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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.