Thursday, July 22, 2010

Our Little Girl - Week 3

Daddy's team (along with one Uncle, and one Grandfather).

Mommy's team (along with 3 Grandparents, 3 Great-Grandparents, an Uncle, and an Aunt).









Saturday, July 17, 2010

My Droid Incredible Initial Impressions

Right before we went into the hospital for the birth of our Daughter, I finally got my hands on a Droid Incredible. I had ordered the thing a full month before I received it, but due to the high demand it took a while to finally get into my hands.


Unboxing my Droid Incredible

So far, I like the thing. I've been a Google guy for a while now, so getting an Android phone made perfect sense for me. I honestly haven't had a chance to customize it too much (the whole 1st time parent thing is time consuming), but setting up my accounts was easy and I love using my phone to check my Gmail, Twitter, and Facebook. I tried installing Swype on the phone and it reports as installed, but I can't yet figure out how to actually make it the default keyboard. However, it's not like I need a different keyboard. The HTC default keyboard is very responsive and easy to use. This is my first phone without a hard keyboard, but I don't really miss the thing. The Incredible's camera is also pretty nice. I know it's no iPhone camera, but it's good enough where I don't worry about leaving my compact camera at home. It takes good pictures of my daughter, which is what concerns me the most, and I like being able to immediately post those pictures to Twitter and/or Facebook.

The phone is not without its flaws. The battery life on the thing is TERRIBLE. I basically have to recharge the phone every 9 hours. I'm going to have to invest in a couple of extra recharge cables for work and the car just to make sure I never get into a situation where my phone is dead. If I use the turn by turn navigation in the car (which I'm definitely going to want to do), then its going to have to be plugged in while I use it. Also, I wish I could remove default apps from the phone. The Incredible comes pre-installed with a Twitter app called Peep. I am not going to use this app at all. I want to use either the Twitter for Android app or Seesmic. So why on earth can't I remove Peep from the phone? That's pretty freaking stupid.

If you've got any tips, questions, or comments, don't hesitate to share. And if you're thinking of buying a Droid Incredible and can live with the battery life, I would recommend picking one up.

Our Little Girl - Week 2









Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Our Little Girl - Day 7

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Our Little Girl - Day 6


Our Little Girl - Day 5


Our Little Girl - Day 4


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Our Little Girl - Day 3

Our Little Girl - Day 2


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Our Little Girl - Day 1




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Our Little Girl - Day 0






July 1st, 2010
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Wednesday, July 07, 2010

The Disadvantages of Digital Photography


My Daughter has been in this world for 6.5 days. In that time, I've taken 0ver 300 pictures of her. Of those 300+ photos, I've printed none of them. Part of it is a time factor. The time I'd normally be in the man cave looking over photos worthy of printing is spent with my Daughter. However I notice that I get into a trap of never addressing my backlog. What I should probably be doing is developing a workflow that ends with me printing the photos I like the most from the given memory card. Instead, I'm always looking at newly taken photos, and never readdressing the pictures in my collection.

When we were at the hospital, my Mom brought along with her a photo album of my baby pictures. It was really fantastic paging through all the photos my Dad took and picking out the features that we share in common. If I don't print out any photos, how will I ever get to share a moment like that with my potential grandchildren?

Does anyone have any tips to help me make sure my favorite photos are printed out?

Our Little Girl

Thank Heaven for Little Babies


Sunday, June 20, 2010

From November 3, 2009

10:45 today was the big ultrasound. I actually didn’t worry about it too much this morning as I was working until about 10:00. After that, I just started praying constantly. I met my Wifer at the hospital and once out name is called we go to the exam room and wait as patiently as we can. When the Doctor enters the room, these are his first words to us:

[paraphrasing] “I’m glad we’re doing this ultrasound so early [in your pregnancy] because your levels aren’t really where we’d like them to be, and that could indicate a tubal pregnancy, so we really need to check to make sure everything is where it should be.”

WHAT?!?!?!?

We had been told after each blood test our levels were fine. The last blood test was a little off, but we were told the numbers were still well within the acceptable range. Considering we had already been worrying that something could be out of sorts considering our risk factors, this wasn’t good way to start this exam. Luckily, he didn’t dwell on this terrible point any longer than that, and about a minute later, there it was. Our little baby was exactly where it should be, and looking exactly how it should look for 6 weeks old. And, best of all, its heart was beating away. The minute the Doctor said the baby was in the right place I gasped so loud I startled the attending physician who was also in the room. I sat there with my hands covering my mouth staring in amazement at our little baby. I saw its' heart beating, I heard its' heart beating. It was the most amazing feeling. I haven’t felt so happy or seen something so perfect since the moment I saw my Wife about to walk down the aisle at our wedding.

So everything is OK. Thank you, God.

Barring some kind of horrific tragedy our baby should be joining us at the end of June. It’s still a long journey, and anything can happen, but I feel like I can finally breathe a little easier.

From November 2, 2009

Yesterday we told our parents that we were expecting. That was one of the greatest feelings in the world. My Wife’s parents both happened to be over at our house so we felt it was time. I felt so joyous telling the in-laws that I called my Mom that night and told her. I know I probably should have waited until I saw her in person, but based on her reaction, I don’t think she minded getting the news over the phone one bit.

Tomorrow is the big 6 week ultrasound. It is so exciting and so terrifying. My Wife found something last night that said if there is a heartbeat tomorrow, then there is a 95+% chance there won’t be a miscarriage. However, if there isn’t anything there… With the stakes so high, it’s only natural that we’re hoping for the best, but both preparing ourselves just in case there is a tragedy.

Today is another day that I’m having problems concentrating at work. I was going to work part of the morning tomorrow but I think it would be an insult to the company if I tried, I just don’t think I can give them any meaningful work tomorrow morning. Instead, I’m giving serious thought to just going to my church and praying before the appointment.

Dear God in Heaven, please let our baby be safe and healthy.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

What I wrote on October 27th, 2009

All I do is think about the life inside my wonderful Wife’s womb. I try to think about other things (like work, football, etc), but right nothing else matters other than that little life. I’d do anything to ensure that baby comes out happy and healthy. I pray constantly, I dote, I hope. I just want to desperately for this whole journey to end in us holding our son or daughter. I don’t even care what the gender is, just be healthy.

Friday, June 18, 2010

The Evolution of Our Little Girl

Our little girl, throughout this miraculous journey:

6 weeks:


9 weeks


20 weeks


38.5 weeks

The Final (baby) Countdown

You cannot title a post "The Final Countdown" without linking to this:




With that out of the way, let me share with you some fun facts about our little girl:

-She's 38.5 weeks old, and she's already 8 pounds, 3 ounces.

-Her head is in the 95th percentile (translation: she's got Daddy's noggin)

-She already has hair (!!!)

-According to the Doctor, she's going to be here no later than June 30th, 2010. Ergo : in no later than a week and a half, our daughter will be a part of this world.

-I attended the Wifer's* OB/GYN appointment today because this would be the last ultrasound before our daughter was born. I had to leave work an hour and a half early to be at the appointment, but it was worth it. Seeing my daughter is a priceless gift.I am so happy that I was able to make it.

-I teared up when I saw our little baby girl on the ultrasound. Mark my words: when she officially arrives into this world, I will sob like a 3 year old with a stubbed toe.

Here she is sticking her tongue out at us during the ultrasound. She's already feisty!


I cannot mention our daughter without also mentioning what an amazing Wife I have. Little girl, if you ever read this, know that your Mother has gone through hell and high water to make sure that you are the best you can be. Without the Wifer, none if this is possible.