Monday, February 27, 2006
Letting the World Know
I'm sure all of you know by now, either directly or otherwise, that Lib* and myself do actually spend some "quality time" together and that as a result, 40 weeks of gestation is about a third of the way through. If you do not, then consider this a heads up, and I apologize for the withered grapevine that I seem to be maintaining.
Lib* first let the news slip on Australia Day whilst everyone was guzzling beer and Libby red cordial and everyone was wondering why. Jessimica and Dave got gushy, Bill had the steely "yeah whatever" face on. Good times. Friday hangover.
A few days later, before we went to Adelaide to visit my Dad, Lib had complained of cramps and so the Doctor sent Lib* for an ultrasound just to make sure "the baby was in the right place" - I'm guessing that's code for "we hope it hasn't all gone to shit".
This was a very nervous time for Mr and Mrs Hemming, but the result of the ultrasound was that JellyBean was 8.2cm long (or 3 and some inches in the old measure), happy as Larry and with Heart Rate of 170bpm. Must be all that Interval Training that Lib* has been doing referring to the baby. Most importantly, the baby was in the correct place.
In short, everything was perfectly normal but the advice was to "eat more fibre". So I've been dosing up on Metamucil for the last month but Lib*s condition has not really improved that much. I feel much cleaner though.
The last month or so has been a much more relaxing time in comparison, and we've managed to do a few things related to our imminent poverty. Like buying nappies - it's frightening to think that what I'm holding will likely last only a month and probably less. They must shit a lot. When it grows up, I'm going to make it promise to put up with MY shit.
Don't be fooled by the smile.
I'm soiling them already.
Today, we had our second, but the first routine, ultrasound. This was the first time I had a chance to sit with Libby and see what this whole thing was about. I was floored. I could see the baby's - our baby's - head, arms, heart and feet. I gotta tell you all, "JellyBean" is well on the way to becoming "The Little Unit". Massive Head. Probably even bigger than Browny's when Mel said "Yes" in Paris.
It is amazing to think that in a few short months (short for me, at least) I will be the caretaker of this.
Now I know that this little fella, this little bunch of grainy dots on a screen may not look like a whole lot, but when the ultrasound is in motion (and JellyBean went nuts today, a bit like a Richard Simmons exercise video, or perhaps more accurately, like Mikey's infamous "helicopter" dance routine) it is truly awe inspiring to finally understand what is happening, to understand this baby will be my flesh and blood. I saw the soles of my child's feet, the beating of its heart, its tiny hands and its massive dome, and I am humbled.
Lib* first let the news slip on Australia Day whilst everyone was guzzling beer and Libby red cordial and everyone was wondering why. Jessimica and Dave got gushy, Bill had the steely "yeah whatever" face on. Good times. Friday hangover.
A few days later, before we went to Adelaide to visit my Dad, Lib had complained of cramps and so the Doctor sent Lib* for an ultrasound just to make sure "the baby was in the right place" - I'm guessing that's code for "we hope it hasn't all gone to shit".
This was a very nervous time for Mr and Mrs Hemming, but the result of the ultrasound was that JellyBean was 8.2cm long (or 3 and some inches in the old measure), happy as Larry and with Heart Rate of 170bpm. Must be all that Interval Training that Lib* has been doing referring to the baby. Most importantly, the baby was in the correct place.
In short, everything was perfectly normal but the advice was to "eat more fibre". So I've been dosing up on Metamucil for the last month but Lib*s condition has not really improved that much. I feel much cleaner though.
The last month or so has been a much more relaxing time in comparison, and we've managed to do a few things related to our imminent poverty. Like buying nappies - it's frightening to think that what I'm holding will likely last only a month and probably less. They must shit a lot. When it grows up, I'm going to make it promise to put up with MY shit.
Don't be fooled by the smile.
I'm soiling them already.
Today, we had our second, but the first routine, ultrasound. This was the first time I had a chance to sit with Libby and see what this whole thing was about. I was floored. I could see the baby's - our baby's - head, arms, heart and feet. I gotta tell you all, "JellyBean" is well on the way to becoming "The Little Unit". Massive Head. Probably even bigger than Browny's when Mel said "Yes" in Paris.
It is amazing to think that in a few short months (short for me, at least) I will be the caretaker of this.
Now I know that this little fella, this little bunch of grainy dots on a screen may not look like a whole lot, but when the ultrasound is in motion (and JellyBean went nuts today, a bit like a Richard Simmons exercise video, or perhaps more accurately, like Mikey's infamous "helicopter" dance routine) it is truly awe inspiring to finally understand what is happening, to understand this baby will be my flesh and blood. I saw the soles of my child's feet, the beating of its heart, its tiny hands and its massive dome, and I am humbled.
