Yes! although nature is the essence of us, we are not the essence of nature...

WMAP states that the shape of the Universe within two percent accuracy is flat.

 

I have this particular question in relation with what we are discussing. - Why can't we assume that the early Universe expanded equally in all directions with a velocity of 'c' (max) for about a second or so? Then within a second, wouldn't we get the volume to be 4/3*pi*c^3?

yes those dimensions are correct but the thing is, that that one second would not make up the universe it would only make up a sphere within the now 'flat' universe. (the universe still continued to expand after the first second or so).

WMAP states that the shape of the Universe within two percent accuracy is flat.

 

I have this particular question in relation with what we are discussing. - Why can't we assume that the early Universe expanded equally in all directions with a velocity of 'c' (max) for about a second or so? Then within a second, wouldn't we get the volume to be 4/3*pi*c^3?

 

The universe does not expand outward, or in any direction, and there is no outside. The universe is not a sphere, nor does it have any other 3D shape. The expansion is an increase of space itself but not a movement of objects.

you miss read me there, I am stating that when light travels out in EVERY direction for 1 sec. it will form a 'sphere' of volume that has past. I am only saying that that shape persae is only with in an apparently falt universe.