Wednesday, July 2, 2008

The Quickening

The other night Jono and I were talking about how I would probably be able to feel the baby move soon. When there was a lull in the conversation he said ominously, "the quickening". I told him that had always sounded like the title of a horror film to me (imagine a big booming voice saying "the quickening" for a movie trailer). Ha ha.

I'd been told that you're supposed to feel the baby move between 18 and 22 weeks. I just hit the 19-week mark, so I've been trying to concentrate on what might be going on in my abdomen. Two nights ago while lying in bed I felt what seemed to be a little bubble or a sporadic muscle twitch moving around just below my belly button. At first I wrote it off because everyone has been telling me "It feels just like a butterfly fluttering gently in your stomach." Hmm. This wasn't really that gentle or fluttery. It was kind of firm and meant business, at least moreso than a butterfly. So I mentioned it briefly to Jono but decided I needed to wait a few days to see what else came along before getting too excited about it.

Today at work I was kind of slouching in front of my computer as I typed. My tummy was pressed against my desk, and I started feeling that little bubble stirring around in there again. I stopped typing and concentrated on it for a few minutes. This time it felt a bit stronger and was in the same general area as before. It pretty much felt like you would think it would feel to have a tiny organism rolling around in a little pouch and kicking in different directions. That's when I remembered my mom saying it didn't feel like a butterfly for her - but instead like....a GAS BUBBLE. I had a little moment of truth and called her up. She confirmed that the butterfly comparison didn't apply to her either and that the movement was too strong to feel fluttery. She then told me about the first time she felt Brett move. Tyler was sitting on her lap and kind of squishing her tummy. Brett gave him one swift kick and Mom knew exactly what it was. And so began a long rivalry... ha ha ha.

So I think we've confirmed today that what I am feeling is most likely the little dude or dudette exercising in my womb (!)

It's what they call THE QUICKENING...

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

"Next time on....THE QUICKENING! Emily is at home when she feels a GAS BUBBLE in her abdominal regions. Is it a TINY BABY trying to get some exercise, or just one too many BEAN BURRITO? Find out next time on....THE QUICKENING. (Viewer discretion advised)" :)

Kirsten Gardzelewski said...

I will have to 3rd the motion that the first time I felt Asher it was no butterfly fluttering either. It felt like a muscle twitching in my lower abdomen. Now that you know what it feels like you will feel him/her all the time. You are getting so close to finding out what your little peanut is! Can't wait!

Anonymous said...

The miracles continue :), and never really end. So is the wonderful blessing of becoming and being a parent. So glad you decided to start this blog. I love reading and hearing about all of these new experiences. Brings all the memories back to me. Can't wait until next week when we find out if this little "peanut" is a girl or boy.

Biz said...

This is exciting, Emily. We are excited with you. Where is the picture of Mona feeling the baby kick? I would love to see that. Love, Dad

Emily said...

Dad (posting as Brett :),
Don't worry, Mona will make an appearance on the blog REAL soon.
Em

Anonymous said...

OOOOOOHHHHH...so exciting to feel your baby move! Now, it only gets better. Little Liam moved all the time. Especially when we played music. But I have to say that my "quickening" did feel like butterflies...not gas.
-Julie

Anonymous said...

How excitingly scary for you both!!! Talk about new adventures!! You are definitely doing everything right when you look at the big picture.
Love, Ant