24 Weeks

We've reached 6 months! Only 4 more to go. In general, Kristina's constitution has improved, but her immune system has weakened and she is often sick. Obviously, her stomach is growing and we've been forced to evaluate all the maternity clothing stores and have come to find what works for her.

So it turns out that the pain Kristina felt in her ribs last week was Nemo's big foot wedged up there. The pain was so much that she went in to the doctor's office to check it out and the ultrasound discovered the cause of the pain.

Our baby is getting fat. He or she is putting on that fat that will make the baby less opaque. That's right, up until now, Nemo has been virtually see-through. The fat will help with that. He or she is the length of an ear of corn--but Nemo will definitely not be a Cornhusker.

This week we are looking for boy's names in the comment thread. Last week we had some great ideas of girl's names. I especially liked Reba and Willamina. Thanks for your help.

23 Weeks

Nothing very exciting to report this week--certainly nothing as exciting as the ultrasound from last week.  I guess the most exciting news is that we're closing in on the last trimester.  There seems to be a lot of excitement at the beginning of the pregnancy--telling everyone and making plans in your head--and obviously a lot of excitement at the end.  But, the middle is filled with a lot of...boredom.  We did, however, get a chance over the long weekend to further organize Nemo's room.  We use a monkey doll as a stand-in for the baby--it's name is Chief Red Bottom.

Kristina has felt a new pain recently.  She says it feels like her ribs have separated from her sternum.  It must be the baby growing and her body trying to accommodate.  It makes sleeping on her side very uncomfortable.  To compound the issue, pregnant women cannot sleep on their backs.  Obviously sleeping on one's stomach is out of the question--though I hear such a position is a new break dancing move amongst all the pregnant women these days.  Such difficulties make for some seriously miserable nights.  

On another note, the great name fight has begun.  We each have our ideas, and our stubbornness.  We could really appreciate your fresh ideas.  Offer any ideas you may have for girl's names in the comments thread this week.  Next week we'll do boys names.  After that maybe we'll have a party--"A Man, a Keg and a Fertalized Egg Party"--to vote on name options.  Thank you in advance for all the great ideas and your continued support.  

22 Weeks

This may sound like a joke, but the baby is the size of a spaghetti squash this week.  It looks like we were all wrong.  

Kristina and I went to the doctor's office today for her regular check up and saw some pretty breathtaking  ultrasound pictures.  First, Nemo was scratching the back of his or her head.  The left arm was reached over the face and the fingers were itching away.  We've got a little thinker.  Maybe Nemo was considering the purpose of mankind in in a chaotic universe or the relationship between Jesus and Buddha.  

Secondly, we saw all four chambers of Nemo's heart.  Fricking amazing.  The blood pumps with the strength of a thoroughbred horse.  Perhaps we have a marathoner, base jumper or even a rickshaw driver on our hands.

Anyway, this is the ultrasound picture from today.  If you look closely, squint and turn your head to the side, you can make out a head, neck and part of the body--sort of.  We couldn't see the rest of the body because we want to be surprised.  

Week 21

The transition into our 5th month went smoothly. There were, however, two important pieces of information Kristina discovered about Nemo. First, the baby is the size of a banana. I don't know if that is a Chilean banana or a locally grown option, but it is certainly not a plantain. The cool part is that now Kristina can answer the question about the banana in her pocket in the affirmative.

The second cool thing we learned is that the baby can now taste what Kristina has eaten via the flavor of the amniotic fluid. Greesy Super Bowl party food seemed most agreeable. But does Nemo like spicy food? Grilled cheese sandwiches? Cilantro? Cigarettes? Whiskey? We'll just have to test everything out.