18 weeks + 5 days

I was lying on my bed, flat on my back. Pajamas hastily shoved up and aside, bare belly exposed to the elements. I'd already used my doppler and found the baby's heartbeat softly beating away, giving me the flash of temporary reassurance that all was okay in that particular moment in time. 

The lights were off, and it was just the two of us. 

I placed my hands over my stomach, shut my eyes, and waited. 

And waited.

And waited.

What was that? A hardening, my belly clenching around itself involuntarily. I took deep breaths, in and out. It hardened again, and relaxed. Maybe it was just my breathing?

I relaxed again, and waited.

And waited.

And waited.

Another tightening. And another. My hands instinctively moved towards the area in question. 

What was that? 

A slight twitch. Then nothing. It was probably nothing. Another little twitch. I felt that!  

I think I just felt my first movements.

Oh, I have been waiting for this. My heart is full. I closed my eyes, and slept. And had the best sleep of my life, right after. 

Thank you, baby girl.