July 11th, 2008
By Arthur

I have had plenty of inspiration for posts lately. It seems that everywhere I turn there was something that was motivating me to write. I could write about a few of the things that happened on vacation (and those will be coming next week, or at least some of them), or I could write another Shiloh post that I’ve had in my head. I even contemplated writing a deeper post about something I read on Kristine’s blog today, but in the end I decided to go with a very good topic-our bun in the oven.

I haven’t written a baby update in quite awhile, so I figured now was as good a time as any to write one. We have now been through two ultrasounds and both went very well. All the necessary parts were visible and accounted for. You all know by now that we are having a girl, so there is no need to tell you that again, but I do have an update on a name.

We had contemplated over quite a few names, and taken into account many suggestions about names, but ultimately agree at this point, that it is going to be Abigail. Abigail Michelle has a nice ring to it I think. I’m not a betting man, but I would almost bet at this point, that the name will not change. The wife and I are both in agreement and feel pretty strong about it. Thanks for everyone’s input about names, and Jody, I love the name Autumn as well, but when my last name is a different season, it doesn’t really work:)

On a different note, I also felt my first movement while on vacation. We were on the boat on the 4th and suddenly the wife is thrusting my hand on her stomach. I wait patiently and lo and behold I feel a little thump. It is the only one I’ve felt so far, in multiple attempts, but it was very cool and there was no question what I was feeling. The wife feels movement all the time now, but obviously that doesn’t always translate into movement I can feel on the outside.

The bottom line is that the pregnancy is going well, and the wife seems to get bigger everyday (I mean that in a nice way honey). We will be starting on the baby room sometime very soon as well. We already have the crib on order, and we need to get registered for the baby showers as well. I think I’m going to get a stroller like Blessed has. That thing is sooo freaking cool.

So that pretty much wraps up the baby update. I hope everyone has a good weekend.

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June 13th, 2008
By Arthur

Tom, over at the Base Camp Legends blog, has an excellent video that he made as a tribute to his dad and grandfathers. The video is awesome, and the love of the outdoors his family instilled in him is amazing. It got me thinking about the subject of this post.

With my wife and I having a daughter on her way, it got me wondering. What kind of legacy do I want to leave with her? I am not trying to wish myself dead, and I think I have many, many years left in me. But what I’m trying to say is more about what kind of lessons and teachings I want to be instilled in her, so that she may turn into a positive member of society, and and all around good person, rather then what legacy I leave behind. What values must she be able to take with her and how does one simple dad instill those values?

I tend to think that the outdoors is a very good start down this path. Nature has a way of grounding people and teaching them the importance of life and death. Nature would also teach her about cause and effect as well as patience and discipline. All good traits for a little girl to have. All good traits that will allow her to grow up focused and confident in the person that she is.

Now I know that nature can’t do everything, and that there are many other things that need to be done in order for her to make her way in this world–reading bedtime stories, and being a guest at her tea party table. But I do think that the natural world is a good base for allowing her to become the woman that she will ultimately be one day. The woman that she will grow into.

I want to be able to do the things that help her look at me, like Tom looks at his father and grandfathers. I want to be able to be there at a moment’s notice. To be there through the rough times as well as through the good times. I want to be there when she is going through life and adjusting to today’s world. I know that some of those times will involve me watching her play sports, or possibly watching her dance recital, but I also hope that those times include helping her reel in her first fish, or helping her shoot her bow.

Ultimately, I want my legacy, when viewed from my daughters eyes, to be one of joy. I want to know that her time spent with me was time spent well, and for her to know, that on this first official father’s day for me, that I know the time I spend with her will be more than time well spent.  It will be an honor.  It will only be a matter of time before I bait your first hook or hear your first laugh, and it will be a much shorter time before it is my time to let you bait that hook yourself.

I hope that in between those times I show you what life is all about, and that as time passes by, we still get to share our memories together…….as a father and a daughter…..in the outdoors and beyond!

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June 02nd, 2008
By Arthur

After a very productive weekend around the house, and doing a few things to make the house better for the future, as well as for our enjoyment now, I really got to thinking about a few things. Then I read a post by Jody over at The Hunter’s Wife and I realized something. I’m not sure why I’m trying to make my life difficult, but for some reason my timing lately is horrible. I mean horrible! Let me explain.

My birthday is October 1st, which here in Michigan is the opening day of bow season. That really doesn’t bother me, but I know it has gave my mom fits in the past, because it is hard to plan a birthday party for someone who she knows is going to be in a treestand until well into the evening. Sorry mom, but that is just the way it is when you give birth to a hunter. When I was born my doctor even had to be called in from the woods. It was destiny I tell ya!

Then, almost 3 years ago now, the wife and I get married and what do I agree to do? I agree to get married on October 8th. My wife always wanted a fall wedding so who was I not to comply with that request. The weather was gorgeous on our wedding day, and our honeymoon in Northern Michigan was absolutely awesome. The leaves were changing and it was great.

Now we are about ready to have our first child and guess when it is due? October 18th. Has anyone noticed that my favorite month of the year is starting to get a little busy. I already take off the evening of October 8th, because of our anniversary, and now I’m going to have to give up another day for a birthday party. Are all of you starting to notice this October theme?

It will be real interesting this year as well. With the wife due in the middle of October the baby could really be born anytime during that month and still be okay. The puts me in a dilemma. I want to hunt, but I’m so afraid of being too far away when everything happens. My hunting spot is only about 15 minutes from my house, but yet I worry about how far along, and how close to the due date, I can push my hunting activities before I start cutting it real close. There are a lot of dynamics going on here. Sure I have a cell phone, but the service in this area is spotty at best. The wife’s parents do live right down the road so that is a plus. At least they could come cruising down the dirt road, tires screeching, to find me in an emergency. This hunting season could be quite interesting.

The wife tells me that everything will be fine, and that it will all work out, but I just can’t help being somewhat apprehension about the whole ordeal. I love my hunting, but I surely don’t want to miss out on probably the most important event of our lives up to this point. I am planning on playing a little hunting/pregnancy roulette and hopefully I don’t lose.

October is starting to shape into a busy month. And despite having to give up a little hunting time I wouldn’t change it for the world. I think that all of these major life events, being celebrated in my favorite month of the year, is a great thing and sure sign that that is how things are suppose to be.

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May 30th, 2008
By Arthur

I mentioned, in a post the other day, that we had an ultrasound appointment on Thursday afternoon to make sure how the baby was doing, and also to find out what we were having.  Well that appointment did happen yesterday, and as I promised Jody in the comments section, I’m going to share what we are having.

I don’t think I need to say anything else.  I think all of you can figure out from the picture what we are going to have.  The wife and I couldn’t be happier.  We had a feeling that it was going to be a girl, and low-and-behold, it is!  We are so excited!

The ultrasound went great.  Everything looks normal.   We also got to see fingers, toes, chin, eyes, her mouth move, feet, legs, butt, you name it.  Those ultrasound machines are awesome.    The heartbeat was great and everything went very well.  We’re happy that we’re having a girl, but more importantly, we’re happy that everything is good and she looks very healthy.

The wife was already on the internet looking at baby furniture last night.  We are in full swing on getting the baby room ready now as well.  Makes it a lot more exciting, because now we can actually buy stuff.

It is going to be one great ride I’m sure!

We can’t wait!

Olivia, Lexi, Celia, Annie–hmmm—what should we name her?

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