Elijah is here!

Elijah James was born December 4, 2008, weighing 7 lbs, 12 oz and 21" long. He is perfect.

A Little Overdue...

I've dropped the ball on the whole blogging thing the last couple of weeks. But here goes some catch up...

Childbirth Education Class:

-We graduate tomorrow (so to speak), or atleast it is our last day. It has been pretty good for the most part. We've gone through the breathing techniques (which I hear go out the window in the chaos that is childbirth), birthing videos, tours of L&D, and now we are approaching the end. I can't believe it's been 4 weeks already. Time is quickly moving at a slow pace right now. Seriously. Time feels like it is standing still at times. I'm sure he'll be here before I know it, which reminds me...we need to get our bags ready soon.

Baby Showers & The Nursery:

-We've had 2: Walters, FBC and CCMH L&D. We have 1 more to go: FFF (Faith Family Fellowship), Lawton. Our nursery is packed full of diapers, wipes, clothes, toys, ointments and many other baby things. We are blessed in so many ways. The nursery is ready to go, all we need is the Elijah.

Last night:

-We went to Labor & Delivery last night and it was not to aquire more gifts for the baby. It was to do a non-stress test on Elijah. Katie hadn't felt him move much yesterday and so we went up there to check everything out. They hooked Katie up and monitored his heartbeat and then we got to see him via ultrasound. I asked the tech to make sure it was indeed a boy, so she showed me his scrotum. Elijah it is. For sure. Everything checked out just fine and he began moving as soon as we got home.

The countdown:

We could have the baby by or before...
-20 Days of work
-5 Doctor Visits (1 more bi-weekly and 4 weekly)
-4 Sunday Church Services
-2 Paychecks
-2 Gallons of Milk

I'll try to get better at this as it gets closer.

Childbirth Education Class...began.

Can I just say that it was just like a scene out of a movie or some sitcom? Because it was. Our instructor was a pleasant, upbeat older lady that was excited about some pregnant bellies. And plently of pregnant bellies there were. We posted up on a wall, on a blanket and with some pillows and here we began breathing techniques and ways to relieve tension caused by contractions. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I suppose I got it all. Awkward jokes, awkward moments, and a room full of clostraphobia enhanced pregnant women. Next week...the first birthing video and a tour of Labor & Delivery. Stay Tuned...

Unimaginable

I try to wrap my head around
the sound
that escapes your lips
as I come to grips
with this new reality
that's taken over me
and as this untangible,
unimaginable
miracle paces
and makes his
ways into my life
I can't do it.

I can't imagine
your perfection
the Master's reflection
of joyous affection
thats manifestation
is staring back
with loving expression.

I don't want to know
what this feeling's composed
until the symphany is played
and we sway
to the rythm of hope
thats been placed in our arms.
No.
I want the emotion
to unravel
at the notion
you travel
into the natural
and grapple
these 10,000 expressions
of joy
and love
that leave me baffled.

So I'll wait.
In sheer anticipation
with this proclomation
that I'll love you
with elation.

Its Getting Closer and Closer

And I can't help but draw a depiction of a pregnant girl everywhere I am. I don't know what it is. I'm currently taking a class at OU for my Master's, Developmental Art Therapy, and we had to free draw for 5 minutes and this is what I ended up drawing. Perhaps it has something to do with the shape of the body...who knows. I do know a few years ago, a friend painted a pregnant girl on my bedroom floor (I had pulled up my carpet and painted my concrete and then had friends paint stuff on the floor) when his wife was pregnant.

Anyways, aside from pregnant painting, time is closing in and Elijah will be here before I know it. Everything is falling into place beautifully. The nursery is done, we are gathering the essentials, Katie and Elijah are growing well and we begin "parenting education" classes in about 3 weeks. Katie is officially in her 3rd trimester and it feels as though we are on the downward slope. My nervousness seems to have ceased and I have this new confidence and self reassurance that everything is going to go just fine. My life is changing and it is for all the better. It makes me sad to hear people my age talk about how unnecessary relationships are and paint a picture of disgust at the mention of a baby. They are missing out on a miracle.

Oh, we also registered at couple of stores. You can check out our registries at http://www.babiesrus.com/, http://www.walmart.com/, and http://www.sears.com/.

We have another appointment on Monday and we then begin bi-weekly appointments.

I broke down a couple different ways to count down the arrival of baby Elijah. He'll be here after:

-11 Church Services

-5 Paydays

-3 Observed Holidays (Columbus, Veteran's and Thanksgiving Day)

Crazy.

Elijah's Nursery

Wall painted...check

Crib put together...check

Room Cleaned out...check

We are well on our way, now all we need is Eli. This past (labor day) weekend, my father and I worked out some painting on Saturday while Katie was at work. It wasn't that bad and didn't take as ong as I thought it would. I have to say, I'm impressed. Those are some straight lines, even upclose. There are just a few more things to do, but we have 3 months to get them done. I think we are somewhat ahead of the game right now. However, I'm sure the next few months will fly right by. He'll be here before I now it. Katie and I were looking at the crib and we both tried to imaine what he'll look like. Neither of us could do it. What will his hair look like? What gestures will he make? How big will his hands and feet be? I can't wait to find out and, even though I'm ready for him to be here, I am enjoying this time right now. These times with Katie are priceless (even if she cries...alot). So here's to the next three months. God be with us.

Get things done a lil at a time...

So here's where we're at:
-The crib is put together. I'll post some pictures later.
-The room is half way cleaned out (Katie still has some school stuff in there).
-The paint color for the walls is picked out. It's called Pearl Lake (it's blue, I'd call it baby blue).
-The clothes we have are seperated and the changing table is coming together.
-We got the quilt from Pottery Barn and will be buying other pieces over the next few months. We are also going to register there (I think, but I could be wrong).

I think Labor Day weekend will be rather laborous for me, as I plan to get alot done over those few days.

We've been reading to him every night and he seems to enjoy some Dr. Seuss and Disney. He really starts kicking when we're reading to him. I can't help but notice every baby around me and wonder what he'll look like, smell like and feel like. I know to everyone else, he'll be a baby. Not to me, though, he'll be my son. That's somewhat difficult to wrap my head around at times but it has me engulfed in this new phase of curiosity. This new sense of who I am in Christ, who I am as a husband, a brother, a son, a worker and a friend. I'm ever changing, constantly the same, knowing who I am and from where I came.

God is love, Rev. Run
Oops. I mean, nevertheless, God is love. Aaron