A few days ago, I decided to order a fetal doppler so that we can listen to Baby DeBo's heartbeat at home. We'd considered ordering a heart monitor earlier, but most of the "standard" ones we'd seen in stores weren't able to detect a heartbeat until approximately 18 weeks, and that seemed a little late in the pregnancy to be buying such a device, especially if I might possibly start feeling fetal movements around that time. Anyway, I had sort of put the idea of purchasing one out of my mind, especially because it's just another expense when there are so many expenses looming on the horizon with a new baby on the way, but I found this one on Amazon.com for a relatively inexpensive price, and it had mostly great reviews from people who were able to detect a heartbeat as early as 11 or 12 weeks, so I just went for it.

I'm so glad I decided to go ahead and order it. I love listening to that gentle "whoosh-whoosh" of the Baby's heartbeat before bedtime: it really relaxes me and gives me some peace of mind when I start worrying about the Baby. I feel like I could just lay there forever and listen to that miraculous sound. Yesterday, as I was listening, I started hearing some of the Baby's movements. It sounded similar to a fish flipping underwater (I'm guessing), and at the exact same time that I heard one of the sounds, I felt two twinges in my lower abdomen. That's right: I think I felt the first movements of our Baby! In retrospect, I'm realizing I might have actually been feeling the Baby move earlier, but having the sounds of movement to match up with the twinges helped confirm that that is indeed what's going on!

I think this will become a daily ritual for Baby and me (with Daddy joining in sometimes, too). If you can't find me, I'll be laying in the bedroom with my headphones on, listening to the sweetest sounding music in the world.

-Em