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This weekend marked another special event for the Burger-Baldwin family. My mom drove down from Idaho for a visit (to see my tummy and feel the baby move) and so we went on a little road trip to Mission Viejo to introduce her to James' family. The two grandmas hit it off — they were giggling like children themselves, full of smiles and hugs!

We also got to see James' dad, sisters, and brothers-in-law. And of course the star of the day was James' nephew Kael, who has just over three months left of being the center of attention before Kael's little sister enters the world — and his baby cousin! Kael's mom Julie is due just two weeks before we are. So there was belly touching all around.

Also this weekend, my mom spoiled me at the maternity store at Valley Plaza. I picked out my first pairs of maternity pants. I felt silly at first about the stretchy belly area, but once they were on — so comfortable! Same with the oh-so-cute jean skirt.

Another perk of the weekend was taking my mom to the Crystal Palace where she got to see Buddy Owens perform with the Buckaroos and we shared a giant dessert. (Although I probably ate the majority of it). It was my fave - chocolate brownie topped with vanilla ice cream, hot fudge and whipped cream. Mmmm, my mouth is watering just remembering it!

What a wonderful weekend we had!

Well, folks, I am really gaining weight now. I just weighed myself and I am up to 181 pounds. (I'm not shy to share!) My lowest during the pregnancy has been 163, after all the sickness and throwing up. I started the pregnancy at 172.

But "The Book" (how I refer to "What to Expect When Expecting") says I should be gaining about a pound a week right now, and I have gained about 6 pounds over the last two weeks. Maybe my body is just catching up. I hope the 3-pounds-a-week doesn't last. That just seems like too much. My appetite has exploded, though.

I'm at 23 weeks right now, so I'm a little over half-way through the pregnancy. In total, the average gain according to "The Book" is 30 pounds. I've gained 18 if you count from my post-sickness low, or 9 if you go back to my pre-pregnancy weight.

The most I've ever weighed in my life was 184, when I was not exercising or eating healthy. Now I eat VERY healthy, but I must admit I should do more exercising. I need to motivate myself to walk on the treadmill during my lunch break at work. But my tailbone is still sore from falling in Kansas City and I don't want to aggravate the injury. I think I'll call my doctor and see what she says.

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He's not born yet, but Baby got to fly to Kansas City, Mo., last weekend with Mom and Dad to visit his soon-to-be aunt Karen and uncle Dave (my sister and brother) as well as Dave's girlfriend Andrea and her friend who was also visiting Dea. The flights went well for the most part, except for the landing on our way home. Turbulence = motion sickness. I didn't throw up, but I had to really use power of mind not to.

The trip was awesome. James and I fell in love with Kansas City. (Who would have thought?) We ate jamming barbecue every day, shopped, went to a dueling piano bar, saw fireflies, played with my brother's puppy, and had great conversations. One day we drove out to Powell Gardens, a beautiful botanical gardens with lakes, fields, statuary and a chapel. There, James took my 22-week photo. Baby boy is starting to really stick out now! Another highlight were the giant peach pancakes I had for breakfast at the City Market, a farmer's market type area reminiscent of Seattle's Pike Place Market.

A low-light of the trip was when I fell flat on my back after tripping onto the oil-slicked lane at this swanky bowling alley in the City Center. I cried half out of embarrassment and half cuz it hurt so bad. I'm sure I bruised my tailbone. It's still sore - a week later!

Baby update: The boy is moving more than ever, and he even keeps me awake with his antics. I call him my squirmy wormy, floppy fish monkey, breakdancer and Tarzan. I swear he is swinging around on the umbilical cord, pounding his chest, crying "Ah-i-ah-i-ah!" I can now literally see him move under my skin. It's amazing, wonderful, disturbing and weird all at the same time.

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Yesterday was a fabulously exciting day for James and I, as it was ultrasound day. We found out, among other things, that the "it" we've been referring to is a boy. We also learned he's of normal size, heart rate, position, etc. Basically, all systems are a go! Yeah! What a relief that was to learn.

It was very cool to see the ultrasound images on the "big screen" while James held my hand. He was naming body parts before the technician did. How did he know that was the heart chambers?? I saw lots of stuff that looked like bubbles. But I recognized the spine (it looked like a zipper) and the face (he has a nose!) and the hands (what cute fingers). When the technician entered an arrow with "All Boy!!!" next to it, she announced that the little nub on the screen was his penis. I don't know how she got penis out of that -- could have been a peanut for all I knew. But there it was, in the flesh, our little baby's baby manhood.

The ultrasound was surprising. Apparently, the baby was facing toward my spine, with his head down really low and his butt up next to my belly button. The technician had to really poke and prod and wiggle and jiggle my belly to get him to move. But once he did, ka-pow! There were the punches I've come to love. The boy is training for the Olympics already. I am expecting greatness from him.

James was ecstatic the rest of the day, smiling and laughing and bouncing as he walked. Even though he thought it was a girl, we are both very excited to meet this boy soon. Now comes the naming game ...