Happy Holidays from North Cackalac

In a whirlwind of games, wrapping paper, and laughter, Ashley, Baby Jacob and I experienced our first christmas with a little one on the way. Ashley got cloth diapers, I got a book on Fathering, and Jacob made out like a bandit with gift certificates, Arizona Cardinals attire, bibs and books. Spending quality time with the entire Chell family has been a blessing. We've been sleeping late while listening to the rain, watching movies, and playing games. Families are awesome. When I think about all those who are going to be here to love and comfort young Jacob, all my worries go away. Sure they'll be times when we don't know what to do because he's screaming his head off, but I'm sure we'll get someone on the phone with some experience. I mean, between our two parents, there have been 8 offspring, so we will be tapping into a wealth of knowledge.

I have been reading my new book and learning more each day. In addition, we've had literal hands on experience with the babysitting my my young nephew Samuel. I changed a diaper! Ok, it wasn't that amazing, and I asked Ashley for help, but still, it was the first time in over 10 years. Baby Samuel is awesome. He reminds me of his uncle. He likes to dance, especially to his favorite song "La Bamba." He has given us some good experience.

We were also glad to run into some of our favorite babies (and their parents). We ran into Lily, the 2 1/2 month old daughter of Jesse and Christy Steel (teamsteel.blogspot.com) twice. The first was from across the street, as old neighbors were given a chance to catch up. Then, a few days later, we were sad to think that we had missed them and were delighted to find they were in BabiesRUs when we went to register for Jacob with my sister Traeci who is pregnant again. It was good to see you, Steels! Later on during the day we first met young Lily, we drove to the town of Winston to see another young friend of ours by the name of Elgin, the 3 week old son of Tripp and Alecia Fuller (aleciantrippfuller.blogspot.com). While he still sleeps a lion's share, I got to hold him for 20 minutes as he dreamed. It is wonderful to see people in the same phase of life.

Other than that, we've just been hangin out. Thanks to Grandpa Jeff we went to a Hockey game (go Canes!) and went to a sports bar (go Cardinals!). Grandma Ruth has been entertaining us and doting on us since we arrived as well. Great Grandma Barnes, Aunts Emily and Grayson, and Uncle Dana have all commented on Ashley's growing belly and have felt Jacob kick.

So, now that you are caught up on all of the highlights of our adventures, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 2008 is the year of the Jacob!

God's love,

Daniel

Headed to Carolina!

This past week was certainly full of goodness with Sara and Luke getting married and Jacob now officially 6 months along. The wedding was beautiful with all the red roses and poinsettas decorating the church, and of course the gorgeous bride in white. I'd say a very good time was had by all! I'd also say that dancing with a baby bump is quite awkward. Daniel's uncles created the "preggo dance", involving rapid belly rubbing and back arching in an attempt to relate- it was very funny. Too bad we don't have picture proof of the dance moves- at least not yet!

Six months into the pregnancy and I'm consistantly amazed at Jacob's growth! He spins and kicks away all day and night. He's about 1 pound right now according to books, which apparently is big enough to make ripples on the outside of my belly-it's so incredible. I'm now getting short of breath easily and the heart burn that's been around since week 6 is still raging...but I know I'm in for way more than this. And I know that Jacob is worth it!

We've registered now for Jacob items at BabiesRUs....but geez, it's hard to figure out what you really acually need. Especially in a two bedroom apartment and knowing we're moving to Berkeley and teeeeeny living space, we're trying to get mainly the necessities and couple of cute items here and there... We're also gonna try out the cloth diaper thing while we've got our own washer and dryer, but again, with Berekely and communal washers/dryers...well, you get the picture. :)

We fly tomorrow morning to NC for nearly 2 weeks for Christmas with the Chells and merriment with friends. Merry Christmas to all, and hopefully we'll see many of you soon!

Whew! Already week 23

I certainly apologize for the long absence in blogging....it's been quite busy out here! For one thing, Sara and Luke (Daniel's brother) are getting married this Saturday!! We're really thrilled for them and excited to be part of some of the chaos- Daniel's having fun experimenting as bartender for the Bachelor party occuring at our apt. tomorrow evening. And no, I'm not sleeping here :)

With the wedding comes family from afar, so we've been working to get our apt in tip-top shape and ready for people to sleep comfortably. On top of that, we're gonna have Christmas with Daniel's family while they're still in town...meaning Christmas presents were to be thought out, purchased, and wrapped by about yesterday.

And of course, work doesn't stop while this goes on:) I'm actually getting a lot out of my clinical experience and even got to watch a procedure yesterday (placing a wound vac)! Now it wasn't a procedure of Grey's Anatomy level (ha), but apparently I'll be able to observe several more procedures over the following months. It wasn't exactly my choice for immediately after lunch learning, but I've learned it isn't the gross factor that makes me faintish but the fact that the patient is in pain. I won't go into details of the process, but I have the utmost respect for the patience, skills, and compassion of nurses.

Daniel's been able to relax a bit this week as the college students are clearing out and the middle/high schoolers are having Christmas parties. He's been rather productive and is pretty much planned out for next semester...though his participation in some of those plans may depend on Jacob's timing. He's written another play for this year's dinner theater and though I'm entirely biased, it's pretty funny. If you're interested in reading it, try his blog: lcmdan@blogspot.com. It's called "Do Something!".

Jacob's doing wonderfully and seems to really get a kick (pun intended) out of beating on me :) I completely savor feeling all of his movements and I'm curious if this boy's got some serious energy or if he's just the typically active baby. As of about 1 1/2 weeks ago, Daniel's can distinctly feel him move all about and actually see him punch out on my belly. A typical day starts with Jacob spinning around in the lowest possible part of my abdomen then some nudges reminding me it's lunch time followed by a few hours of him trying to escape through my belly button (which is still an innie, fyi).

This picture is the result of my dear husband holding the camera up and stating "Uh, well, you don't fit in the frame anymore." The good news, I laughed immediately after THIS face (as I always do after jokes about my belly). Perhaps someday I'll get really sensitive about the body size jokes, but as of right now I'm still good hearted.

I hope you're all doing well, staying warm, and for those in NC: We're coming in 1 1/2 weeks!!!!!!!

Yay, December

Welcome to December...it sure does feel like these past few months are flying by! This pumps me up for several reasons; one of which is we go to NC at the endish of the month (yay!). Until then, Daniel will be working his tail off with holiday related things for the many different age groups he works with, and I'll be doing the clinical dietitian thing. And I'm happy to report that 1 week down working in a hospital and I didn't get thrown-up on and I didn't pass out. I believe that is worth celebrating.

This past week, I turned 24 and got so many messages of "happy birthday"- and I thank everyone who did that!! It made me feel very special. I got a very cute and long-thought about gift from Emily and Grayson and I'm wearing it in the following picture:) Really, I've come to learn that an apron may serve its best function as a pregnant lady bib; I swear, I've never left so much of a meal or snack behind on my chest, belly, and lap. This should make me look cuter as i swirl further into slob-dom. :)

I also got a bunch of my hair cut-off and am sporting the chopped look.... I was surprised by how much it didn't phase me to cut off so much. It still makes me chuckle that I really didn't feel remorse over loosing the inches...

As a side-note, despite what it may seem, I'm not that in to posting so many pictures of myself. But, I want to be able to include my family (and friends) in the growth, the changes, the daily life kinda stuff. Just thought I'd put it out there!

Ultrasound and ultracute

It seems that with every passing week, Jacob becomes less of an abstract and more of our son. This week featured a trip to the doctor where we looked at our beautiful baby boy once again. Last time when we were there, the Sonogram tech suggested that we might need another ultrasound if our boy didn't cooperate for all the right measurements. Who are we to disagree? This also meant that Jacob's paternal grandmother got a chance to see him in action. Well, to be perfectly honest, there wasn't a lot of action, only the occasional yawn and the always fun pushing on mom's bladder. The tech reported happily that all grown was on-track and healthy. What a relief! I'm slowly becoming aware of the toll parenting takes on one's nerves.

The thing I couldn't help but notice again and again is how much significantly bigger he was this week verses 3 weeks ago. His hand is probably 2x the size it was before, and the definition around his face and head stands out.

Here his is in profile. You can see, in comparison to previous posts, that his skull is denser, his nose is more pronounced, as are his lips and chin. While his eyes won't open for another few weeks, his mouth can open and close, it's very cute.

We also got an upclose look at his heart which has grown to where you can see each of the four chambers each with specific function. The miracle of creation is truely humbling.

Here's another, staring him in the eyes. All you can really see is his head, and perhaps his fist, but I think he is smiling! I know I am.

And, as any good husband, here's pictures of my ever-growing wife .

Reporting everyone happy and healthy in Az!

-Daniel

Finally Fall

Here in Arizona, I'm thrilled to declare that it's beginning to feel a lot like Autumn. Though the daily high temps still hit somewhere in the mid 80's, the evenings are crisp and the nights require a blanket on our bed! Being that I'm now my mini-furnace self x 2, it's a pretty amazing feat to need a blanket on the bed... I love waking-up snuggled up to your face with the blanket and having just your nose feel a bit chilly.

Other than the "thrilling" weather, there isn't a whole lot else to report:) Jacob is now flying around in circles in my belly and already enjoys some games. His favorite game appears to be moving every little bit of his body when my tummy is covered up and then freezing when we try to see him in action. His other game includes moving on one side of my belly, then waiting until Daniel puts his hand there to kick around on the complete other side. Sneaky little one.

Here's a very silly belly shot at 19 1/2 weeks- this Thursday marks the halfway point in the pregnancy! Truthfully, the belly has grown, but the degree all depends on time of day and how much I've eaten...so, sorry to disappoint (Perhaps Grayson or Emily?:) ) if it doesn't look like there's any drastic change happening yet.

I hope everyone is preparing for a warm and delicious Thanksgiving! I know Daniel's getting prepped for the huge Turkey leg and I'm getting really pumped about fresh cranberry sauce. If you're traveling....good luck and please be safe!

Time for pictures! One by one I'll post them with a bit of fatherly commentary.

First off, here's a picture of my son Jacob's right hand. If you ask me, I think he looks like a Quarterback. Notice the bone strength and the grip- imagine that throwing a 60 yard pass down the right seam, splitting the safeties and catching the reciever in stride.




Ok, here's the picture.





You see what I'm talking about, right there in the middle. Beautiful isn't it?

Ok, picture two. This one is a decent profile of the head. Notice the eyes, the little button nose, and the little chin. His hands are folded. In this picture he looks a bit like a merman, that's because the bottom half of his body is turned around...

As you can tell, he looks quite comfortable. In the beginning of our ultrasound, Jacob was sleeping like this, with his arms crossed. After he woke up, he gave us some more interesting pictures.

It's a boy! I am proud to say that my kid is negative 4 months, and I'm already embarassing him. This picture is of his backside, his frog legs are to both sides. In the middle are his "boy parts" as the doctor told us...

As a point of reference, the two white objects on the left half of the screen are his feet. You can figure it out from there. P.S. He's mooning you.

Ok, that's enough for now. Thank you all for your love and support. Jacob feels very loved.

We will be posting another picture of Ashley soon as she is growing.