From the many, many Facebook and face-to-face comments I have received, I am
coming to three realizations. First, preganancy will be over before I know
it; second, I need to start thinking positively or this child will think I
hate him; and third, Kaleb will never let me get pregnant again if I don’t
quit my whining!

I thought I would write down some observations that I have had about Kase
during the course of the previous nine tumultuous months so that he can know
what it was like while he was living this closely to me. And, I think it
will be fun to look back on this list and see what holds true as he grows
up.

1. Bananas=NO! I have never really liked bananas, they smell musty- like
something you take out of your grandmother’s hope chest. One day, just
after my first trimester, when I started feeling good again, I decided that
instead of making dinner, I would eat a peanut butter and banana sandwich.
We had some bananas that were ripe, and I was cutting them up for fruit
smoothies and the thought struck me that the sandwich would be a healthy and easy dinner. I mashed one for a sandwich and couldn’t eat again for almost a full day. Disgusting.

2. Music is the best. thing. ever. In October, while I was volunteering as
an usher at Bass Hall, there was a Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra performance
of Mahler’s third symphony. That was the first time I really felt Kase move
like crazy. He loved the drums, piano and timpani. I cried during the
performance because it was such a neat experience. Even now, when the drums
start going at church, there is a party that only he and I are invited to. (Or even the car radio for that matter!) However, my singing seems to elicit nothing but stillness.

We will pretend that it is soothing…

3. If preganancy behavior holds true, this will be one active baby. I have
read lots of stories about how women get worried about their babies because
they don’t feel them move for a while. I have never experienced that with
Kase. From 14 weeks on, when I felt those first pops in my belly, I have
been his own personal jungle gym!

4. He already adores his daddy. At about 18 weeks, we noticed a very
strange phenomena. Every time Kaleb would touch my belly, Kase would react.
From pushing back, to moving nearer to where his hand was on me, and even
responding to his voice, there existed a true and tangible bond between the
two of them that hasn’t stopped yet. It has slowed a little since Kase is
getting bigger and doesn’t has as much room to react, but father and son
bonding is already a very big part of our life.

5. Sweets are not really what we like to eat. Sure, I love a bowl of ice
cream, but more salty foods are really what are satisfying. My favorite
foods all pregnancy have been hamburgers, fries with ketchup, and
occasionally a pickle (which I hate!)

I am sure I could think of many more things to regale you with about my
amazing son, but I will just close with how amazed I am that I already love
him so much. And, how honored I am that I get to know him. The next years
of my life are going to be challenging, delightful, sorrowful, and rich-
richer probably that I can even imagine. I can’t wait to hold him in my
arms- and pass him on to yours when he is fussy!