The Rookie is making himself known!

Hi everyone! Last week was so crazy that I didn't get a chance to put a note out... but please know I was thinking lots about you all (and lucky to see many of you). The Rookie made himself known in the past two weeks by: - kicking both of his grandmothers: my mother during my impulsive trip up to MA last weekend, and Chris' mother while she's been in town over the past six days (she's heading on a plane back to CA this evening). - also kicking Maura, back from Afghanistan and soon to permanently relocate to DC, and trying to say hello to Jen and our new friend Charlie.- "forcing" me to consume an inordinate amount of ice cream, which just might be my *official* food of pregnancy. Yeah for Kimball's (Westford's famous homemade stuff), especially now that they have they have hot peanut butter sauce! - prompting a long trip to Babies R Us, which is notable since I really dislike shopping (as does Mom, who must really like her daughter and grandson enough to venture out as well), even when I do understand what I'm looking for. For those with experience or just opinions, I'd love your feedback on this draft registry: http://www.alternativegiftregistry.org/view_registry_public.php?registry_uid=1633. And, for those up north, look for an invite for a shower at Mom's in the mail shortly... - attending his first 2-year old's birthday party. Happy Birthday Amanda!!!!! He kicked lots after I had my two pieces of cake. - beating his heart at 140+/minute at our prenatal appointment on Wednesday. The midwife had lots of great answers to our questions about moving the due date (we'll see after our July 18 ultrasound, but I'm thinking he's a big but not early baby), childbirth classes (I'll start my group classes with the all the parents expected in October on July 10 and then every other Thursday afternoon for the remainder), etc. At my next appointment I'll be tested for gestational diabetes (pretty routine). - making me big enough that I got offered a seat on the bus for the first time, and prompted a 12-year old girl at a farmer's market last weekend to ask excitedly "is it a boy or a girl?" as I was waiting to buy myself some kale.
Yep, I'm a lot bigger-- no doubt that I am pregnant most days as I stroll the streets of DC (usually in the wonderful loaned maternity clothes of Lea and Stacey). I think it's mostly in my front (i.e. not gaining in other parts of my body, though I'm probably losing some muscle tone as I alter my workout routine), though I feel like I have a VERY large belly these days. Probably as a result, I haven't been sleeping as well and therefore am feeling tired during the day a bit. But, overall I feel like my non-pregnant self with a different center of gravity and an occasionally aching/stretching abdomen. On Wednesday night our little three-person family (Chris, myself and the Rookie) travel up to MA for the weekend and to celebrate my cousin Lynette's wedding on Saturday. It will be great to see family, and make sure Gramma gets bonding time with her first great-grandchild (the size of an ear of corn-- or probably even bigger-- see below). Love to all, and thinking of you,- The Rookie's vessel