Today's events

Everything checked out great at the doctor today. Abbie actually lost a few pounds!! She was happy about that, but probably would have been more so had the pounds come out in the shape of a miniature person instead. The doctor estimated the baby at 6.5-7 lbs. as of today, but also estimated that 85% of babies are between 7 and 7.5 lbs. at birth, so he couldn't take credit for some mystic ability to judge the baby's weight. He also told us that Abbie didn't appear to be dilated, and that we were still pretty much on track for an on-time delivery.

The car seat base shopping mission was also completed successfully. Now to install it properly...

Daddy shopping run

So tonight I am going to do a Daddy-only shopping run to Babies-R-Us. I am going to buy a carseat base for my car. In case you don't know, these new travel systems allow for quick switching between car and stroller, car and car..etc. Instead of having to strap in the whole carseat every time you change cars, you simply lock the carseat into the base that is installed in the car. So, I am going to get a base for my car. Very exciting. We are pretty well set at this point! We do still have to get the baby room finished in terms of furniture, but the place that we got our changing table from sent us the wrong color, so we need to have that exchanged.

We washed all the baby clothes last weekend, so those are ready to go. Abbie picked out a nice outfit for the baby to come home in too. Gender neutral of course! We also have our first two pieces of sports-related clothing, and amazingly enough, neither is a Packer related item! The first was a one piece UNC Tarheel outfit from Nancy and Karl, and the second was a UW Badger stocking cap. I am sure there will be more to come in the sports department!

I also need to pack my hospital bag tonight. It's funny to read what different people suggest you bring. I am usually a pretty heavy packer, but I will probably be more selective for this. Some clothes, sundries, some reading material. That's about it.

TV Program on National Geographic Channel

Last night the National Geographic Channel ran an excellent program about a baby's development from conception to birth (See...when you are ready to become a parent your tv programming choices expand!). Through the use of excellent imaging and computer modeling, the journey from embryo to fully developed baby was illustrated with excellent detail. It was amazing to watch how our baby looked at each stage of development! Right now, at this very moment, the baby is quite complete! The baby can hear deep bass sounds, possibly see brightness when the sun shines directly on mommy's tummy, and kicks its feet in a "walking reflex" when they touch the uterine wall. It is just such an incredible thing...the creation of life.

At the end of the program, they show an actual birth. How do I know that I am getting ready for this whole experience? The site of baby being born no longer makes me squeamish, queasy, or whatever else it may have used to...now it is just amazing to me. I also am gaining more and more trepidation for Abbie and how physically painful this process may be for her. I only hope that I can have the endurance and strength to be everything she needs me to be, and everything I want myself to be.