Shayna Graham and Jeffina Reed

(Note: I have several blog posts - baby related and *gasp* not - started, but I seem to be lacking the time/photos to finish them ... I promise I will try to get those finished up in the next few weeks!)

Elle Belle has been kicking a lot in the last four days or so. Not constantly, but when she starts, it usually lasts for a while, although usually only 3-4 kicks in the same spot. On Monday night, I think, I felt some strong kicks while I was trying to go to sleep. I made sure *I* could feel them on the outside, then tried to get Tim to feel them.

No dice. Baby Girl did not want to keep kicking when she knew she had an audience. As soon as Tim moved his hand away, she moved, and the same thing happened - he tried to feel it, she stopped kicking in that spot. Tim commented that he didn't want to limit Elizabeth to being a soccer player, so maybe she could be a kicker in the NFL. Or a gynmast.

The next few day was the same thing. She kicked up a storm on Tuesday morning, while Tim was at work. Later that afternoon, I was getting some hard kicks higher in my belly than usual, and I actually saw my stomach move near my belly button as she kicked. I texted Tim to tell him I saw my belly move, and he responded with "Shayna Graham!" I said, "Oh no," as Shane Graham is the kicker for the Bengals and had QUITE the rough season this year. He responded with "Jeffina Reed?" to which I quickly agreed - I've met Jeff Reed, and while he didn't have a flawless season last year, at least he plays for *my* pro football team.

Last night, I was getting really frustrated. I had felt the kicks on the inside and outside, and despite Tim's claims that "We have another five months to feel this, don't stress about me feeling it today," I wanted him to feel it YESTERDAY. I figured Elizabeth would perform her usual bedtime tap dance, and I was right.

After about a dozen kicks in random places, she seemed to settle for a some hard ones, low in my abdomen. I told Tim to come over and feel my belly ... and finally, Baby Girl cooperated and kicked her father. Twice :)