Evolution of Kicks

It started with Jessica thinking she felt butterflies at 15 weeks. It turned into the definite movement that she could feel at 18 weeks.  Soon after I was able to feel the baby kick. There is the famous kicking daddy's head incident.  There is more evolution to talk about. 

Our first viewing of the movement began with what looked like a finger poking up from her belly.  Next we saw a substantial poke which we interpret as a fist. We see the fist most often, but there has been a new experience.

Recently we've been seeing what I like to call "The Earthquake." If you look at Jessica's belly from above, you'll see this impact that sends tremors out from its center. Imagine a pebble dropping in a lake and seeing the concentric circles. Those are the tremors that you can see. It is quite an impact and almost takes Jessica's breath away sometimes.

There has been a time when Steve was over and Jessica told us to watch because he had been active. And what we saw was probably a forearm bulging vertically up her Belly. Just a couple of weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to see what I believe was a hand. From my perspective I saw what think was 4 fingers slide down the front of her belly. That was a little surreal.

It is unfortunate that Jessica has grown so much that she is no longer able to see much of what those kicks or impacts look like when she's laying down. So I have to try and describe them. One thing that we both were able to see was a wave that flowed down her belly. Looking across her belly I saw something jut out from her rib area and then go back down, then something raised just below that and then flowed down her. We actually saw the rolling motion and were a little freaked out because we didn't believe that was possible. What is he doing in there? According to the Baby Center weekly email, he's doing somersaults now?!? What is he practicing for the Olympics? This wave seemed like he's learning to Surf.

by the way, we've posted another belly shot. See post below.  

It wasn't me, it was the baby

For the past couple of nights, the covers had somehow left my vicinity and became draped over Jessica's side of the bed. I asked her about this, and she said, "It isn't me, it's the baby." Then she began telling me this story about how when she is sleeping the baby plays the drums to let her know that he's cold and in turn she has to steal some of the covers. It was a very cute story. Then she spoke about the reality of being uncomfortable in the sleeping position due to her growing belly, and that she tosses and turns and she's sorry if she takes any of the covers. How can I argue with that?

Recently there has been a little less room in our bed. I understood that Jessica was going to get a little bit bigger, so this was no surprise. But what I did not expect was there to be a pillow that now guards the center of the bed. From what I've been told, I should enjoy sleep now before the baby comes. I was in process of trying to do that, when I had an unexpected visitor join the bed.

When we were newly married or even engaged and we went places that had maternity clothes Jessica wouldn't hesitate to tell me that she is going to look so cute pregnant. I agreed with her then. But now as it's happening, I completely concur. She is the most beautiful pregnant woman Ever! I love her so much. I am continually amazed at how God created this whole process.

Daddy Mak

My Little Kicker

Creating a life within you is something only a woman can truly understand.  That fact in and of itself is by far the most miraculous thing I have experienced!  Along with the creation of life come the wonderful movements of the little one within.  It all started at about 18 weeks or so for me with tiny, subtle little taps and have grown into full blown punches.  Mark and I call it “Soccer Practice”, “Karate Practice” and sometimes I will even say that our little boy is trying to get out.  It really is like I have a boxer inside who is sparring with my organs, haa haa! 

A few weeks back Mark and I were watching TV, getting ready to go to bed.  I was laying down and had begun to feel the little kicks.  They got a little stronger and so I had Mark put his hand on my belly and sure enough he could feel the kicks now too.  He was so excited! 

Another week or so later we were again watching TV before bed and I felt several large, strong kicks and so I pulled back the covers a bit and told Mark to just watch.  After a few seconds we both saw this bump come up on my belly and then go back down.  WHAT?!?!?!  To feel it is one thing, but to see it physically happen, that is just crazy!!!  We watched this happen a few more times before the little one calmed down.  Each time we looked at each other with such amazement at this extraordinary event, TRULY AMAZING!

All the kicking and subtle movements are now a regular part of my day. Even though they are regular it brings smile to my face each time it happens.  We have a pretty active child already, I wonder if that has any foreshadowing for what is to come …..hmmm, we’ll see!

My Growing Belly

I can't believe I am almost 7 months!!! It has all gone by SO fast! Well, according to the weekly email that I get the baby is a little over 2 lbs. and about 14 inches long. Still very skinny, but the next three months is when he will be packing on the pounds.

I have been extremely blessed to have not had any morning sickness or any other general ickyness that comes with pregnancy thus far. I have heard the stories and believe me I will not take for granted the fact that I am one of the few that can actually say that I enjoy being pregnant. My guess is that these last three months will the hardest of all the nine. My back, legs and feet are definitely starting to feel the extra weight. It took quite a while for my belly to really start “showing”, but it is as if it won’t stop now. The goal we women have strived for is the thin, yet curvy figure that only a select few ever achieve. Well, I have always had quite a curvy figure and now it is a bit curvier than ever before. Not once, so far, though have I fretted over the extra weight. It has been a joy to know that the extra weight is simply the creation of my little boy.

Since I don’t get to see many of you very often I have been taking pictures these last few months. So, here’s my growing belly …

3 Months

4 Months

5 Months

6 Months

6 1/2 Months

7 1/2 Months

8 Months

8 1/2 Months

9 Months

9 Months 1 Week

It’s A BOY!!

We are both so excited about having a baby and now that we know it is a boy it adds a little personality to the experience.  

Usually you hear about parents searching through books, or pouring over websites full of baby names and meanings to come up with the perfect name for their little one.  It wasn’t quite that experience for us.  I think it went something like “What do you think of…..?”  and a response of “Hmm, that is cool, I think I like that”.  It has taken us several weeks to really turn that name in to our top choice for this active little boy.  I think I have stalled enough, the name topping the list is …   

Joel Aaron Kerns 

Fatherhood

I didn't think much about being father when I was really young. I just thought about competing in sports. After I grew up to about 12 or so, I started setting some life goals. Beginning with kicking down a tree (long story, and I know that I'm unusual), I wanted to get married by the age of 27. (completed at 26) My other life goal was to be a father and try to teach my children be kind, wise and loving.

The ultimate plan (as I saw it) was to have a boy first so that he can be around and protect his younger sister. When we found out that we were pregnant, we were both so excited that God is blessing our family that we had no preference of gender. (seriously) But I cannot lie and say that I am quite ecstatic about having a son first. I have begun dreaming about my hopes for my son. First comes prayers about his health, then I pray about friendship choices, leadership skills, female relationship choices, and that he would be spiritually sensitive to the God of the Universe.

One of the dreams I have is that he will be naturally athletic. A few weeks ago I decided to try and listen to Jessica's belly and check out what I could hear going on. Since we had already had an ultrasound and listened to the baby's heartbeat, I had an idea of what it might be sounding like in there. Until now, I had only heard noises through speakers and such so I thought I'd need to focus really hard because the baby noises might be faint. After a couple of minutes of common belly noises I heard what sounded exactly like a pop (the sound of breaking a bubble or bubble wrap). At that instant I thought, "Wow, that's not something I've ever heard before" and then tried to focus even harder on what could be happening next. What transpired next, or simultaneously really, was not what I was expecting. I felt an impact to my head the likes of which I hadn't experienced before. This impact took me completely by surprise, and I almost leapt off the bed with surprise. I quickly lifted my head, sat up straight and put my hand to my head to check if my head was sensitive to touch. It was quite a force that struck me, whether it was a kick, punch, elbow or knee. It could have been the combination of the shock and the funny popping noise that immediately preceded the impact that frightened me a little bit. To this day, I haven't listened to Jessica's belly again and I don't plan to. It looks like my dreams of his athletic prowess might come true.

Recently we made a purchase for our baby's room. I had some help putting the object together (thanks Steve) but it was still labor intensive and took a number of hours to complete. After it was completed, I thought about spending the night relaxing until Jessica mentioned that there was still more on her honey-do list, rearranging the room. Since she is pregnant I would not let her help in the rearranging of the room. So I heaved and pushed and pulled (using my legs) this new unit into position all by myself. By the time we finished it was 10pm, and I was a little sweaty. I thought to myself, this is what fatherhood is all about. Buying something for the child, putting it together, taking direction from your pregnant wife, getting sweaty and finishing late at night with a huge sense of accomplishment. Baby's first Christmas here I come.

I am excited for this next journey of my life. I understand that my son cannot learn many of the significant things I yearn to teach him until he gets much older, but I'll start by modeling some of those things for him and see what he can pick up. This has already been quite an adventure and I haven't even taken the New Daddy Boot Camp class. I can't wait to meet you, my son.

Daddy MAK