More than Spurious Correlations?

As a "researcher" I find myself wondering about these strange bodily phenomena that come with pregnancy. First of all, I wonder why my car has been a trigger for my all-day sickness (there seems to be no such thing as "morning" sickness for me). Most of you would likely say, with good reason, that it's probably the motion of being in the car that sets me off... However, it's not being in the car but rather approaching or leaving my car that stirred up (literally) all the trouble. From months two to five, this unusual pattern of sickness has led to all sorts of psychoanalyzing... Am I afraid of transitions? of change? Does the idea of "moving" on cause some stress?..... And if so, since I no longer get sick every time I approach my vehicle, does that mean I am now ready to move ahead? Hmmmmm....

My sleeping pattern has been distressingly off the last two nights as well. Since Thursday evening, our little man has really started to pack quite a punch - it is amazing to me that such a little one can make my belly jump up and down so much! It has been pretty exciting to feel his movements and Kevin has enjoyed it too... However, at 4 and 5 and 6 a.m., when I still can't sleep and I feel him preparing for a boxing match, it is slightly, just slightly, less exciting. Last night, I got at most two hours of sleep! Are his movements keeping me awake, or it is just hormonal, or stress, or just chance.... I guess time will tell....

Little Miracles and Not So Big Surprises

Another very busy weekend! KB and I went to see Matt and Janna in the hospital on Friday and they were gracious to send us home with some pics of their sweet little miracles, Hayden and Holly.


It was a reminder to us what a miracle each birth is! Hayden and Holly, as young as they are, already seem to have their own little personalities. Hayden is active and Holly loves to be held close. Both are such little troopers!

Hayden Lee


Holly Elizabeth


Here is Matt with a teensy-weensy diaper! So cute!

Saturday, KB and I attempted to surprise Kerri for her birthday by meeting her and Dan, and Sarah and Scott for dinner. However, since we ran 20 minutes late for the surprise (many of you are not shocked by this), we walked into Bucca De Beppo as Kerri and Dan were being led to our table. Just after Kerri and I made eye-contact, I panicked and promptly attempted to blend into the nearest thing possible... which just happened to be my husband. Kerri thought it was rather odd to see me ducking and hiding as she walked past, but she was kind enough to let me off the hook.

After I effectively ruined the surprise, we had a great evening of eating, talking, laughing, and eating some more. For those of you who have not been to this restaurant, their large family size platters could feed a small country. Needless to say, Woody and I ate very well.

On Friday, Woody will graduate to his 24th week. We are having many conversations these days as he kicks and punches and flips around to remind me that he is alive and well. I love to feel him move and often, I have to smile and laugh. KB is insisting that Woody listen to music - so now you will likely find me at home with headphones on my belly. The CD of the week is Kenny Loggin's Return to Pooh Corner. Woody seems to like it, and sometimes, I am convinced that he is kicking/punching to the beats.

My six month photo update!
I can't believe there are four more months to grow!

Much to Celebrate!

It seems the older I get, the more there is to celebrate. While all this celebrating makes my life at times quite busy, I know that means I am also quite blessed! Within the last three weeks, I have attended two baby showers and a wedding... and within the last three days, three babies have been born! Our friends April and Rob welcomed their little boy, Owen Riley, into the world on Saturday and Kevin's best friend, Matt, and his wife, Jana, got to meet their twins, Hayden and Holly, a little earlier than expected just yesterday! I am awaiting to hear any new news on the status of MiJean and Rodrigo's little boy too, who is due on February 10th. I am glad to see that my circle of friends with little boys is quickly expanding - little Woody will be guaranteed some friends! Also, last but not least, my cuz and BF, Sarah, and her hubby, Scott, are expecting in August, which I couldn't be more excited about! I am voting for a boy, for obvious reasons...

Last weekend, Vadsana, Woody, and I made the trek to glamorous LA for Carissa and Alvin's wedding - only to be greeted by not so glamorous rain. We seemed to have brought the bad weather with us. Luckily, it cleared just in time and the wedding and reception were beautiful!


Another thing to celebrate - since complaining during my last post that I had not yet felt Woody move, he has been determined to prove me wrong (as all the other significant men in my life seem to like to do). He has been wiggling and kicking and doing somersaults for a week now... I think he is training for the Olympics (and as his unbiased mama, I give him a 10). Today he let me know he was having hiccups for almost an hour - not so conveniently the same hour I was running group therapy. It was all I could do to stay focused. I feel like I am getting to know this little person that is sharing space with me - last week, I told Kevin with earnest that I love him already.... and then I promptly cried. There seems to be a lot of that going on lately.

Finally, this last week I celebrated my return to my pre-pregnancy weight. With all the nausea and vomiting, I went negative for awhile - although with the size of this belly, I would have guessed I reached that weight awhile ago...

Now, with all my celebrating, and reminiscing about celebrating, I am tuckered out. Time to celebrate the joy of sleeping...