Table of Contents

Baby FAQ

1. How did this happen?

Normally. For a detailed explanation, ask your parents, or visit this link

2. What is the estimated due date?

January 31, 2005

3. Is this an accident?

See Question 9

4. Who knew first?

Because all of you know that the people who know first are the people we love the most, here is the list:

God

Various righteous, deceased relatives

The gleam in Jeri's eye (anthropomorphic personification)

The gleam in Randy's eye (anthropomorphic personification)

Jerusha

Randy

The cashier at Target where we purchased the pregnancy tests

The pregnancy tests - yes, more than one (anthropomorphic personification)

And so on - there are too many others to list

It's kind of sad that the cashier at Target knew before most other people - It's obvious that we love Target more than anyone else.

5. Why now?

An excellent question. Basically, we finally figured out question 1

6. Are you happy?

Yes.

7. What flavor is your offspring?

Well, Jerusha is very worried that the baby will be a (gasp) Libertarian, and Randy worries about the long term effects of the liberal Democrat environment in Massachusetts - Oh, you mean gender? It's a girl! We are really excited about having a girl - Randy wants a Powerpuff Girl - Preferably Blossom, but any will do

8. What took you so long?

Randy will field this one - He says “Not enough sex.”

9. How long have you been trying? Is this planned?

Well, we've been having intimate relations for 6 3/4 years, so, technically we have been trying for 6 3/4 years. As for the planning, we can only quote the poet Robert Burns: “The best laid schemes o' Mice an' Men, Gang aft agley.”

10. Why did you lie / obfuscate recently when asked point blank "Are you pregnant?"

Well, we lie to those we love, so, we must love you a lot.

11. Was it hard to keep a secret?

Yes.

12. Do you have travel plans?

Well, no travel for Christmas because it's too close to the due date, and limited travel for Thanksgiving due to the basic discomfort of being pregnant. We are planning on traveling to Arizona for the blessing next Spring, but that is still up in the air.

13. Do you have a name picked out?

Guen wants Dodohead, Keith votes for Bracelet, and Karissa wants Princess. Jerusha currently calls her “The Creature”, but is entertaining other possibilities such as “Stinky II” and “The Pill”. Randy has taken to calling her “The Girl” and “Orsina”.

14. Do you have pictures?

Why, yes we do! Thanks for asking. Click here for the latest ultrasound pictures

15. Does Jerusha experience any morning sickness?

No, of course not, why do you ask? Jerusha never, ever gets sick. Ever. Next question please.

16. Doesn't pregnancy last for ten months, not nine?

No, no and no.
No.
Some math:
A full term pregnancy is measured from the first day of the last period to expected birth date and is specified as 40 weeks. 40 weeks equals 280 days.
9 months (in days) ranges from 273 days (February to October) to 275 days (March to November), or, 39 weeks to 39 weeks and 3 days.
Therefore, the normal human gestational period, measured from the first day of the last period is 9 months, one week.
Furthermore, conception does not happen on the first day of the last period. If this were true, every menstruating woman is technically pregnant during each menstrual period. Usually conception happens 10 to 14 days after the first day of the last period, so a more accurate gestational period is 8 months, 3 weeks. This is why 9 months is considered a good estimate of a full term pregnancy.

There are two math mistakes many people make:
1. Dividing the 40 week gestation period by 4 (4 weeks in a month). If there were actually 4 weeks in a month, we would have 13 months in a year, and all of the months would be as short as February.
2. Not accounting for the 10-14 day long “not pregnant yet” beginning of the pregnancy.

17. What can I do for you?

Be happy and and stay in touch.

18. Can I come visit?

Maybe. Call first and ask if it's OK. Do not assume you can just make plans and then call up to inform us of your visit without asking. Not only is this usually considered rude, but we may not be available when you come. That said, we are very happy to have visitors who follow the above procedure, so please call!

19. How is Jerusha's exercise routine coming along?

Jeri's plan for exercise is going just as planned, and is having the desired results.

20. How did the ultrasound go?

The ultrasound went very well - The baby is developing normally (heart, brain, fingers toes, spine, etc.) We even got to keep two pictures! The second ultrasound was on September 13, ad it also went well. Everything appears to be developing normally, and our future child is definitely a girl.

21. What does Jerusha think about hearts, bows, ribbons and the color pink?

What a great question, thanks for asking. Jeri does not want to offend other with her likes and dislikes, so don't be offended by the following. Pink as a theme is a big no, but pink itself is not bad. Bows, ribbons, hearts and other “girl” icons are allowed in moderation, and preferably not in pink.

22. How is the baby's exercise program progressing?

We are so proud of our little girl - she has taken up kick-boxing, and practices 5-6 hours daily (an olympic schedule!). We have already reserved tickets and a hotel room for the Summer Olympics in 2024.