Reflections of a father in-waiting.

Up until this point I wasn't really invested in the pregnancy. It's been kind of like the wedding, all this planning for a day that seems so far away.  But at least a wedding you see it coming together ... the invitations, cake, flowers, etc ... is something tangible to see and feel involved. With a baby I'm not experiencing any flux in emotions, any change in hunger, or feeling sick, I don't notice anything different other than my wife's belly growing bigger as the baby develops. Sitting in the ultrasound room and seeing the baby finally made this whole thing real to me. I was not prepared to be able to see the individual chambers of the heart and see all the muscles pumping blood. When I saw him my heart skipped a beat. Now I want to start buying things and getting the apartment ready for his arrival. The day of the ultrasound was the sidewalk sell on Mass. Street so we made sure to hit the handful of baby stores to see what they had on sale. Unfortunately they only had clothes on sale and none of them were for newborns. But that's okay we have a lot of clothes coming from other parents that no longer fit their children.

Heath

*Spoiler Alert!* Gender of baby revealed below

Today we got to see our baby for the first time! I'm not going to lie I teared up a little I couldn't help myself I was just amazing! The pictures were very clear I was surprised at how easy it was for me to see what she was describing to us. Maybe it was because this time it was my baby and not someone else's. Baby was very active which made looking at the pictures that more special. We were able to see his heart actually pumping, his big head, his arms, legs, hands and feet. They were all adorable. Oh and yes we say boy parts, it was hard to miss them as he was flashing them often. While looking at his face we saw him rub his eyes and and open his mouth. It was so adorable! We are just happy that he is a very healthy baby. His growth is on track so the doctor says our due date hasn't changed which is good because where it is in the perfect spot now.

Here are some our pictures, Heath won't let me post the one showing his boy parts.

This is our baby boys face, chest, and elbows

Here you see the baby from head to toe.

Finally the baby's heart beat. 153 beats/minute which is perfect!

I'm more excited now we just have to pick out boy names that we like that will be the hard part as we had girl names picked, but couldn't decide on any boy names. Well mommy has to start cleaning as we will be having a special guest come visit us in two weeks.

~Mandy

Out with the old in with the new

17 weeks!! The following isn't a great picture of me but it was the best out of what Heath took. I know I barely have a bump but as Heath tells me everyday "Its just keeps getting bigger!!"

On Friday we cleaned the bedroom in order to finally put up the crib that has been setting against the wall. We had to go through a lot of little trinkets that we had collected throughout the years this meant a few packed up boxes to go to my bedroom at my parents house that we are currently using as a storage facilty, thanks mom and dad! Heath's sister Ashley joined us and took pictures as Heath and I put the crib together. Here are some of those pictures.

As this was a borrowed crib Heath had to be retaught how it went together because he was playing with my little cousins at the time.

Mommy and Daddy fit in the crib!

Here is the finished product!!!

Yesterday my mother and aunt took me out shopping for some new clothes. We were looking for mostly professional outfits as that's what I need for student teaching next semester. The plan was just to get a few items well we did not realize that stores were going to have so many clearance items that would work for my ever growing belly.

We spent over 3 hours shopping most of this time I spent in the dressing rooms being handed clothing with the instructions to try it on and then decide if you like it or not (something that Heath normally tells me when he takes me shopping). We saved over $500 in our thrifty shopping, of which I was happy about because I dislike someone spending lots of money on me.

I came home with three big bags full of new clothes which meant that today I needed to make room for these new items. I spent my mid afternoon today clearing out my closet and dresser drawers filling three boxes full of clothes I won't be able to wear for a while. I also have a good pile of clothes that I plan on donating as I haven't worn them in at least a year. This process is making things seem surreal I can't believe I'm having to put all these clothes away for a later time.

More on the baby we go in for a sonogram on Thursday! I'm so excited I get giddy everytime I think about it. Heath has started reading a baby book called Dad's Pregnant Too! I find the tips hilarious at least the ones Heath has shared with me. The author takes true stories from parents who have written him and then writes a little of his own advice to tie up the chapters. I would much rather read a book like his than the fact laden books I've found.