fun with stethescope

Turns out: not so easy for the untrained ear to hear baby's heartbeat.

putting science to the test

I forgot! We never announced the sex of the baby. We kept it a little
hush so we could have a guessing game at the CT shower and what ended
up giving it away was our difficulty not using pronouns.

Very, very likely, but not 100% we're having a GIRL! I add the preface
because I am hearing over and over again that people think it's a boy.
I've heard it from loved ones like my mother-in-law and also from
complete strangers. I'm fact, I'm sitting here begrudgingly waiting
for my bus to Delaware and two women I've bonded with (over hatred for
Greyhound) said without blinking that I'm having a boy.

So we will see who wins. Human instinct v. medicine. Any bets?

laughing party

My sister has been a wonderful source of knowledge regarding traditions (the nursing necklace ritual was her brain child). She shared this latest idea, taking from Navajo tradition:

After a Navajobaby is born, the first celebration takes place just after the child's first laugh. Yes, laugh! "We believe the soul (also called `the wind') enters the body soon after birth," says Lori Alviso Alvord, a Navajo physician. "A baby's laugh is an indication that the soul has become attached to the body."

Alvord continues: "The person who made the baby laugh is expected to host a party, at which small pieces of rock salt are placed in a woven basket. The baby `gives' the pieces of salt to each guest. The Navajo believe that by doing this the baby will grow up to be generous and giving."

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

Get out your whoopie cushions and knock-knock jokes, and start doing those facial exercises for better goofy-face dexterity!! If you need some inspiration, I recommend watching Monster's Inc (with particular focus on the end...not so much the frightening-children part).

p.s. "Winner" wins the prize of knowing you connected BabySmiles with her soul. No party needed!

knock knock

...who's there? BABY!

As I lie here quietly, I can feel what must be baby taps on my belly.
Earlier tonight I held the phone up to Baby so Mike could say good
night, and he told her she should give me a little kick so I know
she's there...and she did!

Clearly Daddy's little girl

bath time: showering baby with love

This weekend was magical, being surrounded by east coast family and friends who all came to shower our baby with love. It's hard to describe how touching a gesture it was. This nursing necklace was given to us to remind us of all the blessings and love that will envelope our little family...a nice warm hug whenever we need it!

Thank you everyone for making this time so special.

halfway mark: go bananas

20 weeks marks the halfway point! It's been a very pleasant ride for so far. Aside from the the occassional belly cramp after an especially powerful sneeze and arms that have a greater tendency to fall asleep, piece of cake! And speaking of cake*, Baby is about the size of a banana, which is wild because the bananas on my counter look huge!


Quick update:
Last Tuesday (7/6) we found out the sex of the baby! While we've been telling some, I've promised to keep it quiet for a couple more weeks since it may end up being a source of entertainment when we're in CT with family and friends. So stay tuned. We'll post the latest ultrasounds soon! The baby is beautiful, healthy, and amazing flexible. At one point Baby had a leg up above the head. Strong hamstrings, no doubt.



*[transition from cake to banana is pretty weak but perhaps it will inspire a banana cake in my near future?]

Show yourself, Baby!

Interesting time of pregnancy. I think I'm showing a little more and
the belly has been a little firmer, but then I wake up today and
everything feels normal! I know there is a baby in there (or so says
ultrasound technology) but Baby still feels a little abstract. Yes, I
am grateful for this because normal is way better than vomitting, but
enough is enough...

Show yourself, Baby!

Give us a kick, a burp, I'll even take a toot. Got a beautiful round
De Sousa head? Let's see it! Got long versatile Bui toes? Let's have it!

Yes, we're excited and eager for Baby to come. Tuesday we find out if
Baby is He Baby or She Baby!