to have a boy"

I couldn't believe it! A SON! I couldn't quite see "it" on the screen, and Dr B continued with his assessment.

Here's the recap of Peanut's routine:

Swimming motion - arms moving, legs moving, body squirming.

He turns on his side, and waves - fingers opening and closing, fist moving back and forth.

Turns around, seperates his little legs, bends over, and proudly shows all his glory.

(I crack up at this point - I mean, can this little guy be any more cooperative!?!?)

Concludes his show by laying back down, and going to sleep.

A boy.

A son.

My son.

Our son.

In retrospect, I have to wonder: Is this the proud confidence of a mini punk rocker following in his father's footsteps? Or is this the mischievious behavior of a pixie? Or is this really just my son, knowing he had to help out and give us this show?

I can't wait to meet him - and learn who he will be.