Twelve Days and Counting . . .

Katie's apponitment today with the OB went very well. Per ultrasound, baby Campbell is 7 lbs. 11 ounces. We were very happy about only a 1/2 pound gain! Katie is now 36 weeks and 2 days, and this visit was the first time that the OB wanted to check her cervix. We were praying for her to have progressed, and she had just a bit. He said her cervix is softening, and almost 1 cm. Thats by no means a disappointment, considering she is still 4 weeks from her original due date. He was happy about her not getting too big and does think we can try for a regular deliver instead of a C-section. We were thankful for that as well. We are scheduled for induction on Feb 12, but will go in the hospital the night before.

As an aside, I confirmed with Dr. Plessala about me getting to deliver Campbell, barring any adverse events. I am pumped to get to be the first one to hold our child and get to hand her to my wife who will have worked and has worked so hard to get her here. Nothing like keeping it in the family, huh? I guess there are some perks to being in medical school and having delivered babies before. I figured if I've delivered other peoples babies, why not my own. I'm glad her OB agreed.

Got Milk?

This post is to officially announce that Katie and I have decided that Campbell will be exclusively breastfed until she begins junior highschool. Breast milk really is best, so why not forever. Okay, okay, maybe we won't do it that long, but after going to the breast feeding class at the hospital on Monday, I wouldn't be surprised if there are some odd folks out there who come close. The class was actually pretty good and not that hard-core about it. We were glad. But, they did show this video that was somewhat odd in its praise of breastfeeding, and almost made Katie want to exclusively formula feed just to spite those weird people on the video. She was like, "Why do those people have to be such freaks about it! Why can't you just breastfeed your child and thats it?" In her defense, those people were definately weird. Despite that, we will still breastfeed Campbell, but not for an inordinate amount of time. I say we, but I think I might have to let Katie do most of that. I guess I'll burp her or something. . .

Best 3 Ounces I Ever Saw

As promised, the weigh-in was today and, praise the Lord, Campbell only gained 3 ounces. By way of reminder, last week she gained 1/2 a pound from the previous week, and the week before that a whopping whole pound. So we are definately trending in the right direction. Thanks to all you light thinkers and prayers out there. Included in todays post is one of the most recent pictures of Campbell. For those of you not deft in the intricacies of ultrasonographic interpretation, I tried to zoom in on the most salient aspect of the shot: her cute button nose and giant squishy butt-like cheek!!

Hee Hee Hee Whooooo . . .

This Saturday Katie and I went to a childbirth class at Providence Hospital (where Katie will deliver). I was glad to find out that it was not one of those classes that makes you feel bad for having an epidural or taking pain meds. It was mainly informative about various things like the stages of labor and other logistics, like what you'll do when you come to the hospital. The best part though was when we practiced the breathing to get through the contractions. Don't think at all that I am discounting this approach to deal with pain, I know it works, but Katie and I were cracking up practicing in a room full of couples and non in-labor women. You just feel kinda stupid counting so intently and actually saying, "Hee Hee Whooo." Somehow I thought that was only on TV and that no one really said those exact words. I stand corrected. More than one time whilst utilizing my most intent and serious face and counting for Katie, she had to stifle her guffaws for fear of making the teacher think we were making fun; which we were sort of, but only because no one was really in labor.

By the way, going to the doctor tomorrow, so an update on the weight of Campbell will be forthcoming . . . think light.

Back When I Was In Med School . . .

Yep, thats right. I unofficially finished medical school today. I don't graduate until May 5, 2007, but I only have two more rotations left, the one I'm on now (Anesthesiology), which requires me to be at the hospital about 2 hours each morning, and one more after this which requires one hour a WEEK. You read that right, one hour a week. Needless to say, I am home a lot, which was the plan because Katie isn't working anymore and she's due in about 3 weeks. Campbell measured 7 lbs. today too by the way, only gaining 1/2 a lb., which was great! We're praying for her to be under 9lbs. come 38 weeks. That way we can have a regular delivery instead of a C-section. Anyway, now I can tell stories about when I was in med school. Nice.

"Some" Assembly Required

Sorry if this is a bit of a personal rant, but for any of you guys who've put together baby furniture, indulge me if you will.

So I have already put togther the crib and armoire. Now for the changing table. No big deal. Last thing. Get it out of the box, check. Take the pieces out and lay them in groups that look like they go together, check. Grab the giant bag of metal labeled "Various and Sundry Nuts, Bolts, Screws, and other assorted shards you've never seen before", check. Get assembly instructions out, che... wait a sec. Where are those included assembly instructions? Left in the box? Nope. Still in the box? You wish. Okay, so they forgot the instructions in the box, great. Hey maybe they are on the manufacturer's web site. Oddly enough they have online instructions for every piece they sell but yours. Classic.

So I say to myself, "Self, you graduated from college, surely you can put together a child's changing table. Its not like you're fixing the Hubble Telescope or something". So alas I begin putting the thing together, envisioning how I figure it ought, and placing screws and round shards in what looks to be there designated homes. Eventually, short story long, I started running out of pieces and the darn thing started to take shape. And being the college grad I was (Auburn too I might add, so no slouch) got the blasted thing into four main pieces that even a monkey could put together. So all in all not so bad. What began as what I thought would be impossible, actually wasn't that hard after all. Still probably faster with the instructions though, but actually the last thing I put together before this didn't even have words on it. Hmm . . . maybe a monkey could do it . . .

You Wouldn't Even Know She's Pregnant from the Back

My wife is awesome by the way. Someone asked for a picture of her belly on the blog so here she is. How 'bout my little girl too! Check out that giant chubby cheek!! I'm gonna eat her face! Anyway, things are going well and Katie and Cambell are both progressing. Campbell a little faster than Katie, in size anyway. Katie meanwhile, is progressing at home. She has gotten all the baby clothes/gifts we've recieved cataloged and inventoried for any duplicates and seperated out by age (0-3 mo., 6-9mo., etc). She's awesome.Oh, and as case in point of her organizational prowess and acumen this is a quote, "Hey Ben, in case I go out of my mind soon, I just wanted to let you know that I already bought, wrapped, and labeled birthday presents for any family, friends, or friends kids having a birthday in the month of February and put them here in the closet so you can find them; in case I forget to tell you later." Need I say more?

Just Found Out

This picture is from the parking lot when we found out we were pregnant the Friday before Father's Day in June of 2006. This blog is for our families and friends to keep up with the progress of our daughter Campbell Grace who will be arriving around Feb. 12, 2007. We only have about 5 more weeks but I thought this picture would be a good one to start off the blog.

(And for mom, I'll explain to you what a blog is later, in the meantime just keep checking here every once in a while for more postings, and especially in the future for recent pictures of your newest grandchild.)