Kicks

Baby Boy Schwandt has been kicking like crazy. If you know Tom, you know he can't sit still. He's constantly rocking, even in a stationary chair. I'm beginning to believe that his son will definately be taking after him. I love feeling him move, and the past few days I've felt stronger movements and kicks. Nothing uncomfortable yet, but seeing as my placenta is attached to the back of my uterus, I think I may be in for it the bigger he gets. Just as long as I survive without any broken ribs. Readers of Stephanie Meyer's Breaking Dawn will know what I'm getting at with that little comment :)

Last night as I awoke for a potty, I came back to bed and called for Tom to come feel his son moving. As Tom put his hand on my tummy, the baby contemplated this new warm object covering his home, and heard a voice he will soon recognize as "daddy". After a minute he gave a good kick, and then another good kick. WOW! Tom's eyes lit up in amazement. That was the coolest thing to feel inside me and have Tom experience from the outside. At 22 weeks strong, working into 23 weeks gestation (5 1/2 months), our little offspring is growing and gaining strength. I always imagined what this experience would be like, and let me tell you, it is the most amazing thing ever! We are so greatful to our Lord that he has blessed us with this miracle, with good health and this loving life we adore. We can't wait to finally meet our son in a few short months. Until then, here is what's going on during Week 23, according to babygaga.com:

Fetal development in pregnancy week 23: At this point you’ve pretty much adjusted to the fact you’ve got a moving little gymnast inside of you, but now they’re going to kick up the party a notch because they can hear and react to sounds from the outside world. Sounds from your alarm clock, a thunder roll, or that darned car honking at you across the intersection can actually jar their little ears enough to elicit a kick or violent bout of squirming. Of course this also means that their little ears are picking up the sounds of your voice and those near you. So go ahead, sing a lullaby to your little angel—if they start kicking, it’s likely they just want you to stop… or maybe it was a kick of approval? You decide. Your baby's tiny taste buds are still growing and their bones are continuing to ossify (harden), their tiny veins are visible through their translucent yet wrinkly skin. (Think of it this way: they’ve been swimming in the equivalent of a long hot bath for the past 23 weeks, so you can’t blame them for being a little prune-like.)