Weezie is a GIRL!!!

Kristin and I are happy to announce that we are having a Girl.

Today's ultrasound went extremely well. The Technician and the Doctor were both great, all the necessary checks were done and everything is as it should be, we are thankful parents to be indeed. The very best part was seeing (and then hearing) her heartbeat and then looking on as she waved to us (no, I don't think she meant to).

So, at 20 weeks we are at the halfway point (well Kristin is anyway, I don't really do much come to think of it), and it has really flown by. The second half is sure to go by quickly as well (we hope). We have some travel plans; my folks coming to the US for three weeks starting 8 July and we will be doing an East Coast USA road trip with Kris's parents starting in Palm Coast FL and taking in Savannah, Charleston and Washington DC. We then have our God Son Jacob's baptism in Dallas in mid August. After that we will be settling back home in Chicago to work on the Baby's room and take in the rest of the summer before the craziness really starts.

Thanks so much to all those who have commented and voted. This is heaps of fun for Kristin and I. The name is under wraps until birth, until such time the baby girl is referred to a Weezie.

XY or XX? TBD soon!

Not long to go before we head to our big 20 week appointment on June 22. As mentioned in a previous posting, we switched hospitals and therefore will be meeting with a new doctor for this long-awaited appointment.

It's nearly last call for those of you that haven't cast your vote on what you think lil' Weezie is! Boys at the moment are in the lead although I have a feeling Weezie is a girl. This run of boys being born has to stop at some stage! Either way we're thrilled to find out and hope that Weezie cooperates and there are no issues about finding out during the scheduled appointment. We'll be asking the ultrasound tech to not tell us at the appointment, but rather write it down and put in envelope which we'll open later in the day together. Also hoping to get a DVD of the ultrasound to share w. those interested. Next week is an exciting time, along with the appointment it's also Father's Day here in the U.S. on June 20, Rich is excited that he'll always have two Father's Days as in Oz it's on September 6. It's also Rich's birthday on June 26. So we'll have a bit to celebrate.

We've had a great past few weeks, the Memorial Day weekend trip to Lake Geneva was a welcome get-away but highly unlikely to be anything like the Hampton's as a few Midwesterners claim. The resort we stayed at had it's issues, but we were able to enjoy the pool and get a few good swims in which was nice. Once returning back to Chicago, our good friends Katie and Darrell came for a visit from Florida. We had such a fun time playing tourist and checking out the sites that our great city has to offer as well as catch up with good ol' friends; not to mention, Weezie went to his/her first beer festival in Lincoln Square, Mayfest. Chicago has finally come alive recently owing to some warmer weather, festival season as well as our Blackhawks taking home the Stanley Cup this past Thursday. The vibe in this city has been exciting.

A Baby Bump

Hi Everyone, all is going well.

Kristin is starting to show as you might be able to tell in the photo. She and lil' Weezie are doing great. Aside from the bump, the only sign of pregnancy is that Kristin gets a little more tired throughout the day and that I have started to walk with a limp; see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Couvade_syndrome.

We are both anxiously awaiting the 20 week appointment on June 22.

Recently, we have had a few trips to Babies-R-Us and Target and are slowly becoming well versed in things for lil' Weezie, from changing tables to strollers to car seats to pack&plays, you name it we have probably looked into it in some way. It can be a little daunting, but fun.

Kris is still going to prenatal yoga class once a week and the warmer weather has made it easier to go for some walks, last weekend we went for two bike rides, so we are keeping active. In addition, Kristin has turned her hand to crafting a montage of postcards for lil' Weezie and a few other things for the baby's room.

This memorial weekend we are planning a short trip to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, the Hamptons of the Midwest I am told, for a bit of r&r.

Before finishing up Kris and I would like to give a shoutout to Kristin's Grandmother on her Mother's Side. She has not been feeling very well. She is in her mid-90s. We love you Nan. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

New Sensations

Yesterday marked week 15 and I am still feeling great. I think I've begun to feel the baby moving last night, it was a strange but exciting sensation. It's hard to tell since I have nothing really to compare it to. I've also begun to show a bit more recently and will need to take/post belly pics soon. Last week was great as Weezie took his/her first in utero flight since being conceived, making his/her way to Texas (on Mother's Day) where I got the chance to meet our adorable little nephew Jacob and catch up w. Mom, Dad, Jen and Freddie. Jen and Freddie are doing great in their new role as mom and dad and my folks are loving being new grandparents. I don't think they've settled on names to be called yet, but know that Nana, Nan, Gram were a few thoughts for Mom and Pops, Pop and Grandpa may have been top contenders for Dad. I think at last chat they decided on Nana and Pop. I returned home to Chicago late Wednesday and have had some Jacob withdrawals ever since. Now really can't wait to have our own little one, which I know will be here before we know it. We had an appointment on Thursday and heard lil Weezie's heartbeat once again, no ultrasounds this time but can't wait til our 20 week appointment when we see Weezie again. All is continuing to progress nicely. We recently had tours of a few local hospitals and have decided to move forward w. the newer, more cutting-edge Northwestern Prentice over Illinois Masonic (where my OB Dr. Sodini delivers). I love Dr.Sodini so it was hard letting her know that we'll be moving on but she was great as always and understood completely. After writing this posting I'll need to contact a new OB and book next appointment. Prentice is a new women's facility downtown built in 2007, which looks more like a five-star hotel than hospital. We've had some not so great experiences in the past at Masonic and are confident we are making the right choice.

Welcome Jacob Liam Welsch

Today we give a big shout out and welcome to the world our new nephew - the adorable Jacob Liam, born yesterday afternoon. He weighed in at a whopping 8lbs 12oz; 20.5 inches long. A fellow Taurus, it's no wonder he's apparently a sweet, great baby and champ feeder and sleeper. Both baby and mom (my sister Jen) are doing well. Although Jen did mention that her epidural wore off which wasn't pleasant to say the least! I'll be heading down to Dallas to meet the little man on Sunday (Mother's Day) and can't wait! Lil' Weezie  looks forward to making his/her debut, coming out to play in around 184 days and having an older cousin so close in age. We thought we'd refer to Jacob Liam as Texas Jake as he is our second nephew named Jacob following three-year old Jacob Phillip Owen (Nathan and Robyn's son) now aka Aussie Jakey. Texas Jake is the first nephew on my side of the family and our fourth overall joining our niece Emma Kate and nephews Jacob Phillip and Archer Maxwell on the Owen side in Oz. Big congrats to Jen and Freddie!

33 and Pregnant

I really love birthdays and today we celebrate my 33rd which happens to coincide with the beginning of my 2nd trimester - Exciting times! We have had a great and busy week leading up to today filled with lots of dinners, lunches and brunches out with friends, some very generous gifts from family, my first prenatal yoga class and an ultrasound yesterday. It was so awesome to see very active little baby Owen (aka Weezie) doing flips and waving for the camera, followed by a nap while sucking his or her thumb. Can't wait to see him or her again at our next appointment in a few weeks. Better run as Rich has a full day of celebrating planned starting with lunch at the Four Seasons followed by cake and games with friends! Making the most of this last birthday before becoming a mom!

Weezie stats at 11weeks/5days: 5cm long; heartbeat 171bpm.

Nickname In Utereo

For the time being, Kristin and I have decided on naming Baby Owen; Lil Weezie.

Lil' Weezie (AKA: Lil Wayne, Dwayne Carter, Young Weezie and Weezie) is a rapper and a musical genuis. I read an interesting article about him in Rolling Stone soon after finding out Kristin was pregnant. He was touted and being the 'Best Rapper Alive'. Sadly, he is currently serving a 9 month stint in jail on some trumped up weapons charges. He is due to be released around the time Kristin is due, which is part of the reason behind the in utereo nickname for Baby Owen. To learn more about Lil Wayne go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lil_Wayne

Kristin had a bit of trepidation w. the nickname at first but liked the correlation that he and our unborn child were both stuck on the 'inside' for 9 months, learning and growing as a person in that time. I've been noticing it's catching on quite a bit with her recently. There were other options but Lil Weezie has won out for the time being over the others.

The real name of Baby Owen will be kept under wraps until birth.

Let us know of any interesting in utereo nicknames you may have heard over the years. A few of our friends with young ones have had some cute in utereo nicknames including Nubbin and Sprinks. If you have not already done so, I encourage you to vote on the sex of Lil Weezie, although this most likely will not influence the outcome.