So, as you may or may not know, we’re expecting an addition to our little family later this year. Things are going great for me and the Sea Monkey so far and the pregnancy has been remarkably easy. As of today the Sea Monkey is at 21 1/2 weeks gestation (out of 40, which makes it a little over halfway or about 4 1/2 months for people who find the conversion like ‘changing from metric to imperial’). 
- Sea Monkey at 19 weeks
We have a great doctor in Shanghai (American-Sino OB/GYN) and are planning to deliver there. Our last appointment there was 2 1/2 weeks ago when we had a Level Two ultrasound. During it the technician measured just about anything that could be measured. Luckily all the parts were exactly the right size! We also found out that the Sea Monkey is a Sea Monkette. Being able to call the baby ‘her’ instead of ‘it’ has a profound impact on our grasp of the reality of this whole situation and things are seeming a bit more real these days.
The other thing making it all real is being able to feel the little one moving around. I’ve been able to feel her for a while now, and can keep tabs on her during the day if I’m sitting or lying down. Ric has also gotten to feel her on a couple of her more active days. The first time I was lying down when Sea Monkey gave me her strongest kick yet. I put my hand on the spot, she did it again and I could feel it from the outside (cool). So I quickly got Ric to put his hand on the same spot and she gave him a repeat performance (yay!) It took another week or so before he got to feel it again but there’ve been a couple times now, and more to come I think!
We’re also very lucky to have supportive friends here and family at home. As first time parents without a lot of baby experience we’re a little apprehensive about caring for Sea Monkey when she makes her appearance. Already though we’ve had great advice, and are being given loads of baby gear! We’re not sure if we’re actually going to have to buy anything at all ourselves.
Anyway, we’ll try to keep everyone more up-to-date on baby-growing progress as time goes on. For now I’ll leave you with today’s most exciting development: I can see the end of my belly button! I’ve always had an exceptionally deep belly button, and have never seen the depths of it before… I think it may be on its way to popping out soon. Freaky.
Tags: belly button, family, sea monkey, ultrasound
Hee, hee, is that a hand I see and I can see her little face. Very cool.
soooo, how does she like the name? Her father did NOT LIKE the name his adoring mama named him at first, but if she is not letting you know otherwise, maybe she is happy with it. Is that what will be on her birth cert? drivers licence? is it hyphenated? Sea Monkey LaMonte-Bird? I like it. Has a nice flow. You can holler it out the back porch well. Seeeeaaaa Monkeeeeeyyyyy Time to come home nowwww. or when she is pissing you off, you can say SeamonkeylamontebirdyoustopthisrightNOW! I was told a few years ago that those are the 2 name tests to see if the name is a good one. I say its a keeper. She is a beautiful child, and she is bringing you big surprises and so much joy!
“She is a beautiful child”? Ya, I guess she looks better that the previous ultrasound images we saw. At least now she doesn’t have a tail.
Thanks for the tip. I had never heard of those name tests, but they actually seem pretty accurate. Now all we need is a porch.
Yay! I’m so happy for you guys.
She look pretty cozy!
Hi Peggy! I’m so happy to reconnect with you. And you guys have exciting news too! Where do you live these days? Still up North? It would be great to see you.
we’re working on the porch. mom and I went house shopping today. she’s beat now. Oh, so we’d better go have a beer. Oh, wait, can’t. I gotta drive to the lake and mom has to get up in a few to go back to work. Ok, so no beer. Sucks to be us. We’ll just have some jello and pepto dismal.
So, you got any better names yet? Sea Monkey may be ok for now, but you sure didn’t want to be called your prenatal name once you’d cleared the landing pad. No, way before. You were at 3 months gestation, when you said no thank you. Actually, you used a stronger tone than that but this may be out in public.
Anyways, where was I? Oh, yeah, I’m going to say good nite. Good night.
FGA
How was the house shopping?