YES, Liam Soren Ramnanan was born on April 24, 2008 at 11:15am, weighing in at 6 pounds 4oz, handsome and healthy.  Since this joyful new addition, we've gone even more picture and video crazy and using Picasa on Google and their blogging software is much easier for loading this kind of footage.  SO our new blog is now located at:

http://RamnananFamily.blogspot.com/

see you there!

The time is really flying by with less than 7 weeks to go!  Babycenter.com estimates our boy is a little over four pounds (the weight of a pineapple) and approx 17 inches long (all averages. but interesting).  He will probably get close to doubling in size before birth, which on one level isn't very comforting (just imagine me twice my size based on the pictures below, whoaaa) but I guess we'll see!  I'm still feeling pretty good besides some lower back pain.  I have noticed my dwindling capacity for standing or walking around, but nothing too extreme or uncomfortable....yet.

We finally finished our registry, a key factor, since our house is far from being "baby ready".  Needless to say, we still have a lot to do to prepare (nursery, rearranging rooms, etc) so we're hoping he isn't an early bird. 
FYI, We're registered at Target (www.target.com) and www.babycenter.com

We finished our Lamaze/birthing class and attended a breastfeeding class.  Both were very informative and a little overwhelming to be honest.  But the teachers were excellent and answered a lot of our questions.  We are definitely getting a better sense of how life will pretty much completely change for us and we still have yet to attend the "Baby Care" class in April.  I think the fact that I'm going to be the sole source of sustenance for this child every 2-3 hours night and day makes me want to store up sleep now :) too bad it doesn't work that way.  It seems like nothing can really prepare you for this arrival since most of the time it's "on the job training", but the classes helped us feel a little more knowledgeable about the process and gave us a starting point for more questions to ask our doctor.  My next appointment is on Monday and we travel to Atlanta next week Thursday-Sunday for Naveen's brother's wedding (Nayan and Lynn).  So we're REALLY hoping that the little one doesn't decide he wants to be born in Atlanta (my doctor wasn't too concerned).

In other news, Azlan started "Intermediate" training last week, his biggest feat was learning to sit and stay when a stranger came up and started to pet him.  We were so proud!  Typically he starts pulsating from head to tail and moves around so much that you can't give him a good pet if you tried, so he's making great strides.  We want him to be on his best behavior for the new addition to our "pack" :)  he really is very good when he wants to be.

Here are the latest pics...


 

I'm proud to report, that thus far, this is the best period in my pregnancy - sickness and weariness are at a minimum and the little one is making himself known!  In the past week our lil' boy has become quite active, even apart from the usual rise in activity after I eat anything really sweet (like chocolate, whew, he gets ALL excited after I eat chocolate).  I know I'll probably regret this later, but I love the increase in activity.  I can actually feel more distinct parts poking out now and then, it's really amazing.  It is a strange phenomenon to look down at your stomach and see a little bump moving around like in those horror/sci-fi movies where you see an alien or worm creature crawling under someone's skin.  Ok, so that might not be the best image, but I can't think of a better example, but it feels like your organs are dancing around in there.  Naveen has been able to feel some of the movements too, so there is a lot of, "Oh Nav, come quick, feel right here!" in our household and Nav hurrying from the other room, nearly tripping over the dog, to try and catch the moment.  It's fun to see his face and hear his reactions of "whoa, wow babe, I can feel him!"  I think it makes the obvious reality that he's actually IN there more REAL.

My only recent "down-point"  was last week when I went to IKEA and got a little "over-stimulated".  You know how they have different room spaces set up all cozy and perfectly accessorized?  well, it basically made me want to revamp our entire house, which is of course is not feasible at this point.  Picture me wondering around IKEA with a glazed look over my eyes, touching things softly and humming and haah-ing, yea it was pretty pathetic.  So I settled for getting a new 99cent silverware tray since our old one was pretty disgusting.  Surprising how good it felt to reorganize the silverware drawer, one act of order in the midst of what I feel is "chaos" in other parts of our home...so now back to my "office", which will be the baby's room.  That has been a progressive project...lasting almost a month now, clearly I have lacked some zeal, but ultimately I'm trying to leverage my IKEA experience to inspire me instead of just feeling defeated.  Having it most of it done by MONDAY is my goal.  The good thing is I did find a really great changing table that is also a dresser..check it out http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S19842534

Anyway, call it my nesting stage or whatever, but I've come back from IKEA-ville and reminded myself that the most important prep for this baby is my internal process, not all the external things I want to be "perfect" before he comes.  And seriously, that conclusion has brought about big changes already, Nav and I are both sensing how crucial this time is for us- the 3 months we have before the baby comes, not just for preparing his room etc, but really preparing our HOUSE, the intangible things, the flavor and atmosphere that shape the life God wants our family to express.  We've started by looking back at all God has done already (from DW's message on "looking backward for forward strength"), remembering what He has taught us thus far and embracing new levels of deep transformation.  God has been shifting things and has been meeting us more than half-way when we open ourselves up to Him more and more, giving Him room.  SO yes, there are lots of movements taking place in all kinds of ways in this new environment of opportunity - it's a powerful and life-changing season for us - and we know we've only seen the tip of the iceberg!  It's a catalyst season.