I know I'm supposed to be enriching this blog with my perspective on this whole adventure but please understand that Shazriel could have typed out a couple of novels in the time it's taken me to write this. I'm slow, ok. Get used to it.

This has been an interesting journey so far. I sometimes wonder how different it would have been if it didn't happen in the middle of a really crazy time of turmoil in our lives. How different would all this feel if I wasn't unemployed and wondering where my life is heading? At times this baby thing has been something I can hold onto, a shining light in a dark time. At other times I'm intensely aware of the extra pressure. it's not just us anymore, I need to do my part to provide for a baby too.

And then there's the feeling of disconnection, intensified because there're far fewer people to share this journey with. Going from a people intensive environment, a kind of giant, crazy family to job searching home alone is a tough transition and huge, exciting life events really should be shared with a huge, crazy, family.

Today we had our second check up. Goop was smeared on my wife's belly and with a bit of prodding with a doppler machine we heard this 'whoosh whoosh' sound. Check out Shazriels' post on this blog and you can hear it too. VERY COOL to hear it, kind makes the whole thing feel a whole lot more real. This is happening!

Anyway, Ii promise I'll try harder to write more between all the errands I have to run for my not at all demanding pregnant wife...

After much ado about not much of anything...

Ok, see that weird thing below this post? Well if you click on "view message" under "options" it will redirect you to the Sprint Nextel page. Click on the box w/ the little volume symbol to hear Peanut's heartbeat.

Yes, today I went for my second doctor's visit. Baby and I are doing fine. We are coming along normally...well as normal as we can be. The midwife said I felt like I may be 18 weeks but she's putting me at 15 weeks. They count from the first day of your last period and minus a week or two. Anyway, the baby's heartbeat was 130 which is a bit on the slow side but normal. Usually they look for anything between 120 and 160. I haven't gained any weight which makes me happy though my pants are getting tighter. All my blood tests came back normal so I'm still healthy as a horse by the grace of God.

It was very freaky listening to the heartbeat for the first time. Kind of like an alien inside of you. Of course me being who I am, I started laughing hysterically which made the whole thing sound very creepy indeed. My first sonogram will be after the Superbowl and my next visit will be shortly after that. I can't wait for the sonogram to see my baby. I'm having a baby...how freaky is that!!

Well, that is the update for now. Grandma was very happy to hear that we are doing well. Sent her a little present via the uncle-to-be who it looks like is getting either a niece or nephew for his birthday this year. But for those of you who are more excited than me about this whole thing....rest assured that I'm warming up to it. Just don't expect me to get all "awww how sweet and cute and wonderful a miracle life is..." Life is a gift. It's a miracle. But pregnancy is a very gross and disgusting experience.

On that note, I'm signing off. I have a headache that does not seem to be going away....

FW: Surprise!

Message: Peanut's Heartbeat..... Options Click HERE

Progressing along....

So I've finally hit week #12 or is that the beginning of week #13? I can't remember. But it's officially 3 months. The first trimester is over I'm starting to feel human again. Or maybe that's just positive thinking on my part.

It's nearly midnight and I'm going to regret not going to sleep earlier. The tiredness is still there. Today was filled with painful twinges on my abdominal muscles. Either I'm bloated again or this baby is actually growing like it's supposed to. Feels kind of strange thinking of it growing inside.

Not much has really changed. I'm a little happier but then that could be because I've stopped this forced isolation. But then can you really blame me for not wanting to socialize much? Well I'm off to bed while I can still walk to the bedroom.

Week # 11

After 3 days of gas hell, I've finally decided the safest thing was to go on a cereal diet. Cereal seems to be kinder to my stomach. It's been fairly smooth after three days of painful existence. Can't really blame the little one since it's my own stomach wrecking havoc.

On a another note, I'm sitting here with a canister of cat treats. Hero seems to love them. OK so maybe it's more of an addiction. But I wonder if it's safe to have a 20 lb cat walk on your belly.

Not much to write today. Actually haven't had much to write for the last two days but what kind of a baby journal it would be if I didn't at least try to maintain some semblance of regularity. I'm watching the Namesake at the moment. I love the movie. Just made me wonder what kind of parents we'll be. It's one thing when they are little but then eventually they grow up into teenagers and ultimately adults. Maybe the key is to just enjoy it.

I'm counting the days until my next visit. I get to hear my baby's heartbeat. Even saying "my baby" is so foreign. I know I'm having a baby but it just feels so strange. I'm excited, awed, and sometimes a little shocked. It definitely has been an experience.

All the malarky about gas.....

What a day!!! Technically, the day started yesterday when I made the mistake of thinking my body was still mine to do with as I pleased. Which means, where I can normally consume quite a lot of food under five minutes, I can't any more. It's a bad idea in general.

Apparently the progesterone level is quite high while you're pregnant and this makes all the smooth muscles like your digestive and respiratory system work very slow. Which means food spends more than the normal time sitting inside you, so that all the nutrients can be drained from it. It's a good idea to eat often and in small quantities the nutrients you need. It's a bad idea to indulge those cravings you have, not that I've had many.

So that heartburn I was complaining about yesterday was a result of my belief in my own invincibility. Keep forgetting I'm old and pregnant. Things just don't work like they used to. I was near tears from the pain of the heartburn. Four tums and I went to sleep thinking that would take care of it. Not quite.....

I woke up this morning with a bad stomach ache. The pain was internal, it felt like it was on the surface like my stomach was trying to push its way into my ribcage. So I called the Birthing Center and spoke to the receptionist who took a message. The head midwife called me back immediately. We chatted. I told her my symptoms and she said laughed and said it sounds like I've got gas. I know, don't we all wish we could get that diagnosis from the doctor. You're not fat, you're just bloated with gas.

The gas was so bad that I actually did look like I might be pregnant. I'm not showing yet, only the gas. I tired drinking a bottle of ginger ale. I don't recommend drinking it as fast as I did. It actually is quite painful trying to drink all that carbonated liquid. Not much burping. I tried going to the bathroom and inducing burps. Very little effective results. So in the end I went to my dad, borrowed some money (I'm sadly broke after paying rent and oil bill since Tom is still out of work) and got myself some Gas-X (maximum strength).

I have never been more happy to sit at my desk and rudely burp the contents of my stomach. All I can say is, the folks around me should be thankful it didn't come out the other way. People who tell you that pregnancy is a beautiful thing are liars!! It's not beautiful, it's just downright disgusting! Whether you care of not, I think I'm almost gas free. I'm pain free at least.

To my friends....

Ok, I had to post this....considering the heartburn and my moods.....thanks you guys! between the comments you guys left, you cheered me up and had me cracking up. So from Tom and me to all our friends who read this.....we love you guys and thanks for making me laugh.

Why midwife?????

I have had the worst heartburn of my life for the last five hours! This fetus is being particularly unpleasant. OK, so maybe not really the baby's fault more the fault of my gastrointestinal system. Is that even a word? I don't know and right now I don't think I really care. Someone just get me some tums!!

I just had a long conversation with my aunt. God love. I know I do. But I have bad heartburn and all the ginger-ale and burping has not helped this. Then to have to explain why I'm using a midwife. So before anyone else asks, let me clear up this issue as sanely as I can. Did I mention the heartburn that is boring a hole in my esophagus?

I know a number of women who have used midwives and had really loved the experience. So I went online and did my homework. I found a place in Brooklyn called the Brooklyn Birthing Center. We went to the orientation to check the place out. My personal take on it was they had way too many restrictions and regulations for dealing with emergencies and complications. This was positive. They were affiliated with reputable doctors and they are affiliated with a hospital. Couldn't tell you which one since I don't remember.

But the deciding factor was that I really hate hospitals. Really. I really do. The place made me feel more comfortable than I have ever felt in a medical facility. There's something about the smell, the feel of hospitals that really make me nervous and uncomfortable. So for something this big, I had to go with something that made me feel more comfortable and did not agitate me further.

On that note, I think I'm going to go back to my ginger-ale and continue to nurse this heart burn.

"Mini Coote is on the way - watchout smartcar"

My babies...ok they are furry but they are also cute and crazy and a lot more laughs than any reality TV out there.

We officially announced it so to speak! Yes, we are having a baby...well by 10 weeks its pretty much on its way to looking human with fingers and toes. Exciting stuff huh? I guess, long as you're not the one who's exhausted all the time. I don't think I've ever wanted to sleep so much as I do now. The 1st trimester blues as I began calling them has been easing too. Where I used to be hungry, ravenous, now I can eat normally.

Ok, so today was the first day I actually had only 3 meals instead of six meals. I exaggerate, I meant 6 mini meals since I had to watch my calories too. It's a lie, you don't eat for two. You eat for one but your food needs to have the nutrient content for two. Otherwise, the baby takes it from you. Which makes eating all the more complicated for someone who just prefers to simply eat. What a headache!! I lived off of raisin bran and milk for the last two months.

Well, since I'm really fighting to stay awake, I'm going to turn in. Yes, apparently, I do go to bed this early, go figure. I heard that the 2nd trimester is supposed to be better. I can't wait.