Bauer Baby Blog

Kick, kick, kick! Brian felt the baby move! Of course, like any baby, ours didn't perform on command. But we were patient and waited. While cuddling on the couch, Brian put his hand on my belly bump and waited. I didn't say anything when the baby moved, but waited for Brian to say "Was that it?" I have been telling him that I felt the baby move, and he had really wanted to know when he would be able to feel it. I did some research on the web and it seems like most daddies were able to feel something at about 22-26 weeks. We had them beat! We were only at 20 weeks! It is really odd to think of another living being floating and moving inside me. Sometimes it does feel like I've been taken over by a strange alien creature.

Movement has now started to fall into different categories. I've started to try to find a pattern too, cause and effect. The first real "kick" happened when I had my belly pressed up against the desk for a minute and I felt a little leg or arm move. I've been feeling little flutters and "summersaults" for a while, but I can feel definite kicks now too. The baby is really active after a meal and I can feel kicks then. In the car driving I'll feel a little tumbling too. This morning, I rested on my tummy for just a minute before getting out of bed. I counted about seven kicks! I don't think he liked being squished. All of it makes me smile.

Sometimes after I sit a certain way for a while, I can feel him sunk low into my pelvis. I do some pelvic rocks to tilt him out and up. It feels way too full to stay like that! At night I woke up and the baby was really, really still. I got afraid for split second but told myself that he was just asleep. It really is comforting to have him kick during the day. It helps me know that everything is going alright. Most of the time I'm working or distracted and I don't pay too much attention. But I would say that every few hours now, I get a reminder that we're pregnant!

We saw the midwife at the birth center a week ago. We have been seeing a doctor, but I wanted more than she can really offer. The midwife was wonderful, and I think really helped relieve Brian's first time Daddy worries. While we've decided we aren't going to plan on having the baby at the birth center, a midwife birth at the hospital is better than the standard American birth.

Just like my lists and planning for the wedding, I've started to make plans and lists for the baby. They include: things to buy, general preparation to do list, 36 weeks preparation to do, birth bag packing list, after baby comes home, house cleaning and fixing. While they don't really give me control, they help me affect what I can and get to the point that I can let go of everything that is little and doesn't really matter - even if it’s on the list, didn't get done, and should have been.

We saw him move! We saw him move! I am so happy. I had debated about having an ultrasound, but in the end Brian and I decided to go for it. The thought of actually seeing the baby just made me melt. I'm now 12 weeks and 1 day from my last menstral period, but the ultrasound measured the baby at 12 weeks 4 days.

Brian came to the appointment. We saw the baby roll over in my belly and wave his arm. The nurse measured his heartbeat at 158 bpm, which is just perfect. He is 5.34 cm long. And I don't know why I'm calling it a him ... I just am. He's not an it. He's a real baby with real fingers, real legs and a real nose! I couldn't stop smiling and "hogging" the pictures as Brian said. In any case, I'm so happy! What a Valentine's day!

I want to give Brian so much credit for dealing with me the past few days. He has been subject to an annoying pregnant woman's whims and whines. Lately I've had a few hormonal headaches and 180 degree mood swings. As much as I'm not enjoying them, Brian doesn't haven any idea about the "right move" to make to ensure he doesn't set me off. He's been confused and frustrated while I've been touchy and irritable. We're both working on dealing with it the best we can, but things sometimes get away from us.

I want everyone to know how good Brian has been to me though. He makes sure I take my prenatal vitamins, brings me drinks and even makes me toast or dinner sometimes. I am so thankful to have my husband and I just want everyone to know how good he is.

So no big news on the baby front as of today. Brian's job is going alright and I have started to work from home which has really helped.

We do have a few upcoming events in the next few weeks. My first prenatal visit is scheduled for Feb 14, St. Valentine's Day! We don't know yet if Brian will be able to make it because he would have to take off work. I got a recommendation from the Bradley instructor for a good local doctor. We are also going to look into a birthing center as well.

As Brian mentioned, we heard back from the Bradley instructor and are scheduled for our first class Tuesday February 21st. We will meet weekly for the next 10 weeks and discuss all about pregnancy, labor, and birth. I'm really excited. We'll be in a class with other pregnant couples so we'll have classmates and make friends. Brian is trying to be as excited, but I think he's nervous too. We're both dealing with lots of changes, in each other and in our lives. Pray for us as we develop, day by day, into hopeful, prayerful parents. Everyone is in our prayers as always.

I'm not feeling that great. Mostly my stomach is upset and I just don't feel good. I also have a slight headache, dizzy moments, and lightheadedness. Pregnancy has set in. At this point, all I want to do is go to sleep! And we have many major projects at work which has meant late nights. I'm looking foward to about six/eight weeks when everything is supposed to get better. As happy as I am about being pregnant, this is not fun.

So, now that Brian and I are good and pregnant, I have been working on all the initial preparations that come with being pregnant.

Michelle, Brian's sister and the mother of three beautiful children with another soon to arrive, has kindly offered her library of pregnancy books for my perusal. My aunt Susan and Brian's sister Susan are both jumping up and down with excitement, figuratively. Brian got a book for Daddy's To Be for Christmas from his sister Susan. Talking with both my mother Anne and Brian's mom Marilyn has been a good introduction to being pregnant with many good suggestions.

My mom used to teach Bradley childbirth classes and has recommended them to me. I found the contact information for several instructors and I'm waiting to hear back. Bradley classes are 10-12 weekly sessions with lots of education about nutrition, exercise, relaxation practice, labor preparations and the actual work of labor. The classes encourage natural childbirth and breastfeeding which match my hopes for our birth experience. Brian is learning as much as he can about our options and I think this type of class would be great for us. Brian and I are already working to eat really well. Brian made me scambled eggs for breakfast today!

I remember my mom teaching her Bradley classes while she was pregnant with my brother (~ 14 years ago). She was going through the same things her students were! I want to ask the Bradley instructor which facilities in the nearby area are the best, since there are many options available to us. I need to go in and have my first prenatal visit. If I don't hear back from here today, I think I will go ahead and make an appointment anyway! I want to get off to a good start.