And it begins…

Since I love to cook, one of my big questions for Dr. S was, “Where can we get good, healthy ideas for meals to prepare?”

Her answer: The American Diabetes Association.

If you’re like me, you probably have no idea what you’re looking at the first time you see an ultrasound.

If your wife is anything like mine, she sees the embryo’s head, arms, legs, fingers, eyelashes, wrinkles and dimples. She might also decide on a nice earth tone color to use to paint the uterine wall, maybe even crown molding and baseboards.

Here is my first-time father’s interpretation of the vaginal utrasound:

Interpreting the Ultrasound: Click to Enlarge

Click to enlarge

We had our first visit with Dr. S, our OB at 8 a.m. this morning. Everything went great! We had a nice, long chat with her – we were inundated with information, all of our questions were answered and, most importantly, we both felt comfortable.

I quickly realized how, no matter how much the dad tries to be involved, he’s limited to a supportive role. Our doctor addressed Elise directly most of the time, only looking at me when addressing my limited questions. At first I felt ignored and started to get disgruntled. I had to remind myself that it wasn’t my uterus that was needing to be discussed at this juncture.

After our consultation it was off to the ultrasound room. We waited for five minutes or so as Elise filled out paperwork. The doctor came in and it was time for the ultrasound.

I had never heard of a vaginal ultrasound in my days. I always thought an ultrasound was the grocery store bar code scanner that the doctor lubed up with some KY and slapped on the mama’s belly. Nooooo… not this ultrasound. The particular ultrasound device was a robotic phallus that I will not-effectionately refer to as Mr. Howdy.

The physician’s assistant turned down the lights and Dr. S turned on the ultrasound machine and turned the monitor toward us.

I was sitting calmly in a chair to the left of Elise. Dr. S quickly found the baby and immediately said, “…and there’s the little heart beating.”

I tossed the Fall issue of The Ovarian Times, which I was reading earlier, to the side and like a rocket I sprung up out of my chair and leaned way over Elise so I could get a closer view of our baby’s heart beating.

It was amazing. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. The only way I can describe it is that it looked like a little butteryfly, or an angel, flapping its wings very fast, rhythmically and peacefully.

I’ve had that image playing over and over in my head all day. While at work later this afternoon, a huge grin took over my face. I actually got a little choked up in mid-grin. I was proud and I was happy.

I breathed a deep sigh and while still grinning I thought, “Ahhh… my child. One day my child will say unto his or her friends, “my dad can be such an asshole sometimes…”"

This morning truly was an amazing experience. That was the absolute coolest thing I’ve ever witnessed. If seeing our child’s heart beating was the last thing to fall upon these eyes, I will at least know that I have witnessed divinity.

Here are the stats:
Pregnancy: 6 weeks, 6 days
EDD: April 21, 2006
Length: 0.89 cm
Next Dr.’s visit: September 29, 2005, 8:30 a.m.

On a scary note: Elise has an ovarian cyst. Yeah, that’s what we thought at first. The cyst is 3.5 cm but this is apparently normal in a lot of pregnacies due to the last ovulation. It’s supposed to dissolve in the next few weeks. Dr. S will take another look at it during our next visit.

Everything is going great. We’re excited and we can’t wait to start telling everyone.

The mom-to-be is fairing well. I, on the otherhand, am not as hot.

It first started Sunday night. I couldn’t sleep. I think I finally fell asleep a few minutes before the alarm sounded. I’ve been sleeping a little as the week has progressed, but haven’t been getting good sleep. Elise has been sleeping soundly every night.

On Monday evening we went for a walk. My stomach immediately started cramping. It hurt almost to the point where it affected my breathing. It felt like I was being stabbed in the abdomen. Elise’s stomach has been fine.

I ate two ice cream sandwiches last night. Seldom will you find me eating ice cream. Two ice cream sandwiches is beyond me. Elise is eating carrots, spinach, broccoli, yogurt, cereal, soups, etc. etc. plus whatever nutritious meals I cook at night. I’ve been eating ice cream.

I’m irritable and cranky. Elise is sound as a pound.