[This post includes a Baby Stats contest. Remember, you have to play to win.]
The baby countdown has resulted in a new form of March Madness now that we are near the final week.
It is all—ok, more like 99.99999%—excitement for me at this point but there is still a smidgen of fear in the deepest recesses of my brain. I know we will be fine on the things we can control but it is those things we outside our control that give me pause. It certainly has not been all roses for TB during the past couple weeks as the baby’s descent has made it harder for her to sleep and sit. Amazingly, she still doesn’t complain. In fact, she seems to want the baby to stay in there and gets mad at me when I try to coax the kid to come on out. I think she’s just trying to buy more time to decide on names.
Here is an ultrasound picture from week 29 (ten weeks ago!)
 29 weeks |
I initially considered entitling this post “Getting ready for fatherhood” but I am convinced one is never ready. All I can do is work on my skills, gather advice and hope fortune favors the prepared. Once the baby arrives, I want TB to be able to focus on her wellbeing and the baby and not be concerned about anything else.
In terms of my skills, I know how to take care of myself and my household. There is not a chore I haven’t done—I can thank my mom for that—but I’m a bit rusty on some things like ironing and washing clothes. I also know how to swaddle, change diapers, burp and perform other baby-related grunt and wet work thanks to having a couple much-younger siblings. I will need to be more efficient and tireless. Luckily, when I focus on something I really focus and I have my game face on as far as this baby is concerned. See picture to the right for my game face at age 10. You don’t want to mess with me. (Don’t hate on the ‘fro. 
)
New skills I will have to acquire?
- Coping with our Ashford & Simpson dynamic duo becoming a Batman & Robin where I play Alfred Pennyworth.
- Monitoring my world through cries and dirty diapers instead of email and the Web.
- Trading in Dr. Dre for Dr. Seuss.
- Bathing a newborn. I hear Dustin Hoffman’s character screaming, “Hot water burn baby!” in the scene from Rain Man and imagine TB kicking me out the house.
- Celebrating holidays. TB and I are really bad about holidays and very grateful we have wonderful friends who do them brilliantly.
Those are the first things that popped into my head. There are lots of others. We are bringing in the big guns from the start in the form of grandmas and aunts starting with my MIL Rhon arriving tomorrow a full week before the baby is due and not a moment too soon.
As we head into the final week let’s have a Baby Stats contest.
Here is how points will be awarded:
- Gender = 3 points
- Syllables in first name = 5 points
- Syllables in middle name = 7 points
- Date of delivery = 9 points
- Length = 11 points
- Weight = 13 points
- Time of birth = 15 points
- Length of labor = 17 points
Rules:
- Closest numeric values win whether under or over
- Full points for every correct (or nearest) answer
- Labor starts at the point contractions have been at least 1 minute long, 5 minutes apart, for an hour and ends with delivery
- Entries must be submitted as a comment before labor begins
- One entry per person (adults only)
Prizes awarded for top 3 totals. In the event there are more than 3 ties at the top, we will award more prizes.
Gender: Girl
Syllables 1st name: 2
Syllables middle: 1
Date of delivery: 03/28/2009
Length: 20.5 inches
Weight: 8lbs 10oz
Time of birth: 9:30pm
Length of labor(cesarean or induced): 7hrs
Length of labor(vaginal): 16 hrs
“VICTORY!!!”
Gender = female
Syllables in first name = 2 (only cause u guys will probably want to keep it simple)
Syllables in middle name = 2
Date of delivery = 3/28/09
Length = 19 inches
Weight = 8lbs 8ozs
Time of birth = 7:15 pm
Length of labor = 12 hours
I got this in the bag!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gender = Male
Syllables in first name = 2
Syllables in middle name = 2
Date of delivery = 4/1/09
Length = 17 inches
Weight = 10 lbs
Time of birth = 7:36 pm
Length of labor = 18 hours
I have no clue about some of these so just come on out nephew Uncle Kev is waiting.
This made me realize I have no idea how big babies normally are! But here goes:
Gender: Boy
Syllables 1st name: 2
Syllables middle: 2
Date of delivery: 03/29/2009
Length: 19 inches
Weight: 7lbs 10oz
Time of birth: 9:30pm
Length of labor(cesarean or induced): 4hrs
Length of labor(vaginal): 8 hrs
Hey, I’ve been dreaming lately about you guys. Hope to see the lottery numbers soon.
Gender = male
Syllables in first name = 1
Syllables in middle name = 2
Date of delivery = 3/25/09
Length = 19 3/4
Weight = 8lb 5 oz
Time of birth = 11:30pm
Length of labor = 5hrs (hopefully it is short and sweet)
Aw dang… I don’t KNOW! But, I’ll play along.
Gender: Boy
Syllables 1st name: 3
Syllables middle: 1
Date of delivery: 03/27/2009
Length: 21.8 inches
Weight: 7lbs 4oz
Time of birth: 2:15 pm
Length of labor(cesarean or induced): 9 hrs
Length of labor(vaginal): 10 hrs
Extra: 10 fingers, 10 toes and no teeth.
Gender = Male
Syllables in first name = 3
Syllables in middle name = 4
Date of delivery = 3/27/2009
Length = 18 inches
Weight = 7 lbs. 15 oz.
Time of birth = 10:19pm
Length of labor = 10.5 hrs.
Gender = Boy
Weight = 8lb 9oz
length of labor = 11 hrs (induced)
Date of delivery = 3/26 (I hope it is Friday 3/27)
Time of delivery = 6:15 p.m.
Length = 21.5
Syllables first = 2
syllables middle = 1
I’ll be there to welcome him into the world
Gender: Boy
First Name: 1 syllable
Middle Name: 2 syllables
Weight: 9 lbs.
Length: 20 inches
Labor: 16 hours
Delivery Date: March 26
Delivery Time: 7:07
Gender: Girl
Syllables 1st name: 3
Syllables middle: 1
Date of delivery: 03/29/2009
Length: 19.6 inches
Weight: 7lbs 8oz
Time of birth: 8:05pm
Length of labor(cesarean or induced): 8hrs
Length of labor(vaginal): 8 hrs
Gender = Girl
Syllables in first name = 2
Syllables in middle name = 2
Date of delivery = 3/30/2009
Length = 20 inches
Weight = 7 Lbs 8 Oz
Time of birth = 11:15 AM
Length of labor = 9 1/2 hours
Gender = Boy
Syllables in first name = 2
Syllables in middle name = 2
Date of delivery = 3/29/2009
Length = 20.75 inches
Weight = 9 pounds, 1 ounce
Time of birth = 7:15 am
Length of labor = 3 hours
Gender = Boy
Syllables in first name = 2
Syllables in middle name = 3
Date of delivery = 3-28-2009
Length = 21 inches
Weight = 9 pounds, 2 ounces
Time of birth = 7:30 am
Length of labor = 18 hours
Gender: Boy
Syllables 1st name: 1
Syllables middle: 2
Date of delivery: 03/29/2009
Length: 19.1 inches
Weight: 8lbs 4oz
Time of birth: 4:30am
Length of labor(cesarean or induced): 9hrs
Length of labor(vaginal): 13 hrs
Gender = Male
Syllables in first name = 3
Syllables in middle name = 2
Date of delivery = 3/29/09
Length = 19.5
Weight = 7lb3oz
Time of birth = 6pm
Length of labor = 9 hours
For once, I’m not getting strong feelings about the gender, so I’m not even going to try to guess. What I know for sure is that this child is going to be an incredible asset to the world, and you guys are going to be great parents.
Go, team Smif!
Gender = Girl
Syllables in first name = 4
Syllables in middle name = 3
Date of delivery =April 3rd
Length = 21
Weight = 7 lbs 2oz
Time of birth = 10:43am
Length of labor = 17 hours
Keith I love that “hard” look from your football days. LOL
Gender = Boy
Syllables in first name = 1
Syllables in middle name = 3
Date of delivery = March 28th
Length = 20″
Weight = 8lbs 2oz
Time of birth = 11:30pm
Length of Labor = 10 hours
Keith, that look in that picture from football days past says “Let’s Roll”. Wishing you “God’s speed” in the birth of your first son
Gender = Male
Syllables in first name = 3
Syllables in middle name = 3
Date of delivery = 3/28/2009
Length = 21.5
Weight = 8lbs
Time of birth = 7:19am
Length of labor = 8 hours
Gender = Female
Syllables in first name = 3
Syllables in middle name = 2
Date of delivery = 3/30/2009
Length = 22.0
Weight = 8.75lbs
Time of birth = 7:30pm
Length of labor = 11 hours
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