An inside glimpse to family madness…
PreSpeck
06/07/06 Checkup (40 weeks and 2 days)
Jun 8th
Tick Tock Tick Tock Tick Tock…… you get the point.
Speck is in no hurry to vacate the premises, so we must continue to wait.
Speck, Mommy and Daddy went to see Doc Jeanie today for what would have been the last appt before speck’s arrival, but don’t hold your breath 
Doc Jeanie said nature has finally started to take it’s course. Progress is being made and we thank the powers that be for it. Doc Jeanie was very glad to see the progress and allowed for Speck and mommy to wait it out till next week, if nothing happens before then. Doc Jeanie ordered a couple of tests for mommy to take before she left the hospital. (Secretly mommy was very glad about this, as mommy was rather nervous about going into the hopsital to be induced.)
One was a Non-Stress Test which is done to assess the well-being of the baby in utero if there is reason to suspect that the baby may not be thriving. Non-stress testing involves monitoring the fetal heartrate elctronically for 20-30 minutes and seeing how the rhythm changes in response to stimulation such as fetal movement, sounds and vibrations, or uterine contractions that normally occur in late pregnancy. Nurse Laurie said Speck passed with flying colors. Speck is doing well in her current home and is very comfortable. During this test mommy actually got to differentiate between a contraction and the urge to run to the restroom. It was actually quite exciting.
The other test was an AFI. Amniotic Fluid Index is an estimate of the volume of amniotic fluid within the uterus. It is performed via ultrasound. AFI is believed by many doctors to be a good indicator of placental sufficiency. It is also used to assess fetal well-being since amniotic fluid is primarily made of of fetal urine. That also came back with good results.
Mommy was allowed to go home after she passed the tests and just wait on speck to arrive when she is ready. Mommy has her bags packed and is ready to go to the hospital any day now. We are all waiting so anxiously.
The Big Day – comes and goes
Jun 6th
June 5th 2006, came and went and still there is no sign of Speck. I am guessing she’s happy to stay where she is for now. We shall wait patiently for the speck till wednesday and then “ve will use udder vays”.
Speck’s Nursery Floor
Jun 5th
Daddy whom we love so much, has finished laying down the wood floors in Speck’s Nursery. Daddy spent the entire weekend laying the floor and finishing up the room. Doesn’t it look absolutely beautiful. Speck is so lucky to have such a wonderful daddy. 
Congratulations to Cousin Lauren and Zachary
Jun 3rd
The ceremony was held at the Ponte Winery in Temecula on June 2nd 2006. It was a beautiful ceremony and the bride and groom as you can see looked absolutely gorgeous.
Speck and the family send Lauren and Zachary love and kisses and best wishes for a very happy long life together.
Apparently plans can change.
Jun 1st
What should have been the last appointment, might not be after all.
Statistically speaking, only 5 – 7 % of all babies actually arrive on their due date. So obviously mommy and daddy plan for speck’s arrival on Tada “June 5th, 2006″ as per the doc’s due date. Yeah Speck’s NOT on the same page of that book.
Knowing what horrid procrastinators her parents are i think she has decided to give us a little taste of our own medicine.
05/31/06 Checkup (39 weeks and 2 days)
Jun 1st
1 Mississippi, 2 mississippi, 3 mississippi…….38 mississippi, 39 mississippi, and we’re almost there.
So we had an ultrasound today to check for fetal positioning. Speck is “seated” in the right direction and all vitals seem good. We almost got a picture but then speck got ancy and decided not to pose for the camera anymore. No worries because speck will be welcomed into the world pretty soon.
After the ultrasound we headed to Doc Jeanie’s office. All of mommy’s vitals were checked and they seemed good. Blood pressure was 124/60, weight a bit high, but we’ll worry about that later, and of course Sugar levels looked good too. Speck’s heartbeat was measured in the 130 bpm.
Now when Doc Jeanie “checked” mommy (so to speak) she said that speck doesn’t seem to want to leave on her own and so the verdict was, if mommy does not go into labor on her own before monday Doc jeanie suggested coaxing speck out of her quarters.
After a little back and forth with Doc Jeanie it has been decided that the fateful day mommy goes into the hospital is gonna be 06/07/06 Wednesday.
Next scheduled appt is Wednesday 06/07/06. Speck and mommy will be admitted into the hospital soon after.
05/24/06 Checkup (38 weeks and 2 days)
May 25th
And we begin counting down. Not too many of these appointments left.
Appointment went very well as usual. Heartbeat in the 130 bpm range, measuring right, sugar levels are still awesome, and blood pressure looks right on target. Mommy is as healthy as can be. Woohoo!!!
Doc said she could feel the head, so that means speck is in position but she ordered an Ultrasound for next week to get a handle on the specs of SPECK. (heh okie i came up with that one all by myself) Doc Jeanie also said that speck will prolly be about a 7 lb plus baby. Right on target so they say.
Oh yeah i almost forgot, mommy did not put on any weight this past week which is a sign also. (dunno for what but it’s a sign) Doc Jeanie said mommy has done pretty well in the weight gain department throughout the pregnancy. (gracefully accepting the words of encouragement.)
Next appointment scheduled for May 31st 2006. We will also have an ultrasound on that day.
05/17/06 Checkup (37 weeks and 2 days)
May 18th
Appointment went well as usual. Knock on wood we haven’t had a bad one yet.
Blood pressure – normal, Heartrate in the 140 bpm range, Weight is looking good. Stomach measuring just right.
Speck still hasn’t moved into the arrival position, and so we are just going to wait it out. There is no dialation at all. I guess she likes where she is.
We have an ultrasound scheduled for Wednesday 05/24/06 for our 38 week checkup. Doc Jeanie will then know the true position of Speck. And will then decide what needs to be done.
Mother’s Day
May 15th
Since Speck isn’t here yet this would not be an official mother’s day for mommy. But mommy and daddy did take Grandma out to dinner for mother’s day. Grandma is Mommy’s mommy and i can honestly say she is the best mommy in the whole world. We obviously included Speck in the celebration. 
Here’s Grandma, Mommy and Daddy
Here’s Daddy and Mommy. Mommy’s really carrying Speck, but daddy didn’t want to feel left out.
Mommy, Daddy and Speck got home and called Mom Mom Brenda and Mom Mom Barb to wish them both a very happy mother’s day also.
05/10/06 Checkup (36 weeks and 2 days)
May 10th
Things are well as reported by Doc Jeanie. Speck’s heartbeat measured at 130 bpm. Blood Pressure and sugar levels reported normal also.
Doc Jeanie did say that she was unable to feel speck’s head via a “physical exam” so we’re to assume she has not, as you say flipped over yet. I believe we will have an ultrasound at 38 weeks if Doc is still unable to feel speck’s head. But mommy was reassured that there is nothing to worry about. After all babies are always on their own schedule.
Next checkup is scheduled for May 17th 2006.
Childbirth Prep Classes
May 7th
Mommy and Daddy are now officially aware of what will happen when speck is ready to make an appearance.
The Mommy and Daddy attended Childbirth preperation classes at the West Houston Medical Birthing Center which is where Speck shall be born. They got a hospital tour and even got a peak at the nursery where Speck will be spending the first couple of days of her life.
Taking the tour brought mommy even closer to the realization that speck’s arrival is right around the corner. Mommy kind of had it all planned that speck would arrive on the predetermined date but alas such might not be the case. Mommy learned that only 7% of babies actually arrive on their scheduled due date. Most are either anywhere upto 2 weeks early or 2 weeks late or anywhere in between. This is something mommy is going to prepare herself for from here on out.
Regardless of what day Speck arrives, she will be given a welcome fit for a princess.
05/05/06 ONE MONTH LEFT
May 5th
ONE MORE MONTH LEFT!!!
wow it seems like yesterday that stick turned blue or pink or mommy saw one or two lines. Mommy took so many tests, she can’t even count. It was like OMG!! NO WAY!! HOW EVER COULD THIS BE!!
And now the time is quickly approaching for Speck’s much awaited arrival. Mommy hopes this month goes as well as all the other months have. Mommy is really gonna miss having to share everything with Speck but she is also waiting to hold speck in her arms and hug her and squeeze her and bite her cheeks.
Speck is gonna be the luckiest little baby in the world and mommy is going to the luckiest mommy in the world. Speck and Mommy just know it.
"666" sense: Date marked with caution
May 3rd
On Sunday I read this article by the Denver Post (click Title above to read):
While some say June 6, 2006, is a day to fear for its biblical significance, officials see little to dread.
I wonder if they realize that Speck is due about that day? Talk about fear! Be afraid! Be very afraid!
I’ve suggested to Deviya that if she goes into labor on 6/6/6 she better hold the baby in until 12:01 am on the 7th 
Speck’s First Sports Lesson
May 3rd
Everyday brings a little surprise in the world of Speck. Today was no different, except this one is definitely worth mentioning.
Speck’s parents have no interest in sports but some of speck’s relatives are serious fans. One in particular, Aunt Maria, has decided to take on the daunting task of properly educating Speck in the way of Football. The first sports lesson of Speck’s life is that the “Pittsburgh Steelers are the best football team on the planet”. And to make sure that Speck learns and remembers this piece of information, Aunt Maria, a small reminder has been sent for speck.
04/26/2006 Checkup ( 34 weeks and 2 days)
Apr 27th
All things well at yet another regular check up. Speck and mommy are apparently doing very well according to Dr. Jeanie and Nurse Veronica. Blood pressure, Sugar levels, heartrate among other things look good.
Mommy learned something new today about the correalation of the size of the belly to how far along in the pregnancy she is. Apparently the length (buldge) of the belly (top to bottom) measured in centimeteres is same as your progress in weeks. Mommy measured at 34 inches and some and mommy is 34 weeks and 2 days along. Isn’t that a neat little fact.
Next check up on Wednesday 05/10/06.
04/12/2006 Checkup ( 32 weeks and 2 days)
Apr 13th
Mommy & Speck went to see Dr Jeanie for their scheduled appointment. Everything looks great. Nurse Veronica measured Speck’s heartbeat in the 140 bpm range. Blood Pressure looks good, and so do the sugar levels. Doc Jeanie asked Mommy if speck was giving any trouble, and mommy beamed back “Speck has been the most perfect baby.” So far Speck has given mommy no major heartburn, no back aches, or swollen feet or anything that would make mommy uncomfortable.
Dr Jeanie suggested mommy get her bags packed for the hospital. So mommy will work on getting that together this month. Along with getting all the stuff speck is going need when she gets here. Shopping for Speck woohoo
Speck is almost here and mommy is getting really excited. It feels like yesterday that mommy found out that she was gonna have a speck of her own.
Speck is shaking things up
Apr 9th
Well we are happy to report that Speck is shakin up a whole bunch in the mommy. Of late (say about the past week or a tad more) mommy has been paying alot more attention to the Speck and what do you know Speck’s a mover and a shaker. Speck has been more active in the past few days than ever before. It almost feel like she wants to be a part of everything already. The mommy is obviously facinated by this sudden surge of energy in Speck and welcomes it. Mommy can’t wait to hold the speck and spoil the Speck and love the Speck forever, but till then mommy is gonna enjoy this special connection. Mommy’s maternal instinct is finally kicking in. WooHoo!!
(So obviously mommy woke up this morning with the warm and fuzzies and wanted to share)
03/28/2006 Checkup ( 30 weeks and 1 day)
Mar 28th
Speck is doing great and growing per schedule. Speck’s heartbeat measured in the 140s. Mommy is still not feeling the speck as much as the doc would like but alls well for the most part.
Dr. Jeanie did a quick ultrasound again to reassure the mommy, that speck was doing fine. Mommy saw speck move her legs around and also saw the little speck’s heart beating. Everything looked perfect. Speck will be in the apple of mommy’s eye for a lifetime to come.
Mommy is getting so excited about speck meeting everyone in the world. Well okay not EVERYONE, but atleast the people anxious to meet speck. And the people that mommy and daddy approve of.
Next followup – 4/12/06
Mommy’s Birthday – 3/24/06
Mar 25th
Today is speck’s mommy’s birthday. Mommy took the day off so she could catch up with some old friends and also show speck off a little. After all the world will revolve around the speck for a long time to come.
Mommy had breakfast at her favorite place (Le Peep) with Lisa (who was mommy’s first friend when she moved here) and trish (who is one of mommy’s closest friends.) Lisa and Mommy had met after a long time and mommy got to introduce speck.
Take a look at lisa and mommy and speck.
here’s trish and mommy and speck.Happy St. Patrick’s Day
Mar 17th
Today is St. Patrick’s day but it also happens to be one of Speck’s Greatgrandfather’s birthday. “Daddy” as we all lovingly called him, passed away many years. Mommy was only 6 yrs old but she remembers her “Daddy” very well. As mommy was his first grandaughter and grandchild, she shared a very special relationship with her “Daddy”. He will always hold a very special place in mommy’s heart. And so on his birthday he is remembered by all who loved him dearly.