Dad's First High Five

I'm 18 weeks today. Last night our baby book said that I "may feel the first movements of the baby sometime this week". I had to laugh. Our little all-star has been squirming around for over three weeks now!
It still just feels like bubbles and tickles-no major jabs yet. This afternoon it tickled so much that I actually laughed out loud. But then tonight it started to feel different. It felt more like pounding from the inside. More like an actual kick.

Ted's been asked by several friends and family members if he's felt a kick yet. He's been saying, "No, it'll probably be a month or more before I get to feel it." Or so we thought...

Tonight I was sitting in the recliner relaxing while Ted was on the computer looking up ways to fix something on my car (something I probably don't even know needs fixing). I felt a few strange movements and asked him if he wanted to try to feel the baby. I still hadn't even felt it from the outside at this point. He said he did and started walking towards me. Before he even got to me, I noticed a bulge in my belly on the lower left side. Definitely something new! He saw the bulge too and put his hand on it.

And just like that: Wham!

Dad's first high five.

He didn't say anything or move his hand so I thought he hadn't felt it. I said, "Did you feel that?" and he didn't respond right away. I assumed he was being quiet so he could try again. But after a pause he said, very matter-of-factly, "I just felt my baby move for the first time. I have chills." As if he had to convince himself of what just happened.

And then the little bulge disappeared and the kicks returned to light tickles. Just like that.

I'm elated! Head over heels excited and in awe of the miracle that is squirming inside me!

I know most dads have to try many times before they finally feel a good kick. I've heard so many stories of babies moving like crazy and then being completely still as soon as dad lays his hands on the tummy. I was fully prepared for this frustration. But it was as if our baby heard Ted coming and decided to put on a show.

Little bean has been doing everything ahead of schedule and I'm so grateful. We heard the heartbeat earlier than expected. I felt her sweet movements in my fourteenth week. And now this! At this rate our kid will ride a bike when she's two, graduate high school when she's twelve, and cure cancer by the time she moves out of the house! I just hope she isn't born early!