Tracking Family Growth

Today we start the documentation of Mom and Dad's growth over the next 8 months. As you can see from the pictures, we will call these ones "baseline." As it becomes applicable, we will add amounts of weight gained. Let's hope Mom's weight gain exceeds Dad's.

On the baby development front, here's what's new:

Facial features are starting to develop. Baby has eyes (on the side of the head), a nose, and mouth. Under the nose (where most people have an indentation) there is still a gap--if this does not close normally a baby will have a cleft lip/palate. Luckily, this closes in most babies. Baby Florek can expect this development next week or so. Nostrils are also forming this week and next. The lungs are developing--there is a trachea and right and left primary bronchi (the main airways going into the lungs). Hands and feet are coming along, though they are still more like little paddles than fingers and toes! Right now the abdominal cavity is too small for its intestines to fit inside, so they are partially outside baby's body. Baby Florek is approximately 5mm, about the size of a lentil. Cute, huh?

We've been getting a lot of questions about school and whether our plans are going to change with a baby on the way. So far we plan on finishing on time in 4 years (Spring 2009). We do have a flexible MD program at UMD so that we can take up to 6 years to graduate without paying any extra tuition, but as of now we aren't planning on utilizing that option. Next year we are probably participating in a rural program for 9 months where we will live in either Owatonna (near Kristi's family) or Buffalo (near Matt's family) and each work one-on-one with a family practice doctor. This is a nice option for us because we will have a more "normal" schedule (8am-5pm) than if we went to the Minneapolis campus (any and all hours of the day and night). This rural program will allow us to be home more with baby and be more flexible if someone needs to stay home with a sick baby. We will welcome votes toward either Owatonna or Buffalo...grandparents, this is your time to lobby for your town!