thankfully he doesn't have claws!

"So how's he kicking?"

- at every visit since my diagnosis the Maternal Fetal Medicine Docs and my Ob/Gyns have asked how the baby is moving.  Babies with Trisomy 18 are prone to neuro-developmental issues that cause limited movement and polyhydramnios (excessive amniotic fluid in the belly) which can be related to decreased perception of fetal movement.  Thankfully, James has not kept me guessing on this front and I have not developed excess fluid.  I felt his first movements weeks before I noticed movement in my other pregnancies (and that was before the diagnosis).  Moreover, I notice his kicks and his movements even more than I did with my other children - now their may be some bias in this, I confess.  My current work load makes it crazy when I work, but when I am off of work, I have a tremendous amount of down time when I can appreciate his every movement.  There is not much else to do but appreciate the positive...and appreciate that he doesn't have Wolverine's nails!