24 Weeks, 1 Day...jealous... who, me?

Today your mom held another baby. She said when she held it against her stomach you kicked! Could you tell it was another baby and you wanted to play, or were you a bit jealous. They say that jealousy is a green-eyed monster. Brown eyes run in my family.

24 Weeks...One thing

One thing your mom craves now is ice cream. No pickles please, just ice cream. We have had ice cream, milk shakes, blizzards, frosties, ice cream sandwiches, and sundaes. I even found chocolate covered frozen bananas for her. That is the best of both worlds. Tastes great, good for you, and frozen ...just like like ICE CREAM. If it had a cherry on top it could be the coolest banana split ever.

23 Weeks, 6 Days...Head of the Class

Just found out our Lamaze class schedule. Monday nights from 6-8:30. Someone told me to pay attention. I told them I wanted to sit up front. Maybe we will even be the teacher's pet. That doesn't sound creepy does it? I will be the valedictorian of our Lamaze Class. Graduation ceremony will be held in the delivery room. When your mom and I first met we got in trouble for passing notes in class. Can't do that now!

23 Weeks, 5 Days...Dizzee Rascal

I'll bet you were one dizzy rascal tonight. Your mom did a rally course tonight with a bunch of turns. Mom and dog did great. You should be born with a great sense of balance. Maybe you will be an olympic gymnist. Just don't forget about it got started.

23 Weeks, 4 Days...elbow room

You must have wanted to stretch out tonight because it felt like you were trying to kick me off the couch! I can identify with that because I hate to be crowded myself. We both must be a bit claustrophobic. It was funny because I have never felt you move so much before. From the way it felt you are either headed for a sports career as a pro soccer player, or to Radio City Music Hall to be a rockett. Either way, I won't cramp your style.

23 Weeks, 3 Days...the Salt of the Earth

Today was Bark in the Park, an annual event raising awareness for dog parks. You probably heard some barks that you havent heard before. Afterwards we went to a local restaurant to get a bite to eat. The waiter actually sat down at the table with us when he found out we were expecting and told us lots of anecdotes about his wife and their kids. He even told us an old wive's tale that we havent heard before. According to him, the way to tell if it is a boy or girl is to sneak and sprinkle some salt in the mother's hair. If she doesn't notice it then the baby will be a boy. If she brushes it out then it will be a girl. Never heard that one before.

23 Weeks, 2 Days...More movements, now on the outside

Your mom saw movement that you created on the outside today! She said she was working and Noticed you were being active. She looked down and saw her shirt move. You created that!

23 Weeks, 1 Day...Nothing is sacred

Grandma Crotts visited us. She wanted to see your fabulous nursery. She approved. She also brought my old baby book. It told some funny stuff about my early days. I giggled at 2 1/2 months. One entry said I was "getting mean." Another said I was shy around family members. On both sides. Another said I didn't like girls. Another said I had to be brought home at 4 a.m. when I attempted to spend the night with my granny and papaw. I was born October 20, 1966 at 11:54 am, weighing 8 lbs. Is nothing sacred?

23 Weeks...Time

Another week has past. It seems like time is flying by one minute and standing still the next. Someone I know asked about your mom and said it seems like she has been pregnant longer than 23 weeks. I agreed, but I don't want to rush things. We are going to let you take your sweet time.

22 Weeks, 6 Days...Tiptoes

I've been told by your mother that I may have to paint her toenails pretty soon. Translation-She may soon not be able to reach them to paint them herself. This could be interesting. I could paint them some unusual color and she wouldn't even know.

22 Weeks, 5 Days...Happy Anniversary

Baby, today is our anniversary. 18 Years ago your mom and I were married in a gazebo in the park, hopped a plane to New Orleans , started our married life together. We have had lots of good times and some sad times too. If we had a child then it would be a full grown adult by now. Instead we are having you at just the perfect time.

22 Weeks, 4 Days...Baby On Board

Home, and glad to be here. We had so much fun on our trip but home was a sweet place to return to. Back in the day-there were these things that parents put on car windows that said "baby on board." You don't see them much anymore. I'm going to have to find us one. We can go lots of places, the three of us.

22 Weeks, 3 Days...New sounds and scenes

Baby, in case you were wondering about those new sounds you heard...we were on the beach, then in a swamp, and then on a horse drawn carriage. And we did a lot of walking. We love to explore and experience things like that. You got a taste of that today. Traveling all over the city with a 7 pound dog gave us practice for traveling with you.

22 Weeks, 2 Days...Rub-a-dub-dub

Last night I gave Fasb his bath to get him ready for our trip to Charleston. Sometimes it takes 2 of us to bathe a 7-pound dog, but I'm pretty good at getting him to cooperate and come clean. He looked and smelled so clean. When it's your turn-I will be the King Of The Bathtub! We can splash and make soap bubbles and have fun. I can even teach you to swim someday, but we will need more water for that.

22 Weeks, 1 Day...a little time for ourselves

Your mom and I are going away for the weekend to celebrate our anniversary. Charleston is where we are headed. She wanted to see the water, and Charleston is a lovely city. On monday we will be married 18 years. We want to spend a little time for ourselves in celebration of this. Heaven knows that we have had lots of little trips like this, just the 2 of us, but knowing that this may be the last one for a while makes this one more special and endearing.

22 Weeks...Time waits for no man

Well, baby, you got another week under your belt. 22 Weeks with 18 more to go before the big debut. Then the rest of your life begins. I feel really good about things and I am very excited about you. So is your mom and everyone else. Just keep on growing and being nurtured until it is time for you to be born.

21 Weeks, 6 Days...Fingerprints are evidence

Fingerprints are evidence that you are special, unique, and one of a kind. Everyone has different patterns of fingerprints, including you. Your mom said your fingerprints are developing now and I just thought about how they are a symbol of your individuality, even in the womb.

21 Weeks, 5 days...a catfight and a boxing match

Went to the OB for our appointment today. Not taking it for granted, but everything is just fine. We told him about your movements feeling like a tapping. Dr. Mills had some funny thoughts about movement in utero. He said that in a couple of weeks it would starst to feel more like a catfight or a boxing match. He also said that right now you were between 12-14 ounces. Almost a pound. We heard your heartbeat again. It is holding a pace of 160 beats per minute, same as last time. This will slow down as you get closer to your D-Day. Next appointment in 1 month, then every 2 weeks.

21 Weeks, 4 Days...the kicker

Your mom said you moved around and kicked a bit during the Easter drama today. When we were talking to our friend Pamela, she described the sensation to her, how it wasnt like a "butterfly" feeling at all. Butterflies should be a tickle feeling, she said. Pamela, who has 4 boys, gave a brilliant description of in utero movements. She said to put your hand on the outside of your cheek. Then press your tongue from inside your mouth to your hand. Your mom said that is what it felt like. She said that is how she describes what kicking babies feel like to men. Cool.

21 Weeks, 3 Days...something to sing about

Baby I am singing at church tomorrow with the easter choir. I am not a great singer but I really enjoy singing. You practice making your little joyful noises. One day we can sing together. I think that will be lots of fun. We can have sing-a-longs in the car and at home.

21 Weeks, 2 days...The Bold and the Beautiful

Your mom sure has come into the fullness of her beauty with you. She just looks radiant. Her face simply beams. Her skin, hair and nails all look different than before. Her figure has changed, but the fullness of it looks great on her. She has embraced the changes that carrying you have created in her. I don't think I've seen her happier or prettier. They say that pregnant women "glow" but that doesn't really describe it. I would say that she exudes.

21 Weeks, 1 day...schedule a nap

Your mom said you were getting into a sleep/wake routine now. Make sure you dont get your days and nights mixed up. Some babies do that. It would play havoc for us if you did. It probably wont take us long to get in synch with our sleep schedules. Speaking of sleep, I could definitely use a nap right about now!

21 Weeks... Drumroll please!

Your mom felt you kick today. Hurray! This is the moment we have been waiting for. She said it felt like you were tapping on her tummy from the inside. It happened at work when she was still. Then again when she was lying on the couch. I think I felt you move a little when she was sleeping. I tap my foot when I get impatient. I also get fidgety when bored. Is that what you were doing? Letting us know "hey, I'm here. Just waiting around."

20 Weeks, 6 days...Hair today, Gone tomorrow

Go ahead and grow yourself a nice full head of hair, baby. Your mom has pretty hair and I have good hair too. Although mine is starting to turn white. I catch a stray white hair every now and then. Some are rather long too. Your great-great grandmother lived to be very old, over 100, and she still wasn't completely white headed. I think you will have blond hair like your mom but with curls like mine. And it needs to be long too.

20 Weeks, 5 days...monday night collie

Nexus did so good in her class monday night. So did your mom. She is learning all sorts of obedience commands and how to maneuver through obstacles. We're so glad we have a smart, easy going collie. She has good herding instincts too. She can help herd you once you become mobile. She loves kids. Sound like a natural babysitter to me.

20 Weeks, 4 days...Hosanna

Matthew 21:5-9. "Tell the daughter of Zion, Look, your King comes to you, Meek, and riding on a donkey, And on a colt the son of a donkey. 6 And the disciples went, and did even as Jesus appointed them, 7 and brought the donkey, and the colt, and put their garments on them; and he sat thereon. 8 And the most part of the multitude spread their garments in the way; and others cut branches from the trees, and spread them in the way. 9 And the multitudes that went before him, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed [is] he that comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest." Updated Bible Version 1.9

Your first cry will be a joyful noise.

20 Weeks, 3 days...Growing up, baby.

She says you have grown a lot the past 4 weeks, quadrupling your weight. Isn't it funny how you are growing so fast now. And growing in length too. I stopped at 6 feet. I also wore the same size pants for more than a decade. I had another growth spurt, only it was out instead of up. You can sorta say we are growing together.

20 Weeks, 2 Days...portability

Well, baby, your mom and I are planning on going away for our anniversary weekend. It will be the end of an era; one more time for the old times. We probably wont go away again just the 2 of us for quite some time. And this time we may even leave the dogs behind! For 18 years we've chased the highways, going hither and yon whenever we've had an inkling to do so. New Orleans, Atlanta, Charleston, Memphis, Outer Banks, California, Mexico are the big names we've visited. Plus trotting all around the state to dog shows and stuff. Once you become portable the three of us will definitely have us some freewheelin' adventures.

20 Weeks, 1 day...all the little children

We went to Partners in Learning today and were super-impressed with it. We walked into one of the classrooms and all of the little children were sitting at tables waiting for lunch. They were singing a song while they were waiting. When we walked in they looked up at us and it reminded me of a bunch of kittens that were suprised. Everyone was so well behaved and engaged. The teachers were very good. I think you will love it there.

20 Weeks...Halfway Home

Congrats, your halfway through this part of your life. Another 20 or so weeks and you will be ready to meet and greet all the voices and sounds that you have been hearing. People talking, dogs barking, cats meowing. Soon you will be interacting with all of it. This means we have to get busy finishing our preparations for you. 1.Finish painting the jungle mural. 2.Get the Ikea nursery furniture. 3.Pick out the stuff for your showers. 4.Visit partners in learning. 5.Pack the hospital bag. Plus a whole bunch of stuff inbetween. You are halfway home today!