私の子供は忍者です! (my child is a ninja)

So Krystyn has been telling me that she feels the baby move now, but I have yet to feel anything...until today.  We were watching a movie and Krystyn felt something, and sure enough every time I placed my hand on her stomach he fell back asleep.  Just when I was giving up, I felt a tiny little punch - in my expert opinion I would say it felt like a choku-zuki, but it happened so fast I can't say for sure.  Nonetheless, it was a punch and it had power behind it.  I think we may have a ninja on our hands (second-generation, for those of you counting).  Let the reliving-my-youth-through-my-child behavior ensue.

Big Moves!

Today was a really exciting day for me because little boy was making such big moves I could feel them with my hand on my stomach from the outside...this means it's only a matter of time before Joe gets to feel him too!  I've been looking forward to that ever since the first time I felt him myself.  To be able to share this is so exciting!  I never thought I would, but I'm going to be that person that has everyone stand around with their hands on my stomach waiting for the baby to move and saying "did you feel that?".  It's just another wondrous moment where I realize that I'm carrying a real tiny human being inside of my belly and that very soon, I'm going to get to be his Mommy.  I don't feel worthy, but I am so grateful for the opportunity!

Valentine's Day

This year we made no plans for Valentine's.  I'll admit we've gotten a little lazy about these things.  I wanted a card from Joe, that is my gift.  I love getting cards and letters from him, there are no better presents...so I really look forward to each holiday as it means a new card from my husband.  This year that was even more true because I knew he would include how excited he is about our baby to be and that would make this the best Valentine's yet.

I planned on making a nice romantic dinner for two and just enjoying some time together after a long work day.  But honestly, by the time I got home I was tired and just didn't feel like cooking.  So I called Joe and asked if he minded if we went somewhere.  Of course he didn't mind!!  But we knew we would have a hard time finding a decent place that had any openings on Valentine's Day.  Luckily, we both love a little Mexican restaurant down the street from us, and since romance and refried beans aren't synonymous, we didn't have any trouble getting a table.

When we parked the car, Joe reached down and grabbed a bag and asked if I wanted my gift now or in the restaurant.  Well, I'm a crier, so I said in the car.  I was really surprised to get a gift, I was honestly thrilled just to get him to myself for a few hours over dinner and I was looking forward to a card.  But a gift too?  Unexpected but so exciting!  First I opened the card he got me and it was beautiful.  But honestly I could barely read it because I was so excited to see what was in the bag!  I opened the box and there was a beautiful sterling silver chain with swarovski crystal necklace.  I did blub-blub then, and asked him to put it on me.  I spent the rest of the night admiring this beautiful necklace.  It just meant so much to me to know he'd gone out and chosen something so special to surprise me with.  He told me he wanted to do something nice so I'd know how much he loved me and since our lives were going to be getting crazy after little boy gets here, it might be the last chance to show me for a while.  We both laughed at that.  Things are definitely about to change, but I'm so thankful Joe's going to be the one sharing this journey with me!!

20 weeks, we're half way there!

Today is the halfway point of our pregnancy.  Time seems to be moving at warp speed, how else could we be only a few months away from meeting our son?  Physically, I'm in the honeymoon stage of expecting.  All the early pregnancy symptoms are gone.  No more nausea or exhaustion or back pain.  I feel amazing, and watching my belly grow is just surreal.

There are some things you dream of your whole life and in the midst of them happening you have to keep pinching yourself to remember it's real.  For me, that dream was getting married and having a family of my own.  When Joe and I got married it was the happiest day of my life.  I still look at my rings and feel so much happiness knowing that we have each other and that he'll always be there for me.  I know that nothing short of death himself would take Joe away from little man and I.   So being able to finally start a family together is nothing short of a lifelong dream come true.  I have to remind myself everyday that it's real.  Yes, we are this lucky, and I am so very thankful!

Facebook reveal

Today was our big day to announce to everyone on Facebook that we're expecting!  It's been tough to not shout our news from the rooftops, but we wanted the chance to personally tell as many of our friends as possible before making it public knowledge.  Joe posted an ultrasound picture of little boy from his anatomy scan with the caption that we're having a son.  It felt good to finally have it out there.