The Dad's POV

Yes, it is true our baby is on the way.  We are very excited to be entering a new phase of life.  The baby website says its the size of an avocado.  Food references are good with us (well me as I can relate).  But avacados come in so many shapes and sizes - I guess that's appropriate. "When life hands you avocados, you make guacamole" or something like that.  Work with me hear this is my first post and baby.  It's 4 1/2 inches head to rump and is starting to look less alien as its eyes are moving closer together.

So we are thinking of possible names - both boys and girls - lets just say it has been challenging.  For some reason the girl names are a bit easier.  Evey boy name so far seems like a name he would either be beat up or picked last for kick ball.  We have time - 5 more months! 

Mentally the baby room is done!  Physically it needs help.  I'm sure inspiration or the time crunch will hit soon.  Other than that Dana is feeling good and starting to bump out a bit.   Till next time.

Magic Feather

I vaguely recall the story of Dumbo. You know, the flying elephant with big ears? There’s a scene where Dumbo and his friend, Timothy Q. Mouse, wake up in a tree. Timothy concludes the only way they got in that tree is for Dumbo to have flown them there.

To convince Dumbo to try flying he employs the help of some crows and a “magical” feather.  So, Dumbo flies and when the ring master learns of his new talent, Dumbo is promoted into bigger and better circus acts. During one act Dumbo drops the “magic” feather and is headed for disaster until Timothy tells him that the feather had no magic in it. 

Dumbo never needed the feather. Dumbo was born to fly.

All of us were born to fly in one way or another.  We all have gifts, talents, abilities, etc. Not all of us realize those gifts and some of us need a feather - some of us need a Timothy Q. Mouse to give us that feather.

One of the best things you could do as a friend and mentor is discover that thing, that item or “feather” that is going to propel someone into their destiny. They’ll one day learn they don’t need the feather but until then, be their Timothy and one day you’ll see them soar.
- monkey.tumblr.com/post/464882192/find-a-feather-give-a-feather

I guess I am getting into the sappy/emotional part of pregnancy at 15/16 weeks. As I read that blog post above I started to think about this little life inside and its future. It made me hope that Steve and I, through our love and support can help our child soar. If Herhe needs a feather, a blankey or a bink to find comfort - so be it. But then one day I hope Herhe can realize the (s)he has all the abilities built into her DNA already to be a success.

Steve and I had the pleasure of heading out of town to Blue Ridge this past weekend to just get away as a wedding gift from our friends Kelly and Brian. It was PERFECT - we biked, hiked and hit the spa. We had time to relax and reflect that there will be few of these solo weekends left in our lives so we better make the most of them! 

Also this week Herhe is developing lanugo hair all over its body (think baby chick down). Herhe's about the size of an apple - hopefully a red delicious:-) Although its eyes are still fused shut - if we shined a flashlight the baby could detect light. I thought I felt some fluttering of movement - but all in all it could just be gas!

With 170 days to go before this little one comes there's lots to do. We better get moving on the baby's room plans! At least the room is already painted a neutral yellow since we don't plan on finding out the sex!

Birthday smiles

I usually do not post twice in one week but I had to share this sweet pic that came over from our neighbor's the Kopp's who just had a new little one about 6 weeks ago...Charlie...

 

How cute is he!!!! He's bound to be BFFs with Herhe since they live right next door! We actually have had 6 newborns in our neighborhood in the past 5 months - here are some great shots of Herhe's future friends! Thanks to Alyssa for borrowing some photos! You can't help but smile with this many newborns and new Mom's and Dad's floating around your world!

           Victoria                          

Carris flirting with Meghan

Carris - Meghan - Charlie      

Meghan's not so sure about those two!!

Nicholas with Mom Kristie and Aiden with Mom Cindy

When life gives you lemons...

So it's not time to make lemonade - that just the size of Baby Dojnik! About 3 inches and weighs just about 1.5 ounces. I am not feeling anything just yet, except for some growing pains here and there. I have popped just a bit and everyday brings something new!

Baby D can squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck herhe's thumb! When we went for our 12 week ultrasound it actually looked like (s)he was sucking its thumb already. We received good news that all blood test came back perfectly normal and that our chances of chromosomal abnormalities and down's syndrome are at 1:3581. So that let us rest easier for a healthy child and will hopefully avoid us having to do any amniocentesis testing later on.

It's my birthday today and a healthy baby growing inside is the best birthday present a gal could ask for! The outpouring of love I have already received from many of you has been over-whelming. I think I've cried tears of joy at least 4 times in the past few hours (damn hormones!). The birthday fun started with brunch at Murphy's yesterday (thanks Sheryl and Sue!) and will continue with a private dinner someplace new with Steve tonight. A fun group is headed to a Thrashers vs. Sabre's hockey game tomorrow eve and I think I'll finally have to try an O'Douls because what's hockey without beer?

To top off the birthday fun - Steve and I are heading to our dear friend's Kelly, Brian & Finn's cabin up in Blue Ridge this weekend. It was part of their wedding present to us (thanks Wilson family). We've got a day at the spa planned (couples massage, pedicures and facials for us both!) Steve doesn't know what he's in for (thanks Mom for the shower present - we're finally putting it to good use!)

13 weeks - it's a shrimp!

Steve and I are getting familiar with our doctors - we were there for 3 hours this morning. They took 7 vials of blood and did some neck measurements for pre-screening of any chromosomal abnormalities. We were able to see all the main parts of our unborn - all limbs and digits were in place - you could even see both lobes of the brain, the heart, spine and bladder. It was all pretty cool to see. Since the skin is just beginning to form you are basically seeing right through the baby from the sonogram.

The nurse was kind enough to warm the lubricating gel and she had a great disposition. When the Dr. came in she said that so far everything looked "normal" to her and that all of the measurements were on point with where they should be. Our chances of a miscarriage are less than 5% now as we move into our 2nd trimester this week.

We also got to hear the rapid little beat of our babies heart - which was really amazing. HeShe was bumping and grooving inside (or maybe had the hiccups) but I still cannot feel a thing! So here's the latest profile shot we received today - who do you think HeShe looks like? It's waving hello to all it's new friends and family!