So... the quick baby update. We went in for a complete ultrasound at 21.4 weeks. Here are a few pictures from the photo shoot. :)
The first thing that Jeremy said when the baby showed up on the screen was "Kendra, he has your nose!". I laughed politely, assuming that Jeremy was just trying to be clever. But later we talked about it and I looked again at the ultrasound profile (below) and he's right! If you know Jeremy or I's noses very well... they are very different. And from the looks of this picture... that is definitely like unto my nose. But we will, of course, have to wait and see when the nameless wonder arrives.
Well, FYI... since I am around 22 weeks... the baby is now approx. 11 inches long (the length of your average spaghetti squash - in case you were wondering) and weighs 1 lb. That's pretty big if you ask me! Just in the last week I have made the necessary transition into maternity pants, and I am starting to be asked by random people "when are you due?" That always takes me by complete surprise - I think... how do they know?? And then I realize that I have indeed crossed the line from "possibly starting to show" into "showing". I think that I am okay with that.
Anyway, according to all of my credible online sources... our baby is keeping pretty busy. His liver is working on breaking down bilirubin and at the same time he is busy with the construction of his pancreas. He is spending time developing his teeth below the gum line, preparing them for their debut a few months after his birth. And in his down time he is practicing breathing and exploring his safe little cocoon by kicking and rolling around. What a guy! I think that we can accurately assess that he is already ambitious and a hard worker. He doesn't want to just float around in amniotic fluid all day. He wants to get things done. No procrastination for this little fellow. :) He wants to be ready to be birthed on time - and I appeciate that.
Well, I have been feeling him move and kick and roll since I was 16 weeks pregnant. But at 22.2 weeks, Jeremy got to feel him move for the first time. It was very exciting for both of us. We were laying in bed, ready to go to sleep. Our little boy was being very active at the moment (which is his usual bedtime routine) and so I told Jeremy to put his hand on my tummy and see if he could feel the baby move too. We laid there in silence for a moment. Then I looked at Jeremy and said, "He just moved, did you feel it?" And he said no. I looked at my tummy and said, "Come on little boy, kick again." Just at that moment, the baby gave a distinct kick (what an obedient child) and Jeremy's eyes got really wide and excited and he said, "I felt that one!" It was a beautiful moment for our little family.
Yeah - the whole family... reunited at last! 
Funny story.... my family was ALMOST late to the airport for Michael's arrival. We were so worried about not being there in time to greet him that we all jumped out of the car and RAN to the gates at the airport. Sacrificial Jeremy volunteered to stay behind and park the car and still try to make it.... but unfortunately he missed it. So here is our own reunion when Jeremy pulled the car back up at the airport curb to pick us all up. 
Well, we had a wonderful family weekend complete with much food, BBQ, talking, games, laughter, dancing, riding mini-bikes, going on walks, playing frisbee, and every other desirable family activity in the book. It was wonderful!!!! Here's my brother back at home with a picture that he blew up of himself and sent home to us for Christmas during his first year out on his mission. We can finally take the Michael decoy down... since the real deal is back! We love ou Michael!!!!! It's great to have you back!!
