Thankful for...

Bad weather in Aspen on Saturday/ Sunday. Last weekend Kenny had another 4 day trip (he had one the weekend before as well). I was all prepared to sit on the couch and mope. Saturday night Danny & Tonita came over to keep me company and guess who ended up showing up as well... Kenny. The storm heading towards Aspen meant Kenny's trip got cut short and he flew home early and surprised me! Right before he got to the door, I received a cryptic text that read "Knock. Knock" and was so excited when a few seconds later he was really knocking at the door :)

Parents who love each other and have fun together. Mom & Dad are on an Alaskan cruise right now celebrating Mom's birthday. Today they are in Juno and said that the weather is beautiful! Just like we did in China, Mom & Dad are breaking away from the cruise tours and renting a car to head out on their own. I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree :) It is so great to have parents who really enjoy spending time with each other and are best friends. Hope you guys have fun today!

Aunts & Uncles & Cousins for our little guy. It is going to be so much fun having so many people around who love us and our little boy. Auntie Jamie & Uncle David are getting things ready for our Big Baby Bash next weekend... I can't wait to see the cake! Last time I saw Jeffrey, he kept pointing to my belly and saying "Baby" and asking to play with him. Now I hear that he is referring to our little guy as "Cuz". Danny, Tonita & Isabella are a major part of our lives because they live so close. I am so thankful that they are nearby and even after Izzy was born, they still manage to make it over weekly for Survivor night :) Matt & Kelly are adding another little boy cousin to the mix in September! I can't wait until they are all a bit older and there are the 5 boys and poor little only girl Izzy, wreaking havock when we all get together! Uncle Eric & Auntie Sheree are spending the day today in our soon to be nursery painting up a surprise for our kiddo. If it were left up to me I'd just leave everything painted the same color and just have the decals on the wall. I am so thankful that they don't mind the work of painting and wanted to do this for their nephew! I can't wait to see it!!!

30 Weeks

From Baby Center:

Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and he weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds him, but that volume will decrease as he gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus.

His eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after he's born, he'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When he does open them, he'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means he can only make out objects a few inches from his face.

You may be feeling a little tired these days, especially if you're having trouble sleeping. You might also feel clumsier than normal, which is perfectly understandable. Not only are you heavier, but the concentration of weight in your pregnant belly causes a shift in your center of gravity. Plus, thanks to hormonal changes, your ligaments are more lax, so your joints are looser, which may also contribute to your balance being a bit off. Also, this relaxation of your ligaments can actually cause your feet to spread permanently, so you may have to invest in some new shoes in a bigger size.

Remember those mood swings you had earlier in pregnancy? The combination of uncomfortable symptoms and hormonal changes can result in a return of those emotional ups and downs. It's normal to worry about what your labor will be like or whether you'll be a good parent. But if you can't shake the blues or feel increasingly irritable or agitated, talk to your doctor or midwife. You may be among the 1 in 10 expectant women who battle depression during pregnancy. Also let your caregiver know if you're frequently nervous or anxious.

Note from Jen:

Sleeping is getting tough. I cannot stay in the same position for long and have to get up a few times throughout the night. Pair that along with the bouts of heartburn that sometimes hit in the middle of the night and you can be sure that I am pretty tired throughout the day. I still think that the lavender sleep oil is helping a bit, but I am pretty convinced that this is just a part of pregnancy that I have to deal with and can't make 100% better.

I don't feel off balance and clumsy physically like Baby Center says, but I do get out of breath easier. My brain is a bit off as well. I have locked my keys in the car twice in the last few months and this weekend completely misread the directions when I was trying to make brownies. Really, how can anyone screw up brownies??? Well, I did. I swear the package said to add 3/4 cup of water. I remember thinking, "Wow, that seems like a lot." Well, apparently I was only supposed to add 1/4 cup of water. I still don't understand how my pregnancy brain could actually switch numbers around on me!

Our little guy is moving around all the time and it is fun to actually be able to see him move from the outside. I am not able to tell what body part is pushing on me at the time, but everyone says that pretty soon I might be able to tell the difference between his feet, knees, head and hands. I keep trying to get a video of the crazy movements on my belly, but our kiddo seems to be a bit camera shy. He'll be moving like crazy, but as soon as I turn the video on my phone he stops completely. Hopefully he won't be too camera shy next week because we are going to do the 4D Ultrasound next Friday!

Last Thursday I loaded up my computer, movies and books and headed out to do my 3 hour glucose screening. I was there for about 4 hours total and received 5 holes in my arms (which have since turned into bruises) where she drew my blood every hour. The reason I have 5 is because on the last draw she stuck the needle in and nothing happened. She proceeded to move it around inside of me trying to get some blood flow, but by then I think my body just said no because she couldn't even get a drop. She switched arms, did the needle search again and finally hit a vein. I was so glad when it was all over and I could go home to eat and sleep.

Last night the nurse called me with the results and... I passed! Whoo hoo! I am so glad that I don't have to worry about changing my diet or taking insulin shots or anything.

Well, we are getting down to it... only 10 weeks left until my due date. Time is going by so fast! There is so much that we still need to do and the next few weeks are packed with doctor's appointments, ultrasounds and baby showers. Sometime in there we need to schedule our hospital tour and think about packing our bags for the hospital and making a birthing plan. Whew! So much to do!

Redesign: 3 Bay B Chicks

The 3 bay b chicks are back! This time with a fun new redesign for Spring. I love their cute little birds from before and this clean, fresh design is perfect for them :)

The chicks are also launching a fun new series starting today called "Chick Chat" I was able to work with them to create their logo for the series as well as a button for their sidebar. Check out "Chick Chat"... I believe there is even a giveaway scheduled for today!



A few weeks ago, I was also able to create some virtual postcards and button for their series "Where's Wenda" Tons of bloggers participated in finding Wenda over the course of a few weeks and had a blast. I loved this little logo!

Redesign: Ovolina 3.0

I love working with this Italian Mama, Ovolina.

Once again, we changed up her design. This time with a new color scheme and a fun new header. This Italian, military mom is "Living the American Dream" and proud of it!

From Anita:

Oh My goodness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love it! LOVE IT LOVE IT!
It's completely perfect.

Aww :) Thanks!

29 Weeks

From Baby Center:

Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel.

His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.

Your baby's very active now. Your practitioner may ask you to spend some time each day counting kicks and will give you specific instructions on how to do this. Let her know if you ever notice a decrease in activity. You may need a nonstress test or biophysical profile to check on your baby's condition.

Some old friends — heartburn and poor digestion — may take center stage now. The pregnancy hormone progesterone relaxes smooth muscle tissue throughout your body, including your gastrointestinal tract. This relaxation, coupled with the crowding in your abdomen, slows digestion, which in turn can cause discomfort and heartburn — especially after a big meal.

Some women get something called "supine hypotensive syndrome" during pregnancy, where laying flat on your back causes a change in heart rate and blood pressure that makes you feel dizzy until you change position. You might note that you feel lightheaded if you stand up too quickly, too. To avoid "the spins" lie on your side rather than your back, and move slowly as you go from lying down to sitting and then standing.

Note from Jen:

About half of this week I slept wonderfully and the other half I hardly slept at all. It is kind of hit or miss and I am trying to figure out what helps on the nights I do sleep. A great friend who is one of Kenny's students gave me a Bath & Body Works gift card when he found out I was pregnant. I used it to buy Lavender Vanilla Aromatherapy Oil- Sleep and it seems like when I use it I do end up sleeping better. Also since it has Sunflower Oil & Vitamin E, I can only hope that it helps with preventing stretch marks too :) Anyway, since it does seem to help, I am going to try to use it all week this week and see if I can catch up on my sleep. If it works, I'll have to go back and stock up!

I had a bit of heartburn again last night, but nothing too bad. So far I have been very lucky!

On Thursday I go in for my glucose tolerance test so yesterday I started adding those extra carbs to my diet. The good thing is that I really like having the toast and grape juice, so it isn't a problem at all. However, I am dreading Thursday!

I am definitely getting bigger and bigger each day. I think all the weight that I didn't gain in the first and second trimesters decided just to pack on all at once. So far I have gained about 15 pounds with most of that being just in the last month. By the end of the day it is more like 20 pounds since my feet end up swelling a bit sitting at work all day! Even with the extra weight, I still feel good and am able to take Pilot out for walks and pretty much be myself. Not waddling yet :)

28 Weeks

From Baby Center:

By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of his head to his heels. He can blink his eyes, which now sport lashes. With his eyesight developing, he may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. He's also developing billions of neurons in his brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

You're in the home stretch! The third and final trimester starts this week. If you're like most women, you'll gain about 11 pounds this trimester.

At this point, you'll likely visit your doctor or midwife every two weeks. Then, at 36 weeks, you'll switch to weekly visits. Also, if your glucose screening test result was high and you haven't yet had follow-up testing, you'll soon be given the 3-hour glucose tolerance test.

Note from Jen:

3rd trimester! How crazy is that?

I am feeling pretty good. Our little guy is moving all around every day and is getting an "A" so far on the fetal movement counting chart, which is great because around week 26 his movements were really slow for about a week. I guess he just has more room now :)

Last week I had 3 days where I was getting heartburn at 4:00 each afternoon. It would last a few hours and then mostly go away. Luckily I haven't had any since Friday, so maybe it won't be a daily thing. I hope!

I went in to the doctor on Friday when my mom came down to visit. It was an easy appointment and she had fun getting to hear our little guy's heartbeat. Once again it was between 155 and 160 BPM. I think he is going to be a bit hyperactive like his daddy considering most boys tend to have slower heartbeats!

At the appointment I was given the paperwork to schedule my 3-hour glucose screening. It is all set for next Thursday. They gave me two lists of things I need to add to my diet for 3 days before the test. So, starting Monday I need to add either 2 slices of bread, 2/3 cup of rice, 1 cup of noodles or 2 corn tortillas AND either 12oz of apple juice, 9oz. of grape juice, 1 large banana, or 2 large oranges. The good thing is since I don't really eat breakfast I think I can just have the 2 pieces of toast and apple or grape juice in the morning and call it good :)

Hopefully my test comes back negative and I am OK. I really don't want to change my diet or anything due to gestational diabetes. I like being able to have ice cream every night if I want it :)

I have been gaining about 2 pounds a week since my last appointment and everyone can tell I am pregnant. I don't feel too big or uncomfortable yet, but have noticed that I can't wear heels if I am going to go shopping or walk around too far. The added weight hurts my feet like crazy if I do!

Here is my 28 week picture. Can you believe I am 2/3 of the way there? He is going to be here before I know it!

27 Weeks

From Baby Center:

This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with his legs extended. He's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing his eyes, and perhaps even sucking his fingers.

With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While his lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if he were to be born now.

Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother him, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

The second trimester is drawing to a close, but as your body gears up for the final lap, you may start noticing some new symptoms. Along with an aching back, for example, you may find that your leg muscles cramp up now and then. They're carrying extra weight, after all, and your expanding uterus is putting pressure on the veins that return blood from your legs to your heart as well as on the nerves leading from your trunk to your legs. Unfortunately, the cramps may get worse as your pregnancy progresses. Leg cramps are more common at night but can also happen during the day. When a cramp strikes, stretching the calf muscle should give you some relief. Straighten your leg and then gently flex your toes back toward your shin. Walking for a few minutes or massaging your calf sometimes helps, too.

Note from Jen:

I feel like I am getting bigger and bigger each day. It is pretty undeniable that I am pregnant, but this weekend it made me laugh when an old friend of ours saw me and didn't even notice. Chadd isn't too observant I guess, but we still love him :)

My calves have been cramping up at night when I sleep, but it goes away if I stretch them out. My feet were also falling asleep this weekend then I was crouched down on the floor going through boxes. Overall, not that bad. I feel pretty good most of the time.

The last few nights the heating pad has been an addition to my night time routine. So far it seems to work every time at relaxing my back, saving me from hours of lying awake hoping my back would stop hurting.

The weekend we cleaned out the shed and took about 5 boxes of stuff to the Salvation Army (on top of the 4 bags of stuff we took last week!) We are trying to condense everything and make room for the kiddo and all of his stuff! I am definitely in clean-out mode and got rid of a ton more stuff than I normally would. Stuff from high school...gone! Painting & craft supplies... gone! Old electronics... gone! More than once Kenny had to ask to make sure I was really ok with getting rid of things he knew might hold sentimental value and my answer was always, yes, get rid of it!

We have a few things that we didn't want to just dump at Salvation Army and are going to try to sell on Craigslist or give to someone we know could use them. If any of you could use a couch, office desk, office chair, or end tables, let me know :)

Anyway, I go in for my doctor's appointment Friday and then I'll schedule my 3 hour glucose screening when I am there. Hopefully I can get it over with as soon as possible.

Only one more week and then I am in my 3rd trimester! Can you believe it?

Madame Zaritska's Prediction

I found a site that "predicts" what your birth experience will be. It is too funny. I sure hope mine is not correct! 13 pounds?!? No thank you! And where did he get his eyes and hair??? I think our baby was switched at the hospital!

Madame Zaritska, using her mystical powers, has the following prediction:

The day you deliver, outside will be shiny. Your baby will arrive in the late morning. After a labor lasting approximately 11 hours, your child, a boy, will be born. Your baby will weigh about 13 pounds, 3 ounces, and will be 17-1/2 inches long. This child will have medium violet eyes and fluffy red hair.

If you want to try it, go to: http://pregnancyandbaby.com/pregnancy/baby/Madame-Zaritska-predicts-your-birth-experience-1.php

It asks funny questions that aren't relevant at all... "What is the weather outside?" "What animal did you see last?" Too funny!

26 Weeks

From Baby Center:

The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other.

He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air.

And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel.

Note from Jen:

An English hothouse cucumber? Seriously? Why couldn't they just say cucumber? I am no expert, but is there a huge difference between a normal cucumber and an English one??? (Edit to add: I guess there is... )

Anyway, I am feeling tired this week. I wish I could take a nap during the day. Wouldn't that be nice?!?

Sitting at work and sleeping in my bed both seem to cause some back pain, but I am getting better at preventing it at least a little. For the last two nights I have slept on my side most of the night... which is a huge accomplishment for me! I think this is helping ease a little of the back pain in the morning. At work, I downloaded a program that counts down every hour and then sends me a message on my screen that says "Go for a walk!" I am trying to make a point to get up out of my chair every hour and walk a little loop around my office building... down the stairs, outside and then back up the stairs and over to my office. It is a quick 5 minute break, but it is really helping.

Here is my 26 week picture :)

Baby Register (AKA "Buy us lots of stuff")

So, I think one of the best things about being pregnant is getting to register for fun little baby things. Although Kenny and I keep asking ourselves, "Where in the world will all this baby stuff fit in the house?!?"

Really, we know we don't really need anything, but have been having fun researching the pros and cons of various baby products, from cloth diapers to strollers to baby lo-jack :) Seriously... it is crazy how much stuff is out there that the industry says that you have to have or your baby will die a slow and painful death.

Thankfully I have lots of friends and family who have given me advice about what we really need... along with some great hand-me-downs as well!

I ended up registering at REI and Amazon and love that everything is online. It was super easy and the selection of items was great.

I knew that before the baby shower that I should register at Target as well because Target is the go-to place for most people. So, last night Kenny and I hit Target after work.

The helpful sales associate at Customer Service armed us with the registration gun and we got a little crazy. Let's just say that a Wii Fit ended up on there. Hey, I will need to get back in shape after our little guy is born somehow!

25 Weeks

From Baby Center:

Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. His weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but he's beginning to exchange his long, lean look for some baby fat. As he does, his wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and he'll start to look more and more like a newborn. He's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.

Your baby's not the only one with more hair — your locks may look more full and lustrous than ever. It's not that you're growing more hair, but thanks to hormonal changes, the hair that you'd normally shed is sticking around longer than usual. Enjoy the fullness while you can — the extra hair will fall out after you give birth. (From Jen- I have too much hair as it is and now it is just even more crazy! I am so ready to cut it, but am trying not to!)

You may also notice that you can't move around as gracefully as before. Unless your caregiver has advised you otherwise, it's fine to continue to exercise, but follow a few safety rules: Don't work out when you're feeling overly tired and stop if you feel any pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath. Don't lie flat on your back and avoid contact sports as well as any exercise where you're apt to lose your balance. Be sure to drink plenty of water, and make time for both warm-up and cool-down periods.

When you have your glucose-screening test at 24 to 28 weeks, a second tube of blood may be taken at the same time to check for anemia. If blood tests show that you have iron-deficiency anemia (the most common type of anemia), your caregiver will probably recommend that you take an iron supplement.

Have you started thinking about baby names yet? Choosing a name is an important decision, but it should be a fun one, too. You may want to consider family history (Great Grandpa Zeb), favorite locations (Venice, where you honeymooned), or cherished literary or film characters (Greta, Meg, or Atticus, for example). Check out a couple of baby-name books to help you brainstorm, too.

Note from Jen:

On Friday I went in for what I thought was just a blood test for being RH Negative. When I arrived, they handed me this aweful sugary sweet glucose drink and told me I had 5 minutes to drink the whole thing and then I had to wait an hour before they would draw my blood. Bummer because I was hoping to get home early and hang out with Kenny who was off for the day. After about 40 minutes sitting there, I started to feel just terrible. I was jittery and felt really weird. It was a relief when it was over and I could go home and eat real food.

On Monday, the doctor called and told me that yes, I did indeed need to get the shot for being RH Negative. I went in that afternoon and had a not so pleasant surprise... the shot was not given to me in the arm (you can use your imagination to guess where I had to get it!) Why didn't you guys warn me?!?

Yesterday I received another call from the doctor who informed me that it looks like I am anemic so I need to take iron pills as well. My blood tests also showed that my glucose was high so I get to go in and take a 3 hour glucose tolerance screening next month. Fun. I am not looking forward to drinking that thick sugar water again, but hopefully it will all come back negative for gestational diabetes.

I am definitely getting bigger every day and everyone can now tell that I am pregnant. Overall I feel pretty good, but am having occasional pain/ swelling. Oh, and I get out of breath easier... even the stairs are becoming a workout!

We are still narrowing down names for our little guy. It is so hard to decide since he will be stuck with the name for the rest of his life. Too much pressure! I am determined to have a name settled on in the next month. We'll let you all know :)

No title needed

I have had way too much time off the past two weeks. A trained eye can spot this due to my increased number of posts. But I cannot complain because today is perfect. To be precise:

Temp - 72 degrees
Humidity - 30%
Wind - WSW at 5 mph
UV index - 7

It does not get any better than this. So, when I took Pilot out for one of his many walks today, I took some photos of our front flower bed because everything was perfect. We planted these flower bulbs in November and now we are getting to see the results of our labor! I also tacked on some pics of our spoiled rotten little dog.

We are screwed!

I think this picture says it all. But if you need an explanation, here it is:

That is our dog, Pilot. Yeah, that cute, little curled-up black ball of fuzz on the bed. He is spoiled rotten, ROTTEN! We have a kiddo on the way, and I am quite certain that he too shall be spoiled rotten. I mean Pilot cannot even talk, not to mention the fact that he licks his own butt. Can you imagine what will happen if our child has any semblance of intelligence at all? Now can you see the "we are screwed" part?

Wish us well....please.

Hard to Starboard!

We had the maiden voyage of our new boat, the "Aluminum Puffer", this afternoon on scenic Lake Murray.

She proved herself a stout, seaworthy vessel. Hawaii here we come!

24 Weeks

From Baby Center:

Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up.

His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

In the past few weeks, the top of your uterus has risen above your belly button and is now about the size of a soccer ball.

Most women have a glucose screening test (also called a glucose challenge test or GCT) between now and 28 weeks. This test checks for gestational diabetes, a pregnancy-related high-blood-sugar condition.

Finally, if you don't already know how to spot the signs of preterm labor, now's the time to learn. Contact your caregiver immediately if you notice any of the signs mentioned.

Note from Jen:

I can't believe I am already at 6 months. Crazy how fast time flies.

I am feeling alright this week. Having trouble getting comfortable at night and am waking up with a sore back and hips. Our old reliable blue La-Z-Boy recliner is looking better and better.

I had my monthly doctor's appointment this morning and all is going well. I met with the midwife and she was wonderful. Kenny even asked her if she would come to our house and do the delivery, but unfortunately she doesn't do birthing anymore :( Oh well, I love our doctor too.

I am measuring pretty much perfect right now... blood pressure is great, no swelling in my legs, weight gain is a little low, but nothing to worry about. I have gained about 8-10 pounds so far. It is weird though. Sometimes I totally feel bigger, but other times I forget I am even pregnant... that is until our little guy kicks me in the gut :)

I am going in on Friday for my glucose screening and a few more blood tests for being RH negative. After those come back I should be getting the RH shot at my next appointment.

I had a dream last night that I had to be induced and have the baby early. I was so excited because the hospital room was so nice and we had a view of the Coronado Bridge and Sea World (impossible view to really get, but it was cool in the dream). I guess the epidural I got in the dream knocked me completely out. When I "woke up" I had a little baby boy. He weighed 5 lbs. 6 oz., but was perfectly healthy. All in all, my "labor" in the dream was only an hour and a half. Wouldn't that be nice??? An hour and a half of labor!

Here is my 24 week picture we took last night. I am definitely looking pregnant :)

Exercise

I needed to get out and burn some calories this morning and it was such a perfectly gorgeous day here in sunny San Diego, so I broke out my bike to go for a ride.

The trail here was flooded out with about 18 inches of water, but fortunately there was a secondary route.

Okay, I will admit it: I woosed out and walked my bike across!

Shaken Baby Syndrome

Well, our kid is screwed. He got his poor little head shaken all around at Dave and Busters while Jen played too many games! Below you see Jen shaking Kiddo in an attempt to dodge bullets that were not really there! I tried to tell her it was just a video game.

Design Update: Lazy Moms

Before I left on vacation, I was working with the Lazy Moms to get their new site up and running. A few weeks after I returned, we were able to finalize the design and get their new and improved site launched.

The site has now become a great place for moms to gather to share tips and fun stories in their forum, blog posts and comments.

The Lazy Moms are gearing up to launch a new book and product line! It is so much fun to work with these girls and it has been very exciting seeing the logo I created for them being placed on books, shirts and other products!

Last night Amanda and Leslie were on their local news station promoting Lazy Moms. Check it out :)

23 Weeks Update!

I saw our baby move tonight! So weird.

Kenny and I were sitting down watching TV and I started to feel our little guy move around a ton. Then my stomach suddenly lurched up as he tried to punch through the surface. Very creepy, but still very cool.

I got excited and called Kenny over and of course, true to form, our boy stopped moving. He just doesn't want to be forced to perform for anyone I guess.

23 Weeks

From Baby Center:

Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With his sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that he's more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango), you may be able to see him squirm underneath your clothes.

Blood vessels in his lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing him for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze him when he hears them outside the womb.

Note from Jen:

This week has been a blur. I think it is a combination of getting some sort of food poisoning last week, the lovely time change and spending all day at the hospital on Monday waiting for little Bella to arrive. I am exhausted!

Our little guy is still moving around a ton, but not enough to where Kenny can feel him yet. He tends to stop moving if anyone puts a hand on my belly. I haven't seen my tummy move like Baby Center said, but I also don't spend much time looking at it. The thought of seeing him move on my skin seems both cool and creepy at the same time.

We are looking into getting a 4D Ultrasound sometime in the next month or two. I think it would be fun to see our little boy before he is born. Have any of you done the 4D Ultrasound? What did you think?