Just had our second ultrasound and found out we’re having a boy. There was some question as to whether we would wait to find out now or at the birth. Cameron wanted to wait and I didn’t see the point in doing so. At the last minute she had a change of heart. I think it’s when she saw the little foot.
There are pictures that I’ll post as soon as we get back home, I’m updating this from the doctor’s office.
This morning Cameron and I drove down to the Southpoint Casino to attend the BabyTime Expo. We were lured by their colorful website and attractive offers of valuable information for parents of newborns and infants. I was expecting something along the lines of a gun show, or a boat show, with the operative focus on babies. I’ve never attended a baby expo, but I’ve attended plenty of other shows that revolve around shooting things, driving things, or computing things, so I felt this was a fair expectation.
What I was not expecting, was something far more… pathetic. For the most part, I was correct. It was arranged as a typical trade show focused on babies and there were a number of vendors in the exhibit hall displaying wares related to the care and nurturing on infants. Given the size of the crowd waiting to get into the exhibit hall though, I was more than a little underwhelmed to discover the actual size of the show.
The exhibit space appeared to be right around 15k sqf. What vendors were present didn’t seem to have the focus that you would normally associated with a trade show that has a noun in its name. Alternating with exhibits on over priced gimmick blankets and sippy cups, were booths devoted to landscaping, Mary Kay cosmetics, and California Balsamic Vinegar.
I’m not using hyperbole when I claim that we spent more time in line waiting to buy tickets, than we did actually in the show room. I took some pictures that were intended to display the disparity between the length of the entrance line and the volume of vendors, but in the end it didn’t even seem worth the trouble.
As the due date approaches, I’m finding myself more and more interested in the gear that a baby needs. The last few days I’ve been fixated on strollers for some reason. Following the reccomendation of a friend, I started looking at BOB Strollers and while perusing their website, caught myself exclaiming out loud, “Oh Sweet!”
This is a situation I never really expected to find myself in. If you had told me, even a year ago, that I would be researching technical specifications on a baby stroller, and doing so voluntarily, I likely would have scoffed. And it would have been a loud and mirthful scoffing.
Yet, here I am.
So, let me share. The BOB Revolution is a three wheel folding stroller constructed of a nylon material slung over a welded frame and includes a five point safety harness for the little passenger. The large wheels have composite rims and sit on a suspension that offers 3 inches of travel. The front wheel swivels to deliver some startling maneuverability and can be locked into place for straight travel when you don’t want the wheel to bind. Additionally the wheels have sealed hubs on quick detach axles, a foot actuated parking brake as well as a handbrake for those quick stop situations. A safety wrist strap attaches below the center of gravity to prevent run away strollers and doubles as a securing strap when the stroller is folded.
All that in only 23lbs. AND! It come in several color options, including a subdued black and khaki, just in case the Bean and I find ourselves in a tactical scenario.
As if that wasn’t enough, it has a host of accesories such as an infant car seat adaptor and a cargo kit that transforms the stroller into a handy carry all once your toddler is too old to want to ride. The more I read about this thing, the more I want one for myself, so that some kind giant can push me around.
For a few years now Cameron and I have doted on our special puppy, Puddles, and given her all the love and attention that we would a child. It’s kinda sappy. She is a really cute dog though, just look at those coal eyes, and the floppy attentive ears, and the button sized snuffler. She’s adorable!
Despite how much we love that her, it’s weird to treat a dog like your child. So we decided to get a baby. 
Here’s our first picture of the baby, taken at 13 weeks. We’re calling it Bean for right now. This ultrasound photo was taken a little while ago, and we’re up to nearly 4 months now. We’ve got another ultrasound scheduled for the end of May, and we’ll have another picture available then.
