Hello Everyone

Hello Everyone,

I'm so sorry to have been so absent. I've been trying to get so many things done before our little man (still no name) gets here, that posting has fallen to the wayside. I have a lot of unanswered e-mails I need to respond to. I have been keeping mental notes in my head though dating all the way back to the weekend of Aug. 25th, ouch.

OK, so I went over to Long Island for a friends bridal shower and while trying to get another friend to feel the baby move I realized his movements were getting much less vigorous then usual. I just figured that he was having one of his quiet days. He had this pattern of being incredibly active for a day or two and then being very still for a day. But it continued, so on Sept. 4th I went in for a nonstress test (they monitor the baby while you just lay there). Apparently I don't have a clue. The nurses said that he was very healthy for his age, which was nice to hear, and that he just had less room to move because he was just getting bigger. It was actually a really nice experience, I got to hear all the movements he was making that I couldn't really feel, which were a lot, and I got to hear his heart beat for about 40min. It was a very intimate experience. I got a little glimpse of his world.

Sept. 10th was the first time I got to feel an actual body part. I'm not sure which one, but it was something like a foot or a forearm. I started to feel a lot of pressure in my right side, when I put my hand over the spot I realized I could feel him through my skin. There was a long ridge like bump sticking out of my side, it was kind of weird. The way I feel him now (movement, body parts, etc.) is even more fun then it used to be. When he moves my stomach ripples and moves and jumps. It happens a lot during class and while I'm tutoring, I can only imaging how one of the student's would react if they saw it (I think if anyone was looking at my stomach it might creep them out). I can feel where he is a lot too now, I feel stretching when he leans or presses parts of his body into my stomach. My belly gets all deformed and I can see bumps and bulges where he is. I am very happy to report that I am still feeling really good, however I'm getting more and more comments on how big I am. Luckily I have Dan to tell me how great I look. There are several people who think that I'm not going to make it full term because I'm so big. Whatever, I'll make it. Like I have a say. I just want him to hang in there and get strong and healthy. OK, so here are the long awaited belly pictures.

So Moody!

I realized shortly after greeting my wife last night that I needed to clarify something. She is not getting moody or short on patience with me. She's very kind and cheerful to me all the time every minute of the day. She gets angry at things like not knowing how to spell words, or not being able to get comfortable while laying on the couch. She's not going crazy or throwing dishes at me anything. Except when she found out I told you all she was moody. Then she went a little crazy. But you guys know Steph, I'm really spoiled at how even tempered she is. And also, I don't mind talking to her belly in the mornings. Yes it's very nice, and important. OK, so I hope that covers any missinterpretation anyone might have possibly had. I'll post her belly for you all as soon as she lets me.

Awaited update

Life is still busy for us but thats no excuse for not updating this enough for all of my wifes caring friends and family. I will accept all the blame for not doing it because Steph is still going to school and is probably more tired than I am when she's home. I know that this blog is how some of you feel kept up to speed with Stephs pregnancy, and I assure you that things are still in full swing. In fact, she is getting moody finaly and shorter on patience. Her belly is even bigger and I will put pictures of it up shortly. But overall she is still happy and smiles a lot. I am very anxious for this boy to come. I literally speak to him every morning. Steph is still in bed half asleep when I leave for work. Steph gives me the one eye open kiss goodbye and then she lifts the covers and asks me to talk to the baby. I tell her belly goodbye, and be good for mamma, and have a fun day. But it seems a little comical talking to a pregnant belly everyday. I'm excited for him to get here. We were at a wedding last weekend and here's a couple pics.














I had my wife dancing all over the dance floor with her pregnant belly. She looked fantastic and had a blast. Thank you all for checking this and caring about Steph. We are in a situation where work will be requiring me to leave the country at a very inopportune time. Steph is doing her best not to be too upset but it sucks. I am in the midst of trying to find a solution that doesn't entail quitting my job when a baby is coming. I was going to Thailand but those plans are off the list for now. It will be Columbia and San Diego. From October to late December. I will keep you guys posted. I will be pretty much beside myself if this doesn't work out.

Baby Shower Continued

I finally got pictures of the onesies that I wanted to share with you guys. I also have a picture of the cake that my Aunt made for the shower. I love it.

Baby Shower

Hey everyone, ok, so here is a much awaited post from the mom-to-be. Sorry it's been so long. My little son seems to be doing very well, which I'm grateful for. His movements are less vigorous now, as he gets bigger there is less room for him to wined up and really whack me. For a while I thought he was going to try to wiggle and kick his way right out of my body alien style. My favorite moments are the times when Dan and I get to sit together just feeling the baby move. It's like we're already a family (I guess we are really). OK, so the baby shower was wonderful. I am so grateful to everyone who came to celebrate with us or was there in spirit. There were so many people who showed their support and love I'm amazed. I think we may have had as many people at the shower as we did at our wedding. I just can't tell you how amazing it felt to have everyone there.



OK, so here are some pictures.
The shower took place at my moms house. I owe her a big thank you. I was worried about space but it turned out really well, thing always seem to work out somehow. There was so much food, thank you to everyone who brought something. I tried not to put pictures of individual gifts we received so that no one would feel left out, but we received so many wonderful things. Dan was amazed at all the onesies and receiving blankets. It hasn't quite registered with him how many of them we are going to need. I think he thinks there were too many, he'll find out soon enough.

Dan did so well, he stuck around through the whole party. I thought he might sneak away with the other guys half way through, but he didn't. I wouldn't have blamed him if he had, but he was wonderful. He gave a thank you speech, he help with everything, talked to people, and stayed with me the whole time. He even ooh'd and ahh'd over everything while showing his masculine side of trying to figure out what the heck everything was for. I was very proud of him. My cousin Amy put together some funny stories from when each of us were little and some Q&A sheets on each of us as babies. She also brought bibs and onsies that people could paint for the baby. Once I get pictures of them I will post those as well.

OK, as far as names go, nothing yet, but I think we'll probably figure it out when he's born. I told Dan to hold on to names he likes and if he still has one he loves in 2 1/2 months then we'll make decisions. Take care everyone, talk to you soon.