Chronicles of a Father-to-Be: Part VII

Big news.  Sounds like Baby is currently "engaged." (Hopefully won't have to write that again until another 20-25 years!)  For my friend reading this who haven't had children or are unfamiliar with the term, in means the baby's head is in the pelvis and is basically waiting for contractions to start.  For us, this means we're looking at an early delivery - as early as next week.  *Gulp.*

Good thing we spent last weekend getting the hospital bags ready.  We have baby clothes, adult clothes, toiletries, slippers, card games (Go-Stop), favorite foods, a book, and few other things packed tightly together.  Turns out, as most things with pregnancy, it was a bigger chore than getting a suitcase ready for vacation.  But thankfully, the month long birthing classes that we took early gave us plenty of resources - including what you need and don't need at the hospital.

Writing this on Thanksgiving Eve, Andrea and I have so much to be thankful for.  Regardless of what happens at the end of the school year, we're both happily employed and grateful for the security of having a generous income.  More importantly, after going through all the showers, and seeing the generosity of friends, co-workers and family, that support our decision to start a family.  Of course the gifts themselves are helpful and practical, but the thought and confirmation behind them has been a comfort for both of us in the later stages of pregnancy.

We hope you have a lot to be thankful for as well.

Here are the four shadow boxes Andrea made.  I'll post preggy pictures next time.

Chronicles of a Father-to-Be: Part VI

We're exactly one month away from Andrea's due date!

Although it's difficult to precisely know when Baby will be among us, it is certain that in about a month from now our family will increase by one.  The anticipation of a newborn has definitely presented life with a new and exciting kind of spice.  All thoughts are of the future, thinking about the impending delivery date and the days to follow.  Where will we be when contractions start?  How will the baby be delivered? How long will we be at the hospital?  How many days of school do I get to miss?  When will we be able to come home?  The questions are overwhelming, but the answers will come before long.

As might be expected from someone who enjoys and teaches math, all this mystery and excitement isn't without it's fair share of frustration.  I like to know, predict and analyze things.  I want to have a plan, work through the plan, and complete the plan as expected.  But babies, I've learned, aren't predictable.  In the early months before we knew Baby's gender, it was difficult to even view myself as a parent.  But when that summer morning in July came around and I saw her on the ultrasound, it quickly became tangible for me.  And then soon afterward, a nervous about having a girl.  Today, I'm comfortable knowing that we'll be raising a little girl, but now I'm more nervous about being a good parent.  I know I've been blessed by people's love, support and encouragement; it's wonderful to have family and friends come together to help Andrea and I receive this baby into the world.  However, I'm not naive enough to forget that I am a creature who sins and makes mistakes.  No parent is perfect, and I will make mistakes.  I just have to rely and trust that God knows that I am ready to be a father.

Spiritually, I haven't thought much about Baby yet.  Most of my thoughts are looking forward to the typical baby landmarks.  But once the baby is born and we return to church with our daughter in tow, I pray that God will begin to turn my thoughts toward being a better husband who serves his wife, and a father who can raise a daughter that fully understands the riches that Christ has to offer her.  I must remind myself that before I even knew Baby, God has already loved her perfectly.

Here are some of the drawing/prints Andrea made that are hanging around the nursery:

  

Goodbye, Kellie!

After getting to know Kellie for two years at Alfred University, I eventually moved back to the area in 2008 to get my Masters in Education at Binghamton University.  Although Binghamton was the place I spent the first seven years of my life, it still posed the same challenges that anyone would face moving to a new city.  Thankfully, Kellie had been also been attending BU as a graduate student as well, and became my first friend in the area.  Ever since the days we spent in the hallowed halls of academia, Kellie has become mine and Andrea's most trusted and beloved friend.  Over the course of three years, we have worshiped together, served together, celebrated each other's birthdays and other miscellaneous occasions, gone on countless trips and vacations, and attended many Bible studies together.  Kellie and I even had an opportunity to work together at our previous employments at Broome Community College and observed each other's classes.

However unfortunate for us, Kellie has been given an opportunity to find employment in the great state of Rhone Island, a place much closer to her boyfriend, Albert.  As much as we would love to still have Kellie with us, it's challenging to be in a long-distance relationship, especially for as long as Kellie and Albert have been dating.  So at the very least Kellie, I will continue to pray that the time spent in Rhode Island yields you much fruit spiritually, financially (with gainful employment) and emotionally (with you awesome boyfriend)...

...but I'll also continue to pray that God will bring you back to us through a Naval Academy on the Susquehanna.

There's a lot of ways I can close this blog entry out, but I think this is most appropriate:

We love and miss you Kellie.  Our loss is certainly Rhode Island's gain!

Chronicles of a Father-to-Be: Part V

So the registries have been made and all the showers have come and gone.  We were blessed enough to have three: one for church and friends, a second for family, and the math department through me one.  Since I wasn't at the first two though, I don't think I'm very qualified to talk about what happens at showers.  However, I am exceeding content and humble to receive as much support and love from those who have participated.  For that I am very grateful.

On Tuesday, we'll be in Week 35 and both of us are very excited but also very much aware that Baby will be with us in about a month.  We are also very much aware a lot has to be done, and as of tonight, we're feeling a bit overwhelmed.  There are still a number of things we have to do (wash new baby clothes, clean the rug, get the hospital bag together, get car seat inspected, etc.) and remaining essentials to buy (diapers, bottles, crib mattress, sleeper sacks, etc).

In addition to all that we have Christmas to worry about.  Andrea is diligently working away on Nativity figures, while I'm writing lesson plans and making materials weeks in advance in hope that I can take about 5 days off from school.

Oh don't worry though, I put up the glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling last night.  Looks awesome.

Here's to hoping we can be a bit more put together by Thanksgiving!

Our nursery is underwater themed.  Andrea did most of the work here.

29 Weeks

33 Weeks