April Baby

It looks like our baby's chance to have a March birthday has passed (unless he is zooms out to greet us in mere hours from this moment) and we're on to the April birthday. For a long while, I was pretty sure an April Fool's day birthday would be frustrating for Jacob- years of getting teased and tricked on your birthday! However, recently my thinking has changed and I know we could make it quite a funny addition to his birthday..... Obviously, this is my plea for him to come tomorrow :)
(here are the most recent shots....wow, I know. Gotta love the expression in the second picture...sorry:) )




Thankfully we've had plenty to keep us busy and healthily distracted from the overwhelming anticipation and excitement about Jacob's impending arrival. The dinner theater Daniel created (a fundraiser for Lutheran Campus Ministries) takes place this coming weekend, so last week and this week are quite loaded with with extra rehearsals, technological problem solving, and creating Plan B's for every baby scenario. He's really proud of this play and its purpose...and I just hope both he and I get to see it. What may help us get to the play is that my mom came into town last Friday!

On Saturday morning, our friend Kris Diegle had a fun baby shower for Jacob at her house. She kindly (and nervously) held-out on having the shower until my mom was able to be in town- despite us all believing Jacob would already be here. Everyone was so kind and there really is nothing more we could possibly need for such a small being that eats, sleeps, poops, and cries! We really can't wait to dress him in these teeny outfits, read him all the colorful books, love on him, and discover just who he is.

This past time, we procrastinated posting in hopes of waiting to announce Jacob's arrival, but hopefully this time it's true to say, "stay tuned for info about our new baby". I know, I know, you all say, "but Ashley, you aren't even due until April 10th." (Which, by the way, please do NOT say to me or any pregnant woman...it may be even worse than criticizing their weight). In the end Jacob will come when he's ready despite any impatience and I know that. But we can dream!!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter from our family to yours! I figured the best way to explain to you what's going on in our lives was to show some pictures of my ever-growing son. Life is very busy around here. Other than it being Easter, we celebrated my Dad's birthday this week, and last night we had a Mantastic man-shower, otherwise known as a Pregger-Kegger. It was great fun. Twenty or so of my favorite guys all got together last night to give advice and sports memorabilia. In case your are wondering, yes, my shirt does say, "World's greatest Dad," and I wear it with pride.

Next, here is a picture of Ashley, Jacob, me, my brother Luke, and his wife Sara after Easter Service this morning.



We have started to notice that Jacob likes the music in church, and finds himself inspired to dance frequently. As Grandma Ruth tells us, 'all babies love to dance.' Well we can't wait till we can capture Jacob's dancing on video.

We are just sitting and waiting for the most part now. We have put together his crib and made room in our bedroom for Jacob. Now, it just seems like there is a tiny bed for a tiny person who doesn't yet live here. When he is ready to come out we will be ready, believe that! Here is a picture of his cute little crib. We went with a safari theme, I think you'll find it endearing. Personally, I like the monkey the best. I can't wait until there is a little life force in that bed!

Meanwhile, here is a gratuitous picture of Jacob's current location, taking over my wife's body. Keep in mind, the camera adds 10 lbs... I think that Ashley looks so beautiful and I try and tell her so every day. She's glowing always, whether struggling to get off the couch, or sleeping in strange positions.

In my mind I'm having trouble containing the excitement that lies ahead for baby Jacob. Will he be a basketball player? Musician? Philosopher? Smart-ass? I hope all 4, but any combination would be wonderful. I can't wait for... ...everything.

This might be the last update until show time. Every day we wake up with the possibility!

God's love to you all this Easter day. Alleluia!

-Daniel

big ole' photo

36 weeks and a few days... and I feel very large!

All systems go....nearly....

We've made it to 36 weeks with everyone healthy and active...and for that we are thrilled!

I've had a couple of Doctor appointments since last post and while my blood pressure has consistantly crept up each time, the doctors are still just "watching" it. It's an odd feeling to have your body behaving in a way that is completely out of your control- something perhaps I should've adjusted to by now :)
With mention of the body, I'm excited to report Jacob is getting closer to the lock-and-load position. For some of you, the following info may be TMI or it may just be gibberish, but for others in "the know" the Dr told me today that I'm 1.5 cm dilated, 70% effaced, and Jacob is in the -2 station. Basically this means that my body is getting pretty ready but Jacob is still having a little party bouncing around inside.

In other news, we've had Steven and Rob out visiting us since Sunday- and it's been a week of sheer entertainment. With baseball, Simpsons, Mexican food, basketball, hot-tub time (we live with mainly families so it's nearly always abandoned), and drinks I think they've had a pretty good Spring Break experience. And I've laughed (at them) a whole lot as the everpresent onlooker.
We're headed to a Suns basketball game tonight to see Shaq and Steve Nash....it'd be great if they won...but it'll be fun nonetheless. The goal is to post some pictures of us all at the game! Until then, just imagine a bunch of goofy and excited guys plus a considerably pregnant lady up in the the nosebleed section.

March-ing On

We have made it to week 34 and life is still good. Ashley is unofficially done with her internship (No more 8-hour hospital days) and we have begun making arrangements to bring home a baby one of these days.

A couple of days ago, during a doctor's visit, they told us that Ashley's blood pressure is high. They took some blood and we should know more soon, but it is clear that the Doctor is a little concerned. If the blood tests come back with abnormal results, they doctors will probably want to induce ahead of schedule. I am confident that everything is (and will be) fine, but Ashley may be less optimistic. Your prayers in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

On the lighter side, Ashley had her first baby shower today. I cannot report from the shower itself, because I was at a basketball game. GO ASU! And if I could have, I would have taken baby Jacob with me. Alas, he was at the shower. Thanks to good friends of ours, Vicki Collins and Sarah Schumann, (who really thoughtful people) Jacob has more wonderful stuff. He got some awesome stuff: a fair amount of sports and camo gear, with a lot of cute little baby stuff mixed in. Here's a picture of just some of the stuff that made it's way into our house today.

As you can see, the piles of things are bigger than Jacob himself. As you can also see, Jacob is pretty big. We estimate he is somewhere between 4 and 5 pounds at this time.

It is such a wonderful time in our lives to be able to see him kick, and see him respond to what we are doing. When we were trying to get him face head down (which he finally is now according to the doctor), I would sing to the bottom of Ashley's belly and watch him move toward the noise. I think he likes Counting Crows. It's actually kind of cool to think that he can actually tell my voice from other peoples. Ashley claims that he moves around when he hears my voice. I like to think that is true. I already feel so attached to this little person, and I can't wait to meet him!

We miss you all and want to thank all of you who participated in the Shower today. The mantastic Man-shower (Or preggor-kegger as we call it) is scheduled for March 22nd. The final shower will be on March 29th, a day after Ruth arrives and hopefully close to when Jacob arrives!

Love ya,

Daniel and the gang

February countdown

I regard the innie/outie status of my belly-button like I would the pop-out device on a Thanksgiving turkey: not done until it's popped. And while I know we're just now at week 33 out of a possible 41ish or so, I wouldn't mind some sign that Jacob's trek into the world is acutally getting closer.

Instead of toning down the movement because he's runing out of room, Jacob has actually continued at the same pace with his punches and kicks. He remains in the diagonal/sideways position so that he can kick his feet out one side and head (or back or butt)-butt me in the other side. This makes me wonder at what point it's reasonable to be concerned over the baby's position in regards to delivery? We thought on Sunday that he'd moved head down (and he may have for a few hours)....but by the next day he was back to his sideways tricks.

Among the non-baby things of life (though that's the very topic constantly my mind) :

March is rushing in bringing a bunch of great things including: the end of my internship, a "spring break" visit from Winston-Salem residing Steven and Rob, and rather spring-like weather out here in AZ.

If you're feeling like you could use some spring-like weather, feel free to come for a visit!!

31.5 weeks!

We officially have attended child birth classes.

Phew. :)

It's thoroughly fascinating to see all the other couples (or mother-daughter teams) that attend; how close they are to their due date, how they are carrying their baby, and the kinds of questions they ask during the classes!

I found it curious that there were only two baby boys among all the couples (15 of 'em), including Jacob! I also laughed at how basically the entire class fit the old wives' tale of boys being carried really low and out front while girls are carried higher and all around the abdomen.

I also found it sorta entertaining to see people react to videos that we watched and the discussions about epidurals and pain meds. I can't imagine being of the mind set that as soon as you feel a twinge of pain, you're getting some meds...but whatever, who am I to comment on the experiences of others.

I'm glad to report that all is still going smoothly out here in Phoenix. Jacob is as playful as ever...which actually surprises me because I thought he'd be running short on room by now? He still appears to love mooning the outside world and kicking out my side- he's an "athlete" which makes Daniel proud.

I've sorta got one more week of the intership- then a 3 week enrichment period (which I've chosen to do in the pediatric unit of the hospital). Even though I enjoy working in the hospital setting, I'm going to be thrilled to be done with this beyond full time working for no pay stuff.

Daniel's doing well and in the thick of the semester...though he really dislikes this month. Apparently, the end of football season paired with continued "cold" weather and the commercially-created valentine's day add-up to a waste of 28 (or 29) days. Despite the ill-will towards February, he always manages to make it through:)

Much love to readers; the family kind and the friends. <3