The 11th Hour

Month nine is upon us. Fourth quarter. Bottom of the ninth. Last lap.

Or as many dad's have put it, the "HOLY SH*T I REALLY AM GOING TO BE A DAD!!!!" month.

In truth, the one-month remainder begins on the 28th, but taking in to account the size of Kaelyn's cocoon, and possibly Mom's mental willingness and eagerness to return to normalcy (Ha!), the safe bet says we're about 2-4 weeks out. A few signs the nurses have told us usually hint to a 2-3 week remainder have occurred: Kaelyn's begun to drop and the Braxton-Hicks contractions have started up. They also said the "nesting" phase usually pops up about a week out, but any observation of Sarah over the past few months leads me to call BS on that one...

Considering the obvious, Sarah's doing very well. She's right in line with her weight gain, and the doc says all her signs point to a healthy mama and daughter. Kaelyn has definitely kept up her aerobics and kick-boxing routine, and maybe even taken up Tae-Bo, but Sarah's staying strong. She does wear down a little easier, and staying-put is no longer an option. Sort of contradictory I know, but Mom's a trooper.

We made it down to San Antonio this past weekend for Sarah's shower. Along with a couple of other soon-to-be moms (Callie Gauthier with her first, and Brooke Minihan with number two. Both boys!) and our families, the girls played fun party games and ate cake while the men retreated to Hooters where we downed somewhere in the vicinity of 250 wings and toasted the fact that we weren't pregnant ourselves. A great time was had by all, and I thank each of you that were able to make it (and those that tried as well!).

All-in-all things are really coming together. Other than a few decorative items, we have most everything we have either been told, read, or guessed that we'd need for her arrival. As Chris Gauthier put it, it's a wonder that babies ever survived a hundred years ago without a Diaper Genie and "Boudreaux's Butt Paste". But hey, gotta stay with the times.

On a sentimental note, I have to say how much I do appreciate everyone, family, friends, and those that walk the fine line between both, for the love a support you've all shown for all three of us. As a couple, I consider us one of the lucky ones that have friends and family that span all walks of life, philosophies, religions, and beliefs. This has allowed us to see the world from many perspectives and ideals, and become more appreciative of everyone and everything. While this is great for us as a couple, it's even more meaningful that each one of you has had a hand in shaping our daughter as these feeling and thoughts will be passed down to the next generation, and hopefully beyond. As you all watch our daughter grow, I hope you can sit back and take a moment to realize that you helped make her. In some way or another, you all have had a hand in her life. Thank you.

Of course, if she winds up on Girls Gone Wild I'm blaming each and every one of you as well...

And of course, here's some obligatory updates. Enjoy!

Even Leeroy looks worn out.

Revamped closet. Already full. Hmmm....

If only it could change diapers.

About Ready To Pop

Sarah mentioned it'd been awhile since we took a new belly picture. The photo on my previous post was taken about one month ago. Let's just hope she slows down a little bit in these final two months. Sarah's always had great abs, but I think they're just about stretched to their limit...

Who's going to start the betting to see if she makes full term???

Tick Tock Tick Tock...

Well boys and girls, here we are at the final two months. Believe it or not, there's no turning back now! (Lke there ever was to begin with...)

Sarah's now on a bi-monthly doc appointment schedule, which will be the case until June when she starts going every week. So far she's right on track with everything from size and weight gain, to pain and aggravation enhancement. She's been a trooper though, having weathered through work, travel to San Antonio, and weddings (yet another next week!). With the anticipation and growth comes new aches and pains, and a slight increase in fatigue. Kaelyn has decided she's going to grow straight out rather than up, down, or side-to-side. Without a profile shot, you would almost forget mom's about to be a mom. Example: These two pictures were taken about three weeks ago, about one day apart:

Front View - Where's The Baby???

Side View: Found Her!

We've even had some pretty impressive calisthenics being practiced as well. I'll do my best to get some videos uploaded soon.

As for me, I'm finally getting some connection to what's really occurring. I always wondered about the fatherhood side of pregnancy, and honestly I had it pegged pretty well. Even for a sap like me, up until now you really don't feel much. I mean, of course there's the anticipation and happiness, but it's sort of like a combination of Christmas and watching your friends pregnancy. Sure, you know something big is coming and you are aware that it's life-altering. But other than that, it's not the big of a deal. Until now.

I can say I've had two complete moments of clarity. One was when I felt what I believe to be Kaelyn's head rub against my hand repeatedly. Then, upon inspection I see some appendage movement from east to west across Sarah's tummy. I like to believe it was Kaelyn waving hello; glad to hear her daddy was home!

The second moment wasn't quite as surreal, but more of an confirmation of what I knew was to come. This time last year, mid-April to mid-May, Sarah and I were traveling to Austin for boat party's on Lake Travis; to San Antonio to close bars during an engagement celebration; to Rockwall for a crawfish festival with the Minihan's; and spending days in Fort Worth walking the streets at art festivals. Suddenly, last weekend, I find myself in Target on a Saturday night at 9:00pm pushing a cart with an Eddie Bauer travel system stroller in it through checkout lane seven. I was suddenly amongst the middle aged women who shop at that hour to "beat the crowd". I can honestly say I confirmed (mind you, I had already prepped myself for this moment) that the free-wheeling days are over, and daddy-hood is my new full-time gig. But hey, beer's cheaper at the Holland house anyway!

With two more months to go, the anxieties are starting to mount. Will she have red hair? Will she combine her mother and father's rears for a super-junk butt? Will she ever, ever, ever let us sleep? The best answer I can come up with right now is: Who cares? We love you anyway, enormous booty and all...

A Few Other Pictures

Jay and I picked out a few cute little summer dresses for our sweet little June baby on the way. We are hoping for a newborn size baby, but you never know since Jay was a huge baby...almost 10 pounds!

The blue one is her first river house trip dress and the green one is the first thing (other than the TECH stuff) daddy Jay picked out.

A Babies Room in the Making

Well, the once hideous blue-green second bedroom is now pink! We finally decided to get to work on the babies room since her arrival is approaching very quickly and although pink was not the plan in the beginning, daddy Jay decided that anything was better than the blue-green and let us go a little pink crazy. I guess I should mention that if we decide to have another baby and it’s a boy.....I assured him he would get to drive that decorating party. As result, I have already started to prepare myself for a red and black room in my future that includes accents of footballs I am sure!

Of course it was a family affair.....Aunt Jenny laid the plan and dad, Grandma Lavina, Jay and I all took on our perspective jobs. Mom lucked out since she was in the Valley with some kids from the school at a contest. Dad was in charge of building the valance for the window and of course the electrical - hanging the chandelier. Grandma and I (because Jay wasn't to crazy about the light pink paint at first) took on the task of painting and Jay took on all the other associated projects. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention.....Jenny was the project manager!
Needless to say, it all turned out great and the additional touches will all fall right into place as the day approaches. For now, the room as is will cover almost all the immediate needs and it could function pretty well should this little one be arriving earlier than her mom and dad have planned!

I have added some pictures so you can see what we have done so far. You probably noticed Leeroy also, he thinks the room is for him, especially the brown rug. I think he must be color blind! Once we get is all done, you have to come by to see the real deal. We love you all and can’t wait to see you soon!

This One's For You Mom

Ask and you shall receive...

My Hopes

As I laid in bed tonight, obviously unable to sleep (hence the midnight post), I couldn't help but race a few thoughts through my head. I continue to witness the mass that was my wife's belly grow on a daily basis, reminding me daily of the imminent life changer headed my way in T-minus 110 days. I see friends of ours with their children and watch them all interact in such amazing ways. I realize how lucky I am to watch some of my best friends raise their children, and be witness to each little miracle these kids accomplish. I, in the grand scheme of things, am one lucky S.O.B.

However, Baby H's days haven't yet begun. I have this Utopian idea of parenthood in my head (yes, yes, I know there's diapers and projectile vomiting involved, but let's keep our eyes on the big picture here), but what's truly in store? What will life be like for her once she hits the ground running?

My biggest fear of parenthood, to this point anyway, is of misdirecting my daughter. Of putting my own hopes and dreams for her, my utopia, before her own. I fear setting her up for a life that she believes will make daddy proud, but won't allow her to be who she wants to be. So, in an effort to dispel these directives I have replaced them with different hopes. Not so much for a certain lifestyle but of a life. Here's a few:

• I hope for you great health. I hope you don't inherit daddy's asthma or either of our sensitive skin. I hope for no major hiccups along the way. I hope you live life, from the first minute to the final, with vitality and vigor.
• I hope for you great friends. I wish for you to pick a handful that will be by your side like mine have for many years and through every new turn, and a bucket-full that can experience life with you throughout each new stage.
• I hope for you knowledge and a love of learning. I really hope you pick this up from mommy and not from me... I hope you gain a thirst to enhance your own skills, be them mental or physical, that is never quenched.
• I hope for you a warrior spirit with a kind heart. I would love nothing more than to watch you work your way through life conquering everything you set forth to do, while helping those you encounter along the way.
• I hope, above all else, you feel love like no other. Every day of my life, be it from your mom, your grandparents, your Great-Grandparents, your Aunt Mica or Aunt Jenny, or the many other Aunts and Uncles your about to meet, I hear the words "I Love You" from someone. I hope each time you hear these words you can feel the comfort and appreciation that I do.

These are just a few of the things I hope for her as zero hour approaches. I'm sure, as time goes on and crawls turn to first steps, to running steps, and eventually to a sprint that I'll pick up a few more. But, throughout all of this, one thing I am 100% sure will occur is that I will love you every day, and will hold nothing back to turn these hopes to a reality. I love you baby girl.