What We're Thankful For

We have a whole lot to be thankful for this year. Michael's mom and step dad have been out this week visiting with us and it's been great. We're going to celebrate the birthdays of Michael and my dad tonight. And, I made my first Thanksgiving turkey which turned out perfectly (with a lot of help and guidance from Emeril, Martha and Lynn Weber).

Today we went to my mom's work -- a medical imaging office -- for a second sneak peek at the baby. Lynn, Rich, my mom and my dad got to see first-hand what Michael and I saw a few weeks ago. The baby's doubled in size since then and is now 9 cm "crown to rump," or about 15 cm stretched out.

We were hoping we might see whether the baby's a boy or girl today, but it wasn't to be just yet. Nonetheless, it was amazing watching the screen and seeing how much more developed the baby is. We all watched as it hiccupped, touched its face, and gulped amniotic fluid. And now you can, too:


Baby Face


Hiccup



Slurp, Slurp


Hiccup Again

Our Baby

Now that my co-workers, friends and acquaintances all know about the baby, people ask me almost daily, "So, how are you feeling?" or "How's the baby?" It's more than polite conversation; they really want to know. Mothers offer unsolicited advice and relate stories of their own pregnancies. A print vendor I know stopped me in the hallway today to say that she saw a pregnant lady and thought of me. She wanted to know if I've been sick at all. I think the day will come once I'm bigger that strangers will ask to touch my belly, as though they want to be among the first to connect with the baby.

I've been thinking a lot about why people I hardly know are taking a vested interest in my well-being and that of the baby. I've realized I always used to do that, too, but I'd never really put much thought into it. I think it must have some evolutionary basis, that humans are naturally predisposed to care for babies and the mothers carrying them. Some sort of "It Takes A Village" thing. (Somewhere Sean Hannity is gagging.)

It's an awesome realization, though, to think how much bigger this whole process is than just me and Michael and our future little family. In a way, the responsibility is a little overwhelming. But in another way, I'm relieved to be bringing a baby into a world where so many people are hoping only the best for it. I know we'll all be surrounded by a lot of love and support, and for that I'm very grateful.

Butterflies in My Tummy

I may not be Ally McBeal, but I am convinced that we're having a dancing baby. It's no surprise, really; Michael and I both love to dance and take every opportunity to hone our "signature moves." It could be a friend's wedding, a night out, or just a great song on a Chrysler commercial. OK, to be fair, he's never danced to a Chrysler commercial. That was me. But he did win a breakdancing contest in high school and can still pop-lock with the best of them.

Our offspring is already starting to bust moves of its own. I began feeling flutters a couple weeks ago. It feels like little butterflies moving around, and it tickles when their wings brush against me. On Friday, I took the baby out dancing downtown in celebration of a coworker's 40th birthday. We were on the dance floor for a good couple hours and it was so much fun. Who needs prenatal yoga when you got House of Pain and "Jump Around"?

Saturday night, we went to see Jersey Boys and had dinner at The Hard Rock Café beforehand. The baby was active all night, though it was partial to "Paradise City" and Frankie Valli's "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You." I'm not sure Michael's convinced when I tell him the baby likes the music, but when we're watching our kid at the So You Think You Can Dance finals, he'll understand.