Wednesday

October 31 ( 21 weeks pregnant )

Happy Halloween to everyone!

May you ingest as much chocolate today as you desire.

Jennie's next office visit is scheduled for November 20th (glucose tolerance test, routine ultrasound).

On this day in 1972, my mother was 40 weeks pregnant with me. Little did she know that I would hibernate for 10 more days! I still cringe whenever I see salad spoons... :)



LINK OF THE DAY: A little bit on the awesome side... (check out the Mac-O-Lanterns!)

Until tomorrow,
Dave T.

Tuesday

October 30

For her birthday meal, Jennie and I celebrated with "breakfast for dinner". Nothing satisfies quite like a plate full of eggs, sausage, and hashbrowns. Now that the days are shorter, I had to rush home from work to salvage sunlight for outdoor chores. After mowing the backyard and spreading "weed and feed" fertilizer, I was spent. Maybe I will paint the baby room this weekend?

Last night after dinner, Jennie felt some kicking while we sat on the couch.



LINK OF THE DAY: Get Rich Slowly...

Until tomorrow,
Dave T.

Monday

October 29

Happy Birthday to Jennie! She's 34 years old today...

Unfortunately, she has to work late so we will postpone her celebration until later in the week. In fact, maybe we will combine her birthday meal with mine (since my birthday is 12 days from now)?

We spent the weekend cleaning the house and running errands (grocery store, Lowe's, etc). Nothing terribly exciting, I suppose. We bought a gallon of soothing, light green paint for the baby room -- an upcoming project for me.

On Saturday night, we enjoyed a nail-biting, on-the-edge-of-your-seat Predators' victory (hockey game). Last night we stayed up way too late debating baby names -- as we continue to refine our lists, we are now down to approximately 20 different names...

All is well with Jennie.



Until tomorrow,
Dave T.

Saturday

October 27

Here are some photos from Thursday's appointment...


OUR DAUGHTER'S PROFILE


ALIEN BABY


LET ME OUTTA HERE!!!


CAN YOU FIND THE GIRLIE PARTS?


Until tomorrow,
Dave T.

Friday

October 26

Yesterday was a terrific day! I would be lying if I did not admit I teared up a few times (out of joy and excitement). The sonographer surprised us with a six minute videotape of the ultrasound. I also received several of the little black and white thermal paper photos as well. As soon as I get home tonight, I will post some here.

We had dinner with Jennie's folks last night and all sat around the TV watching the ultrasound video over and over again. Daddyhood is finally starting to feel real to me. I am going to be the papa of a bouncing baby girl!

I better start saving my pennies now for her wedding. And, a shotgun might come in handy once little boys begin showing up around our doorstep. I am looking forward to watching my little princess grow up! She will be absolutely spoiled rotten...



Until tomorrow,
Dave T.

Thursday

October 25



What sex will the baby be? Check back later for the latest news!

AFTERNOON UPDATE: It's official! We are having a little GIRL... yeehoo! Jennie and I are ecstatic. Now, I can paint the baby room and Jennie can update the baby registries.

I will post photos very soon! The ultrasound went well. Our daughter is healthy...

Until later,
Dave T.

Wednesday

October 24 ( 20 weeks pregnant )

Wow! We are more than halfway to delivery day... (based on a 37-40 week schedule)

Jennie is finding it harder to bend over with each passing day. Always exhausted, she fell asleep before 8pm last night. Looking back, I should have gone to bed, too. I stayed up and watched the Predators get pummeled 6-0. That's two and a half hours of my life I would like to get back... :)

Hopefully, I will have some exciting ultrasound photos to post tomorrow!



Tomorrow is Jennie's appointment around 10 am. And afterwards, I will be waiting in line at the DMV to get my driver's license renewed. In Tennessee, you can renew online every other time your license expires, so I will not have to return to the DMV until 2017. My current license photo is from 1997 (and renewed online in 2002).

LINK OF THE DAY: Travel down memory lane with Old Computers...

Until tomorrow,
Dave T.

Tuesday

October 23

Happy October 23rd!

It has rained non-stop here in middle Tennessee for the better part of two straight days. No complaints here -- we desperately needed the rain. In the meantime, my yard has become a jungle of grass and weeds. :)

Today, Jennie and I celebrate our 122nd wedding anniversary (that's monthly, not yearly). We have no big plans at this time... (especially, since she is working all week). We can relax in front of the tube or read our books in bed.



Maybe the Nashville Predators can extinguish their 5 game losing streak tonight in Los Angeles? With each mounting loss, I get more and more excited about the great draft pick positioning for next summer. While I try to look on the bright side, I fear the casual hockey fans may become apathetic and fall off of the bandwagon if we lose too many matches though.

Thursday cannot arrive fast enough for us to learn our baby's sex.

Until tomorrow,
Dave T.

Monday

October 22

Jennie and I had a busy, yet restful weekend. We spent the entire weekend fixing up the baby room. Jennie's Dad and I showcased our master carpentry skills as we added new shelves and molding to an old Armoire. I am still adding more coats of stain to the new wood, but it looks really nice.

I delivered an extra baby crib to Jennie's parents house last night (although we still need to get a mattress for it). I just hope we can figure out how to assemble it (as it did not come with an instruction manual). But, being a typical male, I would avoid reading an instruction manual anyway (and never fear, when you finish the job with extra, unused nuts and bolts).

Thursday is the big day! Will we have a boy or a girl?



LINK OF THE DAY:

Until tomorrow,
Dave T.

Friday

October 19

Last night's 40+ MPH wind and thunderstorm caused Maggie (my Cairn Terrier) much anxiety. She bit Jennie twice and we ended up locking her out of our bedroom after midnight. Jennie is concerned that Maggie's senility and biting may adversely affect late night baby feedings, diaper changings, etc. So, we are going to dust off our old doggie crate (large metal cage) this evening. Once I locate it in our crawl space, I will clean it up and line it with some soft blankets (after all, Maggie is still our little princess).

ANOTHER OF MY FAVORITE HAWAII PICS...
I captured this on our long hike to the active Kilauea Volcano in 2005.


LINK OF THE DAY: Take a test and feed the homeless free rice...

Less than a week until Jennie's appointment...

Until tomorrow,
Dave T.

Thursday

October 18 ( 19 weeks pregnant )

One week from today is Jennie's next ultrasound (and hopefully, the day we find out if we are having a little boy or a little girl). We are terribly anxious for this appointment.

Nothing new to report. Jennie is doing great!

I received news yesterday that my cousin (Steven) and his wife (Natalie) had a baby daughter last week. Unfortunately, I have no other details...


ONE OF MY FAVORITE HAWAII PICTURES I TOOK TWO YEARS AGO... Enjoy!


LINK OF THE DAY: Snowflakes

Until tomorrow,
Dave T.

Tuesday

October 16

Jennie went to Yoga class this morning for the first time in several weeks. She called me at work and said she felt great afterwards. It makes me a little nervous to see her twisting and contorting her body, but I think she knows her body's limits.

Nashville's hockey team has until Halloween to complete its' sale to the local group of buyers or they will most certainly be relocated by a future owner (my long term opinion based on the "out clause" of the lease and the poor attendance figures). Zero advertising, no media support, and a generally apathetic, "Good-Ole-Boy" culture in Nashville are creating a recipe for disaster. The consensus around the league is that Nashville does not deserve a team and that Tennessee is simply not a viable sports market. This topic causes my blood to boil, so I will give it a rest...



LINK OF THE DAY: The Anatomy of a Black Hole...

Until tomorrow,
Dave T.

Monday

October 15

Only ten days remain until we discover if our little zucchini has an extra sprout between its' legs. Jennie is quickly approaching week 19 and the halfway point of her pregnancy. Round ligament pains are becoming more common as she sometimes bends or twists (forgetting that she has an abdominal protrusion).

Over the weekend, both Jennie and I were able to feel the baby pushing outward on her abdomen. I am not sure if it was a leg or an arm, but that baby has some strength!

Jennie is doing well...



LINK OF THE DAY: How to track the original location of an email...

Until tomorrow,
Dave T.

Saturday

October 13

All is well here at the Tilson house...

I have finally made the turn and my "sleep bank" is nearly recharged. This nasty illness appears to be on its' last legs. Meanwhile, Jennie never got sick (thankfully). Two nights ago I coughed for over 4 1/2 hours in bed (after taking NyQuil and other various over-the-counter medications).

Jennie and I are about to go watch Nashville take on the Calgary Flames down at the Sommet Center. After starting the season with two dominating wins, the Predators (2-2) have come down to Earth and lost their last two matches to sub-par teams. Maybe tonight they will play some inspired hockey?

Only 12 days until Jennie and I find out about the baby's sex.



Until tomorrow,
Dave T.

Thursday

October 11

Last night Jennie and I enjoyed a nice dinner at her parents' house. Afterwards, we all sat around the tube watching the Predators lose their first game of the year by a score of 4-1 in St.Louis. Hey, even the really bad teams have to win once in a while, right? No big deal. In years' past, their lackluster play would have ruined my evening, but not anymore. All I could think about was how my little sweet potato was kicking around inside of Jennie's cantaloupe sized uterus.

Yesterday, the new album "In Rainbows" was released by Radiohead for digital download. I have listened to it twice now and give it a thumbs up. What makes this album most interesting is how the currently unsigned band charges you. You decide what YOU want to pay for the album -- $1, $5, $10, etc. It's up to you... I "contributed" 2.45 British Pounds (which equates to approximately $5 US). You can check it out if you wish at the album's website.

Two weeks from today is Jennie's next doctor visit...


"let's help Mom water her plants..."


LINK OF THE DAY: Silly stick figure humor...

Until tomorrow,
Dave T.

Wednesday

October 10 ( 18 weeks pregnant )

Today is our annual flu shot day at work. Although I am still not completely well, I plan on taking advantage of this benefit.

Jennie is down to her final 130 - 150 days before giving birth. The thought of being a daddy still has not hit me yet.

One month from today, I will be 35. Only two more weeks until our sweet potato shows us his or her tuber...


Why are pirates called pirates?

Because they...


LINK OF THE DAY: Succinct News

Until tomorrow,
Dave T.

Tuesday

October 9

Jennie's AFP Tetra (alpha-fetoprotein) test came back negative. That's great news! No neural tube defects, no Down's syndrome, etc. to worry about now.

I will keep today's entry brief while I recuperate at home from work today. Yes, I decided to break down and use a sick day. Having a sinus infection as I do now, I feel like I have been repeatedly hit in the head with a baseball bat. My raspy cough leads me to grasp my temples tightly to somehow alleviate the throbbing. I will be fine and dandy in a few days (I'm sure)... after all, it is just a cold.

Meanwhile, keep playing tiny violins for me. :)

Jennie is doing great! Her immune system is solid.



LINK OF THE DAY: Target now selling iRocks in place of iPods...

Until tomorrow,
Dave T.

Monday

October 8

Another day, another dollar. I nearly used a sick day at work this morning, but I resisted. My fever and dizziness have gone away, but now I am coughing like I belong in a tuberculosis ward! I simply loaded up on cough drops and Acetaminophen on my way out the door.

Do you have Shower-zheimers also? Each morning I stumble out of bed at 5:20am half-awake. As I take my shower, I begin thinking about my upcoming day -- deadlines, things to do, etc. That's when my affliction, Shower-zheimers, takes over! I cannot seem to remember where I have soaped last or if I have shampooed my balding scalp. Jennie says I could cure my Shower-zheimers if I made a daily routine: maybe start from top to bottom consistently? Oh well, I guess washing some places more than once is not all that bad?

Jennie is really starting to feel the baby when she sits up or gets out of bed.

THE ATTACK OF BURGER BABY...


LINK OF THE DAY: Need a great deal on electronics?

Until tomorrow,
Dave T.

Sunday

October 7

Jennie is doing well. She is making "to do" lists and actively making preparations for baby. I, on the other hand, am about to go take another nap. I cannot seem to get rid of this fever and cough. Luckily, Jennie's immune system appears to be keeping her healthy.

I know I need to get outside and mow the yard, but I am a little woozy.

Only 2 1/2 weeks until we know if we are having a little boy or a little girl... it's driving Jennie crazy not knowing. :)



LINK OF THE DAY: 15 ridiculously useful websites...

Until tomorrow,
Dave T.

Saturday

October 6

I woke up this morning with a sore throat and mild fever.

Lots of fluids and naps for me today. I am trying my best not to get Jennie sick.

EVENING UPDATE: Jennie has noticed that the baby is active each night between 8pm and 10pm. She said the kicking still feels a lot like gas pains. I have yet to feel any kicking, but I can't wait! An old wives' tale about heartburn translating into a hairy baby is great news (since I'm an old baldy).

More later,
Dave T.

Friday

October 5



Wow! The Predators beat the Avalanche last night like a rented mule! Although the scoreboard displayed 4-0 as the fat lady sang, the match was actually fairly close. Colorado rolled four high-powered, offensive lines. The Predators countered with grit and determination. Ultimately, the lower payroll, workmanlike effort of the Predators prevailed. Last year's Predators team had more egos and big name superstars (Kariya, Forsberg, Timonen, et al), but this year's team is more fun to watch (so far). I know, I know, there are still 81 games left... and you can never win them all.

Jennie reminded me how difficult it might become for her to enjoy the games as the season goes on. After all, her ever growing baby pouch will continue to protrude and swell. I imagine sometime around mid-January she will become too uncomfortable to enjoy the bellicosity and skill on ice. And if we happen to make the playoffs, I am unsure what will happen.



LINK OF THE DAY: Are you the least bit cynical?

Until tomorrow,
Dave T.

Thursday

October 4

Jennie and I are attending the Predators' regular season home opener tonight. It should be a blast!

Three weeks from today we will know the sex of our child.

I have no clue when the AFP test results come in, but "knock on wood" and everything should be fine.

Today has been a fairly hectic day at work, so I must run for now...



LINK OF THE DAY: Where shoppers bite back...

Until tomorrow,
Dave T.

Wednesday

October 3 ( 17 weeks pregnant )

Today, Jennie has her scheduled alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) blood test. This is a routine visit which will hopefully rule out any defects or problems with our baby's development. Caveat d'emptor: this test has been known to yield false positives. Oh well, more stuff to worry about, right? :)

In 22 days, my future son or daughter will make his or her next ultrasound appearance. And, on that fine day, Jennie and I *should* know what color to paint our baby room.

Only 38 days until my 35th birthday! Yeehoo... I can taste the chocolate icing already! In all its' sugary goodness, the oversized, 24-inch chocolate chip cookie with the phrase "Happy Birthday Davey Wavey" make my mouth water. Yummy...

Tonight, the puck drops for the 90th NHL season. While the Predators' ownership situation has me distrait, I am enthusiastic to see how everything shakes out on the ice.



LINK OF THE DAY: Elevators, propellers, biceps, and fountains, oh my!

Until tomorrow,
Dave T.

Tuesday

October 2

Jennie is doing better with each passing day. She is beginning to display that "pregnant glow".

Sorry I am not my usual perky self, but another article released this morning leads us to believe that the health of Nashville's hockey team is once again on very shaky ground. Call me a jaded fan, but the National Hockey League is not doing itself any favors -- marketing is horrible, ticket prices keep rising, and the rules are constantly being tweaked.

If the Predators relocate, this will be the impetus I need to finally pack up and move my family away from this "bass-ackward" town. Since Jennie's parents are retiring and moving to Florida in the next couple of years anyway, only our frozen embryos are keeping us tied to Nashville. The only supervening question is: Where will we settle? Maine? Oregon? Colorado? Florida? All our options are open...



LINK OF THE DAY: How well do you know the Earth?

Until tomorrow,
Dave T.

Monday

October 1

Weathered, tattered, and dry rotted, our ten year old patio set continues to inch closer to the great furniture graveyard with each passing day. This would seem to be the perfect time of year to cash in on those "end of summer" clearance deals. So, on Saturday afternoon, Jennie and I bought a new patio table and chairs for our deck. It may have consumed five hours of our day, but we were able to weigh out all the pros and cons. And, in the end, we are very satisfied with our new, maintenance free all-weather furniture...

Yesterday, Jennie enjoyed baking some new recipes in the kitchen while I tackled the endless task of yard grooming and shrub pruning. It seems like only yesterday I mowed, de-weeded, and removed painful dandelion thistles. I am thankful to live on a mere 1/3 of an acre plot. I cannot imagine having tens of acres constantly needing attention.

The countdown is on: 24 days until we find out if we are having a BOY or a GIRL!


WEEK 16 ULTRASOUND


I will scan some of the other ultrasound photos in the coming days...

Until tomorrow,
Dave T.