Flutters and Tiny Kicks

I am now in my 20th week and I am feeling the baby’s presence more and more each day.  For the past 4 weeks, I have been feeling the baby’s flutters and tiny kicks.  Its so amazing knowing that you are carrying a living being that is solely dependant on you.  A being so fragile and beautiful that is growing each day, and letting his/her presence be known.  Its all part of the beauty of becoming a mother.  I already love the baby without even seeing him/her and I can envision myself holding the baby for the first time.  I find myself talking to the baby and caressing my stomach more…

Everything is changing.  My body is stretching, getting bigger and its getting harder to find clothes to wear everyday.  I’ve already had to go out and buy a few things, including this thing at Target called Belly Band, its great! It allows me to be able to wear my regular pants without having to button them.

In the beginning, I couldn’t really see the big picture, it has always been just me, or Alex and me, now we are going to add our own little person to the family, it’s a wonderful feeling.  I am happy, excited, anxious, I get worried if I accidentally bump the baby, and have started to talk to him/her and smile each time because I know that its no longer just me, the baby gently flutters and lets me know that he or she is there, alive and kicking.

On May 10th 2009 was my first mother’s day, well I guess pre-mother’s day.  Alex had left to Nicaragua, but before leaving he had left a special delivery.  It was a beautiful bouquet of colorful tulips, and the note that was attached was just beautiful- it brought tears to my eyes:

Both my sisters gave me cards telling me congratulations and how they can’t wait until the baby is born and how they know that I will be a great mother, it was very touching and sweet.

I have received a lot of support from family and friends.  It is no secret that we are in the baby boom era amongst our friends.  Our good friends Diana and Christian, Paula and Aaron, my cousin Monica and Pat, Alex’s cousin’s Michael and Lou, Jackie and Daniel, and Laura and Dan.  We are very excited about that because there are many play dates and parties to come.  My parent’s are both very excited to be grandparents, I have noticed a softening of my dad’s heart, and a tender smile knowing he is going to be a grandpa.  My mom is being creative and has great ideas for the baby.  My aunt has sewn a blanket for our baby, I haven’t seen it yet, but I thought that was just great! My big sister, Carolina has been a big support from the beginning, as soon as she found out, she ordered a journal online and shipped it to me.

I’ve been reading articles online, books, and journals to learn more about what is going on with the development of the baby and what to expect. I tell you it is amazing the things we wouldn’t normally know.

For instance right now the baby measures about 6 inches and can fit on the palm of your hand! Imagine that? How cute!  By now, the baby already has fingerprints, nails and hair.  His skeletal and nervous system is also now formed and his brain functions can now send signals to the rest of his body to move legs, arms and fingers!  Our baby can finally hear us! How amazing is that? I am a little concerned because we all know how loud Alex can be sometimes, our dear little baby will be calm minding his own business and then gets startled by him, haha! but I am sure the baby will finally realize that it’s a Downs thing.

This Friday we finally get to find out if the baby is a boy or a girl, and it feels like a century away! I guess its all the excitement.  We can finally call the baby by his/her name and stop writing “his/her”.  We can finally make up mental pictures about our future together that is a bit more accurate.  We are half way there, and I can’t wait until October 30th, 2009!!! When we finally get to meet our beautiful Baby Downs!  By the way, have you voted?  If not yet, vote here!

I am very thankful for all the support from family and friends.  I ask for your continued prayers as we embark on this journey that God has put us through.

Some have asked to see how I look, below are some pics Alex took this weekend:

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