The Good:

Last Wednesday evening was very exciting for me! I was on the bus on my way home when I thought I felt something in my lower abdomen. I had been snoozing a bit, and at this sensation, my eyes sprang open. Without drawing attention from the other passengers, I poked at my abdomen a little bit, but nothing else happened. I concluded that my stomach must have been gurgling while digesting, and resumed my snoozing.

After supper, I was getting ready to go to the gym when suddenly I felt another, but more distinct, sensation in my abdomen. I gasped. It most certainly did not feel like tummy gurgling or gas. Less than a minute later, I felt it again.

This was followed by a very excited: “Ohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygod” coming from my mouth.

I had felt the baby move!!

Unfortunately, Neal was out sailing (as he is again this week, but then he’s not supposed to be sailing in November or December - I CANNOT.WAIT for October to be over so I can have my husband back!), so I was here all by myself, squealing and bouncing. I emailed Neal. I posted it on Facebook. Before going to the gym, I told my neighbours who were out raking their leaves.

Of course, it was so intermittent and light that awhile later, I started to doubt myself. Had I really felt the baby move? Or was it something else? But the next day, at work, I felt some more, and I knew without a doubt that it was the baby moving. Some people describe it as butterflies fluttering in your stomach. Personally, I would describe it more as a poke, but a poke that almost feels like it’s actually touching the inside of your skin.

Every day since, whenever I feel a little “poke”, I can’t help but smile. No matter what is going on, no matter how busy I am, my baby is reminding me that there are bigger and greater things in life.

Also, in my excitement, I decided to post a picture of my baby bump to satisfy my sister’s demands:

16-weeks.jpg
That’s me at 16 weeks (I’m at 17 weeks as of today!)

I actually had to take THREE pictures of myself because I was convinced that I was pushing my stomach out and that’s why I looked so huge. Um, no. That’s just how I look. I certainly don’t mind, particularly since it’s mostly in the tummy area (and I absolutely LOVE my baby bump), but I was just surprised, especially since I’ll admit that I do check my baby bump profile out fairly often in the mirror and yet hadn’t realized that that’s what I look like!

***

The Bad:

I just learned that a good friend of mine has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She had learned of the possibility after some abnormalities showed up in her mammogram results and had told a few people, including me, but her doctor confirmed it last week. It was so hard to see her in so much pain and to see the fear in her eyes, especially when she spoke of her child and how she doesn’t want to leave him behind.

But she is also one of the strongest, bravest, and most stubborn people I know, and she will fight this. If anyone can beat this thing - and many do - she can.

I have thought of her all day, I can’t seem to get it out of my mind. My heart goes out to her and her family.