17 weeks (18 weeks in 2 days)

So - today I felt the baby move. It started this morning, when I was poking around my belly before getting out of bed. I pushed, and something reacted.

Then, during the quarterly financial update that Honeywell gives - I felt four movements in a row. What a crazy, amazing feeling. Here I am in a large meeting and I had no one to share with. Baby must be getting more active and bigger - I'm feeling more!

I had a wonderful 30th bday. I honestly couldn't have asked for anything better. It was so nice to have my family and Josh's family together - as well as have so many supportive friends! I loved every minute of it - even though by 10pm I was ready for everyone to go home so I could sleep:)

As for the baby - everything is going well! On Monday and Tuesday, I had the worst stomach pains I think I've ever had - but most have been from my belly stretching moving because on Wednesday I felt just fine. It's amazing to think that in 4.5 months, we'll get to meet this new baby. I can't even begin to describe all the questions I have and realize I have so much to learn.

Trying to give up a few things....

So, I'm learning to let Josh handle more of the day to day things that I have normally taken care of. Primarily, because I just can't do it with 3 courses, the full time job, and having 3/4 of the normal energy that I have. I'm starting to break down.....and it's not a good time to be doing that. Before leaving for Amsterdam, Josh was put in charge of getting the Euro's. He paid $800 online for 500 Euro and had to pick it up Wednesday downtown (where he's working) before getting on the plane to St. Louis.

He calls at 4:45pm. First thing I ask him, "Did you get the Euros?". I hear, "Oh no. I forgot. Shoot......I gotta go." He somehow rushed there, got them, and still made his plane Wednesday night. Yes, he got them, but Josh, you needed be reminded! As our lives get crazier, the method of organization must get better. In retrospect, funny....but WOULD not have been funny if $800 was left behind in the US in an reasonably unusable format.

On a happier note - Josh and I received more baby presents in the mail! I love random baby gifts and have been amazed at how giving family and friends have been thus far! This is what we received, along with a book and an amazing offer for help on gift registry shopping, from Jessica Balin.

Amsterdam.....5 more days

It wouldn't matter where I was going....I'm excited to be taking some time off of work and getting out of MN! The best part - www.weather.com is saying that the weather will be from 58 to 60 degrees, sunny, and 0-10% chance of rain the entire time we are there! How perfect for the days of long walks and museums and eating at cafe's along the water! I can't even wait. We have nothing major planned - just small trips throughout the days. Even better - it's my birthday in ONE week. I'm actually not that excited about my b-day....and I really don't want any gifts except a lunch bag, sunglasses, and money towards a) a couch or b) a camera. :) Josh has kept bugging me for ideas....but that's it. These big things are the things that keep me up at night worrying about how it's all going to get done. Specifically, the baby's room. Nothing has been done and I can't paint or lift heavy things. I'm nervous. We did the doctor thing on Friday again. Heartbeat at 150 and the doctor said I had abs of steel. I think he was joking, but either way - that made me smile. Happy Monday!