Isn't technology brilliant!

This year has been a busy one for me (and my wife).
After a long time trying (and some heartaches along the way) we've managed to get pregnant. Well, I say "we" but technically it's my wife that's pregnant, I'm just managing to produce a sympathy bump.

We were lucky enough to have ultrasound scans fairly frequently in the early phases (at 7, 9 & 12 weeks) and every time I was in awe of the technology they used to do it. The clarity with which they can see into the human body just by bouncing some sound around (obviously that's me repeating the complicated technological process that's involved in some laymen's terms).

The last scan we had was at 21 weeks and again I was in awe of what they could do. Scanning the baby's heart to check the four chambers! Scanning the brain to check that fluid development was happening. Scanning the liver, bladder etc. to make sure they were working! Measuring the head circumference, waistline (it's definitely my child!), leg/arm length etc. etc. etc.

Here's the scan photo we were given, which unfortunately doesn't do the technology justice (trust me it looked perfectly clear on the screen when the scan was taking place).




Note: We are indeed having a devil child (note the horns). If only others knew that before having their children, they might be able to cope with them better if they'd known in advance! ;)

It's been a while...

I haven't entered into the blogosphere for some time now, but then there hasn't been much to talk about really.

However, I did end up buying a new TV (a 3D model in fact!).
Further to a previous posting about 3D at home (see here) I've realised that 3D in the home just isn't that great and people shouldn't bother with it (just yet).

The other TV functions however, are brilliant. Being able to watch HD broadcasts for free, playing back movies from USB drives, recording broadcasts to a USB drive, Lovefilm/iPlayer etc. integration - all fantastic (albeit geeky) stuff.
The best bit (for me) is seeing stuff in glorious Full HD (1080p baby). Having lived with my nearly 6 years old 32" Panasonic TV which only did 720p, for a long time, now having a 40" LED Full HD TV is 'awesome' (to coin a US friend's oft used catchphrase).

Yesterday I stuck the BBC's "Blue Planet" into the PS3 and watched some of the "Oceans" section and am blown away by it. Anyone who hasn't seen it shown on a big screen in its full and beautiful quality should really watch it. Like now.