Week 23

Our baby is now the size of a Mango and Laurie can feel him dancing around in there as she sways to the music. The movement is actually visible to the naked eye. I have rather enjoyed feeling the kicking and punching.

The name remains private and will be released at the appropriate time. For now we are making other decisions; such as what we will do with the cord blood and when we will take the birthing classes.

As strange as it seems Laurie's belly as really "popped" in the last week. I thought the transition would all seem gradual because I'm around her every day, but we were both mentioning the other day that it the growth has been accelerated just in the past few days.

Week 22

The descriptions of what our child looks like continues to amaze even me. This week is the week that our baby boy should have reached a length comparable to a spaghetti squash. He is in the range of a foot in length and weighs about 1 pound. If we could look into the womb we could see him as a teeny-tiny mini-version of a newborn. He would have wrinkly skin all over his body that will fill in as he builds the fat to fill it in. His body is also covered in lanugo which is like fine hair.

I have never been around a pregnant woman as much as I have in these last 22 weeks and I must say that it is positively fascinating (hi honey, I love you). Awful back pain that forces her to hobble around the house just to go to the bathroom, which she does 4-6 times a night; fatigue that borders on exhaustion; emotions...... (we'll just leave it at that); and the greatest part of all is the belly that seems to pop out of nowhere.

You see, I thought pregnancy was all about warm fuzzies and big fun bellies and everyone havin' a jolly time. It's really about a human being going through an unbelievable process of creation and miraculous pain and endurance; which is probably why a Mother's bond is often stronger than a Father's (or perhaps it's just different).

Anyway we're another week closer and we get more and more excited with every outfit we buy.

Week 21

In the 21st week the baby is approximately the size of a carrot. I was there for the ultrasound and almost nothing resembled a carrot (trust me when I say "almost") As you can see photo number one is ready and launched. It seems Laurie's preggo bump is getting bigger every day and we're sure as heck going to document it. As far as mommy's health is concerned, Laurie has been feeling pretty good through this whole pregnancy and has really only experienced some back pain and exhaustion; of course, being a third grade teacher will do that to you anyway, but throw in a growing human inside of you and wham! As the Father I have also been feeling quite well throughout these past 21 weeks. No fatigue, no vomiting; to be honest with you, it's been really easy.

Have a great week!!

Update Confirms Health Status

Laurie went to the Doctor tonight for a regular checkup and the Doc confirmed our sneaking suspicion that our kid is totally healthy. We pray together every night for the health and well-being of our kid, and we are grateful that everything has gone so well thus far.

We looked into our pregnancy classes tonight and picked out a bedroom set and potentially a stroller. This is all becoming very very real.

Thursday will mark Week 21 and so you'll hear from me then.

Ultrasound Numero Uno

The nurse sounded pretty confident on the first go 'round about the gender, but I asked a second time just to be sure, "That was a penis, right?" And she answered emphatically, "yes, I wouldn't say if I wasn't 100% sure." That's all I needed.

Laurie's got a little boy swimmin' around in there and we couldn't be happier. The ultrasound process was incredible and it makes it all very real.

Anyway, that's the latest breaking news. Come back for more.

Week 20

Well, week 20 is upon us and we are finding out today whether our baby is a boy or girl. I suspect it is a girl and my wife is convinced that it is a boy. Neither of us have a preference and are delighted just to find out.

I will be updating you tonight as to which gender the baby is.

Stay tuned for photos as well.