Dad's Perspective

Hi, this is Kyle. It's about time I added my thoughts to the blog, for better or worse. Obviously, the whole pregnancy thing is unlike any other experience. I am constantly learning new things, and fighting the temptation to feel overwhelmed with it all. The fact that Babies R Us sells 16 different brands and styles of baby bottles doesn't help. Anyway, I thought it would be funny to post some of my own thoughts and experiences along the way.

• I noticed that the box our crib came in made it very clear that this crib required "Adult Assembly Only". I guess they have to say that for liability, but seriously? Who, other than an adult, would make sport of assembling that thing? I guess the funniest thought for me was picturing our baby in a onesie mechanics outfit with a phillips-head in one hand and a greasy rag in the other, putting his own bed together as the first act of earning his keep in the York house. But, alas, I assembled it myself, as any responsible adult would. I think we should let Scooter sleep in there for a few nights to ensure that I assembled it correctly. Jennifer's not so sure.

• The piece of advice we receive more than any other, by far, is a very monotone variation of, "Well, your life is sure going to change forever." Is that even advice? It sounds more like a threat. I try to respond as sarcastically as possible, usually with a statement about how we already have a dog and therefore we know the drill. I understand the sentiment that people are trying to get across, but I thought the whole point of having a child was so that your life would change forever! That's the thing we are looking forward to most. Note: I'm sure my sarcasm meter will be off the charts about 2 weeks after the baby comes, when in a sleepless state I begin offering that same cynical advice to pregnant couples around me. 

• It's been a lot of fun lately, as our boy has become more active, to feel Jennifer's tummy and try to distinguish if the thing pushing against her is his head or his bottom. Hopefully, after he is born, we won't have as much trouble figuring out which is which.

• I've purchased three "becoming a dad" books, and I'm still not sure how helpful they are. One of the main points in all three is how expensive babies are, and how you shouldn't be stingy when it's in the best interest of the baby. But I've spent all my money on books! Shouldn't the book have a disclaimer on the cover that reads: "The cost of this book would be better spent on diapers. People raised babies just fine for centuries without a new-age book telling them what to do." 

• I realize that advancements in technology and retail variety are good things, but shopping for baby stuff is exhausting. There's too much stuff! It's weird for me to consider that Mary and Joseph cared for baby Jesus with not one single thing found at Babies R Us. How did they manage? I do, however, love the idea of the BabyBjorn things. Holding my son like a kangaroo is something I look forward to very much.

Don't worry, Jennifer will be back to posting again soon, and with pictures of me putting that crib together! Sadly, my mechanic onesie was in the wash at the time. 

If you wish to comment, how about telling us the worst advice you got while you were pregnant?

Kyle

Hello, Third Trimester!

I really cannot believe that today begins the third trimester!! Wow. When people told me that pregnancy would fly by, I must admit that in my head I thought, "Hmm...maybe for you...." Now, I can honestly say that it has been 100 % true for me. I can't wait for little man to get here, but there is a lot that needs to get done before he makes his debut! We are SO excited, though, and words just do not express our gratefulness for this precious season of our lives. I don't have long to post, but I did want to put up a new picture to show you how baby is growing. He LOVED Thanksgiving dinner, as you can probably tell! :)

27 weeks

25 Weeks and Counting

Hello all! Kyle, baby and I have had a busy start to November. I truly cannot believe it is November 16th! Even more unbelievable is that we are already 25 weeks pregnant...where has the time gone?? Baby is growing like a weed, and so is his mom. I think it happened over night (that is what everyone has been telling me today) and I am finding that the little things like tying my shoes or picking up things that I drop (which is also happening more lately) are becoming a little more difficult. But I LOVE being pregnant! Truly one of the greatest gifts of my life.

Kyle and I just got back this weekend from a fun little trip to Chicago, our favorite city. We had a ball! It was our last "just the two of us" vacation before baby boy arrives. Kyle took me to celebrate my birthday and was really sweet about doing a lot of Christmas shopping and taking sit down breaks when I got tired. We also ate a lot (have I mentioned how much I love food lately?) and just relaxed. I am thankful for my sweet husband for making my birthday so special.

21 weeks

25 weeks...I grew!

Merry Christmas from the Yorks

Eating in Chicago...what we do best! :)

Baby BOY York and Another Surprise

Yes, we are still here! It has been a busy couple of weeks. Let's start back on October 7th, one of the most joyful days of my life. Kyle and I went into our doctor's appointment at 12:30, anxious and excited to see our sweet little baby for the first time in about 11 weeks. The last time we saw baby, he looked like a little bean, and we were so excited to see all of the details that were not really developed then (hands, feet, nose, ears, etc.). The ultrasound tech told us that she was going to be quiet the whole time because she was concentrating on "checking everything out" to make sure it was ok. I am so glad she told us that, because for about 10 minutes we sat in silence and looked at baby, head to toe. I did not stop smiling the whole time. Last, but not least, we found out the gender. The ultrasound tech asked, "Can you tell what you're having?" and I said, "A little  boy??" The answer was Yes!! She said there is no doubt that it is a little boy. :) So get ready for a lot of blue (hence the abundance of blue on the blog). We are just thrilled! Here are some pictures from that day.

Baby Boy's first outfit from my parents. The hat says, "Little Sport" :)

I was so thankful that my Mom, Dad, and sister could be there!

We are having a BOY!

The next morning, we flew out at 7 a.m. (of course, I woke up at 3:15 a.m. because I was so excited I couldn't sleep!) to see Kyle's family. It timed out so well, because it was Denise's (Kyle's mom's) 55th birthday weekend, and we got to see them the next day after our ultrasound so we had many things to celebrate. Not long after we got there, we found out we had another wonderful blessing to celebrate...Ashley (Kyle's sister) and her husband Brandon announced that they are expecting!!! I wish I had a video camera of Kyle's mom unwrapping that ultrasound picture...we all went nuts! God has really blessed us in such precious and wonderful ways, and it amazes me to think about His hand in all of this. The babies are 8 weeks apart, so the cousins will be close in age, which is such a special thing in itself. Here is a picture of Kyle's mom a few minutes after finding out she was going to be a grandmother of two!

The cousins' first picture together with grandma :)

Exciting times! I have noticed that many times the mountains are followed by valleys. I have had poison ivy for a couple of weeks (first time in my life, but apparently I am highly allergic to it), so my doctor put me on a steroid. After finishing the steroid, I caught this rough cold that has kept me home from work for almost a week...eek. But now that I have started the Z pack, I am doing better and not keeping Kyle (and probably baby!) up all night because of my coughing! And hopefully baby will start to be able to recognize my voice again soon when it returns to its regular soprano range (versus an alto/tenor). :) God is so good, all the time, even when things don't seem to be going the way we think they should. May He receive glory for every good thing, as we know that all good things come from above. Until next time, much love from our family to yours!

Baby and me at about 20 weeks

I Get A Kick Out of You

Pardon the pun in the title...I get that honest from my daddy. :) I just had to post this because it was one of those moments I will never forget. On our way to run a few errands tonight, I felt the baby kick a couple of times. I have been feeling it for about a week now on and off (baby was having a party during the sermon on Sunday!), and it has been the most precious thing to me. So tonight, baby kicked me a couple of times and I told Kyle about it. We thought we'd try to see if Kyle might be able to feel the kicks from the outside. The first little kick, Kyle wasn't able to feel. But a few seconds later, we both looked at each other at the same time and gasped...he felt the kick! It was a good one, too...I think baby might have known his daddy was there because he/she was showing off. :) Truly one of the most precious moments of my life. We are so thankful that God has blessed us with the miracle of this little life.
Oh...and we are finding out if we are having a boy or girl on Thursday (three days away)!! Stay tuned. :)

Catching Up

Kyle and I have had a busy busy week! Last weekend, we went to Nemo, Texas, home of Kyle's wonderful grandparents Mama and Big Daddy. They live on a beautiful farm, and we love going to visit. It may just be the most relaxing place I've ever been...hardly a sound can be heard except the birds, crickets, and the occasional moo of the cows in the nearby field. I know...sounds almost too good to be true! I just love it. Big Daddy's birthday bash was last Saturday, and most of the family came in town to celebrate. We had a ball eating, laughing, and watching baby Bryden (the first great-grandchild in the family). Here are a few pics from the weekend.

Big Daddy's farm-themed birthday cake

Mama playing with cute Bryden

In other news, Kyle and I had a doctor appointment today. They were super busy, and baby was getting hungry, so I was thankful for that granola bar I had in my purse! Anyway, we got a great report, with baby's heartbeat fluctuating between 142 and 150 bpm. We are so thankful for good news. Dr. McMinn also told us that instead of waiting four weeks to find out the gender, she wants us back in three! No objection from us! We can't wait to find out if we are having a little girl or a boy. Kyle is funny...he said he is 52 percent sure it is a girl. I told him I am 58 percent sure it's a boy! Ha ha :) Well, one of us has to be right. Can't wait to see which one it is!

Go State!

We have had such a great Labor Day weekend. The Wrights (David, Michelle, and Addison) came to see us all the way from Texas and we had a ball! Addison is three and a half and she is just as cute as can be. We all went to the State game on Saturday, and she was a real trooper! She wasn't sure what to think about the cowbell at first, but by the end she was ringing it like a true Bulldog. :)

The Yorks at the first football game of 2010

The Wright Family - David, Michelle, and Addison

Addison ringing the cowbell like a pro

Go Dawgs!

Football, Fall, and Growing Feet

Well, friends, the day is almost here. Tomorrow marks the beginning of Bulldog football season, and Kyle is already wearing his maroon. Even Scooter senses the excitement around here, although he will be cheering for the dogs from the comfort of his own bed (which is actually our bed...he is spoiled). Anyway, we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Kyle's best friend from high school, David, his sweet wife Michelle and their precious daughter Addison. They are flying in tomorrow morning and then we are all heading to Starkville! Oh, and get this...the high tomorrow in Starkville is a lovely 85 degrees. Yes! Fall is on the way. :)

Speaking of fall, it is by far my favorite season and it is almost here! I let myself light a couple of fallish candles this morning because it felt cool outside. Usually, I save those until it is feeling more like fall to make the lighting of my Yankee Harvest candle more special. You just can't light the Harvest candle when it's 103 degrees outside! Anyway, fall will be here before we know it and I am one excited girl. :)

You might be wondering what the Growing Feet title has to do with anything. Well, I knew my tummy would be getting bigger with pregnancy, but I had no idea my feet would grow, too! I have already gone up half a shoe size to a 9 and even those are a little snug. Now, I know the Hermetz toes are quite a sight to behold, but I don't think I can blame this one on my Daddy. :) I've since done a little research, and I am pretty sure it is a pregnancy symptom that I knew nothing about but that many women experience. Anyone else out there know what I am talking about?

Go Dawgs!! Hope everyone has a wonderful Labor Day weekend.

And so it begins...

Welcome to our blog! So, Kyle and I decided it might be time to start a family blog since we are celebrating some happy news! In case you haven't heard, we are expecting a little York in late February. We are ecstatic (and that is quite the understatement) and hope that this time will be a reflection of God's goodness and grace to those around us. It is just amazing to me that the God of the universe would be carefully knitting this sweet baby together (Psalm 139). Wow.

I have had family asking for details on how the pregnancy is going, so here goes! Today began week 14, and I am into the 2nd trimester now. I welcomed it with open arms, and I am already feeling better! What have I been craving this past week? Chicken spaghetti, of all things. I have had it for 4 meals this past week, and I am wanting it again just talking (or typing) about it! This is pretty wild because, as my mom could tell you, I used to not be the chicken spaghetti fan. Now, I can't get enough of the stuff! What will I not touch with a 10 foot pole? Bacon and fried anything...eck!

Our next appointment is in 19 days (not that I'm counting), and we will get to hear the precious heartbeat again. We should find out if it is a little football player (let's hope he gets Kyle's athletic ability vs mine!) or a little ballerina in about 6 and a half weeks. Pregnancy really is flying by, and I am trying to just soak it all in. We greatly appreciate your prayers as we prepare to be parents over the next 6 months.

What else is new? I'll tell you what is on Kyle's mind...college football! :) Less than a week until MSU football kickoff, and we are super excited. Of course, the choir of football sounds is week-long in the York household. Even though my love of football is growing each year, I have a feeling I may be making a few trips to TJ Maxx (by the way, we have a new TJ Maxx in Flowood and I am pumped!!).

Well, I guess that is all for now. Hope everyone has a great, happy football-season-kickoff week!