28 weeks

I sit here at my desk and look down just in time to see a little knobby bump move across my stomach. This stage of pregnancy is so amazing to me, and I take great pleasure in being able to feel my baby any time I wish. A little poking and prodding around the sphere of my protruding stomach and I can always find a lump, then surmise on whether it's a head or a rear-end, a knee or an elbow. We've traded the sharper kicks and workout sessions for just general stretching and turning. He's running out of room in there, I imagine. My husband delights in annoying our little baby, by finding the lumps and gently pressing until the baby moves away, indignant at his poking parents, one might imagine.

It all just feels so real and so personal, and it baffles me to hear stories about women who didn't even know they were pregnant until they were in labor. I feel so connected to this little one, so aware of his movements and actions. And yet, he is his own little person, and I wonder so much about what he will be like. What kind of personality will he have? What sorts of things will he enjoy and what will his sense of humor be like? Some of these things can be shaped by environment and exposure, of course, but as any mother of many children will tell you, each child comes pre-shaped and pre-disposed to a large degree, individually different and unique.

We are now counting down the final 12 weeks of pregnancy and I'm starting to get a little panicked over all the things I have yet to DO! It's a busy spring and summer for us, even if we weren't having a baby. There are many things going on in our lives - both personal and church-related. Baby just adds to all this excitement. :) I'm happy with what I do have ready thus far, but I'm looking forward to finishing up some of the more important things in the near future, like a crib and car seat! Both pretty important before baby gets here. :)