Preparing for Sprout: Part I

Sometimes this little bugger absolutely amazes me. I can't believe that just 19 months ago he was small enough for me to hold in one arm. Now he's almost 31 inches tall and getting into everything.

Spud (pictured) is helping us get ready for Sprout's arrival in late August by making sure to wake us up between 2am and 4am at least twice a night, lest we become accustomed to getting sleep on a regular basis. Mrs. Hillbilly traded her GMC Sonoma in for a Saturn that will hold two car seats. She is missing her truck something terrible.

Apparently one of the screening tests came back and they moved the ultrasound up from April 6 to next week. I don't know what is going on yet because Mrs. H. only got the message on her cell phone after the clinic had closed, but they said they couldn't give her the results on the machine. It's got me a bit concerned, but being the eternal optimist, I am hoping for the best. Maybe we'll get to find out the sex sooner. It doesn't really matter to me, as long as Sprout is healthy, but Mrs. H. wants another boy so Spud isn't lonely and so she doesn't have to buy new baby stuff. That woman will pinch a penny until Abe Lincoln screams... That's why she keeps the checkbook.

So many changes coming in the next 4-6 months, it's hard not to be excited. Yes, Sprout is due to make his/her world debut around August 21, so mark your calendars. We're working out the details right now on names. The girl name was chosen back before Spud was born, Loralai Elizabeth, but the boy name is either going to be Jacob Gabriel or Gabriel Jacob. I'm leaning toward the first one. Mrs. H. wants to call him 'Jak-Jak'. I prefer Gabe, myself. Then there's hunting for a second crib, trying to get Spud potty trained before the big day (if he's willing), moving the cradle back downstairs...

Well, that's it for tonight, gang. I'll sign off for now, 'cause it's getting really late/early and I have to get up at 6am to do it all over again. Work, come home, play with the baby, put him to bed, then go to school online for 4-6 hours a night... I'll be ready for the sleep deprivation come August... Goodnight gang.