Well, here are some more pictures. Charlotte is doing well. She is growing and revealing more character as the days pass. She does, however, have jaundice, so we have been in the hospital since Thursday so Charlotte can have a special blanket wrapped around her. I don't think she is very comfortable, but hopefully by tomorrow she and mom can come home. I have a mid-term on Tuesday, so I have been going back and forth from the house to the hospital. Anyway, we will post more pictures soon.

Charlotte Nicole was born on Saturday at 7:13 p.m. She was 19 inches long and weighed 6 pounds and 2.5 ounces. She has tons of really dark hair. We are home now from the hospital. We were there for 5 days! Erin definitely went through a lot that day (January 19, 2008). She was induced, she received an epidural, a spinal, she pushed for 2 hours, and then the doctors told us Erin would need a C-section. Needless to say, Erin is really sore and in a lot of pain. I keep reminding her that she did so well and that it was worth it because we have a beautiful daughter now! Charlotte is starting to sleep better. She slept for 6 hours last night! The doctors tell us she is healthy, which is awesome. Erin's parents are here and they are helping us out lots with the baby, cooking food, and helping Erin. We are a happy family!

The best thing about these pictures is that they may be the last ones before the baby comes! We have been getting prepared and can't wait until she comes! Erin is 35 weeks, so we likely have 3 to 5 weeks left. Erin finishes her last day of work tomorrow and I am now done work until the new year. This Christmas we are planning just to relax, read, watch movies, etc. It has been a crazy fall, so we are tired and looking forward to this week. We hope you all have a great Christmas! I will post pictures of the baby within a couple of days after she is born.

Maria, Erin and I just finished watching the movie Reign Over Me. It is a thought-provoking film about an old friend attempting to help his friend, who lost his whole family in an airplane crash (9/11), process his grief. They both end up helping each other (we are all in need of loving friends). The movie depicts an element that often does not exist in relationships, namely, patience. Often family members and friends of those who have lost loved ones expect them to overcome their sorrow quickly. And in some cases people end up in psychiatric institutions as a result of not being able to do just that. Anyway, Erin and I put together our crib today! Got to get ready they say! Don’t know the time or day, best be getting prepared! Today was a cleaning and organizing day as I arrived home from Montreal late last night. I got to tour around Old Montreal yesterday. I used the subway system, which was fun considering my French is practically non existent (the way to the airport was fun too because my taxi driver couldn’t speak English). I visited the Notre Dame Basilica which was incredibly beautiful, and walked down the cobblestone streets in Old Montreal. This last trip was 13 days long, so I am excited to be home. Now all I have to do is make sure I do my homework instead of reading John Caputo’s new book: What Would Jesus Deconstruct? Erin is feeling pretty uncomfortable these days, but she is hanging in there. The baby is moving around continuously. Looks like she might just break lose any minute now. I can’t wait until she comes! Got to get ready! 8-9 weeks left (the pictures are Erin at 31 weeks).

Here is Erin at 26 weeks. I think her belly resembles a squash. Erin has informed me that there are many different types of squash. So I have decided it looks like a pumpkin. Our little girl is moving around lots and enjoys kicking Erin's bladder. Her eyes are now open and she can recognize and distinguish different sounds. I talk and sing to her all the time. Erin finally received her Bachelor of Arts degree two weeks ago. She is excited about not having to do school ever again. Erin and I saw a huge moose in Three Hills last week! We followed it in our car. Well, this week I start traveling again. I will be joining the Christian College University Fair Tour on Thursday. We are working our way west (Kelowna, Abbotsford, Victoria, etc.). I get to go to Vancouver Island, so that will be nice. Also, I know someone in every city on the tour, so it will be nice to catch up with people like Barry Sommer, Daniel Enns, Jordan Vantol, and Chris Brambleby. Anyway, I have to go and do homework (two essays). Good times.

Here is Erin at 22 weeks. I can't hug Erin without bumping into baby first. I felt the baby move this last weekend. It was amazing. Erin says she does summersaults in there (restless like the rest of us). I think all she does is sleep and plan her escape. I've started telling her stories and last Friday we took here to her first concert (Mutemath and Pilate). I am convinced she is going to be a poet or musician or a philosopher. Erin says she will be girly and play with dolls and that I need to love her selflessly (even if she doesn't become my little poet, etc.).

Here are some more belly pictures! As you can see our little one is growing! Erin is 19 weeks this Tuesday. We went in for an ultra-sound the other day and were told that we were 10 days earlier than we thought. As a result, our due date is January 21st not January 11th. Next Friday we have another ultra-sound and we will find out if our baby is a boy or girl! We will also be given a DVD of our baby in 4D (fancy technology). Other than the baby not much is new. Erin and I, being a part of the Prairie Admissions team, are getting ready for students to arrive. There are about 75 students here already. I love meeting new students and being able to put a face to a name. At night we either read or watch a movie (pretty exciting stuff). The funny thing is that I wouldn't have any other way (which means I am getting old and/or less restless).

Erin is documenting her pregnancy. Here are the latest pcitures (14.5 weeks), and, yes, her belly is getting bigger! I am getting pretty excited as the days go by. I know that there will be some major adjustments to our schedule and life when little junior gets here, but I know (with certainty) that having a child will be such a blessing!

Here are some pictures from Steve and Heather's wedding. They got married in the same place Erin and I did as Heather's grandparents own the vineyard. It was a really fun and beautiful wedding. They had an awesome jazz/fusion band there, great food and wine, and it was good to finally really meet Erin's extended family and friends as I didn't get a proper chance to at our wedding. Steve and Heather are perfect together and Erin and I pray that God blesses them as they get settled in their home and grow together.

Here are some beautiful pictures of Oregon that Erin took exactly two weeks ago. It was a great day. Tony (Erin's Dad), Suzannah (Erin's sister), Erin and I drove through the Redwoods to California and the Oregon coast. I swam in the ocean, which was incredibly cold, we went out for fish and chips, and we watched the sunset. I really think I need to move to Oregon soon...

Well there you have it, Erin's belly at 9 weeks. Not quite a balloon yet, but she is starting to show. We found out two weeks ago that we are going to have a baby and we are excited. We meet with the doctor soon and then we will have an official due date (probably January sometime). Right now I am at home sick getting ready for my trip to California (I leave tomorrow). Erin is at work with a stomach ache and box of crackers.

This is the birthday card my parents sent me; I just think it fits me perfectly! Thanks dad, very thoughtful card. I have been making music mixes since I received a stereo with two tape decks back in the 5th grade. Throughout high school and college I always had to have a mix for every trip and occasion or whenever a multitude of new releases came out. Anyway, wicked card. In a lot ways I can't believe I will be 25 tomorrow. That means I have lived a third of my life. There is still so much to do, so many books to read, people to meet, classes to attend, time with family and my kids (future), classes to teach, so many more joys and inevitably more pain. I am thankful for these last 25 years and for God's grace in my life. Right now my beautiful wife is making me cinnamon buns! Tomorrow Erin and I are going to Calgary for her Immigration interview, which means (hopefully) she will be receiving permanent residence here in Canada. At night we are having friends over for a barbecue and cake. Should be good times.