Hard To Tell

Don't think Adrian looks much like either of us at this point.

Though he definitely has my hair. And at least for now, Kate's blue eyes. Our doctor said she thought Adrian had Kate's lips. (Although Kate doesn't agree.) Even has these weird little toes that splay out like fingers. Again, Kate.

And the verdict on the thumbs ... not mine.

As you can imagine, Kate was very relieved. Unless, of course, it turns out to be a late onset sort of thing and they morph into disfigured little stumps later in life. Only time will tell.

Bath Time

Bathed Adrian for the first time today. We managed to get him clean, but not until after he shot a stream of urine across the kitchen. Coming inches from our faces.

Naturally, as parents, we decided the best course of action would be to wrap him up to look like a duck. Still not sure if we were rewarding or punishing him though.

Day Two

Apparently it's pretty exhausting to scream at the top of your lungs for an hour on end. For everyone really.

Job Well Done

So, in the end, Kate never had to have a C-section.

It was close though.

At one point she was completely whooped ... she'd been pushing for hours, was loaded with drugs and hadn't slept in nearly two days. Even threatened the doctors to walk out of the hospital with the kid still in her belly.

But, she took a break. Recharged her battery. And after another half hour (and the help of a plunger) she made it happen.

Pretty amazing.

And it was great to have her mom there for support. But, Carol did earn a "STOP ASKING ME FUCKING QUESTIONS WHILE I'M HAVING CONTRACTIONS!!" from the mother-to-be.

While I on the other hand, didn't get yelled at once. (Although I did get the "I can't believe you did this to me," look a few times.)

Healthy and Happy

Jake & Kate Plus 1

Adrian Adam Benjamin

June 23, 2009
7:50 pm
8 lbs 6 oz
19 1/2 inches

T Minus ... Hours?

So, here’s the latest …

Checked into the hospital last night because Kate got some lab results that showed she has cholestasis. In other words, her liver is being a pain in the ass (and the abdomen).

They wanted to bring her in and get things rolling …

After we checked in, they ran some more tests and found her blood pressure was high, her platelets were low and other signs that she has pre-eclampsia as well.

Which meant the baby needed to come out sooner than later.

And even though we scored the room with a spa tub and a window with a view, we had to move Kate to another area of the hospital so they could keep her closer to the heavy-duty equipment. Just in case.

They strapped on a handful of IVs, threw in a cathedar and inserted an epidural. Looks like she’s tangled in a spider web of tubing.

She’s in good shape though. More dramatic than scary. Just really drowsy and not at all impressed with our child’s behavior at this point. The doctor started inducing her this morning and as of right now her contractions are picking up and becoming more regular.

So, if things don't progress fast enough the doctor is going to schedule a C-section in a couple hours. And if things begin cruising along, she’ll probably deliver sometime later tonight.

One way or another, seems like today’s gonna be the day.

We've Arrived

Took a picture now because I assume this is probably the happiest she'll look for the next 24 hours or so.

Here We Go

Heading into the hospital tonight. In two hours actually. Some blood tests showed Kate's liver was acting funny, so the doctors decided, "Oh, what the heck."

They're gonna start the process of inducing her tonight. And if all goes as planned, there will be a new Benjamin introduced to the world at some point tomorrow. (Then we'll find out if all those books and classes actually taught us anything useful.)

And just for the record, I'm predicting a boy-type human.

T Minus One Week

Kate's due date is one week from today. But, so far, no signs of the baby wanting to pack it up and move out anytime soon.

Luckily, everyone seems to know a surefire way to get it going.

So, if worse comes to worse, Kate either needs to eat pineapple while having sex and running on a treadmill. Or wash the kitchen floor while eating spicy Indian food and having her legs rubbed.

It's coin flip really. I could go either way.

No More Work

Kate's last day of work was on Friday.

She's not scheduled to go back until sometime in late October. And I'm still not working full-time ... which actually makes for a nice last hurrah before the baby comes.

We've just been hanging out and getting everything ready. Enjoying our last few days of peace and quiet. And eating-out every possible meal before we're forced to become hermits.

I imagine this is what it must feel like to be independently wealthy. Minus the actual money and the his and hers hovercraft.

Belly Status (37 Weeks)

Whoa. Starting to wonder whether she's got a baby in there or a small horse. (Fingers crossed for baby.)

June 19th

Gonna put it out there now. Like Babe Ruth stepping up to the plate and calling the spot where he's gonna hit his home run.

Even though the baby isn't technically due until the 27th, we've set our minds on the 19th. A week from next Friday.

Mark your calendars.

We figure the baby has already been baking long enough. It was full term on the 6th, so anything past that just makes it bigger and hairier and more likely for us to become acquainted with words like episiotomy and perineal trauma.

I can safely speak for both of us when I say ... um, no thanks.

Not to get all new age on you, but I feel like we can will this to happen. And if that doesn't work, I can just start screaming a daily countdown to the baby through Kate's belly button.

Another Class

This one was called: Newborn Parenting. Or, in other words: What to do with that tiny mass of flesh once you get it back home. Or even: Holy shit. Okay, now what?

This class was way less interesting than our last one though. How to change a diaper. How to pick up your baby. How to comb your baby's hair. How to give a sponge bath. Boring.

Even though we had dolls to play with ... boring.

In fact, the most fascinating thing about it was the 65 year-old woman sitting next to Kate. We couldn't figure out what she was doing there. (She couldn't be ... could she?)

Especially curious since she was asking more questions and scribbling down notes more furiously than anyone in the room.

Turns out she was the mother of one of the women in the class. The gramma-to-be. And I guess if she's planning on babysitting, it's impressive that she took the time to learn about everything that's changed since she last reared a child.

Actually pretty commendable of her. Makes me feel kinda guilty about giggling at all the off-color jokes Kate made about her.

T Minus One Month

Babymoon

We just spent our last weekend away with just the two of us. Even left Marina with a friend.

I've been working down in LA, so we met in the middle. At Pismo Beach, just outside Santa Barbara ... nice and relaxing. We slept in, took naps on the beach and ate at some swanky places.

Probably the most 'memoriable' Memorial Day ever.

The town itself was kinda cheesy though. Felt like the Jersey shore. Tattoo parlors, dive bars and cheap souvenir shops. Not to mention tons of places renting jets-skis, ATVs and dune buggies.

Kate wasn't up for any of that action.

Even though I'm fairly certain none of our baby books specifically warned against pregnant women climbing behind the wheel of a dune buggy the month before giving birth.

Scarlet Letter

Kate had to remove her wedding band the other day. And her engagement ring too. Sadly, her fingers are like little plump sausages and none of her jewelry fits anymore.

Now she's paranoid that everyone is looking at her differently. Judging her newly unwed status. And when strangers compliment or congratulate her, it's really just them feeling sorry her.

Hopefully her fingers will return to normal after the baby is born. If not, she's gonna have to wear her rings on a chain around her neck. Like girls did with their boyfriend's class ring in high school.

At least they did in my school. In the midwest. Back in the 80s.

Ultrasound Pics (34 Weeks)

Kate had her last ultrasound today. (Hopefully.)

The doctors wanted to take another peek because her placenta had been blocking the exit and the baby was standing right on top of it. Both reasons to force Kate to have a C-section.

Luckily, everything has shifted into place and is ready to go.

The doctor also found out the baby already weighs 6 pounds. Which is apparently on the big end of the spectrum. (And it still has its biggest month of growing to do.)

That, and the baby already has a full head of hair.

While Kate didn't walk away with any ultrasound pics this time, advanced computer simulations predict our child will probably look a little something like this:

Birthing Classes

Went to our birthing class last week. Or maybe it was a pre-natal class. Or a pre-natal birthing class ... not really sure.

Either way, instead of taking multiple classes we opted to attend one very long 8-hour session which gobbled up an otherwise perfectly usable Saturday.

It was pretty eye-opening though.

We practiced breathing without hyperventilating. Learned what to do when Kate showers me with profanities in the delivery room. And watched videos to see what it looked like for overly-weighty and overly-hairy women to give birth in the early 80s.

We didn't get a diploma or a certificate or anything.

But, considering I managed not to fall asleep while lying on the floor watching movies in a darkened room while splayed out with a pillow and blanket ... I still feel like I achieved something.

All Grown Up

I don't feel 34.

And I definitely don't feel responsible enough to take care of a baby yet. But, I have been seeing some signs of maturity as the due date approaches. My fatherly genes kicking in.

For example, I flip-off a lot fewer people while I'm driving. And instead of speeding up to keep other cars from merging into my lane, I kindly wave them in. (Sometimes.)

That and I wear more shirts with buttons.

It's not much, I know. But, it's a start.

Belly Status (33 Weeks)

Mother's Day

Kinda. Sorta. But, not really.

Washing Diapers

Washed my first round of diapers this morning.

Not bad at all.

Of course, they came straight out of the package and hadn't been properly 'christened' yet. But, at least this gets me off the hook for the next round. Which I'm sure won't be nearly as pleasant.

Nesting Instinct

Whatever it is with pregnant women that kicks in and makes them want/need to prepare their "nest" ... Kate's got it. Bad.

Getting everything ready for our pint-sized house guest.

The other day she cleaned out every drawer, cabinet and box in our apartment with an efficiency I've never witnessed before. Deciding the fate of household items as if they were gladiators in her 900 sq ft Coliseum.

Thumbs down to ill-fitting and well-stained winter jacket. Thumbs down to high school duffle bag. Thumbs down to drawer stuffed with old dull knives. (And a surprising thumbs up to collection of overly-pungent vanilla-scented candles.)

The Last Last

Two months to go.

And feel it's pretty safe to say, having a baby is gonna change everything. But, before we get to enjoy all sorts of new things and exciting 'firsts' ... we have some 'lasts' to deal with.

As in the last time we'll do things before the baby comes.

Or ever.

This past Easter was the last we'll spend with just the two of us. When we head down to Big Sur in May, it'll be the last time we go somewhere without a baby in tow. And every time we go to the movies, it's possibly the last time we'll venture out of the house without arranging for a sitter first.

And I'm sure there'll be a lot more 'lasts' in the next few weeks.

Looking forward to the last time we enjoy expendable income, our last good night's sleep and the last time our apartment doesn't smell like tapioca.

Belly Status (30 Weeks)

It's still growing ... just like my high school science text books said it would. I guess they weren't lying after all.

Belly Flop

So while I was down in Los Angeles last week for work, Kate decided to find the steepest hill in San Francisco. Wait until the rainiest day of the year. And then run across the slipperiest part of the cable car track.

Only to belly flop right smack dab in the middle of the street.

In a cartoon world, she would have bounced on her belly and then sprung head over heels and landed on her feet again. But, in the real world, she just landed herself in the hospital.

Not nearly as fun. Or as funny.

They drew some blood, gave her an IV and hooked her up to a bunch of sensors and probes and whatnot. Everything checked out okay, but they still kept her overnight just to be safe.

In the end, she lied around in bed, watched Scrubs on TV and ate sherbert. Not much different from any other Tuesday night really.

Ultrasound Video (28 Weeks)

Another pretty cool and slightly creepy ultrasound video. And from the looks of it, I'm pulling out to an early genetic lead.

Baby Shower

Kate had her baby shower last weekend.

And being a baby shower rookie myself, I'm not really sure how to measure whether it was a success or not.

All I know is that by the time I made my entrance there were pastel colors everywhere, baby clothes hanging from the walls, buzzers going off, music blaring overhead, faces covered in cupcake frosting and lottery tickets flowing like wine.

Actually, it sounds a lot like my bachelor party.

Predictions

The Chinese conception calendar says we're having a girl.

Our friend Jess, who Kate shares an office with, thinks it's a boy.

Diane Ligotti's highly-scientific test of threading a needle and dangling it over Kate's wrist determined it to be a girl.

And the Asian woman who did Kate's nails could tell by the way she's carrying her weight that it's definitely gonna be a boy.

So there, it's settled ... we're having a hermaphrodite. (Which means we may have to rethink the names we picked out.)

Belly Button

Gone.

The nook where she used to be able to hide lint and jelly beans has disappeared. The whole thing has filled in and looks like it's about ready to invert itself. Like a pop-up turkey timer.

And that's all I have to say about that.

Big Day

We rented a U-Haul van, drove to the East Bay, picked up some baby furniture from IKEA, drove back, unloaded the stuff, returned the van, went back home and put everything together.

And somehow our entire day had disappeared.

But, now we have a huge armoir to store all the itty bitty outfits. Which, surprisingly enough, is almost already full. Even though we still haven't had the baby shower ... or the actual baby.

Baby Room

Our apartment isn't large enough to give the baby its own room, so we're all gonna have to share. Which means we have a little rearranging to do.

Right now, our neighbor's bedrooms are directly above and below ours. Stacked right on top of each other. And we hear everything. As in, every grunt, moan, burp, fart and sneeze.

And vice versa, I'm sure.

So, thought we'd be considerate and move into the bedroom on the other side once the screaming, crying, pooping machine arrives. It's carpeted too, so there's extra sound-proofing.

And once we crank up the TV, turn on the fan, blast the radio and open all the windows, you'll hardly even know the baby's there.

Belly Status (25 1/2 Weeks)

T Minus 100 Days

Give or take a few.

Mr. Mom

I always told Kate I'd be more than happy to retire early to stay home and take care of our kid. Well, yesterday, that wish came one step closer to being fulfilled.

Not saying I wanted to get laid off. But, subconsciously I must have willed it to happen. (That, or a bunch of assholes went and ruined the economy on us.)

Actually, I'm pretty confident I'll be able to find some more work.

But if not, be prepared that this may have to be "pay-per-read" from here on out. Once I figure out what the standard rate should be for faceless pictures of a pregnant woman's exposed belly.

Baby Box

Kate wants us to start a baby box.

Essentially a shoebox filled with assorted odds and ends that'll help us remember we have a child in case we somehow forget. (Guessing it'll live on the top shelf of the closet nestled between our cassette tape box and our ribbon box.)

Apparently, there's not a lot of evidence Kate existed as a baby. Very few pictures. No bronzed baby shoes. No locks of hair.

She blames it on her status of being the second child, just not as fawned over as the first. And it's not only her, it seems to happen to most younger siblings we know.

But, by this logic, I figure we should probably skip the baby box for the first kid altogether. That way the second kid will at least have a sporting chance.

Because as far as I'm concerned, if we ever have another child, this whole blog is just gonna be copied and pasted.

We're Ready Already

We've read all the books. We've signed up for parenting classes. We've stockpiled an arsenal of pastel-colored onesies.

Heck, we've even picked out boy AND girl names.

Now we must wait ...

Wish this little guy (or girl) would hurry up and finish baking already. Figure we're about as ready as we're gonna get.

Except for the fact that I've never changed a diaper before.

But, I'm secretly hoping to resurrect my childhood strategy for getting out of chores on this one: The worse I am at something (or pretend to be), the less I'll actually be asked to do it.

Pediatrician

We met with our pediatrician yesterday. Well, actually, it was our baby-to-be's pediatrician-to-be. Kind of a question and answer session with a bunch of other prospective couples.

The doctor seemed really smart and thoughtful.

But more importantly, he was able to talk about the unappealing side of baby rearing with a smile. Never felt so soothing to hear someone spin tales about rashes, infections and jaundice.

And considering we'll probably be dealing with our fair share of each, that's pretty much all I needed to hear.

Sign him up.

Belly Status (23 Weeks)

The good news is, I finally got a picture of Kate's belly with a teensie weensie bit of her face in it too. The bad news is, in order to post this I first had to agree to a little compromise.

The Compromise

Over Halfway There

Technically, we're right around 22 weeks. Halfway'ish.

And for the most part, Kate's pregnancy has been essentially trouble free. We pretty much expect to wake up one morning to find the baby has delivered itself. Maybe sitting on a chair in the corner reading a magazine and drinking some warm milk.

But, we realize there's still four months to go and a lot that could happen in between. (Fingers crossed that nothing does.)

Then, of course, there's also the next 18 years of this kid living under our roof. Keeping us up at night. Disobeying our rules. And eating all our food.

So, in that sense, we're really only 1/43 of the way there.

Baby Clothes

We scoped out a few baby clothing stores while we were in Breckenridge. Love all the dinosaurs and horses. But, have to admit, not a big fan of baby clothes with quotations on them.

Ones written as if the baby were saying something.

"I love my gramma."
"What happens in my diaper, stays in my diaper."
"I'm with stupid."

Not that any of this isn't true. But, I'd rather let the baby speak for itself. (Or not, as the case may be.) Don't need anyone using our child's onesie to propel their own political agenda.

On the other hand, any outfit that makes our baby look like a small furry animal is not only acceptable, it's encouraged.

Ears. Tails. Antlers. Claws. The works.

Maybe it's that dressing a baby up like an animal makes it seem more like a pet. And I can handle taking care of a pet. It's the whole tiny human thing that still worries me.

Movement

We felt the baby move for the first time this morning. It was a kick or a punch or a head butt or something. Not exactly sure.

Whatever it was, Kate's belly was definitely shaking.

Of course, there's a slight chance it was just gas. Or maybe a combination of both. Could have been the baby trying to tell Kate, "Hey lady, knock it off up there."

Food Cravings

"Could someone please pass me the salt and the raisins?"

An actual quote from dinner with my family over the weekend. And yes, it came from Kate.

Back Pain

Kate's lower back muscles have gotten all tweaked out. And no matter how she contorts herself, it won't stop hurting. Like some insatiable itch that can't be scratched.

Must have something to do with the tiny human in her belly.

Conveniently, Kate got me a book ("The Expectant Father") that spells out the top ten things you should do for your pregnant wife. And giving her back massages made the list not once, but twice.

Hint taken.

As if Kate grabbing my hand, placing it on her back and ordering me to "Rub. Here. Now." was somehow too subtle.

Still Growing

When we went to the doctor a couple of weeks ago, she told us the fetus was the size of a small mango. (Already blown past by the grape, plum and orange phases.)

Must be nearing the mass of a small cantaloupe by now.

Not sure when the size comparison to fruit ends. Kinda has to stop with the watermelon stage I suppose. Which hopefully, for Kate's sake, the baby doesn't reach until AFTER it's delivered.

Couvade Syndrome

According to a book Kate got me, as many as 90% of expectant fathers experience something known as the Couvade Syndrome. Also called sympathetic pregnancy.

Symptoms include weight gain.

And that's all I really have to say about that. Wanted to throw that out there. Put it on the record, you know. Just in case.

Belly Status (19 1/2 Weeks)

As a side note, Kate hates it when I make her pose for these pictures. That's why I always have to crop her head out of the shots. So, you can't see her scowling at me.

Behavior Modification

Every baby book has a laundry list of things Kate can't put into her body for the next nine months. It's tough to keep track.

Luckily, Kate doesn't smoke, so she didn't have to make any major changes on that front. No heroin or crystal meth addiction. So, we're cool there too. Not drinking any alcohol has been a little trickier. But, not that much.

By far the most difficult thing for Kate to give up has been deli turkey. Her lunch staple. Wish there was a way I could determine how much turkey she's eaten while I've known her. It would be impressive. (And most likely a little disturbing.)

Even with all the preservatives, it's still gotta be the least detrimental thing on the list. I'm sure back in Biblical times, pregnant women were running around eating turkey heroes all day long. And their kids turned out mostly okay.

But, for now, she has to go cold turkey on the cold turkey.

Fortunately for me, I can still eat a footlong cold cut sandwich while drinking a beer, smoking a cigarette and shooting heroin between my toes. As long as I do it in the other room.

Sleeping Arrangements

We started making Marina sleep in her own bed again at night. Something that has been long overdue.

The problem is that she doesn't know how to share. Kate and I have basically slept curled up in a ball every night for the past three and a half years ... while Marina stretches out majestically on the lower third of the bed.

We're hoping if we do this now, it'll be one less thing to prevent us from sleeping once the baby comes along.

Needless to say, she hasn't been too happy about our decision.

The first few nights, she'd sneak back into bed while we were asleep. And once we'd discover her, she'd just make her body go completely limp. Somehow knowing we'd lack the energy to lift 60 pounds of dead weight out of bed at 3 o'clock in the morning.

We were persistent though. Surprisingly.

So the last couple nights, instead of climbing into bed, she's been trolling around in the dark. We can hear her nails clicking on the hardwood floors as she walks slooooowly down the hall, enters our room, circles the bed and then creeps back down the hallway.

We feel like she'll be fine in a few more days. But for now, it's really pretty freaky. Like we're living in an Edgar Allan Poe story. Being haunted in the pitch of night by the beast we've wronged.

Ultrasound Pics (18 Weeks)

8 inches long and weighing in at half a pound. So far, so good.

Ultrasound Video (18 Weeks)

To be honest, this video is just as creepy as it is cute. At one point, it looks like the fetus swallows its entire arm. And there may or may not be a foot growing out of the side of its head.

Belly Status (18 Weeks)

I think Kate's finally starting to show some progress. Hooray.

In fact, right now, she's sitting at her desk at work with her pants unbuttoned. Like she just got done eating a big turkey dinner and then went to lie down on the couch to watch some football.

But she didn't eat any turkey. And she's not watching football. She's just sitting at her desk. At work. With her pants unbuttoned.

Here we go ...

Genetics

Unfortunately for Kate, almost every gene is my body is a dominant one. Dark hair, dark skin, ... the works. So chances are that our baby will look exactly like me. (Albeit, much smaller.)

For the most part, Kate's not too bitter about losing the genetic game of Rock, Paper, Scissors. Her only real concern is that our child will be born with a set of these.


Not sure what the scientific name is. Basically, it looks like each of my thumbs was replaced with a big toe.

My friends in high school called them Hammer Heads. As if I'd repeatedly smacked the ends of them with a ball peen hammer. I even used to tell people I was born without pain receptors in my thumbs and chewed them to nubs as a baby.

My mom has them. My brother has them. Even our friend Ann back in Hoboken has them. And now, there's a 50/50 chance that our kid will have them too. Guess we'll find out in June.

Only then will I know if my domination is complete.

Baby Names

This baby naming thing is actually pretty tough. And looks like we've made it twice as hard on ourselves by not finding out the sex of the baby ahead of time.

At this point, we're just not able to take it seriously yet. Only tossing around the ridiculous names. The kind of names you could never find carved in wooden letters or pressed onto miniature license plates. The names that get a kid beat up in school.

Hopefully, as things get closer, the pressure will help us focus a little bit more. Like cramming for exams in college. Until then, looks like 'Major Barnaby Nixon Benjamin' holds on to the lead.

Belly Status (17 Weeks)

Here's Kate's belly two weeks later and four pounds lighter. Didn't think it was supposed to work this way. Still not sure if she's got a baby in there or just some sort of intestinal parasite.

Development (17 Weeks)

According to our books, the fetus will be able to hear what’s going on in the outside world soon. Which means we can start singing to it and reciting Shakespeare. Maybe even a math lesson or two.

Also means we have to quit flipping back-and-forth to FOX news in the morning. While its auditory senses may be fully functional, I don’t think its sense of irony develops for a few more months.

Thanks Marina

Everyone always talks about how life-altering having a baby is gonna be. But, I’m still convinced that owning a dog for the past 4 years has more than prepared us for raising a child.

Especially, with a dog like Marina.


I figure we already handle poop on a daily basis. We already get woken up several times a night. And we’re already in the habit of asking other ‘parents’ inane questions like “How old is yours?” and “Isn’t she a cutie?”

See, the fundamentals are in place. Mark my words, this baby thing is gonna be a breeze.

Baby Names

We've been warned by multiple people on multiple occasions not to discuss baby names with anyone. Ever.

So, we're playing our cards close to our chest on this one. Little hint though: If you're reading this right now, chances are it won't have your name. (Although you do have a very lovely name.)

Due Date

Don't think we mentioned it yet. June 27.

Weight Gain

Kate’s been getting a little nervous that she’s not as big as she should be at this point in the pregnancy. (Though she’s definitely starting to show.)

So now, for the first time in my life, I find myself having to reassure someone how fat they look. Something that common sense and an aversion to being slapped has kept me from ever attempting before.

Definitely feels odd to say things like “Wow, those pants seem reeeeallly tight on you,” and “My, you look girthy this morning,” just to cheer someone up.

And probably the only time chanting "Fatty Fatty Two by Four” at someone will be met with hugs and kisses.

Dolphin vs Human

This is a 5 week old DOLPHIN fetus.



And this is a 5 week old HUMAN fetus.



Tough to tell them apart, right? That’s what we thought too. But, not until after we'd already oohed and aahed at the first picture for a good ten minutes.

Apparently, just searching for '5 WEEK OLD FETUS' in Google images wasn't specific enough to determine whether our child will be born with or without a dorsal fin.

Surprise!

We broke the news to our parents by giving them framed pictures of the ultrasound for Christmas. Here's Kate's mom when she unwrapped hers. (For the record, she had the same reaction after opening the outdoor thermometer we gave her.)

Food Cravings

No real food cravings yet. Except for the mysterious appearance of a box of Cap'n Crunch in our cupboard.

At this point, it's really just food aversions. Kate's definitely more, how shall we say ... "selective" than before. Either her olfactory senses are changing or she's using this as a front to finally tell me how she feels about my cooking.

Baby Names

We got a cool baby names book (aptly titled 'Cool Names for Babies') from our friends Mindy and Mark. It's organized in sections depending on the type of name you're looking for.

Spiritual names. Foreign sounding names. Geezer names.

My favorite was the Video Game names section. Bloodrayne. Rygar. Kazooie. All very good options. Surprised not to find Ryu or Blanka on the list though. Had to pencil them in myself.

Now just have to find a way to convince Kate.

Sex of the Baby

We're not planning on finding out what sex the baby is gonna be. Not that we even could yet if we wanted to.

Feel like it'll be more fun to be surprised. Only catch is that all the baby clothes we get ahead of time have to be asexual. Greens and yellows. Frogs and ducks.

Not sure what makes a duck so asexual, but apparently it is. Sorry ducks, nothing personal.

Belly Status (15 Weeks)

Still hard to tell. Kate's definitely looked bigger than this after a veggie burrito from El Castellito.

Belly Button Ring

Kate took out her belly button ring this weekend. Smelled like a foot marinated in rotten eggs. It was pretty gross.

But probably nothing compared to everything else her body's gonna be going through over the next several months. Personally, I'm looking forward to the hair loss and bleeding gums.

Ultrasound Video (12 Weeks)

I'd say something clever about this, but to tell you the truth it still kinda freaks me out. Pretty amazing.

Ultrasound Pics (12 Weeks)

This one looks like the fetus is waving and saying hello. Very sociable. Probably gets that from Kate.


This one looks like it's taking a nap. A little more Jake's style.

Pregnancy Test Pics

The first pregnancy test was a little ambiguous. ("What does the plus sign mean? Is that even a plus sign? I can't tell. It looks kinda faint. And what about that other line? What does that one mean? I don't think I'm pregnant. I don't feel pregnant. What do you think? Do you think I'm pregnant?")


The second test was not so ambiguous.