Just like its uncle

Not to be out done, Uncle Paul notes some similarities like the bushy eyebrows and whiskers.

New Photos and more

Today marked the start of week 34! Only 6 more weeks to go. I am sure the baby will be here before we know it. Life will never be the same - it will be much better. Here is a picture of baby Patterson. S/he definitely has my lips and nose. The blurry stuff around the eyes and head is placenta. The ultrasound tech said the baby also has a lot of hair, which it gets from Lynn no doubt. It weighs about 5 lbs, 5oz. and is projected to weigh 8 lbs at birth. The ultrasound tech also said it has really chubby checks.





Here you can see its nose (not as squished as the first photo) and it is flashing the peace out sign. So, I guess it is saying

everything is ok inside of mom. The last photo is its foot. 5 toes all accounted for. If you think these pictures are beautiful, imagine how they would look on this.

Last night we discovered that the road to parenthood is going to be a little bumpy. How many Ph.D's does it take to put together a pack and play, pack and pray as I call it? Our friends Ralph and Nancy gave one as a baby shower gift and we decided assemble it last night. We got everything together except the diaper changing piece. After 2 frustrating hours, we gave up and decided to go to BRUs in the morning to see how they assembled it.

After the ultrasound, we headed to BRU to see their PNP models and the diaper changing piece was securely fastened. When we got home, we realized that Lynn had been trying to use the head cover part as the diaper changing part. When we realized her mistake, it was easy to finish the assembly. Perhaps I should tell her diapers are for the baby's bottom and not to be used as a head warmer!



Until next time, keep your head warm!

Shower #2

Today we had a baby shower organized by the folks in the picture (L-R: Wes, Susan, Lynn (ex-officio member), Sarah and Vanessa). The food was great, the company was great, that I didn't have to clean up was great. See here for more photos. Attendees were primarily co-workers from KSU.

Some notable things... Thank you to Brian for working so hard making sure everyone's margarita class was full. Thank you to Chad and Nancy for the 3/8" drill which will come in handy when I have to assemble things for the baby, like a wall mounting bracket to support, oh, I don't know, maybe a LCD-TV. Thank you to the real estate lady who tried to crash the shower, thinking we were hosting an open house. But a special thanks to Mel, who told me he could tell our baby would be in fine hands, judging from our dogs.

Anyway, (Caroline Rich's (age 4) new favorite word) as I type this entry, Lynn is busy nesting, putting away the thoughtful gifts we received. Thanks again to all who came today.

7 and a half weeks to go!

I suppose some of you are wondering how Lynn is looking these days. Personally, I think pretty good. She is quite radiant. Well, here she is at 32.5 weeks. The first two trimesters just flew by and the last one seems to drag on. Lynn says she is getting tired of being pregnant, but not yet ready to have the baby. Did I mention she also wants her cake and to eat it too? The baby is quite active and I can see Lynn's tummy move when the baby moves. Next week we are having an ultrasound, so I will post more pictures.

This past weekend some friends of ours threw us a baby shower. Thanks Leean and Carla!!! Unfortunately, there was no TV among the gifts. And interestingly, since we do not know the sex of the baby, most of the clothes were green in color - don't forget yellow is a neutral color too.

There was an 8 week-old baby boy at the shower, whose diaper I had the privilege of changing - yes, I used the diaper as a shield - come on, I do have PhD. Afterwards, I picked him up and he promptly spit up on me. I took it in stride and handed Lynn my shirt to wash for me. Yes, I am banned from doing the laundry!!! Guys, email me and I'll tell you how you too, can get banned from this duty - something about sheets and towels and a red sock.

Anyway, submissions for potential names have dropped off and we really need you to send them in. I thought we had settled on a boy's name, but I was informed that we had not. I think, we have a girl's name, but I am usually wrong when I think for both of us. So, you can help me out by sending in more name suggestions, or by clicking here and then click the "add to cart" button and follow the directions.

Until next submission...

Having a Baby Changes Your Life

If I had a nickel for every time someone told me this, I'd have a lot of nickels. One of my favorite things to do is travel. "You will have to give up traveling" is another thing people have generously shared with me. So here I am, on the road again - this time to Brazil and Argentina. That's Copacabana Beach in Rio, taken from my hotel. And while I have had an awesome time on this trip, I have continually battled the urge to jump on the next plane home to be with Lynn and the baby. As much as I love traveling, I want to be home. Yes, that is quite a change. But a good change. I know once the baby is old enough, we will take him/her with us on the road to childhood.

Update

Well, there are 14 more weeks to go. Lynn is getting rounder and the baby is getter more active. I can see it move. From the father's perspective the last few weeks have been like watching paint dry - not a lot happening. I am sure I will be wishing for "not a lot happening" come mid April.

This weekend I am going to daddy boot-camp. I get to learn how to change a diaper, feed, bathe and dress a baby. It is true, I have never done any of these things. Fortunately, our friend Kim and her baby Benjamin are coming in Feb, so I am sure the girls will want to see me use my newfound skills. Benjamin, I apologize ahead of time.

Boy or Girl

Most people are surprised and pleased that we are not going to find out the sex of the baby. There is nearly 2 to 1 odds in favor of a girl. With only 100 days left, you need to vote if you haven't already done so. Besides, this is way more exciting that the presidental nomination crap on TV.

The baby has been quite active lately. Even I can feel it poke and prod Lynn. I wonder if it will play hockey?