The Week in Review...

Let's see what's been going on? We have finally gotten the nursery in order (well, almost--everyone will still have to wait a little bit for some pictures) and we have started getting all the stuff together that we will need for the "hospital bag". The only problem with that is that most of the stuff that goes into this famous bag is used on a daily basis. So what we have is the less famous "hospital list". This is a list that describes what should go into the bag. But we do have a bag!!!!

We have only 18 days until the due date---that is a very small number. We are currently experiencing a whole bunch of emotions--excitement, anxiousness, nervousness---the list could go on and on. Although, I think both of us are ready for her arrival. As a side note, Hardy does not seem to be phased at all?!?! In fact he seems to only concentrate on his new love--Tug-O'-War (he's getting pretty tough to beat)



Well, not a whole lot went on this past week except that our neighbors had their little girl--welcome to the world little Cory!!!! Oh yeah--and I got a very good picture of my wife. Check it out--she is barefoot, pregnant and in the kitchen. This is like the tri-fecta, the perfect storm, a grand slam, or any other over-used catch phrase that describes this event. Without further adeau--"my Everest"

Thank you Rebecca...

As the pregnancy draws near to an end, I wanted to take a moment and reflect on the experience thus far. We currently sit at 37 weeks and 3 days---and it has been a fairly easy 37 weeks and 3 days for me, mainly because of my wife. I know it hasn't been very easy for her at times, especially here at the end, but she has not complained very much and she has not made me run out at 2:00 am for ice cream or twizzlers or anything like that. I'm willing, but she hasn't asked me---yet! For the most part, Rebecca has been the same upbeat, caring, unselfish person that I married and for that I am truly grateful. I can only hope that our daughter inherits her personality from her mom.

Don't worry Truffle, you're in good hands...

We graduated!!!

On Thursday Rebecca and I finished up our labor/newborn care class. We are now experts! What?!?! What do you mean we have no idea what we are talking about. Yeah, you're probably right. Actually, they do send us out a certificate which states that we finished our class. Does this mean that we are any more qualified to raise a child than we were before?--no, but it does give us a cool certificate to hang on the wall. I think I will hang it next to this one:



Let's see...what have we been up to. On Saturday, the Fishers came by to visit. They were nice enough to bring us some goodies. Here is little Nathan demonstrating how to use the Bumbo seat. Nathan reminds us that Bumbo is happiest on the floor.



I tell you--that Nathan is one cute kid--I'll have to watch him carefully around my daughter.

Later on Saturday Rebecca and I did some final shopping. Ok, women shop--men buy--so since I have been involved in the purchasing--we've been buying for our little girl. We got a whole bunch of goodies. We got our car seat and base (the Snugride), which I promptly installed (which means there is a good chance that is will be re-installed by the Fairfax county police department). We also bought the accompanying Snug-stroller and Snug-swing.



We went with the Graco Snugride because it has gotten good reviews and were weary of certain other car seats such as this one from Apple--I think it is the iSeat:



Sure, I can listen to 10000 GB's of music and watch videos, but I don't see how the baby is safe?
Anyway, we also managed to get two other cool things. One is our pack n' play that doubles as a bassinet. We mainly got it for its durability, comfort and cute little puppies. Never underestimate the importance of cute little puppies.



Secondly, we bought a limited edition chest for the nursery:



NO, not this chest---this one:



Ok, so that is enough fooling around for one post. Its late and I have been getting over a cold (can't quite shake it), so that is why this post makes no sense whatsoever. Anyway, as an update, Rebecca is doing well. The physicians gave her the "green light" on Thursday, meaning that if she goes into labor from this point forward, they will not try to stop it. The baby is still head down and is doing well. Here is a 36 wk pic of Rebecca:

Yep, she only has one outfit. Maybe after the pregnancy we'll go grab her another one or two. Talk to you soon.

My Little Bag of Sugar...

That's about the size she is according to the book Great Expectations. Each week they describe her weight by some physical object. In the past, she was about the size of an apple, or a small pot roast. This week (> 34 weeks) she should be over 5 lbs, about the size of a bag of sugar. Next week is awesome--she is the size of a small roasting chicken :)

Let's catch up on these past couple of weeks. Rebecca and I went on the hospital tour. Its a pretty nice place. There is plenty of space (hallways and such) to walk around and spend the time while early and active labor occurs. Also, we have been progressing along in our childbirth and newborn care class. So far we have discussed pain, labor, delivery, and drugs and as always we end each week with a breathing exercise. However, the best part is where we get ready for the breathing exercises. We all come together and find spots to sit down...you know, the classic guy, two pillows, girl sandwich. However, in order to form this sandwich, the women must get down to floor level. This is hilarious. Last week, I took the opportunity to listen to the process. Aside from my wife and a few others, a lot of the other women have...how should I put this delicately....some trouble making it to floor level. In fact, it sounds like the scene from the Family Guy, where Peter starts the NAAFP (the National Association for the Advancement of Fat People) and all of the "members" sit down. Well, if you know the scene, then this visual is hilarious. However, if you do not know the scene then you are probably thinking I am being very mean. But here, I encourage you to watch this scene...



...and now image 12-15 pregnant women trying to get to the floor. Enough said.

anyway, all is fine....the doctor appointments are going really well---Rebecca is measuring right on schedule and at 33 weeks, the baby was head down--this is a really good thing. Let's hope that she stays this way!!!!

Rebecca is doing pretty well, although the fatigue is setting in. She is at her best from the hour(s) of 9:45-10:15 am. After that---downhill. She is also getting real tired at night, so noone call us past like 7:25 or so...just kidding...not really...no, I'm just joking...or am I?

Well, for a while now people have asked me what our daughter's name was going to be. We have been keeping it a secret (plus the fact that we are only 99% certain and reserve the right to change it at anytime). However, I will give everyone a chance. Her name is hidden in the following puzzle. Good luck.

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

anyway, here are week 34 pictures of my beautiful wife



talk to you soon.