15 Weeks, 2 Days ...the rest of the story

Isaiah 61:3
"3 to appoint to those that mourn in Zion, to give to them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of Yahweh, that he may be glorified." Updated Bible Version 1.9

More of your special instructions scripture. (See previous day) Building people up because you have been built up yourself.

15 Weeks, 1 Day... A Calling

Isaiah 61:1-2 "1 The Spirit of the Lord Yahweh is on me; because Yahweh has anointed me to preach good tidings to the meek; he has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening [of the prison] to those that are bound; 2 to proclaim the year of Yahweh's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn..."Updated Bible Version 1.9

This scripture will be a special scripture for you. Not that you have pressure to be a preacher, but to do these things mentioned where ever you are in what ever giftings you have.

15 Weeks...40 Days

40 days from now will be Easter. 40 days from now you will be half way thru this part of your lifejourney. Now is the time to reflect. I will be attired in modern day sackcloth and ash. You can wear what you have on.

14 Weeks, 6 Days...Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler!

Let The Good Times Roll! Today is Fat Tuesday. Baby, hopefully we will take you to New Orleans someday. I think you will dig the whole scene. Maybe not during Mardis Gras though. Too much excess. Your mom and I went there on our honeymoon and would like to go there again. Dream about a slice of King Cake. Lent begins now and a period of reflection before Easter. I'll be reflecting, how about you?

14 Weeks, 5 Days...Trading Spaces

Your mom and I are planning a make-over for your room. It will be the coolest room ever, with a little help from http://www.elephantsonthewall.com/proddetail.php?prod=201 and Ikea. But most importantly from creativity, love, and imagination from your mom and me. We hope you like it. We have had fun imagining you in it.

14 Weeks, 4 Days...Keep On Smiling

Back to you now being able to smile...Your mom was telling your grandma about it. She said it was not like you were smiling at anything now, just reflexes working. I know better. You have inherited a sense of humor from your mom and me. That in itself is something to smile about. Something hilarious to think about...Your mom tells me you are now the size of a Kit Kat candy bar. Isn't that just the funniest thing.

14 Weeks, 3 Days...Strolling through the mall

We went to Concord Mills Mall tonight. So many people. You would have thought it was Christmas or something. Anyway, there were a lot of kids and people pushing strollers full of their stuff. A dad that was walking in front of us was actually pushing his kid in a stroller. Your mom asked me if I thought we would use a stroller. Nah, I said. I'm gonna carry the baby. The man looked back at us and smiled.

14 Weeks, 2 Days ...Power Lunch

Today your Grandma and your cousin William came to Arby's and had lunch with me. He just loves Arby's chocolate chip cookies. And seeing me is not so bad either. Maybe she can bring you to have lunch with me when you get old enough to do that sort of thing. We can definitely have a power lunch, you and me! I'll clear my calendar.

14 Weeks, 1 Day...Battle of the Sexes

Are you having a girl or a boy? That is the big question. When I simply say "Yes" people go crazy. I figure if I say yes then I am sure to be right. I am still holding out for birth to find out. Meanwhile there are the 'old wive's tales' to go by. People have some interesting non-scientific theories. If she carries you low, you are sure to be a boy. If the heartbeat is fast, then a girl. Someone even told me to ask to see your mom's hands. If she shows me her palms, a girl and if the tops then you are going to be a boy. We'll see.

14 Weeks ...6 Pack

Your mom's belly is getting sooo tight. Guess that means you are growing. About an inch per week, or so they say. Anyhow, that growing is having an little effect on your mom's abdomen. Ordinarily when you get a tight stomach they call it a 6 pack but I think you are probably just a half pint!

13 Weeks, 6 Days...What's in a name, part Tres

We have explored name options for you, baby, but what about some name options for you to call us. Mother and Father sounds a little formal for us. Mom and Dad, Mom and Pop, Mommy and Poppy would be fine. Of course, you will probably be a little hipster baby and try to call us Jody and Tracy. Don't think you will get away with it though. We already have a little dog who thinks he is the boss.

13 Weeks, 5 Days ...One more monday

Don't you just hate mondays? When you feel like you have so much to catch up on. I know my catching up just doesn't compare to yours, but I feel like you can give me a little empathy. Three days off work and I need a refresher course!!! My catching up is small and meaningless compared to growing teeth, developing organs, moving tiny arms and legs and fingers at will. New product roll-outs at Arby's are simple compared to tasks like learning to suck your thumb. Sigh. My monday seems like a piece of cake compared to all of that.

13 Weeks, 4 Days ...Cheese

Your mom tells me from her reading that you are now able to smile. That's wonderful. We can smile together at each other. You make me smile, so I will try and make you smile. I might even act silly just to see you do it. I'll have to wait a few months to see it, but you go ahead and smile anyway. I will know when you are.

13 Weeks, 3 Days ...Cupid

Happy Valentine's Day! Maybe we we'll just name you Cupid. Someday we will explain all about love to you, but you will still have to learn by experience. Your mom and I both love you very much. There is no trial and error to that kind of love. Unconditional love, that is what it is called.

13 Weeks, 2 Days ...Junior Handler

Tomorrow you get to be a junior handler, well almost. We have a dog show this weekend. Your mom will be doing all the work. Just kick back and enjoy the ride. One day you may be our junior handler. You can even help me do the grooming. I must warn you, Nexus likes to splash in the tub. Will you be a splasher too?

13 Weeks, 1 Day ...make room on the fridge

Forgot to tell you, kid, on your grandmas birthday last week I sent her a copy of your ultrasound pictures and put a note on it for her to start making room on the fridge. Your mom and I will have a few months to learn how to use that digital camera for more pictures. You can call us the parent paparazzi!

13 Weeks Living in an RV

I want to take you to all the corners of the earth, little baby. Just to show you that home is where people love you the most are. Home is not a place and I'll prove it. Right now your home is where ever your mom happens to be. Kinda like living in an RV.

12 Weeks, 6 Days ...More on Sleepytime

A house in our neighborhood burned to the ground last night. Surprisingly, it was a 2 alarm fire but neither one of us woke up or the dogs didn't start barking. Must have been an effect of the chicken and dumplings. Your mom is usually a pretty ligh sleeper. Don't worry about us not waking up if you have a nightmare and need us though. I am sure I will hear that. Chicken dumplings or no chicken dumplings. I have ears like a bat!

12 Weeks, 5 Days Chicken and dumplings

I made chicken and dumplings for you and me and your mom. She loved them. She seems into the whole "comfort food" thing now. Unfortunately, my delicious dinner made her want to sleep, sleep, sleep. They must have made me tired too because I snored on the couch. She said she could hear me then she was in the shower! If you snore we will know where you got it from. I'll let it slide. I will probably sleep right through it!

12 Weeks, 4 Days ...Getting Personal

Today pastor preached a message about the majesty of God. A God that breathed out the fireball we call the sun, and a multitude of other bigger, brighter, hotter stars. That same powerful God also breathed life in you inside of your mom's belly.

12 Weeks, Day 3 ...party crashing

We went to your cousin's birthday party tonight. Lots of pink Disney princess fun. Your aunts went gaga over those cute sonogram pictures of you and told your mom her little tummy was cute. You crashed your first party and stole your first scene! I have a feeling you will always be quite the scene stealer.

12 Weeks, Day 2 ...What's in a name, part Deux

Friends gave her some baby name books. They were largely uninspiring, with a few exceptions. I tend to prefer older names from ancient times. Anglo-Saxon, British Isles, and Biblical type names. I also like Viking names. I still think I like the names we discussed last week best. I think she does too. I think you will too.

12 weeks Energy Drink, H20

The beginning of your second trimester is today. This is when that sudden burst of energy is too occurr. Or so people say. Your mom is trying to drink more good water for you. It is a struggle. When she says she is tired or sleepy at work I tell her to drink a big glass of ice water and that will wake her up.

11 Weeks, 6 Days Snow Day

The first good snow of the year was today. The dogs had a ball. School was cancelled. Mom went to work late. We are going to have so much fun on snow days. After all the playing, snowball fights, and sledding we will have hot cocoa. Just like I used to do when I was a kid. And if you are not into all of that we can just stay inside and watch movies.

Late Breaking News, 11 Weeks, 5 Days

We got our first glimpse of you today at the OB's office. You were SO active. I guess you remembered the earlier blog about dancing for soul. I would say I have never seen a more active baby in the womb, but you are the first one I have had the pleasure of seeing. Keep on dancing, and btw-you are a week older than they originally thought. August 19 sounds like your birthday now.

10 Weeks, 6 Days On the cusp

You're on the cusp of being another week older and moving into week 11. One weeks follows another, and then another, and pretty soon you will be making your grand entrance. We still have tons to do before you get here but we have a gameplan so that all the important stuff will be taken care of. Thank goodness we still have some time left!

10 Weeks, 5 Days One small step for man...

Your mom tells me your tiny feet would now fit on one of my fingernails. I'm just amazed by this. Grow those feet out, but I hope you dont inherit my wide feet. Shoes are so hard to find. Maybe we will get you some baby birkenstocks so you can be like me!

10 Weeks, 4 Days Barkfest

Dear baby. I hope you don't come out barking. The dogs have been on an excessive barkfest the past week. Maybe they sense that the groundhog is going to peep out on monday. Whatever the reason for their barking, you should be well versed in dogspeak. Just don't let ARRRFFF! be your first word.