Update from Dad

I am writing this post from Mason's nursery. More and more, I find myself wandering in here just to look around. Today I am sitting in the glider while I drink my morning coffee.

Jennifer and I have been praying together in the nursery, and visualizing Mason in his crib, on his changing pad, and in his little lamb swing. It is all becoming real to us as the countdown to his arrival reaches its final few weeks. Our doctor visits are now weekly, we are washing all his little outfits, charging up our cameras, and preparing our suitcase for the big day.

Today will mark my first attempt at car seat installation. I told Jennifer that I prefer the trial-and-error method with this. I'd rather do it myself and then have the guys at the fire station correct me than just drive up there and frantically toss it at them like a hand grenade. Either way, it seems better than pulling up to the hospital doors in a few weeks and aimlessly buckling straps together while Jennifer and newborn Mason stare at me impatiently from a wheelchair. 

Lately I've been reading up on the process of birth, and getting advice on how to handle things. One of the first points the book made was for dads not to make fun of your wife during labor and delivery. Wow, is that really a problem? I've said some insensitive things in the name of comedy, but the thought of me ruining the sacredness of birth (and being pelted with tomatoes by the nursing staff) makes this a non-issue. I also have no intention of smoking an It's a Boy cigar in the delivery room, or inviting in my buddies to catch the final minutes of a basketball game.

I did read one thing that I can't get over: that my baby will immediately recognize and respond to my voice when he is born. Wow. It makes me all the more eager to meet him, and to hold in in my hands for the first time. I'm a little concerned that my tears are going to short-out the keyboard, so I will finish this post by saying a HUGE thank you to our family and friends who have supported us (and purchased for us) recently. We've now got so much great stuff, and have received more love and kindness than we could have imagined. Thank you!!

Kyle

Blessed

Well, here we are at 35 weeks! It is so hard to believe that Mason could really come any day now. I keep telling him that he probably needs to hang out in there for a little while longer, but I think he may be trying to chisel his way out with the way he has been pushing lately! :) But, seriously, I love every little tiny movement he makes, and I am trying to just take it all in these last few weeks.

What have we been up to lately? Well, a lot actually! I am on maternity leave now and I am really enjoying it. I feel like it is just a good time to clear my mind and get focused on preparing for baby's big debut. I think it will also be a good time to just reflect on God's goodness and abundant blessing in all of this. Kyle and I have hoped and prayed to be parents, and God has faithfully answered our prayers in His perfect time. We are just so humbled by the whole idea that He would trust us with a baby...I feel so unworthy in so many ways. But I know that He will provide and guide me in all of those areas where I feel completely clueless. And really, there is no hope for this child apart from Him anyway.

Kyle and I have been blessed by baby showers two weekends in a row! It has been the most fun!! We have the most precious friends and family, and we have been really overwhelmed by their generosity these past two weeks. Last week, my dear friends from Meridian and college hosted a baby shower at Molly's house. Then today, my sweet friends from church hosted a shower at Stephanie's house. Below are some pictures from the showers.

Sweet friends Meghan and Jamie

Most of my wonderful hostesses

Mason's grandmothers and aunts

Meredith and me with my cute diaper cake

Mason will love wearing his daddy's football number!

My precious hostesses

Wishing you a wonderful week from the four of us (can't forget Scooter!).

Christmas and a Crib

Hello family and friends! I have been quite the blog delinquent lately, but now hopefully we will be back in full force. After all, Mason's due date is less than two months away! We are SO excited we can hardly stand it, although there is some anxiety that is starting to set in (moreso for mama than daddy...I have always been the worrier of the relationship!). Even though there is a lot to think about, I know that God has got this totally under control. He has known every detail about this baby boy longer than Kyle and I have even been alive, which totally blows my mind. Reminding myself of God's incomprehensible love for us helps me relax instead of stress and rejoice instead of fret. At this very moment, Mason is break dancing in my tummy and it strikes me what a miracle God is letting us witness through his little life.

A few weeks ago, Kyle put Mason's crib together. I was so proud of him...he did a great job! And even though I didn't get photographic proof of his mechanic onesie (see previous post), you can rest assured that his inner mechanic was in full force. :)

Kyle putting Mason's crib together

In other news, we had a wonderful Christmas with our families! First, we went to Meridian to stay with my family, where our time was spent relaxing, eating delicious Mema food (Mema is my amazing cook grandmother), visiting friends, watching It's a Wonderful Life, and reliving our childhoods through old family videos. We even had a white Christmas (well, we had a few flurries, but it still counts in Mississippi). :)

The girls at Mema's for Christmas Eve

If you pull out your magnifying glass, you may see a few snowflakes on Scooter's fur :)

The second half of our Christmas celebration was spent with Kyle's family in Texas. We flew in to Houston and then drove to the family farm in Nemo, home of Kyle's grandparents Mama and Big Daddy. Our time in Texas was spent visiting both sides of Kyle's family, eating fabulous Mexican food, watching lots of football, shopping around Market Street, and getting excited about two baby boys on the way!

Pawpaw with his girls and grandsons, Hayes and Mason!

The York family after a wonderful meal at Grotto

One New Year's resolution of mine: to be a better blogger! Let's see if I can keep this one :)