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

The joys of putting together a nursery

Oh the joys of putting the nursery together! And it's only just beginning. This past weekend we got our crib and changing table, so that itch to get it all put together has begun. Katie picked out this baby spread from pottery barn and we got the quilt this week, which Katie loved. We are now going to get everything in pieces. I also plan on painting the wall similar to the one pictured above, but who knows when. I'm sure I will be posting the process that will soon begin. Anyone that wants to help paint, be sure to let me know. There's room for everyone.

Elijah Kicks

Elijah is kicking. It has to be one of the coolest things I've ever experienced. To know that he is growing on the inside and it is now evident on the outside, even tho we can't see him yet is an amazing realization. The first time I felt him was about 2 weeks ago. It was a Friday and I was laying on the bed and Katie ran in and pounced on me. I flipped her over and started playing with her belly (just to be obnoxious). I stopped and got a thump thump response. Being startled, I looked up at Katie and she said "That's the baby". I put my hand on her belly again and felt another thump. It was such a perfect moment.

I felt him kick again this morning and that is what has prompted this post. I'm one very excited soon-to-be dad. I really can't wait.

The Name

His name will be Elijah James. The majority of people I've told this to have liked the name. A few seemed puzzled about the decision, not that it was their decision to make. We chose Elijah from the bible.


Elijah

Language/Cultural Origin: Hebrew

Inherent Meaning: The Lord is My God.

Spiritual Connotation: Spiritual Champion

Scripture: Proverbs 3:6

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

James is a family name. It is my father's and grandfather's name.


James

Language/Cultural Origin: Hebrew

Inherent Meaning: Supplanter.

Spiritual Connotation: Nurtured

Scripture: Psalm 23:4

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

I cannot wait to meet my son, Elijah James.

Mark 11:22-25

Elijah's Foot.

Elijah's Profile.

Elijah's Boy Parts.

Words can not explain how excited I am that we're having a boy.

So for now I'll remain speechless.

Mark 11:22-25 (The Message)

22-25Jesus was matter-of-fact: "Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, 'Go jump in the lake'—no shuffling or shilly-shallying—and it's as good as done. That's why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you'll get God's everything. And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it's not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive—only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins."