5 1/2 Months

I haven't written anything in a long time. I have been vacationing a lot--from Ojai to Pismo to Tahoe to San Francisco--and school started, which is always very busy at the start of the year.

I am teaching 1st grade again and my students are adorable. They are very excited about the baby that is "growing in my tummy." The other day they were asking me questions about the baby and who would take care of them when I left to have my baby. As I was explaining everything and trying to set them at ease, one of my students interrupted by loudly announcing, "you know it's gonna' hurt, right? It's gonna' hurt real bad when you have that baby!" I thanked her for the heads up.

My belly is growing bigger and bigger. People often tell me that my belly is bigger than to be expected at this stage of my pregnancy. (I will post pics within the next week.) I feel great though and continue to crave lots of fish to keep my belly growing. The only time I feel sick anymore is when I don't eat often enough.

The baby is moving a lot these days, which I LOVE! It started a few weeks ago with the occasional small thumps against my lower abdomen. Lately, it has been much more noticeable and frequent. I feel kicks in my lower abdomen and pushing in small circular motions against my upper abdomen. I'm not sure if the novelty will wear off, but I feel excited every time it happens--and it is happening A LOT.

My dad was the first to feel the baby's kicks. I am visiting my parents in San Francisco this weekend and just this morning I felt the baby move a lot so I put my dad's hand on my belly. My dad felt the next big kick! He was very proud the be the first and teased Adam (who is not here with me this weekend)over the phone that the baby likes him the best. My mom was jealous at first, but she also got a chance to feel it tonight. I am excited to get back to San Diego tomorrow to share it with Adam.