11/24/2012

Now that we are about halfway into our pregnancy, it's time to start making updates available for family. Carrie is having a fairly easy pregnancy so far - no nausea, not much discomfort - so far the biggest symptom has been tiredness. Carrie's baby bump is coming along nicely, her tummy is rounding out as the baby grows. According to one of the apps Carrie has on her phone, the baby should be about the size of an heirloom tomato. This is fun, but I decided to name the blog "Little Turnip" because a week or so t before the app told us the baby was turnip-sized. It rolls off the tongue better, too.

It's funny to think that just a few months ago, we found out Carrie was pregnant. It didn't seem real. There was just this abstract tiny pinprick of rapidly dividing cells floating somewhere inside my wife. Now there's a little person who flutters and wiggles inside her. Taken in a different context, this would be a crazy sci-fi thing to have happen. There's a little he or she in there that will think its own thoughts and make its own decisions.

Next Friday, we will go in for another ultrasound. Carrie says they will measure the baby's organs and limbs, and determine the gender (so long as the baby isn't modest and crosses its legs). We're very excited. If our baby is a girl, we have chosen Sylvia Grace Mikaloff (Sylvie for short). If our baby is a boy, we have chosen Sean Declan Mikaloff. We began guessing that we will have a girl, but really whatever it ends up being will be just fine. A healthy baby is, of course, the most important thing.

Two weeks ago, we went to Target to buy a crib. They had a nice crib that you can convert to a toddler bed, then a regular bed. When we bought it, we didn't anticipate the size of the unit when it was packed in the shipping carton. It was much too large for my little Nissan Sentra, so the clerk at Target was very kind and helped us unpack it and assist in some Tetris-style car loading. After about 20 minutes, we were able to get everything in and got it home.

The plan for our nursery is to do a classic Winnie The Pooh room. We want to paint a mural on the wall, and have been scouring the interwebs, library, and bookstores for Pooh pictures to paint on the walls. We should be able to hodge-podge a rudimentary projector to shine the image on the wall so I can trace it. I have no talent for drawing or painting, so it should be fun. We'll either end up with a whimsical child's room or maybe one with plain walls!

Since the baby is now supposed to be able to hear voices and sounds from outside of the womb, Carrie's been talking and signing to herself lots and lots. I have begun recording myself reading books, so Carrie can put on her Belly Buds and the baby will be able to hear my voice. The first book I have been reading is (of course) a Doctor Who adventure, "The Pirate Loop" by Simon Guerrier. Our kid's going to be a nerd.

Carrie has bought maternity clothes. We had a lovely day of shopping - like a Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman style shopping montage! She's been enjoying her new very cute outfits. She is stylish and comfortable; no more trying to squeeze into normal non-pregnant clothes!

Yesterday was Thanksgiving, our last without a baby. We had lots of fun answering baby questions. It is nice to be the center of attention. It will be more fun next year, when we can bring our Little Turnip along with us.