Hiccups

When I get hiccups, the world knows about it.  They are violent, loud, and really quite painful.  The first time I got hiccups in front of the twins, I thought I had scarred them for life.  They both stopped playing and looked at me like they weren't sure if they should laugh or cry.  They both stared at me with those big adorable eyes until the next one came out and then Owen erupted...in laughter (which I guess convinced Elsie that she didn't need to cry and she went back to her activity).  The problem in this situation was that Owen's laugh is the most adorable, contagious sound in the world, so I started to laugh, which made my hiccups even louder.  Then he would try to imitate the hiccup and we were both in this cycle of hiccups and the kind of laughing that makes it hard to breath.  Can you tell I miss those kids?  Anyway, Owen's reaction was the best I've ever had from anyone.  People always made fun of them when I was growing up and no one ever seemed to understand just how painful they can be.  

When you're pregnant, you hope and pray that the little child you are preparing to meet will come out with only your best qualities and that the ones that tormented you in youth can be left behind.  Well, baby girl Zeller got hiccups the other day and Brandon's response was "she's definitely yours".  I've never seen my stomach move so much.  So now I have this sweet baby inside who seems to start everyday with a violent round of hiccups.  It's quite uncomfortable if I'm completely honest, but I can't really feel bad for myself in those moments when it's my fault AND I know how much more uncomfortable they are, and will be, for her.  So, to my unborn child, let's hope the horrible hiccups are the worst thing I've passed on to you.