Our peach on miracle grow...

I keep finding myself wondering…”When is the part where it all slows down?” The days and weeks - and now months - keep flying past with increasing speed. This really came into perspective when a new friend, Sara, shared stories of two of her friends who had premature babies. The kicker was that they were born at about 6 months. 6 MONTHS! I am almost 5!!!!!! Instantly I began thinking “I’m not ready!” Even though my belly suddenly popped out over the past couple of weeks and I have begun to feel little flutters every once in awhile….it all seems surreal…still. I realized that I hadn't read any of the dozens of books laying around at home updating me on baby size in quite awhile. So, last Friday I did. It described the baby as being the size of my open hand. OPEN HAND. That's big! Last I read (s)he was a peach! And although I’ve had many of the symptoms of pregnancy and I have read that these are all symptoms of pregnancy….it just won’t sink in. The next day I’m fine and all is back to normal – minus the fact that most of my clothes now need to be packed away for next year. I warned Jp that if this sudden growth spurt doesn't slow down and I end up giving birth to a 10 pound baby...he will pay.

I find myself thinking about the baby as an actual baby much more. At one of my recent doctor’s appointments, the doctor listened to the heartbeat for a really long time. Typically it has been a quick 10 second check “Yep, it’s still there!” But this time, she wanted to listen for any irregularities and listened for over a straight minute. The only noise filling the room was our little baby beating as hard as (s)he could. I instantly felt a much stronger connection. All of those motherly instincts of protection and overwhelming love filled me (and of course I cried…again). I sent a quick text to Jp on my way back to work that said “I’m in love with our baby.” A simple, heartfelt “Me too” came back. I felt the connection of our little family really solidify in those moments.

Even after all of these connections, symptoms, communications and visuals show a growing baby…a growing family, it simply won’t sink in that I can be this lucky…this happy….this in love.

Next, I will eat sugary danish for breakfast this coming Thursday to hopefully get the baby moving so we can see exactly whether there is a little spigot on our new love. And for all of you who have texted, emailed and facebooked asking for pictures of the growing baby-bump…you can thank Mr. Willis for their nonexistence on our blog thus far. Apparently, he thought the camera cord was on the menu. We will update with pictures soon!