Feeling my baby girl kick for the 1st time!

On December 8th (thursday) close to my 21st week of pregnancy I felt movement in my belly for the first time! I was taking a break from writing my dissertation all morning and laid on my bed (on my back) to read and gather more research. My cleaning lady was in the other room cleaning and Lucky was laying in between my legs. I was also very tired and dozed off for a bit before I continued to read. Suddenly I felt some rumbling in my belly and thought at first it was just the usual pinching and pulling of my abdomen. A few seconds later I felt it again and I knew it was a different feeling than before. So I pulled up my shirt and just stared at my belly. Then suddenly I felt this fluttering in my belly and could see my belly (below and to the left of my belly button) move as I felt the fluttering. It was very subtle but it happened at least 3 times after that. I thought it was the craziest, bizarre but most beautiful feeling ever! I couldn't believe that my baby was under my skin, a separation so close but yet so far away as I have no idea what it's like to be in my belly. It was surreal. Since then I've felt her kick almost every day, especially today. This morning when I woke up she started kicking again, and thankfully Brad was laying next to me and I was able to show him so he could see it. He saw the kick on my belly but then wanted to feel a kick too so he put his hand on my belly but nothing happened after that. It's just a really cool feeling when it happens throughout the day and knowing she's in there moving around. I keep wondering what she does all day, and where she is positioned in my belly when she kicks.

The kicking definitely reminded me that my pregnancy is progressing really fast day by day. My belly is also growing and I'm starting to look pregnant (it's hard to hide it now I think), which I'm actually happy about. I've been waiting to show off my little bump ;)

Christmas time is my favorite time of the year and I've been enjoying our new house so much. It's so cozy and our xmas tree is beautiful and bigger than all the years before. The nursery is coming together slowly (all the furniture is ordered), registry done, stroller is here, lamp, crib sheets, and certain clothes and blankets are already in the closet (though they still need to be washed right before baby's arrival). Next weekend Brad and I are putting up the nursery curtains and unpacking the crib mattress. I think I'm way ahead of the game but I'm a real early planner, and just can't hide my excitement!