Archive for Baby Stories
37 Weeks
Posted by: | CommentsSo it has finally arrived. The nebulous mystical 37th week when the proverbial goose is cooked and the tea kettle is whistling… well, so they say any-who. The 37th week of pregnancy is a mile-marker of sorts because from this day forward, Caleb is considered “full term” which simply put means that his body and most importantly, his lungs, are fully developed and ready to enter the world. It strikes me as odd how all of a sudden, I find myself impatient. The realization that my son is now ready to enter this world is all at once joyful and exciting as well as trying on my patience. I want to meet him. I want to hold him in my arms and kiss his little face. I want to feel his tiny fingers, count his tiny toes. I want to know the mystery and marvelous wonder of what it means to be a daddy. I wish that moment were here now but on the opposite side of the same coin, I am scared because I do not know what to expect. This “final destination” or really, a beginning of a new life, is barreling down on us like a freight train. There is no stopping, no going back – “do not pass go, do not collect $200″. Even when I feel somewhat out of control, I still find that I am anxious – like a small child who impatiently taps his fingers on the corner of his school desk because he knows he only has 20 minutes before school lets out and he gets to go to Disneyland for the weekend. The arrival of my first-born son, the transformation of my darling wife and myself into parents, first smiles, first steps, first words – all of these amazing and wonderful events are in our future and I can hardly wait for their arrival!
The past 9 months have blurred by in a moment. It seems like just yesterday we found out that Melissa was pregnant. It seems like just yesterday that we had the joy of finding out that we have a baby boy in mommy’s tummy. It seems like just yesterday that we got our crib set up in the nursery… wait, that was yesterday! 
Yes, the drama of the nursery furniture has continued, but that is a long story and should be told in another post.
You see, I’ve begun to realize why there is a 9 month pregnancy. God could have easily caused the process to take only a couple months, but instead, he chose 9. Anyone who has had a baby can probably say “amen!” to the conclusion I’ve reached. God built the human body to take 9 months to grow not because we needed that time to develop but because the new parents need that time to fully come to grips with reality – to come around from sheer panic and a little bit of excitement to sheer excitement and a little bit of panic! Over the last 9 months, I have really noticed a change in the core of myself. A change I can’t fully quantify logically so I have to describe it creatively. I remember the day we found out Melissa was pregnant as clearly as crystal. The moment the gasp came from Melissa’s lips, I felt a little ember spark into existence in the depths of my soul. It wasn’t anything dramatic – I didn’t cry or jump up and down or squeal for joy, but there was a change. Are there any men out there who love to start camp fires? Raise your hand! You and I both know that the only way to start a fire without an accelerant such as lighter fluid, white gas, or nitroglycerin – is to gently blow on the tiny flames at the base of a fire just after you have lit the kindling. The gentle breath greatly increases the speed at which the fire burns the fuel due to the dramatic increase in oxygen. That is how I feel that God has been “breathing” into my soul. His breath of life flowed into the first cells of that tiny human life to endow an eternal soul. That same breath has been gently breathing into my soul to bring that little spark into a full raging fire. Even though I am anxious to meet my son and can hardly stand the wait, I understand now why there is a wait. Had a stork dropped Caleb in our arms 8 months ago, we would have run screaming in the other direction! (Partly because of the somewhat disturbing thought of a bird carrying a baby!) But in these past months, the desire to become a daddy has transformed in my heart from a nebulous “holy-moly, I don’t want to grow up” moment, to a concrete and beautiful “I am honored to be given this gift from God to raise up, cherish, and protect”.
I thank God for the 9 months, the 40 weeks, the 280 days, the 6,720 hours that he gives us so that he can work a miracle in our hearts and souls. I don’t want Caleb to come before the perfect time God has ordained for him. And yet I anxiously wait so that I can stand hand-in-hand with my darling wife, looking towards the future of our world and our eternal future, and join with the countless other families as we start this journey as a FAMILY. The two that became one have created life by the grace of Almighty God. What a miracle life is!
Baby Bedding
Posted by: | CommentsMany of you may know already how expensive it is to purchase crib bedding sets. I was shocked when I saw it costs nearly $200 for such a small amount of fabric when you can buy an entire “bed in a box” for a queen or king sized bed for under $100! I guess we have to pay extra for cuteness eh? *wink*
Well, my darling Melissa and I had picked out our bedding for the room. It’s a set called “Go Car Go” which has the most adorable picture of a car as you see below.
The whole bedroom set
At Melissa’s first baby shower, her mom, Theresa, had a special cake made with the same “Beep Beep Car” on it…
Beep Beep Cake
Some wonderful family members had offered to purchase it for us but at the time of the baby shower, the item was sold out from Target.comwhere we have our registry. So, in an effort to still get the set that Melissa had her heart set on, I did some research and found a seller on eBay who had 5 sets available for sale. The family members purchased the bed set and we figured we’d get it in a couple weeks. Well, 2 and a half weeks passed and no bedding set. On Friday, my mother-in-law gets an email from the seller saying that “eBay didn’t notify us of the sale until today and we’ve already sold out of this item, it is back-ordered until Nov 30th.” Now first of all, eBay doesn’t “forget” to notify a seller. I’ve been selling on eBay for 8 years and never once have they not notified me of a sale. The problem is that they either missed the email or someone dropped the ball.
Well, suffice to say that did not sit well with either of us. Melissa especially had a hard time with it because, bless her heart, she wants to have the room ready for the baby. I don’t blame her. Walking into the “nursery” right now is kind of discouraging because it is just an empty room with a stroller, car seat, and some random baby gifts on the floor – oh and a bookshelf in the corner. Every single item that we’ve ordered for the equipping of the baby’s room has had some kind of delay or problem. This was like the “straw that broke the camel’s back” as Melissa explained. We both have a need to feel like we are ready to receive Caleb into this world and call it whatever you like, but to us, it means a lot to have that room ready. I could dive into all the other “issues” we’ve had with delays in shipments and orders not being placed etc, but suffice to say, Thursday was very discouraging.
But, as with all the storms in life – there is always something to be grateful for and that is what we have to keep our eyes on. In the story of the storm on the Sea of Galilee when Jesus calmed the winds and the waves, was Jesus concerned or worried? I mean, good grief, when the storm was raging around them, Jesus was sound asleep in the boat without a care in the world. His disciples woke him saying “Master, we are going to drown! DO SOMETHING!” (heavily paraphrased). Jesus scolded them for their lack of faith and spoke three words to the storm “Peace! Be Still!”. And all was quiet. Stop, wait a second… Why did Jesus say they lacked faith? If you and I were on a rickety boat in the middle of a huge storm, wouldn’t we have the same fear? Of course! But isn’t that what we are all in at many different times in our lives? Big or small, the storms of life can rock our world, our faith, and our emotions. And yet, Jesus says to us, “Oh you of little faith!” Why? Because Jesus is always with us, he promises to never leave or forsake us! Read Romans 8 today. No matter what - Jesus is always with us and will always – ALWAYS love us. I wrote a song many years ago which was inspired by a plaque I saw even that many more years before that. The chorus goes, “Sometimes he calms the storm, and other times, he calms his child…” We can’t always believe that God will calm every storm in our lives. If he did, we’d never learn anything. It’s through the trials and tribulations of life that he refines us with his refining fire. More often than not, he will calm his children and walk with them through the storm. But he says “fear not! For I am always with you, even until the end of the age!”
So no matter how big or small your storm – remember to take courage and faith that Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. When we trust in him, there is no fear, no doubt, and no worry. I know I sure could use less worry in my life! I need to surrender myself to him more each day, learning to trust and to lean every bit on him. I’m in the same “boat” with everyone else. Even though this was a small storm, we still need to turn to Him in everything. Because he will either calm the storm or he will calm us… his children.
Stains and other Mishaps
Posted by: | CommentsSo I know that I’ve posted several deeper topics recently and I was going to continue doing so until something happened Sunday morning that I had to blog about. The back story to this blog is that we’ve been finding ways to equip the nursery for as little out-of-pocket expense as possible. I have this old chest-of-drawers that I used when I was younger that was still at my parent’s house. I decided that instead of buying new furniture for the baby’s room, why not re-use things we already own. Great idea! Only one problem… it was painted slathered with that fake stone “flecking” that you can spray on. It was white with teal accents and our baby room has dark woods and brown and blue! “Hmmm” I thought to myself. We could strip off the paint and stain the wood dark! Wow, we could save so much money this way!
Saturday, Alejandro and I spent the entire morning stripping off the thick and icky paint. We successfully managed to remove all the remaining vestiges of the paint and sand it down to reveal the beautiful grain of the natural wood. After that adventure, Melissa and I decided to go out and purchase the stain we wanted to try at Sherwin-Williams (who happened to be having a great sale at the time!) So we took the stain home and I got a drawer out of the dresser and set to staining the front. It was already after 6pm when I finished so it was too late to wait the recommended 6 hours before applying a second coat so we decided to wait until Sunday morning.
I got up Sunday morning ready to finish the first drawer and see how it would come out. Icarried the drawer outside on our back patio and went back inside to grab the quart sized can of wood stain and the tools I needed. As I stepped out onto the patio something happened. I don’t know how to describe what transpired in the next 500 milliseconds, but suddenly, without warning, the can of wood stain decided to dislodge itself from my hand and drop in slow motion to the ground. I’m not sure what happened first. The sound of the sealed top of the can of stain popping off followed by the sickening gush of liquid stain freed from captivity at last – or the sound of my shriek as I realized I was doomed.
I often mention how time seems to slow down for me. Well, yet again, time seemed to slow down to a snails pace as I saw the lid of the can pop off and a full 32 ounces of wood stain splash out of it’s holding cell into the morning light – splashing onto my legs, onto the siding of my house, onto the sliding glass door… oh wait, the sliding glass door was open… onto the carpet inside the house, onto the dining room table, onto my nice shoes next to the couch, missing the couch, and finally coming to rest on the linoleum in our kitchen 10 feet away.
As time sped up again, I looked around at the disaster that befell me. I realized that with one tiny accident, I had just taken what was supposed to be a money saving plan and turned it into a money draining plan! Well Dave Ramsey, how do you suggest I fix this one?
So if any of you have any brilliant ideas on how to remove dried wood STAIN from carpet without melting the carpet fibers, I’d love to hear about it!
But in the end, I must be thankful to the Lord because it did not get on our nice couch nor did it damage the table or chairs. Only the carpet… and the leopard spots I am now sporting on my ankles.
So the moral of this story is how proud I was of my wife in the midst of this crisis. Instead of yelling or getting angry or upset like she could have, she instead chose to remain calm and tell me that it was all going to be ok and that it was only an accident. She lovingly gave me space to seethe at the stupidity of the moment and helped to calm me down as I wanted to go stuff my 6′ 7″ frame into that quart can of stain to hide from the embarrassment. I thought, “Who are you and what have you done with my wife…” and then I realized. This was my wife – acting in Christ’s love and understanding. What an awesome way to end a stupid accident. Thank you honey. For you love and your support. I love you!
Hiccups
Posted by: | Comments“He has the hiccups”, Melissa said as she grinned from ear to ear. We were sitting in my office just chatting as she stopped mid sentence to motion me over to feel her tummy. I knelt by her chair and gently placed my hand on her ever-growing belly and waited. Bump–Bump–Bump…. there it was! Caleb’s rhythmic pulse could be felt though all the layers of her maternity-wear. A warmth grew around my heart as I envisioned our little one inside hiccuping.
We sat there for a couple minutes just to take in the wonder of it all. The thought that we are the parents and caregivers of this little person is so overwhelming at times that it seems all too surreal. But in moments like these I feel connected to our son in a way I could never describe with words. Words fail to express the depth of the connection and the love I already feel for this little person. When he moves and we can both feel him, I feel as if my whole focus in life is narrowed like a laser beam on my wife and my son - as if we were the only three people in the universe along with the Lord. You have probably heard people say (or even experienced for yourself) how a moment in time can seem to pause and last for an eternity. Well, just as I had taken in my breath and was preparing to exhale, time ground to a halt. It was almost as if I could observe myself from a third-person perspective as I watched the three of us huddle together enjoying the miracle of that moment – the miracle of hiccups. Maybe I was getting just a glimpse of what Father God sees – how he smiles as he pours out his heart into ours so that our love expands for this little person. Maybe, for just a moment, I saw through the eyes of Jesus – tender, gentle, all-knowing, all-caring, all loving. As the moment hung in space and time, I thanked Him. I thanked him for all that Christ did for us on the cross – how my life was changed forever by his grace and his love. I thanked him for bringing Melissa into my life because I could never imagine a more wonderful person to share this miracle with – to share my life and my soul with – the woman who embodies the most perfect wife, tailor made for me by His loving hands. I thanked him for our unborn son Caleb, who will be an and already is an incredible blessing. I realized that God himself deemed us worthy to give us an eternal gift. He has already given us everything by giving us the life of his Son, but now, as the moment hangs in the air in silence, he gave me a son!
With a soft sigh, I exhaled. What seemed like an eternal moment came to a beautiful but bitter-sweet end as I realized that I couldn’t exist in that moment forever. As the rhythmic bumping of Caleb’s hiccups began again, it came to me. I realized that so often as adults, we lose sight of what is truly beautiful in this world. When we get the hiccups, it’s an annoyance – even irritating. And yet, in the body of a little child it is so beautiful. A child’s hiccups are full of life! Why do we as adults choose to lose sight of all the wonderful things that God has given us. When Jesus had the little children come to him, his disciples tried to turn them away because they probably thought “The Master has more important things to do than deal with these annoying kids!” But what did Jesus do? He opened his arms and with a smile that warmed up the farthest reaches of the cold universe he said “Let the children come to me!” Jesus then went on to say that we should all have the faith and wide-eyed wonder of a little child. How easy it is for us to “grow up” and forget to look at our world with the eyes of a child. In that moment, for just an instant, I saw through the eyes of a little child. I saw the wonder in something as simple as – well, hiccups.
A New Definition of Joy
Posted by: | CommentsJoy. That’s what I see in the eyes of my wife. An insatiable joy as she peers down at her ever expanding belly. A smile spreads across her face as she envisions holding that precious baby in her arms for the first time.
I will never fully understand women. They are complex, non-logical (to my geek-driven logical mind), emotionally driven, and overall confusing. But within each woman is a seed implanted by God himself at their conception – a seed of motherhood. For many, this seed is buried deep inside and never allowed to sprout to life – they may claim many reasons – career, time, energy, etc. But all women have it. As a soon-to-be daddy, I have found myself observing the emotions and feelings of my wife far more closely as it pertains to motherhood. I’ve seen that seed begin to sprout and grow. In her life, it is beginning to blossom as I see her interact with our son. Even though he is yet unborn, it’s almost as if she misses him. As if Caleb Joshua is supposed to be in her arms at this very moment. In my mind’s eye, I already see her holding his tiny little body close to hers – enveloping him in her arms with the radiance of pure love and joy pouring forth from her entire being.
As we sit together, looking into each other’s eyes, Melissa and I both smile – we share a deep and rich love and affection for each other unsurpassed by our wildest imagination. And yet, that love can expand to include another. Melissa put it best when she said that “… the beauty of the human heart is that it was designed to expand to accommodate more love than we could ever imagine.” What my wife has said so beautifully is a glimpse of what true love is and the Source from which it comes.
All love comes from God. He IS love. His love is limitless, timeless, selfless, and all consuming. Our love is finite and limited in comparison. So the miracle of love and of life is that when we are blessed with the opportunity to love a new person gifted to our family through the miracle of birth, it is as if Christ himself reaches down into each of our hearts and expands them with his gentle and tender hands. We do not lose love for each other, nay we gain more for each other as the heart expands and yet there is now room for what seems to be a limitless love for this new little person.
I am so proud to be a daddy. In fact, a couple nights ago I picked up a gift from our first baby shower that was a blanket that said “I Love Daddy” on it. I lost it. It suddenly became real for the first time since Melissa got pregnant. When I say “real” I mean I suddenly felt connected to my son as if he were in my arms gazing up at me with his big eyes full of wonder and life. The miracle happened at that very moment – I felt my heart expand in a remarkable way that I cannot explain or describe. Nothing anyone has said or could have said could have prepared me for that moment. The tears flowed as I watched my dear wife behold in her mind’s eye that same beautiful bundle of life. In that one moment, which seemed to stretch on for eternity, we both connected in a very real and spiritual way, to our son, Caleb.
Son, when you read this someday, you will know the love I speak of. You will be shown, told, and surrounded by love every day of your life. Mommy and Daddy only want the best for you and your life. You are a precious gift of God and we await your arrival with eager anticipation.
And as we wait, I realize that I am beginning to become a daddy – and I watch with excitement and love as my lovely wife blooms – she is becoming mommy.
