Matt's Latest Perspective

Howdy gang!!! Well I guess it's my turn to talk about the whole baby thang. So, it's a boy. Was there any doubt in anyone's mind that a manly dude like me would have created anything but a manly son? I guess I've just got what it takes. If anyone has any input on what the name of the child should be I would welcome the feedback and would consider each entry on an individual basis. If we use the name you submitted you could win a free all expense paid trip to Liberty Land and a year supply of hugs from Melissa (subject to availability). If no name is selected the baby's name will be defaulted to Magnus Von Morris or something equally as European.
Anyway, I do want to communicate how blessed I feel to have been chosen by God to have a son and I look forward to making sure that my son is a better man than me...a daunting task indeed. I don't know how she is doing it but my wife has never looked so beautiful in her life. She doesn't get sick...or bitch at me any more than normal...or cry spontaneously...or lose bladder control. All of these things have added up to a pretty easy role I have to play which is good because I am not the best at this whole supportive partner thing. I have agreed to take some birthin' classes with her. Don't tell Melissa but I only agreed because I see the guys in the movies doing it. I can't imagine I'm gonna have much to do with the actual birth because...well...I'm not the one doing the work. I will be happy to cut the cord but if the kid takes after his daddy I better make sure and cut the right one! OK, that was a little crude and I guess I am sorry.
Well everyone, I want to thank you for all of your support and prayers. HOLY CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
........This is breaking news!! As I write this- Melissa just walked in and I FELT MY SON MOVE FOR THE FIRST TIME! I HAVE TO GO...PEACE!!

How to measure the belly...

I went to the doctor for my monthly checkup. I guess having the latest appointment of the day works out because we were in and out in about 30 minutes. I signed in and they promptly took my payment and sent me back. We had to make our first "delivery bill" payment. It's like a car note!!! I stepped onto the scale to find that I have gained 2 pounds since my last visit, which makes 4 pounds total that I have gained. It's hard to believe that I'm almost 6 months along and have only gained 4 pounds. The nurse then started taking my blood pressure, using the "extra large" cuff. When she realized that was too big, she said "Well, I guess I didn't need the large one, after all. Your weight is in your height." Still not real sure what to think about that one. Then she proceeded to ask me if I had eaten lunch because my key tones were low. I asked her what that meant and she replied "Well, it's like saying that you're starving, but I know you're not starving." (There was another poke at my "size".) Then, we went in to see Dr. Wilson and he began talking about my weight gain. He, too, was a little surprised that I had only gained 4 pounds. I guess because of my "size", everyone thought I'd be pretty big by now. To be honest, though, I thought I would, too. But, Dr. Wilson assured me that mother nature would probably catch up to me towards the end. He was just concerned that I may be dieting, but I'm not. I promise. I just don't have as much of an appetite. Plus, I think that not drinking has caused me to lose some weight. Well, they tried to get another ultrasound picture since he wasn't cooperating last time. But, again, he wouldn't pose. He was too squirmy...which I've been feeling a lot of lately. It's becoming stronger and Dr. Wilson said that Matt should be able to feel it soon. He's been poking me alot today. I also found out something else interesting. I asked Dr. Wilson to measure my belly because I wasn't sure I was doing it right. He asked me how I was measuring it and I said around my waist. He laughed and told me that I wouldn't be able to measure my own belly anyway because I have to lay down. I didn't know you were supposed to measure it from the top of your pelvic bone to the top of your uterus. Now I know that my belly is 19cm. I learn something new every day!

Belly Pics!

I finally took my first belly pic on 07.10.08 at 17 weeks. I didn't measure my waist at the beginning of my pregnancy, so I don't know how many inches it has grown. At 17 weeks, it measured 43 inches. I took my second belly pic on 08.14.08 at 22 weeks. I've only grown a half an inch since my first pic. It's now 43 1/2 inches. It seems like I'm not growing very much. Alot of people can't believe I'm 5 1/2 months pregnant because I don't look like it. I weighed myself one night last week and I weighed 5 pounds less than my last doctor's visit. From what I hear, it's normal to lose weight. I just wasn't sure because my baby books say it's normal to gain 10-15 pounds at this point. I guess everyone is different, though. I'm also not so sure I am measuring my belly in the right spot each time. I think I'll see if the doctor will measure it for me this week. We're also supposed to have another ultrasound to see if our little man will cooperate this time for a picture. We'll see!
My due date is exactly 4 months away!!! Wow, time flies!