Short update from the Daddy perspective

So, Erin usually does most of the writing, but I wanted to throw out my 2 cents once again. Today, we had another appointment with the lady that I call doctor, but Erin claims is not. Apparently, she's a midwife. Unfortunately, this was the first appointment that I had to miss. Everything is going great! Erin is just the right size (the photo to the left is from week 26), and Elise is growing right on schedule.

Recently, the idea of fatherhood has begun to set in more and more. Over the past month and a half, I can think of 2 fairly emotional experiences I have had. A few weeks ago I went to see the movie Knocked Up with my friend Todd. Now you may be asking yourself how a movie titled "Knocked Up" can evoke any emotion but laughter. Well, sparing the details, a couple gets pregnant, due to some interesting circumstances, and a baby is born. When the baby (girl) arrives, this silly, at times vulgar, comedy turns slightly dramatic. As I was watching the father hold his newborn daughter in his arms, while Loudon Wainwright music played, I put myself in his place. I imagined the moment that Elise would arrive into this world and I would first look into her eyes. I got a little overwhelmed, and my eyes got a tad misty in the middle of the movie theater, which for me is a VERY unusual occurrence. I immediately went home and downloaded the soundtrack so that I could play the music for Elise, in and out of the womb.

I had a similar experience a couple of weeks ago while visiting our friends Kim and Randy in the hospital. Their daughter, Rebekah had just been born, and I had the opportunity to hold her. She placed her fragile, infant daughter in my arms, and from the moment on, I was unable to take my eyes off of her. At that moment, I realized that we would be in this same hospital, experiencing all of the same joys, in a few short months. In my mind, Rebekah transformed into Elise, and I saw my daughter. It was almost as if I was holding my own daughter and filled with an overwhelming sense of joy and nervousness. It was a surreal moment that for a split second, brought everything into perspective.

Day by day, I'm becoming ready to be a father... I think. I have so many friends that have had children and passed on advice, that I feel like I know what's coming. But, another part of me realizes that I have absolutely no idea how my life is about to change. There are so many emotions swirling about in my head, but the best way to explain my feelings is that I am so excited, and at the same time terrified.

So Many Blessings!

The last month was an exciting one for Wes and me! Wes has been hoping for a new job that would allow him to work with college students, something he enjoyed greatly when he was a graduate student. He also really wanted more flexible hours and a less intense environment than the advertising world provided. Our friend Michael Porter recommended him for a position working in a student leadership office on the IU campus. Wes was offered the position and actually began today! He is the new Program Coordinator for the Council for Advancing Student Leaders. It is already proving to be a much better fit with his skills and interests.

I also had an exciting opportunity to interview for a promotion in my office. I received the position, which will allow me supervise several staff members and allow me to spend more time developing relationships and partnerships with other student services across the IU campus. I'm thrilled about the increase in responsibility and the chance to develop new skills. Besides just being happier in our new positions, God truly provided for our needs in order to be able to afford the type of childcare that we wanted to provide for Elise. We are constantly amazed by God's sovereignty in our lives - providing us more blessings than we would ever deserve.

One of those blessings is how rich our lives are with great friends. A few weeks ago, we had quite a celebration, with a baby shower in the morning for Elise and me, and a 30th birthday bash in the evening for Wes. We were thrilled to have our families, so many of our friends from here in Bloomington, and most of our dearest college friends all able to join in the celebrations. It was a great weekend with memories we'll cherish! Plus, I have to add that Wes was a great sport at his birthday party, even though so many embarrassing videos from his youth surfaced!

Elise is growing and doing well in her 25th week. She now weighs somewhere between a pound and a half and two pounds and a foot to a foot and half in length. She also has hair, so the babycenter website tells us. This picture was taken at 23 weeks. We have a second ultrasound this Wednesday, so I may post a short update later in the week with any details we learn about her specific size, weight, etc. I also want them to double-check, just to confirm she is indeed a girl!