Giving Thanks for Baby Gear

Wow. We are so thankful for the generosity of our friends with their baby gear. Although we don't know what some of this stuff does, we expect to figure it out before too long with classes at the hospital and more reading from the "What to expect when expecting" book. I think the harness thingy will allow us to multi-task with Baby GV and chores e.g. dishes, porch sweeping, grocery shopping(?), ...not sure of the limitations, but we'll find a pro to consult. Jo Beth sent a giant pillow and some incredible maternity clothes for Kimberly. We have an awesome changing table that is waiting to be moved into position once dad finds a new/temporary home for KV's desk.

Allison Pollan, a year ahead of us in the baby process is our number one, go-to, advisor on what we need. We have put a few of these items in a registry.

Thanks to everyone for their unbelievable generosity.

Baby Bump at 20 weeks

We have movement! "Definitely not gas" said Vetter after a strange sensation from her belly. We were advised during the last obstetrician visit that we should start expecting some action. Asked how she is feeling Vetter went on: "I feel good! More energy, I can go to the gym regularly, more swimming (feels great), less running."

Baby Names

Names are tough. We know it's a girl so that helps, but picking a name is tough. We had some fun at a website called the Baby Name Genie. At this site you can see what names are trending. Kimberly liked Sophie or Sophia, but it looks like it is smoking hot right up there with Ava and Isabella. One thing the books suggest is to first make a list of all the family names to consider: Marguerite, Mildred, Dot, Alma, Evelyn, Kay, Connie, Charlyn, Amy, Marie, Rene, Reta, Lenda, Kathy, Ann, Katie, Sarah, Kimberly, Shari, Lindsey, and Macy.

With the Baby Name Genie you can put in a name and it will give you a suggested middle name that should sound nice. You can even ask for fifty if you want. Next, check out to make sure the initials don't spell something the child will hold against you like Penelope Isabella Gibbons, Grace Alma Gibbons, or Olivia Marie Gibbons.

Finally, the Baby name Genie even lets you try the name out with a lifetime of situational sentences where you are blasted into the future when their name will be spoken:
" If Phoebe would consistently turn her homework in--on time--she would be one of my star pupils".

We haven't decided on a name yet, but we're test driving a few around the house. We'll keep you posted.

Sixteen-week Sonogram Shots

We went in for the 16-week check-up and maternal fetal counseling. All looks good. I'll walk you through the photos. Here we see Baby GV's profile. Nice spinal chord, femur, overbite, and button nose. We saw the four chambers of the heart beating really well. 140 bpm's is a fast dance music beat and also the resting heart rate for Baby GV.

That's a foot! Baby GV was really squirming around.

This screen grab shows the lack of a protuberance in the groin region. The sonogram is reading from below the fetus. She's a she! Now it's time to get serious about names. Top five girl names up next on the blog.

Classic Belly Shots

In our travels around the intertubes searching for things baby related, we've come across an inordinate number of belly shots. Well, we don't want to miss the bus so here they are. We hope you enjoy.

This is our little "Chili-B" at the 12 week check up.

What can an expecting dad do? Start a blog.

Hello GV Friends and Family,

Kimberly and I are 14 weeks along in this new chapter of life. The pace is quickening and we want to share some of the experiences. To that end, I've set up this blog as an information hub.

Here is a photo of Kimberly from our New Mexico vacation at the Chalet Cheviron. We celebrated Zac and Christy's impending parenthood not knowing that we were on our way to the same fate. It's nice that the Cheviron's are one step ahead because we're new at this. One could imagine that she knows what's to come in this photo, but she's just happy to be on vacation with friends.


Here is a photo of me cleaning out a diaper as part of Christy and Zac's baby shower.

Mid April is the due date, time to get busy!