Dangerette likes Graeter's (but who doesn't?)

Dangerette was kicking up a storm last night. Graeter's + lying down apparently makes her giddy. She was kicking enough to rock the mug that was sitting on Jill's belly, and for it to surprise me when I felt it the first time.

We went to Dr. Bowen's office today for the first time. I'm very glad we made the switch. Everyone there seems happy to see you, seems happy about life and the office itself is just in better condition. It just felt more natural, and not in a hippy, live in a tree sort of way. And certainly not in a "this is what it's supposed to be like" sort of way either. I don't have a clue what that is! You felt like you sat down with an amigo, not your doctor. I just walked out reassured and reenergized.

March 25th, a day that will live in infamy. :)

Good food, good meat...

Today I caught myself really thinking about what I'm thankful for...

I'm thankful for my health, so I can do things like run when I want, relax when I want, eat what I want, drink what I want and stay out of the hospital (when I want!)

I'm thankful for my wife who loves me, puts me in my place, guides me through life with a gentle hand when I'm being a stubborn ox and laughs at me when I make stupid jokes and act like a 10 year old.

I'm thankful for my job because, while at times might be the biggest stressor in my life, fills me with satisfaction that I'm doing something good and not just trying to make a buck. And I'm thankful for the people I work with. They really make me look forward to going even on the roughest days.

I'm thankful for my family, both my immediate family because they are honest with me and guide me and I can be honest with them back, and my extended family because it is who they are that make holidays like this something to look forward to.

And I'm thankful for Dangerette. She's still in there growing, but that little papaya is going to enrich my life more than any one of the things above.

Off to Thanksgiving breakfast :D (another thing I'm thankful for!)

Half Way There!

What A Day!
Our trip to the doctor this morning for our 20w ultrasound was a lot more exciting than usual. The ultrasound tech moved from the baby’s head all the way down to her feet. We saw the different lobes of the brain, the chambers of the heart, and the rest of her major organs and bones. The tech also took lots of measurements and counted the fingers and toes. Everything appears to be developing well and her digestive system and kidneys are functioning! She is facing my back with her head at the top and her feet towards the bottom. Right now she’s about 13 oz. and right on target for her due date (March 25th). One of the neatest parts for me was seeing her move at the same time as I felt it. It put to rest my questions about whether it was my muscles twitching or the baby I was feeling. She also had the hiccups and you could see her whole body lurch.
Oh… and it’s a girl! It took a while to get the right shot. But with a few prods and pushes the tech got her to move in the right direction.
Between my ultrasound and appointment with the doctor (they were at different times because Dr. Heis was out of the office in the morning) we made a quick trip to Target. Finally knowing if I should be hunting for girl or boy stuff was part of the fun for the morning!
At this point I am reading more about birthing plans and the ins and outs of natural childbirth. I have so many questions but I enjoy discovering things on my own. What I have learned so far is that each mom and delivery is different - so I am going to do my best to prepare and hopefully experience will be a good teacher!
Will is also enjoying this experience. He goes to all my doctor appointments with me and is very involved in the process. As the weeks slip by we are both getting more and more anxious.

Little face and hand

Spine, head, and torso