HIM vs HER

So Melissa and I have decided that we will not find out the gender of Baby M before it is born. While technology provides such easy access to this important piece of information we want to be totally surprised on Baby M’s birthday – one of the only true surprises in life.

So we have also decided that with the birth of our son or daughter our lives will be filled with immense excitement – boy filled excitement or girl filled excitement. Even though we are both excited for either gender, Melissa refers to Baby M as ‘HER’ while I refer to Baby M as ‘HIM’.

So last night, we were talking about Baby M and Melissa slipped, referring to Baby M as ‘HE’. That settles it… we agree that Baby M will surprise us as our SON!

Parents-to-be conquer the.....Poopy Diaper!

To prepare for the coming of little Baby M, we as future parents have been helping out in the nursery at church on Sunday mornings. It's fun, it helps us prepare for parenthood, allows us to be good stewards of our time and gets us out of "Big Church". (Real mature...I know). The first Sunday we had the "crawlers" class in which there were about six kids and ONE of them was a crawler. The rest...pretty mobile on their feet. We left that Sunday feeling successful, no major catastrophes or tantrums and no diaper changes. I'm thinking to myself...this baby thing is a breeze.

Fast foward to this past Sunday. We get to church, ask if help is needed in the nursery, and behold, they put us back in the same class...crawlers. This week we had two bonafide crawlers, two cute little boys. So we're going along playing with the toys...and all of a sudden I hear Mike say to his designated little one..."I think someone has a poopy diaper... Um, Melissa".

Now we have both changed our fair share of diapers, but for me it has been quite a few years. So, we traded babies and I conquered that diaper like a pro! We get all settled and guess what?! Little one #2 decides he needs the same services. That's right, not one, but TWO poopy diapers during the Worship Service hour. I left that nursery walking pregnant and proud thinking, "O.K. Baby M...Mom and Dad are ready for you! Bring it on! There's nothing we can't handle, as long as we can tag-team it!"

In all seriousness, working in the nursery on Sundays really does get us excited about the baby's arrival. I've discovered a few important lessons:
*A mirror is a great way to entertain a baby for hours. It's amazing!
*Changing diapers is just part of it and you can make it fun.
*There is nothing more precious than rocking a sweet baby to sleep and then watching Mike take over and rock him too.

"Baby M", Meet your Dad

Dearest Baby M,
I want you to know that you will have the most wonderful father a little boy or little girl could ask for. How do I know this? Just look at him, holding your cousin Stuart...he's a natural. I tease him that I'm worried he will be a better mother than me. He's just that great of a guy. I even told some friends last night that he is so wonderfully involved in the pregnancy that he would push for me during the delivery if he could. I know we have another six months before we get to meet you, but here are some things you can look forward to while growing up with your father.
If you should be a little girl, know that you will have your dad wrapped around your tiny little finger from the moment you enter this world. Know also that you will probably not date until you are 25 years old and mini-skirts and mid-drift tops are totally out of the question...so don't even try.
If you should be a little boy, know that you will be raised to be an outstanding gentleman. You will know to open doors for ladies and you will learn at an early age how to mow the front yard on the diagonal, alternating that diagonal each week.
These are just a few ways that your dad will show you how much he loves you and how much he wants you to succeed in life.
We can't wait to meet you and love you and watch you grow.
Love,
Mom

Pics for Mike from the Homestead

Hi Honey,
Me here, sending you some pictures from the homestead just for fun. Thought I'd post them on the blog so it'd count as a new post. Enjoy! Love to you and to all who check our site.
Love,
Melissa

Moses waiting at the door for you. Who, by the way, did his little trick the last half of our walk this morning and who is currently outside barking and chasing imaginary birds around the back yard.
You can hardly see them, but these are the little mushrooms growing all over the front yard because of all the rain. It'll be a beast to mow once the rain slows down, but I'm not complaining...we needed it!
The trees out front...aren't they pretty!



The pantry...I warned you about it, Mike. (Everyone else...don't ask)



The back yard...it doesn't look too bad, but it will be fun to mow in a day or so.

The long-lost hummingbird feeder, strategically placed above the purple petunias.

Can't wait to put on the new shutters next week.

O.k., that's it from the homestead. We miss you (the baby and me.....and Moses....)!