Playtime with Daddy

Babykins!

Daddy was able to feel your three little kicks last night for the first time! I have been able to feel you moving around for the last week and a half, and was trying to explain to your Dad the crazy "bubble" feeling of your little movements.

Daddy and I were cuddling on the couch, and he had his hand on my belly - and I felt a little kick and moved your Dad's hand to feel, and then you kicked three times! Your Dad's eye lit up and he couldn't contain his smile!

We love you so much and I am so happy you decided to share playtime with Daddy.

Well-rounded and well...rounded

My sweet little babykins boy,

We have a few more months together with you growing happily inside my belly, and these months will include continued growth for me as well.

In the first 5 months of our journey, I have been rounded out in several ways:

Physically: my belly has certainly become a round bump, and complete strangers have started inquiring about you already! Luckily so far, I have only had to buy maternity pants, and have been able to stretch cute "normal" tops over the bump!

Mentally: I have started thinking of all the first lessons I want to teach you, and what you are going to teach me. I have a new filter of the world; I am cataloging fabulous ideas, lessons and insights. I also have a growing list of what I hope you learn to avoid, such as "one-upping" others or having false humility.

Spiritually: God and I have been having little talks about you. I used to pray for smaller, daily items. With you in mind, I'm praying with a much large scope now.

Emotionally: for the most part, I am in control of my emotions, and pride myself on being able to be level-headed when facing emotional situations. I have been reveling and giving into complete abandon, tearing up or laughing at the silliest things, and not caring what others think of me.

Thank you little man for making my life fuller and more well rounded.

Baby Carlson is....

....officially a little pill! I hope baby's behaivor on Thursday isn't a harbinger of baby's personality!

I was so excited to find out what our little bug was, I slept even less than usual (thank you baby for sitting directly on my bladder every night:).

Paul and I showed up to the doctors' office, anticipating the moment we would find out baby's gender.

But....baby was cuddled up in the very furthest corner possible, to the point where the ultrasound tech had to push the wand around to get the baby to move...no luck. The ultrasound tech then put me at a steep incline (head down), which caused my back to arch in a weird position and blood to rush to my head - super uncomfy, and baby STILL wouldn't move! We saw snapshots of baby's arms, baby's hands, baby's legs (which were all curled up and protecting baby's little secret). We even saw baby yawn (clearly we were interrupting nap or sleepy time, pardon us, your adoring, loving parents who would just like to know how to better prepare for baby's arrival!).

After much prodding, poking and multiple, multiple, multiple clicks and images of our undercover agent baby, the tech asked "You want to know the gender of your baby?" Paul was literally on the edge of his seat beside the table (which had been raised a bit so I could see the screen)....

So in the end, baby did cooperate and was forced to share; we will be having a little baby BOY joining our family this autumn!

We now must search for the perfect name! In the mean time (as we are so cool) we are calling baby Optimus Paul:)