I felt my first movement at around 19wks and felt from the outside as well, but not very strong. After a few weeks they got stronger and stronger and more frequent.

Zane had an anterior placenta.. i felt kicks and movement from 18wks... constantly from about 20wks. He was my first bub too. It did muffle the movements though, as this one has a posterior placenta and OMG its painful and very interesting to see limbs!
Fletch - did you not see any limbs with the anterior placenta?? I am hoping to see some limbs soon!! I think the placenta is more over the right of the uterus so maybe I still will.