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

Cruising to Mexico

Originally we planned to fly to New York for our Fifth Anniversary (Nickelversary) but with our new little one on the way, we decided to keep it a little less costly and more local. We had been doing some research on going on a cruise. The grand plan is to go on a Cruise to Alaska some time in the future. Since Mark has experienced Sea-sickness in his lifetime, he was nervous about a cruise, so this was a celebration and a test. We went to AAA and decided upon a 3 day weekend cruise to Ensenada, Mexico. We had a limit to when we could sail because they don't allow women after 24 weeks pregnant on their cruise. So we decided on sooner rather than later. We set sail March 20, two weeks after our Nickelversary, on a Friday night. Our experience on this cruise boils down to a couple of things. The food was Poor, 1 star out of 4 star in our humble opinions. Mexico wasn't really that exciting, which we expected, so that doesn't go aginst the cruise line and there was a storm on Sunday (the day at sea) so the boat ride was a really rocky all day long! However, each night we were greeted by a sweet little towel animal.

Friday: Embarcation Day

We were dropped off by Don and checked in around noon. After taking 2 posed pictures, by the cruise photographer that we didn't want to buy we actually got on the boat and tried to find some lunch. This was where we first learned that the food wasn't going to be a culinary delight. We arrived at our stateroom (why are they called that?) and found our luggage waiting for us. The room was about what we both imagined, small-ish, but the bed was large enough for the both of us so we were pleased. We put away our clothes, checked out the channels we receive on the TV (don't you always do that at hotels) and then walked around the ship. We found the shuffleboard (a must), the miniature golf course, and the gym. We also used this opportunity to take many pictures of the Queen Mary, since our ship was docked right next door. Jessica also booked her spa experience for Sunday. Before we officially set sail we had the required safety training where we began to realize that this Spring Break timed trip would have a lot of drunk people on it. After successfully completing our saftey check we headed to the back of the boat to watch them unhook us from the dock and set sail to open seas. We were escorted by some birds and 2 harbor patrol boats. We had a good time watching some of the boats go by and feeling the wind in our hair. That night we decided to see what was in store for us in our formal dinner experience. We were seated with another couple who were incredibly nice, fascinating and interestingly enough had just found out that they were pregnant as well. We enjoyed their company and talked with them for almost 2 hours before we headed back for some shut-eye. Upon our return to the room we encountered our first towel animal: The Ray.

Saturday: Ensenada

We awoke early to grab some of the tasteless fuel before we headed off on our excursion to La Bufadora. Upon our exit of the boat we posed for 3 more fake photos with "authentically dressed" characters and headed to our chariot which led us on a tour of Ensenada and La Bufadora. La Bufadora apparently is a bit of a tourist destination which the locals thrive on. It roughly translates as "The Blowhole" although it literally translates to the noise that a Bull makes or snorting. And it's reportedly one of 3 natural blowholes in the world, and 2nd highest. The height of the blowing is determined by the tides, and let's just say that the tides weren't all that thrilling that day. Once you pass all of the street vendors, it was a serene place to spend some time. On our way back to the bus we purchased an authentic mexican blanket, and extremely fresh and authentic Churros. We were handed the Churros directly from the flame, so I doubt we'll ever have better Churros. The bus headed back to the ship with the last stop being the Civic Center where the Margarita was invented, supposedly. It was a nice building, but nothing special. Our tourguide (aka, Our Mexican Amigo) was named Enrique and he was quite entertaining. We went back to the boat and played Sports trivia and then General trivia. We then headed back to the room for a much needed nap. That afternoon, as we sailed away from Ensenada, I watched as we passed by some more ships and then all of the sudden I see in the water 3 dolfins playing around. Unfortunately, Jessica was in the shower and missed the whole thing. I tried to take a picture, but when I got back to the porthole, they were gone. It was neat to see! At dinner we had told them that it was our anniversary trip, so we were sung to and got some cake. The dinner wasn't that good, but our company was nice. This time we sat with 8 other people and one of the couples was from Huntington Beach. We took a walk around the ship that night and swiftly concluded that it would be fatal to fall off the boat at night. Quickley retreating from the railing, we decided to take a stroll through the shops (Duty Free!) on board and headed to bed. There we found our second towel animal, The Pig. It is so cute.

Sunday: the day at sea

Sunday morning Jessica had her spa treatment planned so Mark decided to go the gym. Jessica had a nice relaxing time and Mark got a pretty good workout in. Since it was raining and really windy the miniature golf that we had planned had to be called off. We decided to play a little Shuffleboard for about 4 minutes because it was so cold and the discs kept flipping up into the air due to the wind. But at least we got to play it. The ship was really rocking around so we napped the afternoon away and then at at the buffet. We returned to our stateroom for our evening activity of watching the TV and movies in our stateroom. There we found the peace de resistance, the Towel Elephant. Sleeping wasn't so pleasant because the boat was moving so much back and forth. Thankfully morning finally came we could be on dry land.

Monday: Debarkation Day

Mark got up early to at least try and get some of the less than decent food into his body before we left the ship. He was able to catch the sun rise and it was one of his favorite moments of the trip. He headed back to the room to help finish packing up and then we left the ship. We waited for Don to come by and pick us up. While we waited we saw a seal playing in the harbor. Finally Jessica got to see some sealife. When Don came to pick us up, the first question we asked him was, "What are you doing right now, and can you take us to Super Mex?" Super Mex is our favorite Mexican food place. Now we can say that we had some great Mexican food while on our vacation.

Overall, we have to say that it was a positive experience because we didn't get sick, but we will think twice before embarking again. Only time and other people's reviews may tell. But in the near future, our family will have grown so it won't just be the two of us to think about.

If you'd like to see more pictures of this trip please follow this link: http://gallery.me.com/live.laugh.love#100017