All systems go....nearly....

We've made it to 36 weeks with everyone healthy and active...and for that we are thrilled!

I've had a couple of Doctor appointments since last post and while my blood pressure has consistantly crept up each time, the doctors are still just "watching" it. It's an odd feeling to have your body behaving in a way that is completely out of your control- something perhaps I should've adjusted to by now :)
With mention of the body, I'm excited to report Jacob is getting closer to the lock-and-load position. For some of you, the following info may be TMI or it may just be gibberish, but for others in "the know" the Dr told me today that I'm 1.5 cm dilated, 70% effaced, and Jacob is in the -2 station. Basically this means that my body is getting pretty ready but Jacob is still having a little party bouncing around inside.

In other news, we've had Steven and Rob out visiting us since Sunday- and it's been a week of sheer entertainment. With baseball, Simpsons, Mexican food, basketball, hot-tub time (we live with mainly families so it's nearly always abandoned), and drinks I think they've had a pretty good Spring Break experience. And I've laughed (at them) a whole lot as the everpresent onlooker.
We're headed to a Suns basketball game tonight to see Shaq and Steve Nash....it'd be great if they won...but it'll be fun nonetheless. The goal is to post some pictures of us all at the game! Until then, just imagine a bunch of goofy and excited guys plus a considerably pregnant lady up in the the nosebleed section.

March-ing On

We have made it to week 34 and life is still good. Ashley is unofficially done with her internship (No more 8-hour hospital days) and we have begun making arrangements to bring home a baby one of these days.

A couple of days ago, during a doctor's visit, they told us that Ashley's blood pressure is high. They took some blood and we should know more soon, but it is clear that the Doctor is a little concerned. If the blood tests come back with abnormal results, they doctors will probably want to induce ahead of schedule. I am confident that everything is (and will be) fine, but Ashley may be less optimistic. Your prayers in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

On the lighter side, Ashley had her first baby shower today. I cannot report from the shower itself, because I was at a basketball game. GO ASU! And if I could have, I would have taken baby Jacob with me. Alas, he was at the shower. Thanks to good friends of ours, Vicki Collins and Sarah Schumann, (who really thoughtful people) Jacob has more wonderful stuff. He got some awesome stuff: a fair amount of sports and camo gear, with a lot of cute little baby stuff mixed in. Here's a picture of just some of the stuff that made it's way into our house today.

As you can see, the piles of things are bigger than Jacob himself. As you can also see, Jacob is pretty big. We estimate he is somewhere between 4 and 5 pounds at this time.

It is such a wonderful time in our lives to be able to see him kick, and see him respond to what we are doing. When we were trying to get him face head down (which he finally is now according to the doctor), I would sing to the bottom of Ashley's belly and watch him move toward the noise. I think he likes Counting Crows. It's actually kind of cool to think that he can actually tell my voice from other peoples. Ashley claims that he moves around when he hears my voice. I like to think that is true. I already feel so attached to this little person, and I can't wait to meet him!

We miss you all and want to thank all of you who participated in the Shower today. The mantastic Man-shower (Or preggor-kegger as we call it) is scheduled for March 22nd. The final shower will be on March 29th, a day after Ruth arrives and hopefully close to when Jacob arrives!

Love ya,

Daniel and the gang

February countdown

I regard the innie/outie status of my belly-button like I would the pop-out device on a Thanksgiving turkey: not done until it's popped. And while I know we're just now at week 33 out of a possible 41ish or so, I wouldn't mind some sign that Jacob's trek into the world is acutally getting closer.

Instead of toning down the movement because he's runing out of room, Jacob has actually continued at the same pace with his punches and kicks. He remains in the diagonal/sideways position so that he can kick his feet out one side and head (or back or butt)-butt me in the other side. This makes me wonder at what point it's reasonable to be concerned over the baby's position in regards to delivery? We thought on Sunday that he'd moved head down (and he may have for a few hours)....but by the next day he was back to his sideways tricks.

Among the non-baby things of life (though that's the very topic constantly my mind) :

March is rushing in bringing a bunch of great things including: the end of my internship, a "spring break" visit from Winston-Salem residing Steven and Rob, and rather spring-like weather out here in AZ.

If you're feeling like you could use some spring-like weather, feel free to come for a visit!!

31.5 weeks!

We officially have attended child birth classes.

Phew. :)

It's thoroughly fascinating to see all the other couples (or mother-daughter teams) that attend; how close they are to their due date, how they are carrying their baby, and the kinds of questions they ask during the classes!

I found it curious that there were only two baby boys among all the couples (15 of 'em), including Jacob! I also laughed at how basically the entire class fit the old wives' tale of boys being carried really low and out front while girls are carried higher and all around the abdomen.

I also found it sorta entertaining to see people react to videos that we watched and the discussions about epidurals and pain meds. I can't imagine being of the mind set that as soon as you feel a twinge of pain, you're getting some meds...but whatever, who am I to comment on the experiences of others.

I'm glad to report that all is still going smoothly out here in Phoenix. Jacob is as playful as ever...which actually surprises me because I thought he'd be running short on room by now? He still appears to love mooning the outside world and kicking out my side- he's an "athlete" which makes Daniel proud.

I've sorta got one more week of the intership- then a 3 week enrichment period (which I've chosen to do in the pediatric unit of the hospital). Even though I enjoy working in the hospital setting, I'm going to be thrilled to be done with this beyond full time working for no pay stuff.

Daniel's doing well and in the thick of the semester...though he really dislikes this month. Apparently, the end of football season paired with continued "cold" weather and the commercially-created valentine's day add-up to a waste of 28 (or 29) days. Despite the ill-will towards February, he always manages to make it through:)

Much love to readers; the family kind and the friends. <3

Join the first pictures email list!

It's not yet go-time, but it's get ready time. I went and bought Jacob's car seat and stroller today (thanks to gift-certificates from Grandma Barnes and the G-boro crew). Since it never hurts to get prepared for an early arrival, I'm doing my best to make sure that I'm ready to bring my son home! I have my cell phone turned up, our apartment will be cleaned (soon), and the doctor's phone number in my wallet.
My new task is to assemble THE LIST. The list will be those who want to see the first pictures of Jacob via email. If you don't want to be the last to know the details and to see the pictures, make sure you are on THE LIST. While I will post on the blog when Jacob is born (within the first few days) sending the email will be a top priority, after insuring the safety and relative happiness of my wife and baby!

So, if you'd like to be on the list, please email me at LCMDAN@aol.com, and put "I wanna be on the list!" in the subject line. That way I have your email address when I open my email. Family and people who email me frequently are on the list already. If you're unsure, email me anyway.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Ashley is doing well and Jacob shows more life every day. Keep us in your prayers as we enter these last 10 weeks!

Love love love,

Daniel

29 weeks and growing

This past week at the hospital, I've been working the pediatric floor- and I see a whole lot of ill babies and young kids. Not surprisingly, these little people tend to have been premature or have unhelpful (read: overprotective or absent) parents. It's really hard to accept that some parents don't innately feel blessed by their child...and that its the child who suffers.

On top of that, I toured the NICU today and saw babies younger than Jacob fighting so hard for survival. My brother (Dana) was born at 28 weeks, and so I kept comparing these babies to both Jacob (the image I've got in my head) and Dana. It's miraculous what medicine is capable of... and almost more amazing is what tender compassion, love, and guidance can do for these teeny creatures. Without the persistant adoration and constant love from my parents, Dana could very easily have spent most of his childhood in a hospital or even special schools struggling to keep up with the "normal" kids- or just struggling for his life. Instead, he's thrived physically and mentally (he's too smart for his own good). Sure, there are some aspects of Dana that are likely linked to his early departure from the womb, but these things haven't restricted him to a bed or daily dependence upon others.




Anyway, my point is: I'm relieved to be 29 weeks along, I'm so fortunate to have each and every piece of family, and working in a hospital will reinforce not only the role of nutrition in healing but also the power of love.

the final phase!

Now, we're officially in the last third of pregnancy and free of gestational diabetes! Just thought I'd share... Happy friday and weekend to everyone