Week 22

Rebekah's update for Week 22:

I think I've figured out that my itchy legs are a result of playing in the dirt at Wakulla Springs. Good grief. I think that it's my favorite part of going to the springs now because it's entirely too cold for me to swim. Normally, I'll be one of the first people to jump in, but when I'm preggers, my body can't handle the cold...it hurts too bad! So, it looks like I am done with Wakulla Springs for the summer. I can't swim, and now I can't play in the dirt with the kids. Blah!

Week 22 has been very good. There were three days in there somewhere where I thought that I was going to explode! My stomach has just popped this last week! I have been able to feel Emily moving around in there, doing the backstroke, or whatever it is that she is doing in there, for quite some time now, but I've not been able to feel her from the outside. Last night was a different story!

Sammy was always so "camera shy" it seemed when it came to Rusty being able to feel him move. Every time that I could feel him, on the outside, I'd call Rusty over to feel him too. By the time Rusty got there, Sammy would quit moving. Little booger. I think Rusty may have felt him 10% of the times that I tried to get him to feel it.

Last night, Emily was just tearin' it up in there. She WAS NOT KIDDING. I think she was moving around for at least a solid hour! I went to bed a little bit later than normal last night, and as I was lying there, I put my hand on my oversized tummy. I could feel her moving around, but I didn't expect to feel her from the outside already. I soaked in this moment for a good 5 minutes, and the I called for Rusty.

I didn't want to move for fear she would stop, and we would have another "Sammy" on our hands, so I called out for Rusty. Of course, Rusty and Cody are sitting in the living room watching T.V., so I had to call for about 5 minutes. Finally, Cody heard me. He thought that I was Sam, so they both listened very carefully. I can see them sitting there, staring into space like Susie would stare at the bottom of the door when she heard something unfamiliar!

Rusty came in just as Emily stopped moving. Of course. That's the way it has always been. *Bonk* OOO...There she went again, and this time, Rusty was there to feel it. He stayed there for about 5 minutes just enjoying the moment. Looking back on it, I think it ended up being more special for me to see him feel her than it was for me to feel her. Of course, I teared up, like I do, but the pride on his face made it all so special.

I'm so glad that Emily has perked up for him. Hopefully, she'll keep up the good work, but keep in mind that I am still here. We don't want her to put footprints in my kidneys or anything!

What an AWESOME Week 22!

**WARNING TO THE SQUEAMISH**
-This quite possibly is too much information for you-

This is the update from the website: Week 22

Your Baby's Development
The senses your baby will use to learn about the world are developing daily. Taste buds have started to form on the tongue, and the brain and nerve endings are formed enough so that the fetus can feel touch. Your baby may experiment with this newfound sense of touch by stroking his or her face or sucking on a thumb, as well as feeling other body parts and seeing how they move.
Your baby's reproductive system is continuing to develop, too. In boys, the testes have begun to descend from the abdomen, and in girls, the uterus and ovaries are in place and the vagina is developed.

Your Body
If you haven’t felt them already, you may soon notice your uterus practicing for delivery with irregular, painless contractions called Braxton Hicks contractions. You may feel a squeezing sensation in your abdomen. Don't worry, though: Your baby may be able to feel the contraction as it squeezes the uterus, but Braxton Hicks contractions aren't dangerous or harmful. If, however, the contractions become more intense, painful, or frequent, contact your health care provider immediately because painful, regular contractions may be a sign of preterm labor.