30 Weeks

A much more eventful week to share with you. Kristina and I had our first baby shower with the teachers from Cathedral on Friday, we bought Nemo's first Renaissance Faire costume on Saturday, and, on Monday, Kristina had an appointment with her doctor.

First the baby shower. A lady I teach with is pregnant and is thrilled to have a "belly buddy" in Kristina, so she hosted a party for us at Cathedral. It was so humbling to see so many coworkers go out of their way to support us. They were so generous and thoughtful with their gifts that I was quite overwhelmed. The guy who took pictures for us at our wedding also took pictures at the shower and the picture above is from him.   If you want to see more, you can go here.  You may have to refresh the page a couple of times.

For many years, Kristina has gone to the Renaissance Faire and her interest has grabbed me.  She likes the costumes, the irreverent humor, and the people watching.  So we went Saturday and had a great time.  People had many humorous comments about my pregnant wife, all of which were made in good fun.  But the real highlight was the costume we bought for Nemo.  At next year's Faire, Nemo will be 10 months old, so we had to project his or her size and find a costume that we thought 

would work.  Very cute, but who knows how quickly he or she will outgrow it.

This morning Kristina went to her doctor's office for a quick check up.  Really it was mostly business--questions about inducing and cesarian sections, when to stop working and the like.  I guess the most important thing to report is that all is well.  The baby is the right size, right weight and the doctor even kidded with her about Nemo's sex during the ultrasound. 

So, enjoy the pictures and thank you for the continued support and love. 

29 Weeks

It was a pretty quiet week.  No doctor's appointments or surprising body changes.  We have our first baby shower this Friday with the teacher's from Cathedral.  They are a pretty amusing group, so it should be a good time.  

But, we already need a babysitter for two nights.  The first night is September 24th, because the Beastie Boys are playing at the Hollywood Bowl--can't wait to "Ch-Check It Out."  The second night is October 25th, because U2 is playing at the Rose Bowl--it will be a "Beautiful Day."

Perhaps the thing that got me the most excited about Nemo this week was the release of the "Where the Wild Things Are" movie trailer.  I remember the book so well.  It helped me understand the power of imagination as well as the fact that even when my parents punish me, they still love me.  I envisioned myself as the story's protagonist, Max, and I could travel to distant places without leaving my room.  

That's why, when my brother and friend each sent me a copy of the movie trailer, I was so happy that I cried.  I had visions of reading the book to my child and taking Nemo to his or her first movie when it comes out in October.  

When I was in Denver last weekend my parents and I decided to rummage through our old baby stuff and the first book I laid hands on, without being able to see it in the box on a high shelf, was "Where the Wild Things Are."  Of course I brought it back to our apartment and placed it in a prominent place in Nemo's room.  Below is the preview to for this movie--every time I watch it I feel like a kid again.

28 Weeks

Let's play a number's game:

1 trimester left.
2 doctor's visits a month.
3 centimeter stomach gain in two weeks.
4 weeks until the baby's room is finished.
5 pillows Kristina uses in various places when sleeping.
6 weeks until Kristina's first Mother's Day.
6.2 miles from our apartment to the hospital.
7 "easy" months behind us.
8 ethnicities Nemo will be a part of.
9 possible names we're still debating.
10 pounds gained by Brady so far.
11 pounds gained by Kristina so far.
12 different routes to the hospital Brady wants to find before May 1.
15 inches long the baby is right now.
22 inches long--how long the baby will probably be when born.

58 days until Brady's jaw surgery.
60 days until Kristina starts her maternity leave.

61 days until Cathedral's graduation.
75 days until Chaminade's graduation.
85 days until Nemo's due date.
98 days until Auntie Sara comes home.

27 Weeks

Tonight while we were eating dinner, Kristina said that Nemo was being rambunctious.  I looked over and could see her stomach moving.  There were about 2 or 3 real good "butt bumps" that I noticed from about 5 feet away.  Kristina and I just stared at her stomach in awe.  It is so great to see and feel those movements because it really helps me connect more concretely with both the baby and Kristina. 

Since Kristina is closing in on her last trimester, she has to go to the doctor's office every two weeks. During her last trip, they measured her for the first time. They expect a pregnant woman to grow one centimeter for every week she is pregnant, for a total of 40 centimeters. Well, Kristina is 3 cm ahead of schedule. For all that extra size, however, she hasn't gained an equivalent amount of weight. Which means that Nemo is long and skinny. Sound like anyone you know?

As for other news, we got this baby monitor that is supposed to help you hear your baby's heart beat. It's basically a sensitive microphone connected to headphones.  They say you can hear the heart beat, hiccups and maybe even kicking. But when we listened we just heard the sound of flowing water. Turns out you can't hear any of the good stuff for a couple of more weeks. But the flowing water was the sound of blood and nutrients flowing in and out of the placenta; literally the sound of life.

Later that night I tested the microphone on my belly and put on the headphones to see what I could hear. I couldn't hear anything interesting, so I turned the volume up. Then I farted and almost went deaf (no joke).

It's a good thing that I didn't go deaf because I applied for a job with the CIA over the weekend (also, no joke).  They need a few good men or women to join the Clandestine Services and I provided my high score on the James Bond game for the Wii in my list of positive attributes.  If I hear from them, I'll let you know--or maybe I'll be in the cone of silence.  

Will Nemo kick so hard that he or she break's Kristina's ribs?  Will Brady be abducted in his sleep and put on a cargo ship headed to Venezuela?  Tune in next week, same baby time, same baby channel.

26 Weeks

Over the weekend, we went to a "Labor and Delivery Class" at the hospital.  Basically it was a crash course in all the possible things that could happen during labor.  They recommend that we go so that we aren't pestering the nurses and doctors during Show Time.  There were maybe 15 other couples in the class with us--some of them due very soon.  After we heard all the horror stories, saw the diagrams and watched one particularly graphic and nausea-inducing video, we learned that a doctor has to give you a Cesarian Section if you request it.  All the women in the room gave one another a look.  It was the look of, "Hey, I don't have to be anyone's hero." For what it's worth, just being a human incubator for nine months qualifies one for the Hall of Justice in my book.

In far more important news, two interesting things happened when Kristina came to my swim team's first meet today.  First, being pregnant and sitting the bleachers doesn't mix.  She had to leave after the 200 freestyle relay and is now laying on her second ice pack of the night.  After the meet when I got home she said, "Nemo must have been practicing her flutter kick at your meet--she was going crazy."  I teared up.  

Later, during dinner, Kristina reported that, "Now Nemo's practicing her flip turns."  Too much to handle.  It sounds like Kristina needs to get her "bleacher butt" in better shape.  

For all the movement that Kristina can feel, I have only felt the baby move once.  After weeks of hurrying over to her, placing my hands on her stomach and coming away empty handed, I felt what seemed like a slight twitch.  It was very cool.  We decided that it was clearly a "butt bump" and deduced that Nemo likes to boogie.  

Thanks for all the love and support.  It's always great hearing from our friends and family.  More next week.  

  

25 Weeks

Submitted for your consideration:

and

and 

I suggest that Nemo's got rhythm--which is good, because Dad doesn't.  

Over the weekend, Kristina was asked to dance at the "Many Cultures, One Faith Liturgy" during the LA Religious Education Congress.  She carried the baby beautifully in front of over 1,000 people and I was so proud of her.  

Thanks for the name suggestions.  We'll take them under advisement.  More next week.

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.