We are finally done running around town from doctor to doctor. It is time to relax. The morning doctor's visit went fairly regularly; checked the baby's heart beat, discussed recent developments, and set up the next visit for two weeks from today.
That was Brittany's regular doctor. Our afternoon appointment was with an ultrasound specialist. During the last ultrasound visit, we discovered that the baby's kidneys were larger than they should be and they wanted to keep an eye on them as the baby developed. That was what today's checkup was for.
So, we arrived at the Rockledge Weustoff Women's Center slightly early for our appointment. The waiting room was practically empty, so we were in to see the specialist without an unbearable delay. Brittany was weighed (for the second time today) upon entering the room and then her blood pressure was taken...also for the second time. The technician started working taking measurements and screenshots of a baby that looked like it was posing for a photo shoot. Once all the measurements were in, she gave us the preliminary results. While it looked like the kidneys were doing much better, for the rest of the organs seem to be catching up in size, there were some other figures that were cause for alarm.
I believe at the last checkup the baby weighed somewhere around 3 pounds, 8 ounces. When the technician gave us the new weight, I was stunned. It seems that the baby now weighs 6 pounds, 2 ounces! To me, that seemed a little excessive, and Brittany had a look of utter dismay on her face. The specialist said that the baby is about two and a half weeks ahead of the average pace on weight, and also mentioned that he or she is three and a half weeks ahead on length. So apparently it is not an overly fat child...it is just really long. Understandably, Brittany did not like the sound of these new figures.
In my opinion, either the numbers for the weight were wildly inaccurate this time around, and were calculated incorrectly, or the original timeline for the pregnancy is wrong. Either way, the baby will most likely be born well before the projected due date of Feb. 13.
Now we will wait and see. We have another doctor's appointment in two weeks, and the ultrasound specialist wants to see us again in five weeks. That is, if the child isn't born before that...which is a possibility it seems.
Until next time,
Lorimer
12.28.2009
12.27.2009
Stardate 091227.4
Well, my last two posts summed up the pregnancy experience so far, so now I will be writing about the new things as they happen. We still have 7 weeks left, a few more doctor's visits, and a lot more to experience.
Tomorrow, we have another ultrasound and doctor's appointment. The ultrasound is to check on the status of the baby's kidneys up to this point. That is the primary focus, because the technician at the last ultrasound said the baby's kidneys were slightly larger than they should be at that point in time...well, more developed than the other organs. I think we have had five ultrasounds so far, and each time the baby is in a different position. The baby moves around a lot apparently, and it shows on the ultrasounds.
To answer everyone at once, no we do not know what the gender of our baby is, because we want it to be a surprise. Well...here's the real story...
I have wanted it to be a surprise the whole time. From the time we found out we were having a baby, I wanted to avoid finding out the gender. Brittany, however, was all about knowing ahead of time. She was shocked and dismayed that I did not want to know. Doctor's appointment after doctor's appointment, she would ask me if we could find out, and I kept asking if we could wait. Finally, she came around to my side and decided it would be fun to wait and see. I figured that we had clothes for both and the bedding and decorations for the room were light greens and yellows, so we didn't have to worry; one way or another, we were prepared.
Now that we have only seven weeks left, she is fine with the waiting idea. It seems we are the only ones in the church that decided to go this route. There are quite a few couples that are also expecting children, and all of them have found out or want to find out what they are having. Oh well. I enjoy waiting for the surprise.
Well, we will have to see what comes of the appointments tomorrow, so until then I'm signing off.
Later,
Lorimer
Tomorrow, we have another ultrasound and doctor's appointment. The ultrasound is to check on the status of the baby's kidneys up to this point. That is the primary focus, because the technician at the last ultrasound said the baby's kidneys were slightly larger than they should be at that point in time...well, more developed than the other organs. I think we have had five ultrasounds so far, and each time the baby is in a different position. The baby moves around a lot apparently, and it shows on the ultrasounds.
To answer everyone at once, no we do not know what the gender of our baby is, because we want it to be a surprise. Well...here's the real story...
I have wanted it to be a surprise the whole time. From the time we found out we were having a baby, I wanted to avoid finding out the gender. Brittany, however, was all about knowing ahead of time. She was shocked and dismayed that I did not want to know. Doctor's appointment after doctor's appointment, she would ask me if we could find out, and I kept asking if we could wait. Finally, she came around to my side and decided it would be fun to wait and see. I figured that we had clothes for both and the bedding and decorations for the room were light greens and yellows, so we didn't have to worry; one way or another, we were prepared.
Now that we have only seven weeks left, she is fine with the waiting idea. It seems we are the only ones in the church that decided to go this route. There are quite a few couples that are also expecting children, and all of them have found out or want to find out what they are having. Oh well. I enjoy waiting for the surprise.
Well, we will have to see what comes of the appointments tomorrow, so until then I'm signing off.
Later,
Lorimer
12.25.2009
Stardate 091225.9
First of all let me say, Merry Christmas to all! I hope everyone had a great holiday with family and friends. Also, I hope everyone remembered the reason we celebrate this holiday: the birth of Jesus.
Now, back to the child rearing story...
Change was the subject of my last post, so now I am going to move on to a different aspect of the pregnancy process: how prepared we are physically and mentally. We aren't there yet, but we have been steadily getting ready for this new Werner who is on the way.
Well, we have a nice crib with bedding, a few chairs and swings for rocking the baby to sleep, a pink rocking chair for Brittany, a changing table, a half-designated room...we're pretty much there...well, as far as the furniture is concerned. We still have some work to do on the room. The painting needs to be done, and a last few things need to be finished before the big day arrives. The clothes situation has just about taken care of itself. We have clothes for either gender since we don't know what the baby is yet. Of course, Brittany has yet to have had her baby shower, so we should be getting a few things to fill in the gaps.
So physically, I would say we are moving right along. Like I said, a few things left to take care of, but overall, we are getting there.
Emotionally, we get more and more ready every day. This whole process for us is brand new, so new emotions and feelings that go along with having a child are dawning on us almost daily. When I think about raising a child and having someone so small and helpless relying on me, it puts things into a new perspective.
When Brittany originally got pregnant, I was happy, of course, but as the male, I didn't necessarily have an intimate connection to the child like Brittany. However, as the pregnancy progressed, I became more connected, as it were. I guess it really hit me as reality the first time the doctor checked the baby's heart beat for us. That was actually very cool. I was fortunate enough to capture the sound on my iPhone and if I find a way to post it here, I will.
If the heart beat check was cool, it was nothing compared to the ultrasound. We got some awesome pictures of the kid, and I have them posted on facebook for your viewing pleasure.
Well, as time went on, and the baby grew, I was finally able to see and feel the child moving. It was rather strange at first. To see some one's stomach just rolling and moving of its own accord is quite a sight. It took a little getting used to, but now I can feel the kid move anytime I want, since the child moves all the time (much to Brittany's discomfort!).
So, as time progresses and we get closer to the due date, I become slightly more attached to the baby every day, though I don't think it will be emotionally real until I hold the child for the first time in the hospital. I don't mean that cold or emotionless way, and I don't know how many other first-time father's feel this way, but in my opinion, for the male member of the couple (the one not carrying the child) it is a little hard for it all to be completely real in a person's mind. I guess I will have to wait and see...and by extension...so will you. :) That story will have to wait until February.
Until next time,
Lorimer
Now, back to the child rearing story...
Change was the subject of my last post, so now I am going to move on to a different aspect of the pregnancy process: how prepared we are physically and mentally. We aren't there yet, but we have been steadily getting ready for this new Werner who is on the way.
Well, we have a nice crib with bedding, a few chairs and swings for rocking the baby to sleep, a pink rocking chair for Brittany, a changing table, a half-designated room...we're pretty much there...well, as far as the furniture is concerned. We still have some work to do on the room. The painting needs to be done, and a last few things need to be finished before the big day arrives. The clothes situation has just about taken care of itself. We have clothes for either gender since we don't know what the baby is yet. Of course, Brittany has yet to have had her baby shower, so we should be getting a few things to fill in the gaps.
So physically, I would say we are moving right along. Like I said, a few things left to take care of, but overall, we are getting there.
Emotionally, we get more and more ready every day. This whole process for us is brand new, so new emotions and feelings that go along with having a child are dawning on us almost daily. When I think about raising a child and having someone so small and helpless relying on me, it puts things into a new perspective.
When Brittany originally got pregnant, I was happy, of course, but as the male, I didn't necessarily have an intimate connection to the child like Brittany. However, as the pregnancy progressed, I became more connected, as it were. I guess it really hit me as reality the first time the doctor checked the baby's heart beat for us. That was actually very cool. I was fortunate enough to capture the sound on my iPhone and if I find a way to post it here, I will.
If the heart beat check was cool, it was nothing compared to the ultrasound. We got some awesome pictures of the kid, and I have them posted on facebook for your viewing pleasure.
Well, as time went on, and the baby grew, I was finally able to see and feel the child moving. It was rather strange at first. To see some one's stomach just rolling and moving of its own accord is quite a sight. It took a little getting used to, but now I can feel the kid move anytime I want, since the child moves all the time (much to Brittany's discomfort!).
So, as time progresses and we get closer to the due date, I become slightly more attached to the baby every day, though I don't think it will be emotionally real until I hold the child for the first time in the hospital. I don't mean that cold or emotionless way, and I don't know how many other first-time father's feel this way, but in my opinion, for the male member of the couple (the one not carrying the child) it is a little hard for it all to be completely real in a person's mind. I guess I will have to wait and see...and by extension...so will you. :) That story will have to wait until February.
Until next time,
Lorimer
12.18.2009
Stardate 091218.9
A lot has changed in the past year. I have gotten married, my new wife and I are soon to have a baby, and I am closer to finally graduating from college. I wrote some about getting married and that chapter of my life. While that chapter is awesome and still going strong, there is now a new addition that I must document. Since this is an entirely new thing for me, I thought it would be good (and somewhat amusing at times) to track the adventure as it unfolds.
I’m told a child changes so much in your life, but I don’t know that the thought of universal change has really sunken in yet. Before I got married, people told me the same thing about marriage; however, after I was married, while some things did change, adaptation wasn’t painful or trying at all. At least that I remember. Maybe I have a selective memory when it comes to the bad things in life, but the adjustment from bachelorhood to married life was a fairly easy switchover. I just have a feeling though that the change from two to three members in the household will be slightly more trying than the change from one to two, so I felt it would be a great idea to follow the progress of our first attempt at childrearing. Should be interesting reading.
I haven’t experienced too much change yet, though a few of the greater changes come to mind. I go to the doctor’s quite a bit more than I used to…once a month now. Half of my office has been converted into a nursery. I have to time my visits to and from the restroom well, because it is almost always occupied now…well, that’s a slight exaggeration…but only slight.
Of course, none of this is bad, it’s just different and I am doing my best to adjust. My adjustments are nothing compared to my wife’s, though. She is amazingly tough. Each day brings a new change to her body and a new pain or ache. Sleep is fleeting, and although the morning sickness stage has past, the baby kicking (and jumping, and stretching, and karate-ing, and circus performing) have increased drastically. We have 8 weeks left and she is ready to go now.
Well, that’s a good start to the story. Should be an interesting journey, and I am going to try to get a lot of it written down. Mostly for posterity’s sake, but for Brittany and me as well, so years from now when we look back at this, we can laugh at how young and inexperienced we were. So long for now.
Lorimer
I’m told a child changes so much in your life, but I don’t know that the thought of universal change has really sunken in yet. Before I got married, people told me the same thing about marriage; however, after I was married, while some things did change, adaptation wasn’t painful or trying at all. At least that I remember. Maybe I have a selective memory when it comes to the bad things in life, but the adjustment from bachelorhood to married life was a fairly easy switchover. I just have a feeling though that the change from two to three members in the household will be slightly more trying than the change from one to two, so I felt it would be a great idea to follow the progress of our first attempt at childrearing. Should be interesting reading.
I haven’t experienced too much change yet, though a few of the greater changes come to mind. I go to the doctor’s quite a bit more than I used to…once a month now. Half of my office has been converted into a nursery. I have to time my visits to and from the restroom well, because it is almost always occupied now…well, that’s a slight exaggeration…but only slight.
Of course, none of this is bad, it’s just different and I am doing my best to adjust. My adjustments are nothing compared to my wife’s, though. She is amazingly tough. Each day brings a new change to her body and a new pain or ache. Sleep is fleeting, and although the morning sickness stage has past, the baby kicking (and jumping, and stretching, and karate-ing, and circus performing) have increased drastically. We have 8 weeks left and she is ready to go now.
Well, that’s a good start to the story. Should be an interesting journey, and I am going to try to get a lot of it written down. Mostly for posterity’s sake, but for Brittany and me as well, so years from now when we look back at this, we can laugh at how young and inexperienced we were. So long for now.
Lorimer
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