Like father, like fetus.

I felt the first tiny kicks on a Friday in late June, at just over 22 weeks pregnant. I was visiting my mom that weekend, and she was able to feel those first flutters just above my belly button. At home in Omaha working, Stephen he was unable to be present for that milestone.

Since that weekend, I have been trying with futility to get Daddy in on the action. However, Erfurt was still so small then that it took a great deal of patience to feel anything on the outside; and most of the time, these kicks occurred for a couple of seconds, and not again for hours. So no such luck. By 28 weeks, those tiny infrequent kicks had evolved into belly-rocking jabs. I'd call Stephen over, thinking "surely he'll feel these!", but our faces would slowly fall as we'd sit in continued silence, his hand on my belly, waiting, waiting, waiting...

Stephen joked that Erfurt must hate him. We both knew that couldn't be further from the truth; but still, we were a bit discouraged. Feeling the baby move is usually the first chance daddies-to-be have to experience the reality of fatherhood.

As time zoomed forward and my belly grew further outward, we began seeing the humor in Erfurt's consistent Daddy-evasions. You see, Stephen has a nimble and wacky sense of humor. If you didn't catch it the first time, you're out of luck. Often, I'd ask him to "do that again" so as to prolong or relive the laughter. 99% of the time, he refuses. "I don't perform".

Like father, like fetus.

My OB has commented during 3 different check-ups that our baby is a trickster and always gives her a run for her money. It is now routine to take several minutes to pick up Erfurt's heartbeat. He (or she) is either darting away from the doppler, or curled up in the most awkward positions. We even had to resort to an ultrasound once because he (or she) was being such a stinker.

So Daddy's vain attempts to feel the baby have turned into bonding moments nevertheless. Each venture only confirmed all the more that this kid has personality!

Two nights ago, I was watching a movie in bed, and the child was going nuts. It felt like he (or she) was going to punch himself (or herself) out my ribs. If I can stay perfectly quiet and make sure Stephen doesn't talk, surely he'll get to feel it this time, right? I slowly reached for my phone and texted Stephen to come in the room but DON'T TALK. Well, he followed orders, but the kid was still. Darn, stumped again! I guess my slow reach for my phone let him (or her) know something was up...

But we are happy to say tonight, exactly 12 weeks from the initial quickening, Stephen was able to finally catch Erfurt in action! We had to trick him (or her) by me maintaining a consistent breath rate and refraining from all movement. I discreetly beckoned Stephen over to my side of the couch with my index finger; silently, he scooted over. I lightly placed his hand just under my ribs.

Bump. "Was that it??" I nodded my head, grinning.

Bump bump bump. "That too?" YES!

Then Erfurt gave an emphatic kick that visibly rocked my belly. "Whoa that was weird!!"

Gotcha, Erf!

33 weeks and counting down!

According to my tickers plastered all over the internet, we have 47 days to go until our due date.

I like that number. It is much smaller than 250. :-)

The Knittels are deep in baby-preparation. We are trying not to leave socks on the living room floor and underwear in the bathroom. Dishes are done immediately after meals, our fridge only houses non-expired food items from now on, and our pantry is (slowly) getting organized. Stephen made a massive batch of beef jerky that should get us through our short hospital stay, weeks of baby bootcamp, Christmas, and 2011 in its entirety. I've prepared a few soups and stews for our freezer. We obliterated the mountain of laundry in our bedroom. All clothes are clean, and either folded or hung up. Erfurt's room is organized to satisfaction. Our first load of baby laundry (NB & 0-3 whites) whirls in the washer as I type.

The kitties completed sniffing all baby items by mid-August, but remain curious about the co-sleeper that took up residence next to our bed this last week. They believe with certainty Erfurt's first bed is theirs to test out. Naturally.

We still have a few little things to accomplish in the weeks ahead, but we are confident a newborn wouldn't get lost in this apartment should it choose to arrive early.

Erfurt him-/herself is very obviously growing. Movement is not be as frequent as it was when swimming in utero was a daily activity for our little fetus, but now a single kick or jab reverberates throughout my whole belly. I do experience the typical discomforts of late pregnancy, but still nothing that compels me to wish the pregnancy over. I even wonder if I'll get to that point. I truly love being pregnant, and am even a little sad that this phase will be behind us in a few short weeks (as an even better one begins).

On my honor...

I promise I'm going to update this blog very soon. Really.

Stay tuned!