one more thing...

If one more person asks me if I am having twins I might lose it!



This happened at least two times this week. I don't think I am that big at all (my mother and husband agree with me of course) but I think because my stomach is very round (like a basketball in there) and am all baby in the front I might appear larger.



So, to answer the question... NO, there is only one baby in there! I've seen him or her several times. This doesn't mean the baby isn't big because that may very well be the case. But I am fine with that.



If you think I look huge the next time you see me, please keep it to yourself! :)

Dan gets kicked!

This past Wednesday night, Dan felt the baby kick for the first time! It was pretty exciting for both of us really. For the past few weeks, I have been feeling the baby very often (he or she has a distinct kicking/moving schedule) and I always try to get Dan to feel it. Unfortunately, it seemed as soon as Dan would put his hand on my stomach and push the baby would move or stop kicking. So, on this night, the baby was very active and I told Dan to try again. He push on my stomach and instantly felt about three kicks in a row. I wish I had a picture of his face because it was priceless. He got this excited look but then looked to me for confirmation that he was feeling the "right" thing. He was. He pushed again and the baby pushed him back! As I type, this little baby is rockin' and rollin' in there again.

My mom told me that I had a very distinct kicking scheduled too, and that 6-8pm was my prime kicking time. She also said that when I was born 6-8pm was my crying and stress-relieving time. This meant that she didn't eat a hot meal for many months... sorry mom! Guess we will see what this little bugger has in store for us each night. I'm sure we are up for the challenge... at least we better be!

Christmas in California

We had a wonderful Christmas in Manhattan Beach, California (where my brother and sister-in-law live). While it was a little different not to spend Christmas in the bitter cold, it was a great chance to get away, relax and see some new things. We spent a few days in Santa Barbara and Montecito which was very fun and so beautiful! My sister-in-law, Julie, was able to put up her first Christmas tree in I think about 13 years.

I will say that I don't plan on flying again until after the baby is here. The flight out wasn't too bad... I just up and walked 5 times. But the flight home was awful... tons of screaming kids, I pulled a muscle or something in my back which hurt so bad I had to do deep breathing to get through the pain, and just a lot of sitting! Oh well, it was worth it to have a great trip in southern California.