We're Having a Girl!

That's right - that is a picture of my baby girl. She still has a few months before she can prove that she's the cutest and smartest princess to walk the face of this earth. That means I still have a bit of time to get my gun permit and take those taekwondo lessons.

As we were walking into the room to get THE sonogram, I really had no expectation or preference as to the sex. The sonogram technician had a trainee, so it took a little longer to take all of the various measurements before they got to the question we have been waiting to answer. Finally, after what seemed like forever, both women who were operating the machine took a look at the monitor and said, "It's a girl." Shawnna and I looked at each other and she got a tear in her eye. My first thoughts were - she's gonna be a daddy's girl - I better start liking pink - she's not going to date until she's 21 - what the heck do girls like to do - she's going to be so spoiled - I can't wait until she's born. As we watched the monitor some more, we could see her moving her arms and legs and we saw her heart beating. It was the most amazing thing to watch and made this whole experience so real.

I can't wait to be the dad of a little baby girl and do things I could never imagine (like watch Dora the Explorer, play dress-up, buy a Barbie). I'm going to be so far out of my element that it's going to a blast learning everything I don't know yet.

25 Week Update

This week we have a new picture of me as I enter into my sixth month. As you can see, I'm getting bigger in the belly.

Today we also got our appointment for the "big" ultrasound where we find out the sex of the baby. It will be next Thursday, March 29th at 10am. So be on the lookout for an update during the afternoon of the 29th and don't forget to guess the baby's details before then.

Things are progressing nicely, I'm still able to muster up enough energy to go for walks about 4-5 times a week, and my appetite is very healthy!
Cross your fingers that all keeps going this way for the rest of the pregnancy :-). Until next week...

Monterey / Carmel Trip - March 4-5, 2007

With the impending delivery of our bundle of joy in about 4 months, Shawnna and I decided it would be a good time to take one of the last "pre-baby" trips to Monterey and Carmel.

We hit the road Sunday morning and were in Monterey with time to shop at the outlets and walk down Cannery Row before lunch. We ate at a place that Shawnna had heard about on a Rachael Ray cooking show called Cafe Fina, which is located on the Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey. I had the fish and chips while Shawnna chose the shrimp burger and we had fried calamari for an appetizer. The food was excellent and the view consisted of docked boats, kayakers and sea lions resting on rocks in the water - pretty nice.

After lunch, we drove along the coast of Monterey and Pacific Grove on our way to Carmel. We checked into our hotel which was The Normandy Inn located on Ocean Avenue in between all the shops and the ocean. We ended up getting a room in the original building (built in 1921) with a fireplace and partial ocean view.

It was very charming, quaint, etc. and yes, we actually lit a fire in the fireplace. Next, we walked all around Carmel-by-the-Sea and looked in the various shops and galleries. For dinner, we drove back to Monterey and ate at The Sardine Factory. We were sat in "The Conservatory" dining room where Shawnna ordered Chicken Baltino and I enjoyed Steak & Lobster. For dessert, we indulged in Madame Flora’s “Banana Split” Platter which had this description on the menu - Hot caramelized bananas foster & house churned gelato, such as chocolate cinnamon kahlúa, tahitian vanilla & frutti spumoni, topped with pineapple, raspberry & chocolate sauce with whipped cream & toasted nuts - Yum! After stuffing our faces, it was time to go back to Carmel where we walked a couple laps around Ocean Ave. (the shops were all closed at this point) and settled down for a warm, winter's night.

We woke up Monday morning, ate the complimentary continental breakfast at the Inn, lounged around until we had to check

out, then headed back towards Monterey. We stopped in Pacific Grove and took a long walk on the boardwalk at Asilomar Beach. The weather was so nice with the sun shining in the blue sky and ocean waves crashing on the sand - it was the perfect day. We continued driving down the coast to Monterey, made a stop at Lover's Point to soak in more of the great day and then headed back to reality. As tough as it was to come back, it was great to get away for a couple of days before our next journey begins.