First doctor's appointment

JH is getting his first check-up this morning. We didn't want to scare another doctor, so no big camera pix (only camera phone).

Yet, Jack Henry is becoming a chunky monkey as he weighed in at 6 lbs 11 oz and his length remained the same (19 3/4 inches). I suppose we are going to be weened off of the metric system for he measurements. ;)

And if Jack Henry is going to visit his doctor, he can at least enjoy the view from his appointment room... time to watch the LifeFlight helicopter take off!

Oh, to be born today

When Elaine was first admitted into the hospital on January 4th, we were quite worried about what was to come. We didn't know if something eminent was about to happen with our son about to be delivered or not. So many things were flying at us so, so quickly.

Actually, we had just found out a little more than a week prior to expect a boy as Elaine's 20-week ultrasound had errantly led us to expect a little girl, which, of course, would have been a great delight just the same.

(Note to prospective parents: before you run out and buy pink everything when you are told that you are expecting a little girl, please realize that the 20-week ultrasound is correct only 80% of the time. We didn't run out to purchase pink thingies, but with the timing of life, Christmas happened to be the Tuesday before the follow-up 24-week ultrasound. Surprise, surprise, surprise! Oh, and if you happen to be wishing and hoping for a little boy, you should visit this doctor as he has a knack for bringing 'em home as he has three sons himself!)


So lots and lots of things running around our little brains as we are trying to balance elation, anticipation, fear, anxiety, hope, and, aw shucks, just slip your own favorite five adjectives here.

Since we were told not to pass go and not to collect $200, we went to the triage station on the 5th floor at Memorial Hermann where we happened to meet a wonderful soul in Nurse Melissa. As with many things in life, we can look back and see where the Holy Spirit intervenes and provides answers to questions yet asked. Nurse Melissa was the perfect medicine of comfort, patience and understanding. Even when she stabbed (just kidding, Nurse Melissa!!!), er, gave Elaine a 2 1/2 inch-long needle of steriods to the bum, she was soothing and helpful. (FYI - the steriods shot was to help Jack Henry's lungs to mature earlier than normal, not for him to hit 72 homeruns in a season - but it couldn't hurt!)

On Elaine's second night in the hospital, a very frightening scream was let out by a woman in the next room to ours. We knew right away what had happened as this triggered a flood of memories from the premature loss of our daughter four years prior.


With her mind focused on the desire to bring a child home, never once did Elaine complain during her modified bed rest prior to admission to the hospital, much less during her hospital stay. Through the many, many drugs that lead to tiredness, inability to focus her eyes, acid reflux, muscle soreness, etc, Elaine did whatever was necessary for Jack Henry to proceed along in utero. Odd as the doctors may have felt it to be, Elaine plugged ahead with working after I set up a wireless network in her hotel, um, hospital room. ;) One wonderful nurse after another (Stephanie, Nancy, Christina, Lara, Liz, to name a few) took wonderful care of us by helping us get a mini-fridge in the room, a TV-DVD combo, extra pillows and eggcrate for her mattress.

The days and weeks ahead moved slowly, but steadily. (The wine and beer in the room helped - a lot! Seriously.) Soon enough a month passed and Jack Henry chose to show up on the scene.

While this seems to be a retrospective of the month of January, during Elaine's time in the hospital sitting on the egg, we prayed and hoped that Jack Henry would wait for his debut closer to his original due date of mid-April.

When it became apparent that the time horizon was shrinking for the big day, I spoke with Dr. Cook about how great it would be for Jack Henry to be born on February 29th. Elaine didn't seem to agree with Dr. Cook and myself about the merits. To think, no one would ever forget his birthday, he would always have a built in ice breaker - loads of fun!

Obviously, it wasn't to be - no matter how much I tried to bribe the birth certificate people to make a slight change. Ha! Dr. Cook said that many parents prefer not to be born on a leap day.

This is my question to all of you - would you prefer to be born on a leap day or would you allow your child to be born February 29th? And if so, would you go the route of celebrating the birthday quadrennially or shift the date plus or minus one day?

Another really cool doctor

I'm pretty lucky to have a neonatologist who is immensely patient with my parents. :)


Dr. Ursula Nawab, who moved down to Houston during a real representative time of year weather-wise (October), always goes out of her way to answer the numerous, numerous, numerous questions that they have. Did I say numerous? And yes, Houston's summers are just like Philly / South Jersey from what my parents tell me.

Since she's cool to visit with, my parents have been talking her ears off on all things Houston - everything from the rodeo to the various outdoor activities around town to the various regional wineries. (Dr. Ursula - the previous links are for you since my parents probably overloaded you.)

Now, Dr. Ursula has promised that she's going to grab dinner and a glass of wine with them one day to tell them about all of the things they should have been scared about, but she has been nice enough not to tell them about yet.

Plus, after a bottle of wine, they can then try to talk her into babysitting me... it would be part of follow-up research, right?

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Doc Ursula - since you're new to the area, my parents now have a good excuse to go get dosa at Bombay Sweets with you.

Oh, my Daddy says that he would have still written a nice post about you regardless of the outcome on the indomethacin treatment. Giggles!

The best doctors in town

Without a doubt, the best Ob/Gyn doctors in town are at the Ob/Gyn Centre of Houston.

Not only do Dr. Cook, Dr. Nanda and Dr. Melhelm provide excellent care, I cannot imagine a more personable and friendly group of physicians. Each doctor has visited with Elaine and I for her check-ups along the way as well as provided direction when we needed it so often. Yet, most of all, these guys, Paul, Roz and Z (sorry for the informality - ha!) are just great people. Whether it was a movie tip from Dr. Nanda to a interesting discussion quickly ranging from Middle East politics to sports with Dr. Cook, each visit with them was a joy that we looked forward to.

One last thought, when you visit their practice, be sure to remember two things: Dr. Cook is a true, good bull Ag, and Dr. Nanda LOVES Appalachian State!