There is something in there...

The kid is alive. I feel bad because I've become what I didn't want to be...the parent that was super excited about their firstborn and took an insane amount of pictures/videos throughout the whole process and now ignores the second one because blogging is the biggest pain...ever. But, here is a video that shows there is some movement. Fetuses are probably the most stubbornly uncooperative people I've been around, so the video is over 2 minutes long. I think there is a total of 4 seconds of movement in that, so watch it, but skip ahead to like the 35 second mark and then the 1:45. Enjoy those 4 seconds of fetus-moving bliss. Otherwise you'll just be watching Jaime's stomach for 1 minute 54 seconds. I know I could watch that big beautiful belly all day. Awww...I'm such a charmer.



On another note. Everyone within the sound of my digital voice...convince Jaime that she is already the strongest woman you know and she doesn't need to prove that by having a natural childbirth! I fear for our relationship. I am not a compassionate person. As I write this, she keeps coughing from some phlegm she's had stuck in her throat for a week, and it is DRIVING ME CRAZY! Don't worry. She already knows. I've given her plenty of dirty looks.

We went and saw a Doula this week who is a friend of ours. She was asking me what I fear about the labor. She asked if it might be the blood and fluids flying all over the room which would make me pass out (she didn't say it like that at all). But that's not the case. I've seen all that before. I did watch Tess coming out, even though I promised I wouldn't. I wish all I feared was the nastiness. For me, it's seeing the one person I love more than anything going through the most unimaginable pain, and I have to just sit there and watch and say things like: "You're almost there!"..."That was a good push, you can do this!"..."Oh the humanity! It has tentacles!"

I have full confidence in Jaime being able to do a natural birth. I want her to feel that sense of accomplishment. I'm the one that has me worried. I feel like I can handle my own pain pretty well, but not hers. I'm a lot scared about seeing Jaime in that much pain and just being the one she leans on. Plus when I try to console someone, I sound like a condescending little league coach who is coaching as a form of community service: "You can do this slugger! Walk it off!"

I'm really not a good coach or cheering section. When I go to sporting events--even to see my favorite teams--I basically just sit there the entire time and clap now and again. No yelling. No motivational chants. Jaime definitely trumps my favorite teams, but at Tessa's birth, it was the same story. I was just the moron standing next to the bed clapping with an idiotic, horrified glare in his eyes. The only time I get excited and yell seems to be at little league basketball events--thanks for that awesomely embarrassing gene, Dad! So, Jaime, I'll probably be yelling at the doctor a lot more than helping you! It's gonna be such a mess, but I think that's the only way for me to get through it. "What are you blind, Doc! That was a travel!" He/she is going to be confused for the rest of his/her life why this one moron of a father kept calling double dribble on him/her. Anyone else freaked out about this birth? It's only like 7 weeks away people! Get your heads in the game! Anyone know what hospital we're going to? Jaime is keeping it a secret from me for some reason. Treasure hunts and adventures always make for the best births.

Anyhow, it looks like we're going to do a natural birth. Jaime told me a few weeks ago something like: "I'm never gonna climb Mt. Everest. I'm never gonna run a marathon. But this could be my Everest or marathon." I love this lady! So, Jaime, I'll do my best to be the Tenzing Norgay to your Edmund Hillary (or vice versa depending on which culture is telling the story). Awwww...I'm such a charmer.

We've been learning Spanish...

Here is our little genius speaking espanich:

Can you believe we have barely taught here any spanish at all? Some of us here (and by that I mean all of us) don't wake up in time to make it to church at 9am. We are always a little late (and by a little, I mean a lot). So, after our regular church, we've been attending the Spanish branch to partake of the sacrament. It's been nice seeing if I can still spanish. But alas I'm not very spanishy.

After church each week, I ask Tess if she knows spanish, and she usually says yes and mumbles something like: "luhluhluh lohl lohl luh." Recently she has started what you saw in the video. If you ask her how to say something in spanish, she'll repeat what you said, but with a scrunched up face while speaking in a lower voice. And that is spanish.

This little charmer...

Tess is starting off the Valentine's charm early this year:

"Dad, I just love you because I thought I was going to get money."

she often strings together words that make sentences but don't mean what she is trying to say. I'm going to assume this is one if those cases. Sorry, Tess, I don't have any money!