The 6th Month

I will continue to refer to our little one as Baby, with a neutral tone in my words because the mystery remains a mystery. At our 22nd-week ultrasound, I fooled myself into thinking we may hear a hint at the sex of our baby. No such thing. The staff at our hospital remain ethically bound and morally sound--my respect increases with each visit.

The doctor was unable to check the heart as he/she was holding an arm across his/her chest in a self-hugging way. The doctor rubbed my tummy and gave it small little pushes, lovingly scolding our baby. Finally she turned to us saying, "Everyone deserves a little pat on the back" and giving our Little One one gentle pat, he/she moved his/her arm and the check-up was completed.

The picture is the start of my 6th month, or to be precise, 23rd week. My mom visits in 8 days and will most likely be bribed into some back massaging. I'm able to do most things, though Ben's a little worried about the day I lean over and don't come back, but instead tumble forward in slow motion, off-balanced by my tummy. I believe there was some laughter involved in this new worry of his. Hummm...