Why "Bif"?

Most couples name their unborn child, right? For us, it was a contest between Bif or Darth. Not as funny as some of the ones we've heard in the past (e.g., Yoda, Fetal-dee), but enough of a conversation stopper to keep the real names we're thinking about just between us.

Friends and relatives abroad have been requesting a webpage or blog so that they can receive news as the pregnancy progresses, so we will endeavour to regularly post commentary and the occassional photo. Bif, who is due to make his/her appearance on February 22nd 2007, will be the first child in the next generation on Mom's side and the first cousin for Katie & Stephen (i.e., third grandchild) on Dad's side.

At present, the first trimester is nearing its end. Bif is probably around 1.5 inches and has fingers, toes, eyelids, beginnings of ears, and beginnings of bones. Mom has had a rough go with morning sickness the past 4 or so weeks, enhanced by jet lag on the trip to the UK. Dad has been a great help, but is currently fighting off a seemingly never ending chest cold. Bif's first ultrasound was taken at 6 weeks, which we'd post but there's not really anything to see in stillshot at the size of a grain of rice. Seeing that little heart beating was grin- (Dad) and tear- (Mom) inducing though.