Day 1, Lunar Month 7

We're coming down the home stretch, baby boy...so far in our journey together, here are some highlights of our adventure:

APRIL

Beginning of the month- We went to yoga class, took a trip to Slide Rock State Park and we hiked all over Squaw Peak Park. We ate our last meal of sushi and I drank my final glass of wine in celebration and anticipation that you might be real.

April 26- we were terrified to take the test to see if you really were real (like the Velveteen Rabbit) and even though I was over a week late, we were still in shock. This was the day we took two tests and got two bright blue +'s, confirming that our miracle had happened.

During this month, I was food craved at least every two hours and brought snacks with me everywhere I went. I had to wear a sports bra all of the time due to the pain in my chest. Developmentally, the buds of your arms and legs began to form as well as buds of the liver and pancreas. The aorta of your heart began to form and we began to fall in love.

MAY

Your heart started to beat and I became a stickler for eating all things good for us. Your mom celebrated her graduation and together, we began telling family and friends about you. Your brain began to develop and the intestines began to form and you now have eyelids!

May 22 - We took our first long road trip together to San Diego to meet your Tia Ana and your Aunt Chris and Anne who were meeting us in California from Virginia. We had a picnic at Balboa Park, walked around Little Italy and went to a party in Cardiff. Your Tia Ana took all of us to the spa for the day where we bathed in mud and salt baths (only up to my hips so the hot water wouldn't hurt you).

May 30 - We spent our last day at the Department of Education together. This was a healthy move for me and you were agreeable to the change.

JUNE

June 2- Today we heard your heart beat! We met our new doctor and she likes all of us very much and we feel confident she will take good care of us.

June 4- Your first trip to the Phoenix zoo with Aunt Paige and Uncle Justin - we met the giraffes, the rhinos and the warthogs!

Your fingernails are beginning to grow and your brain has developed the same structure it will have at birth, you can open your mouth and your tooth buds began to develop. By the middle of June, you were about 2 1/2 inches long.

June 17 - You got your first picture taken, we had an ultrasound and blood test and everything showed up perfectly!

June 20 - Your first camping trip north to Morman Lake to visit with Aunt Malaka and Uncle Kyle. We all stayed in a trailor and went fishing in the morning. Your mom caught her first fish!

We told your grandparents about you and they are SO excited!

June 23 - Your first cross country flight to Virginia. Your aunt Suzy knew you were on your way when I didn't order a beer at dinner! Aunt Chris joined us too ;)

June 26 - 1st swim in the Atlantic Ocean

June 28 - you met your Aunt Amy and cousins Hannah and Gracie for the first time

JULY

You can now turn your head, open your mouth, and press your lips together and you only weigh one ounce! You can make a fist, move your thumbs and bend your wrists. You can kick, turn your feet outward and inward and curl your toes.

July 2 - SURPRISE! Our family threw us all a surprise party in your honor!

July 6 - Your first theater performance- The Lost Colony

July 8 - 1st ferry ride to Okracoke

July 9 - Indiana Jones, your first movie

July 12 - meet your Aunt Jill, Uncle Jason and cousin Keira

July 13 - Virginia baby shower with all your family and friends

July 14- Mama kitty passed away :(

July 21 - First adventure at the water park! We went to Sunsplash with your cousins Gabby and Nathan

AUGUST

You sleep and wake as much as a newborn does. Your legs are developing to their final relative proportions and you are beginning to look like a minature newborn. Your face is peaceful with closed eyes, nostrils and a nicely formed mouth and you already know how to suck your thumb. (mommy won't encourage this practice once you are born, she struggled with it until she was six!)

August 3 - First visit to church

August 4 - Your first, first day of school

August 5 - Your mom gave me a massage, we loved it!

August 7 - YOU ARE A BOY! 4-D Ultrasound

August 8 - Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremonies with Paige and Justin

August 15 - I began to feel your movements :)

August 18 - Your first yoga class

August 22 - Your mom felt you move for the first time in my tummy!!

We started reading books to you before bedtime this month. I pulled out my books from my classroom and we enjoyed listening to stories together.

August 30 - Your SECOND cross country flight!

SEPTEMBER

You are moving more and more each day and you are getting ready for life outside my body. I notice your movements the most during the mid morning, lunchtime and evening hours. You have only kept me up one night so far, but even then it was only for a little while. When we went to see "The Dark Knight", the noises from the movie kept you moving and jumping. We are continuing to go to yoga classes twice a week. The community is so good for all three of us and we are enjoying this time together. We have registered for a birthing class, a breastfeeding class and a prenatal class along with a visit to the L&D unit at Good Samaritan. We are reading books at night and listening to the ipod before bedtime.

Labor Day Weekend - Visited Jill, Jason and Keira at their Montross house and spent the day by the water with Amy, Hannah and Gracie

September 1- Your first trip to Northern Virginia and your first Jimmy Buffet Concert!!

September 24 - Your first Ani DiFranco concert

September 26 - Your mom and I will celebrate our 5 year anniversary this day :)