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On Sonograms, Shrinking Brains, and Undeserved Bruises

I'd like to introduce you to Sophia, future developer and blogger extraordinaire. She's only 22 weeks old, but as you can clearly tell from this picture she is very precocious. When I mentioned I was downloading Visual Studio 2008 tonight, she was so excited that she kicked and startled her Mommy. I didn't have the heart to tell her that my first attempt at installing it failed.

While waiting for Sophia to be born, I've taken it upon myself to learn a few interesting facts about pregnancy. Here's what I've gleaned so far:
  1. Women's brains actually shrink by 3-5% during pregnancy (it returns to normal size within 6 months after giving birth).
  2. Women don't seem to appreciate being reminded about this fact. For example, saying "You probably just said that because your brain is shrinking" is not likely to receive a favorable reaction.
  3. Despite the extra weight, pregnant women can still move surprisingly fast and punch extremely hard.

Besides getting Sophia's room ready, my one goal for the next 18 weeks is to teach Sophia how to do the footprint trick. I think it would be great fun at parties. Unfortunately, her mom doesn't share my enthusiasm for this endeavor.




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Print | posted on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 10:52 PM

Comments on this post

# re: On Sonograms, Shrinking Brains, and Undeserved Bruises

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Congrats Russell! You'll be a new daddy right around the same time I'm going to be a new daddy. My wife is at 23 weeks right now. Fun times....

I should be used to this by now, this is going to be my fourth child. All boys.

Yikes!

I too have noticed they still move like wildcats and punch like enraged black bears. It's uncanny.
Left by George Clingerman on Nov 21, 2007 8:42 AM

# re: On Sonograms, Shrinking Brains, and Undeserved Bruises

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Wow, must be the season for getting some new kiddos into the world. My wife and I are expecting our first (a son) in early February. Until now, I've been using the "oh, you're just hormonal" argument, but I might have to try the shrunken brain angle. Pretty sure I can still out-run her! Congrats.
Left by Jerod Crump on Nov 21, 2007 11:01 AM

# re: On Sonograms, Shrinking Brains, and Undeserved Bruises

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@George - Thanks! Congratulations yourself! Wow, four boys...you've got some major multi-threading going on in your family. I'm pretty sure neither my wife or I are brave enough to scale the family that much. Good luck not provoking your wildcat/enraged bear over the coming months...

@Jerod - Congrats on your first son! I suggest you stretch and put on running shoes before trying out your new shrunken brain approach just in case she surprises you with her speed. My problem is that even though I can outrun my wife, she has a much better memory than I do and will invariably get me when I'm not expecting it...
Left by Russell Ball on Nov 21, 2007 1:02 PM

# re: On Sonograms, Shrinking Brains, and Undeserved Bruises

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Congrats, Russell! Being the father of two boys (ages 5 and 2) myself, you're in for a wild ride. Fatherhood is a blast.

I would highly recommend checking out signing with your baby. I did it with both my boys and it's fabulous. Best thing I did with both of them, hands down. Kids start signing back as early as 8 months if you use signs while talking to them starting from about 6 months onward - though babies can pick it up anytime after that point too. A great series of educational kids videos is Signing Time (http://www.signingtime.com). Scott Hanselman raves about them. You'll never guess who recommended them to Scott in the first place. ;^)
Left by James Kovacs on Nov 21, 2007 2:17 PM

# re: On Sonograms, Shrinking Brains, and Undeserved Bruises

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Sophia. I like it. I recommend not using the shrunken brain explanation, dare I mention the brick wall experience? That was without pregnancy hormones!
Left by Tami on Nov 21, 2007 4:09 PM

# re: On Sonograms, Shrinking Brains, and Undeserved Bruises

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@James - Thanks! My 6 year old step daughter already has a few of the Signing Time DVD's and loves them. I hadn't thought of trying to teach sign language to babies until I read Hanselman's post, but it totally make sense. Both my wife and I are excited about the idea.

@Tami - Good point about the brick wall. I still have a scar, so there is no telling what kind of danger I'm courting by messing with her now that she has pregnancy hormones raging. Yet, I still somehow find pleasure in it...odd.
Left by Russell Ball on Nov 21, 2007 4:59 PM

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