Just a Couple of Tidbits

So, Nolan's officially been 4 years old for twelve whole days. The only real change we've seen since he added another number to his age is a great one...his eating habits (knocking on wood as I type)! The child has eaten so much more at each meal time, and has even asked for more here and there. Just a growth spurt? Maybe, but I'll take it. His opinion on the subject: "I just didn't like to eat when I was 'free,' but now that I'm four, I do."

Perhaps this is why we didn't have a clue that he had strep throat a couple of days after his birthday because he hadn't lost his appetite at all! Now, if we could just get those 2 middle fingers out of his mouth for good. Did I mention previously that while I was having an ultrasound for my kidney stones about a month ago that the tech, told me she wasn't supposed to show me the baby, but just couldn't pass up the chance to show me the "most adorable thing that it was doing." Upon seeing the screen turn, I saw this little one, in utero sucking two middle fingers. Not as adorable this time as it was when Nolan was in my womb.

Speaking of womb...I wish I could just one time get a good video of the tricks this baby does. You would think with how often and constant this baby moves propels and rolls, punches and kicks, and bulges out it wouldn't be a hard task to capture. While I have a few different videos of it, I'm still trying to get the one that shows a true image of just what I'm describing, as I'm convinced that's the only way to make someone understand.

When I was pregnant with Nolan, I thought I had a mover or a mini-gymnast. He also had hiccups frequently. This one takes it to a completely new level. While I still love being pregnant, there are definitely times that I feel almost claustrophobic. I'm not sure if it's due to the fact that I'm carrying so differently with this one than I did Nolan and haven't swollen everywhere else to help lug around the extra weight or if it's because of the nightly flinging movements of this one. Perhaps it's just a combination of both.

That first butterfly fluttering movement came so much sooner with this one and quickly progressed to become stronger and stronger. Brian and Nolan were even able to feel the kicks on the outside much sooner than the 23 weeks mark that occurred with Nolan. From there, the baby had a new movement that became a nightly occurrence. It felt like a wet dog shaking inside my belly. You could even just watch and see it's fast paced, back & forth movement. The baby likes to kick/hit back anywhere I push on my belly. If Nolan or Brian speak to my belly, almost instantaneously you can expect to see a large bulge in my belly closest to where they're speaking. The baby has hiccups all. the. time. He/she had hiccups for almost a full 24 hour period (with a few breaks in between) the other night.

As this pregnancy draws nearer & nearer to an end, I'm trying to take in all the bumps and nudges. As weird as it sounds, I dearly missed my belly when it was gone after Nolan. Yes, I absolutely adored what was in my arms far more, but I just missed that bond. So, with this one, I'm trying to remind myself to slow down although I'm tired. To enjoy and feel each and every kick as they begin to slow down due to lack of room. To not get too annoyed when I am woken up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom for the 100th time, only to come back to bed to a baby that has decided to wake up since my body changed positions. To take in that this may be the last time that I'm fortunate and blessed enough to experience such a growing miracle. I'm also appreciating my family of three for it's final days...after all, it's not too much longer until my family of 3 will quickly become a family of 4.

"A baby is something you carry inside you for nine months, in your arms for three years, and in your heart till the day you die."

~ Mary Mason