Escape

Baby Barrett sure is an active one! I often look down and say "what are you doing in there?!"  Of course I don't get a response, other than maybe another little jab in the gut :)

I've started to find some cycles in his/her activity; I wonder if this is an insight into what's to come?
I swear Baby B knows when it's time to get up, as he/she is busy as can be at 5:30am. But I can't be mad at that, this gives me a half hour of belly time with him/her before I need to get up. No wonder J says I wake up every morning in a great mood :)  This is also a time he/she is most likely to have the hiccups (and J has finally felt them!).
Once I'm at work, Baby B gets active when I'm quietly working away at my desk. I enjoy feeling the movement throughout the day, it's truly my escape. It can calm me down when something (or someone) at work makes me mad, and can lift me up when I'm having one of those days. An ultimate stress reliever indeed.
I've definitely discovered that Baby Barrett LOVES food. Every time I eat, he/she goes nuts! The ideal time to actually see my belly moving is after dinner when I'm sitting and watching tv with J. It may be a combo of the food, the relaxing and hearing both mommy and daddy, but Baby Barrett is eager to make sure he/she is noticed....and we notice!

Lately all the activity has been around my belly button, which is already stretching to the max, so it's not very comfortable. I can feel really hard areas and often wonder if it's a foot, a head or a little butt pushed up against me. After my ultrasound earlier this week, I learned Baby B was head down and there are feet and elbows near my belly button, so now I know what I'm feeling (though I liked the idea of a little butt better). 
I'll massage the hard area and then feel it move away or move to another spot. I'm not sure how much he/she can feel, but to me, this is only the start of our physical bonding. I'm touching my baby!! I could literally sit and do this all day. Every day when I get home from work and relax, I pull my shirt up, place my hands on belly, close my eyes, and massage my baby. It's by far, the best part of my day.

I often tease Baby Barrett about the interest in my belly button lately. Not sure if he/she thinks it's an escape route or not, but I remind him/her that we still have a few more months to go...so get comfy!