So, here's the spreadsheet we used in trying to pick a name for Dean. We went through a lot of choices until we narrowed it down to just a few.

Then, at the hospital, we just picked a name that hadn't even made it to the final round. Awesome.

We had a Level 2 Ultrasound this morning and everything looks good. A Level 2 Ultrasound is a more detailed examination that looks for specific birth defects, and measures the baby's growth. The sizes seemed within expected range. The only potential concern was that the baby was moving around quite a bit so they weren't able to see the heart quite as well as they would have liked. All four chambers were there, as well as the arteries and veins. The doctor said that it's very much a "we'd like to see this better" rather than a "we're seeing something that concerns us". The baby also made it rather apparent that despite many people's (mine own included) gut feelings, the baby is, in fact, a boy. Woo-hoo! So it'll be all baseball and ponies from here instead of ponies and baseball. (Who doesn't like ponies and baseball.)

Guess What?

Yep.

One of my best friends, Katie is having a baby tomorrow. The baby was due Tuesday, so they're inducing. I'm very excited for Katie and her husband Chris and I think they'll be fantastic parents. I'm looking forward to watching this baby grow and learn and do all those things that babies do that are very cute (and absolutely disgusting when anyone over 5 does them). But I have to admit to feeling some trepidation. Memories of Aiden's birth are coming back to me, and it's a little bit hard to sort out the joy that I'm feeling for Katie and Chris, from the scars that I will always carry. On the other hand, I'm ready for a reminder of how magical these tiny little people are.

Best of luck to Katie and Chris and the new little one who will be here soon.

UPDATE
Thomas Donald Pottroff
Born July 23, 2007
6:01pm
7lbs 5oz
21"

Mother and Baby are home and doing well.

October 15th is International Pregancy and Infant Loss Awareness day. Please take time to learn about how many people have felt this loss, and that they don't "get over it"... ever. If you know someone who has lost a child, remind them that you are thinking of them, and their child. They need your love every day. My wish for everyone is that this is the way that they will gain awareness of infant and pregancy loss, rather than the way we have.