It's Been a Year...

On this date, one year ago, we welcomed the biggest blessing into our lives, as our sweet (and giant) baby was born. As I think about that day and how amazingly special it was, there is one moment that I think about most often.

The doctor had just extricated our 9 lbs, 8 oz baby from G's belly, and the nurses brought her over to the station where they clean her and do all that they do. And having spent the last 39 weeks inside a nice, warm, mostly dark cave, being thrust into a cold, brightly-lit room with all of these strange sounds was not the most ideal scenario for our girl. She began to fuss and cry, as newborns are prone to do. Standing there, looking at her, and just itching to hold her, I simply said, "Hi, Nyla."

Immediately. And I do mean immediately... she stopped crying. And turned her head. And looked at me. At that moment, if she had asked me for a private island, it would have been hers. As if "Dada" wasn't wrapped around her little finger enough, she took it to the next level. After they swaddled her up, they passed her to me. To me. It's hard to describe, but that's when everything became real. That I had a beautiful, healthy baby girl.

Since that day one year ago, we have been on a roller coaster ride, with ups, downs, and loop-the-loops - but mostly ups. Watching Ny grow and develop is amazing. I remember her first smile, her first giggles, and, most importantly, the first time she said, "Dada." I've said it before, and I'll say it again, there is no greater responsibility than bringing and then raising up new life into this world, BUT there is no greater blessing and joy as well. The closest thing to God's unconditional love is the love parents have for children. I have learned that this year.

And when I get home today from work and walk in that door, that little girl that turned her head at the sound of my voice one year ago will walk over to me, want me to pick her up, and give me the sweetest open-mouthed, wet kiss in the world.

And I plan on treasuring it today, just like I do every day.

-D

Things I Couldn't Live Without (Daddy Edition)

Since Mom posted her list, I figured, "Why not post my own list?"

1. Ear plugs - These come in handy when baby is crying in the middle of the night...

No, no, no! I am completely joking! Don't leave nasty comments on here. I'm kidding. She does great at night!

1. Wifey/Mommy - Yes, I'll go ahead and get the cheesy one out of the way, but G is the best. She is so good with Nyla and is very patient with her. I'm also very thankful that she takes care of the overnight feeding, letting me rest up for work. I'm also thankful that she turns off the baby monitor when this overnight feeding occurs.

2. Post-delivery vacation - Little Girl was born on a Tuesday, and I was able to take the rest of the week off work. We got home on a Thursday, and it was nice to have that Friday off to relax to get adjusted to life with a third person in the home.

3. Working from home - I have said this before, but I am very thankful and appreciative that I had the ability to "telecommute" the week after we got home. My bosses were very understanding in allowing me to do this. With G not being able to get around well, I could run to the rescue when needed.

4. Naps - A good rule of thumb for you soon-to-be parents? Try to get in a nap at some point during that first week or two. "Sleep when baby sleeps" is great advice. I think every afternoon or evening during that first week and a half I was at home, I took an evening nap. G grabbed a nap in the afternoon. If nothing else (and if your spouse is ok with it), just go in your room, close the door, turn off the baby monitor, and relax for an hour or so. Though I do recommend falling asleep.

5. The Miracle Blanket - I'll go ahead and second what G posted about this. I would love for sweet Nyla to sleep with her arms and hands up around her head, but she would not sleep too well. This blanket is great. And though Nyla has found ways to get her arms and legs free, it is not very often and about the time she would need to wake up and feed anyway. Miracle Blanket, I salute you.

6. Meals brought to us - Yeah, it's selfish, but when you've been running on low sleep for a few days, cooking is the last thing on your mind. G was in no position anyway to cook anything. I'm glad we had family and friends who brought us meals those first two weeks. What was great, too, is that we were able to portion out and freeze the leftovers. When I went back to work, I had a good supply of lunches to take.

7. Sound machine - Whether or not this actually helps Baby sleep is up for debate, but count me as someone who thinks she is comforted by the sound of a heartbeat. Also count me as someone who could never sleep to the sound of a beating heart.

8. Family close by - G's parents are 15 minutes away, and my mom is a mile and a half away. Translation? If G and I need to get for an hour or two to go to dinner, go to church, go shopping, or just need to get out, both grandmothers have to have their arms twisted are eager to come watch Little Girl.

I'm sure there are several other items I can add to this list, but these 8 are the ones that immediately came to mind.

As new parents, what are thing you couldn't live without?

-D

28 Weeks!

I'm 28 weeks, I can't believe I'm already in my 3rd trimester! My pregnancy is flying by.

We went to the doctor yesterday and got to see our beautiful baby girl again. They FINALLY were able to get all the pictures they've been needing of her heart. It only took 3 different ultrasounds over the past 8 weeks. I hope she is just shy and not stubborn!

Everything from the ultrasound looked great. She is getting so big! 4 weeks ago she was about 1 pound and 10 ounces, 4 weeks later (yesterday) she was 3 pounds 1 ounce. Wow! She is getting big fast! She is in the 73 percentile of weight and about 9 days ahead of the average. Our Doctor isn't concerned and said some babies are bigger than others. I knew we'd have a big baby though, I've been expecting it. My momma had 2 big babies. I was almost 10 pounds and my sister was just over 9, so I've been expecting an almost 9 pound baby. Looks like I could be right!

Some people have wondered if they've gotten my due date wrong. There's been no talk of that, so I'm honestly not sure. It would seem that they've gotten it wrong. I got my first ultrasound at 20 weeks and she was 5 days ahead of average then and was 5 days ahead 4 weeks ago and now she's 9 days ahead. So is she just big or is my date wrong? I guess only time will tell!

I still feel great and still have a decent amount of energy. I do have to rest a little more once I get busy doing my work, but that's normal, I am in my 3rd trimester. I'm really trying to pay attention and listen to my body. I don't want her to come to early. I do feel tired enough after lunch that I want to take naps. This is so unusual for me because I'm not a big nap person. I usually only want to nap if I'm sick or haven't slept great the night before. For me to think about napping everyday is very unusual.

Daniel and I enjoyed a nice weekend together. I'm really enjoying our last few weeks as a family of 2! It's finally hitting me that soon we'll be a family of 3. It'll be different when she comes, but I know it'll be great. The past 27 weeks I've really only thought about being pregnant and been in awe of being pregnant. I'm so thankful that I'm able to become pregnant. I feel so blessed!

It's starting to hit me that I'm going to be a mom. A mom! WOW! We're going to have a child who depends on us for life's essentials and more. It's a bit overwhelming and we've had a bit of anxiety because of this the past few weeks, it just takes some time to get used to the idea of becoming parents. Another life depends on us. We know it'll be an amazing adventure to add a child to our life!

We ask for your prayers for the next 12 weeks, for an easy and safe delivery with no complications and prayers over the years to come as we take parenting one day at a time. Thanks!

Oh, The Sacrifices of a Father

I have been thinking that once little Nyla enters this world in all of her cuteness and crying, I will have to make some sacrifices for some things to continue as they had prior to this. Observe the following examples:

*Ginny and her dad have been coaching little kid basketball for the past two years. I would imagine they will do that again for the upcoming season. I would always attend practice to help with fast break drills - I called it exercise but really was looking for proof that I can thoroughly dominate 2nd and 3rd graders. When December practices and games begin this year, I will dutifully stay home with Nyla. Never fear, however, for I will still get my basketball fix on. I will have a clipboard diagramming the intricacies of the 2-3 match-up zone, 1-3-1 zone, and the ever-popular 2-2-1 half court trap to the future All-American Kentucky Lady Wildcat. We will also watch game tape courtesy of this great time-waster at work and watch every Duke loss in the NCAA tournament since 2000. My only concerns are that she doesn't try to eat the clipboard marker and/or beat me in a game of "wet diaper" HORSE.

*Ginny is a puppet master... oh wait, that's not what I meant. But she is heading up/overseeing a new puppet ministry at our church. So for those Sundays in the first two or three months after Nyla is born when Ginny has to be at church, I again will humbly resign myself to staying home with my little girl. Again, I want you all to know that I will be ok. Nyla and I will get our church fix by making fun of and watching Joel Osteen.

*Then there is of course the inevitable Saturday when Ginny has to run errands around the town. What will she do? Leave knowing her loving Hubby will take good care of her daughter as both Hubby and daughter nap on the couch while watching golf. Because if the whole basketball thing doesn't work out, then perhaps a golf scholarship will.

I'm fully aware that this will cut into my social life and cramp my style, but, oh, the sacrifices a father will make... =)

-D