Patty-poke and roll

30 weeks pregnant today, and less than 10 weeks to go little man! Let me tell you, I need all the weeks I can get. Both Nick and I are mentally and emotionally prepared for our new arrival. However, financially and home wise we are not. Besides the pregnant woman wandering around the house, I don't think you could really tell that in 2 months time there's going to be a wee one whizzing all over the place. Guess we better buckle down and get to work!

Speaking of work, our little guy has been working hard, kicking, punching, and rolling around. These are all very new sensations for me. Nothing like sitting around and seeing your stomach twitch and form shapes right in front of your eyes. Trying to decipher if that is an elbow, knee, or foot poking out of the side of my ribcage. It's an unusual emotion to experience, something between delight and excitement. To think that there isn't much between him and the outside world. At this point he can hear, see, taste, and feel. But on those occasional days where he decides to be kind of quiet, terror and paranoia set in. "Is he ok in there?" "Do I need to go to the hospital?" "Is he just sleepy today?" I guess this is my first taste of being a parent. That constant worry feeling that your child is ok. Better get use to it, huh?

As hokey as it may sound, I've been trying to play a little game with him. I call it Patty-poke. When I can sense that he's up and moving, and he starts to prod a little. I poke in a certain area about three times, going "boop-boop-boop." He usually will kick or punch back. I switch up the spot slightly to see if he'll move and respond to where I'm poking him. He usually does!!! It's really fun to see him respond. When he does a good job, I tell him so out loud. A little praise, a little love, and an all over belly rub. It's kind of like when you comfort a child by rubbing his back, I'm starting early by rubbing my belly. I hope all this play time we have together helps us bond even earlier. I've even gotten Nick in the action, it's so much fun already, we can't wait until we can actually meet him!!!

Playing with our little guy and already getting a response from him really brings joy to me. I think Nick really enjoys seeing me play with him too. I guess that's when that sort of motherly look sets in, that unconditional love thing people talk about. I savor every moment I feel him move, roll, kick, or punch. Makes me feel l like, he's saying, "hello! world I'm in here!" or "Hi mom, it's me." I talk to the little guy every chance I can. Asking him if he enjoyed to food we just ate, if he liked the game we just played, or if he wants to hear more music. We tell him we love him all the time. Nick tells him good morning, every morning. We both hope that he can hear and feel all of this. We encourage him to grow healthy and be happy. With everything that has gone on with this pregnancy, all the difficult moments, all the challenges, at least we can verbally and physically give him encouragement to develop and be healthy. Most of all, that there will be two parents here ready to love him!