Remembering Lucy’s Birth

It is so hard to believe that Lucy is now five months old.  Time has flown by.  Recently my wife, Shelby, wrote a blog post about the hours leading up to Lucy’s birth, and I wanted to share that with you. But before I do, here is a recent picture of Lucy at five months old:

A Day that Changed my Life Forever: By Shelby McCaleb

What is a mommy? My mom is someone who cares for me, laughs with me, cries with me, someone I want to call and tell every single thing to, shares all my secrets, and above all, unconditionally loves me. The day that changed my life forever is the day I became a mommy.

I’ll try not to share all the gory details – but I want to remember this day forever!

This is my last “good” picture pregnant. I think I was actually 39 weeks here – on my way to church.

I didn’t take a picture on the way to the hospital because I was so afraid I would be sent home!
On April 21st, 2012, I woke up at 3am feeling what I thought were contractions, but I was able to go back to sleep. The “contractions” woke me up again about 6:30 so I decided to get up and go for a walk. I called my mom shortly after and she was ready to jump in the car! I told her to wait and sadly, the contractions started to fade. Jared was being such a great support that day because I was SO disappointed! He tried to keep me entertained with movies, trips to the mall and Hobby Lobby! Sunday morning, April 22nd (my due date), I woke up feeling the contractions again. But today, they were “stronger.” So again, I went for a walk, even jogged a little! I was ready to meet our little girl. I took a shower and was feeling some pretty good ones. I told Jared I wasn’t sure I could go to church! But, I toughed it out. I called my mom and she was pretty sure I was going to be having her soon, so my mom and dad decided to get in the car and come. Jared and I went to church and lunch and then came home. We already had our bags packed and even packed our toiletries that morning and put them in the car. We wanted to be prepared! I tried to take a nap that afternoon and was still feeling contractions but they were very sporadic. Jared had a meeting at the church and I was planning to stay home – and he MADE me go. He didn’t want to be far away if we needed to get to the hospital. I wasn’t very happy but I decided that it would be good to stay on my feet and active. So, we went to his meeting and church that night and even out to eat with friends after! At dinner, I was starting to get pretty uncomfortable. My parents got here about 9pm. Mom and Dad walked in the door and I told Mom to put her tennis shoes on – and off we went. My contractions were getting closer together and my little sister Brennan pulled in our driveway about 11:15pm. She walked in and we told her to go to the bathroom and grab her purse and we headed out the door for the hospital! The whole way there I was SO nervous they were going to send me home. We go to the hospital and we were sent to a room where they would check me. She told me I wasn’t far enough along, but they would let me walk for an hour to see if I progressed any. Needless to say, Jared and I got a serious workout in and can walk Memorial Hermann with our eyes closed now! We came back an hour later, I had progressed so she admitted me! Now is where all the fun begins!

It was about 1:30am by the time I was admitted. I was trying to not get an epidural so I knew that I wanted to be up and moving. Once I got settled and the doctor checked me, off my mom and I went to walk again while Jared and Brennan tried to sleep for a little bit. (PS – my Mom is such a trooper – I think all of our feet were swollen from all the walking!) Sometime later they wanted me back in my room to check me and monitor the baby again. They convinced me to start potosin and then I was tied to my room. I still tried to stay “up” as much as possible. The hours between 3 and & 7am are pretty much a blur now – I was in alot of pain. This picture above was taken at some point that morning – my dad doing what he does best – being my biggest support through the contractions.

Brennan and my mom – they were so tired but they stayed up the whole night. I will never be able to repay them! My doctor came in about 7:30am to break my water. I had progressed pretty far and he even said we would probably have a baby by lunch time. That news gave me a boost – I knew I could hang in there. The nurse said to call her if I was ready to push. I called her a couple times thinking I was ready – only to be disappointed. The nurse finally pulled my mom aside and encouraged her to encourage me to get an epidural. She thought my body was too tense through the contractions for the baby to drop. After a little convincing, I agreed – anything to get the baby here!

I was able to get a little nap in. (This picture was after the epidural – can you tell?) At some point that afternoon was when they realized that Lucy was face up – that was why she wasn’t dropping! My doctor put me in a super weird position and said to not move for an hour. He had seen a baby turn back that way. So, we tried it. He came back an hour later to tell me the baby hadn’t turned. He said it was going to be difficult to get her out, but we could do it – and you better believe I was so determined! So, I started pushing. (I won’t go into too many details about that!) After about an hour and a half, I was sick and exhausted – but still determined. The nurse decided at some point to take my temperature. The doctor had walked out of the room but I was still pushing. He came back about 5 minutes later with the disappointing news. He looked at me and said my temperature had spiked to 103, the babies heart rate was going up, and we needed to get her out – by C-Section. I looked up at my mom and Jared and started to cry – and so did they! My mom looked at me through teary eyes and assured me I had done everything I could to get her here on my own. We needed to think about Lucy and what was best for her. We agreed and it became a madhouse in my room. They kicked everyone out and there were doctors and nurses everywhere. I was scared and afraid with no one there with me. They had taken Jared to get him changed and prepped. I rolled down the long hallway crying with my doctor telling me everything was going to be ok. Apparantly from the minute we agreed to the c-section to the minute she was born was 12 minutes. Pretty Crazy!

The c-section was VERY painful because there wasn’t alot of time to get the meds back in my system. But, I heard the nurses say “WHOA – she’s a BIG baby” and heard her sweet cry, I knew everything was going to be fine. And it was, she was PERFECT!

This was our first family picture!

Look at those bright eyes! I still had kleenex in my hand from crying about the c-section. HA!

Daddy with his sweet baby girl – he got to carry her out and show her off to the family!

The family who was there to support us – Brennan (my sister), Cathy (Jared’s mom), Jared and Lucy, David, and Andrea (my parents).

Our sweet 8lb 8oz baby girl right after her first bath. She was born at 6:04pm.

Finally getting to admire her. I was smitten and so in love. She was everything I had ever dreamed or hoped for!

Lucy, you made this day one that changed my life forever. You made me a mommy. And like my mom, I promise to laugh and cry with you, share secrets with you, and love you with all that I am.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH A YEAR OFF?

Recently I had the opportunity to read this incredibly interesting article about a law firm giving their employees a year off with a 1/3 of their normal annual salary.  Now, obviously they make way more money than you or I do, but I found this article to be interesting.  You can read the full article HERE:

Only in a financial world turned upside down would an arrangement like this one make sense. Looking to cut costs like everyone else, but not prepared to lay off employees, Skadden has chosen instead to offer all of its associates — about 1,300 worldwide — the option of accepting a third of their base pay to not show up for work for a year. (So far, the partners have no equivalent arrangement.)

The company is helping associates find pro bono work, and is encouraging them to do so. But the lawyers could also spend the year catching up on every episode of “Top Chef” that they missed during the boom years, or traveling around the world, “all of which is O.K. by us,” said Matthew Mallow, a partner at the firm. Other firms have adopted similar strategies, but Skadden’s program is unusual in that it has no pro bono requirements.

So let’s pretend. If your place of employment offered a similar deal and you could afford to do it with some minor cut backs, would you?

More importantly what would you do if you had one year off work?

Me? I am not sure that I would take the deal. I love what I do too much. I am living out my calling. Now, would I like to speculate?  For Sure!

I would definitely spend a whole lot of time with my little Lucy that will be here in less than 8 weeks.

I would definitely go overseas with my wife and do mission work.

I would love to go around to some of the historic baseball stadiums.

I would go to a lot of Ranger and Cowboy games.

How about you?

Application For Permission To Date My Daughter

I LOVE this!

This is only available when Lucy is 30 years old in 2042!

Lucy’s Nursery

This past weekend we finally started working on Lucy’s nursery.  We are less than 10 weeks until she will be here and we are so EXCITED.  With the help of Chris and Erin Uhlaender, and Greg and Stephany VanderMeer we were able to transform the room.  We put up beadboard, chair rail, ceiling fan and blinds.  We will continue to work in there and I will continue to update our progress.  Please continue to pray for Shelby and Lucy and for their health.  Here are some pictures of the before and after:

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Her Name Shall Be… (Baby M has a name)

LUCY Grace!

We have decided to name our little girl LUCY! We are so excited that she will be here very soon. April 22 can’t come soon enough for us, yet we are also very nervous.

Listen to what LUCY means: “bringer” or “bearer” of LIGHT!

Our prayer is that God would use Lucy to be a bright light in this world and that God would use her in MIGHTY ways. Matthew 5:14 says, “You are the LIGHT of the world…”!

God, use our little LUCY to be a light into this world. May she bring you great joy!

Butterfly Kisses (A Note To Daddy’s Little Girl)

To my little Princess:

Right now you are between 20 and 21 weeks old.  Yesterday was “THE DAY” that your mommy and I found out that we were going to be parents of a little girl.  (She got mad at me because as soon as I found out I wanted to tell the world…  But her point was well made and I am glad we called all of our love ones first).  Please know that words cannot express how excited and grateful that I am for you.  It brings me pure joy just thinking about you.  It was so hard to sleep last night because all that I could think about was how I can’t wait to have “Daddy’s Little Girl” lying next to me.  I am in tears right now as I write this.

For many years now I have been anticipating your arrival.  You see, I have always wanted a little princess.  I have always had women surrounding me in my life that have had a great influence on me, and for that I am very grateful.  Your Mommy and I are best friends in this entire world.  We cherish each other and we look forward to the day that you will be here.  You will absolutely LOVE your mommy.  She is the most giving person in the world, and not to mention she is so good with little girls.  She has THE BEST style in the world, and we are already stacking up on headbands with bows for you to look so good in.  Your Aunt Erin (who already went shopping for you), and my twin sister, has always been a tremendous influence in my life.  She is incredible, and I CAN’T wait until you get to meet her.  Your Grandmothers (and Bonus Grandmother) very well could be more excited about you getting here than anyone else in this world.  When we told them that you were a girl they were filled with joy.  Your Aunt Jen, Bebe, and Alayna are going to spoil you out of your right mind.  They are great shoppers, so you will always look CUTE!  I just love little girls, and I think it is very fitting that you are one. PERFECT!

Did I mention anything about your grandfathers?  They are UNBELIEVABLY EXCITED to have a little princess running around.  SERIOUSLY, they are THRILLED!  My dad wrote me a note this morning that include these lines:

Son, I just can’t tell you how my heart is soaring today. Yes, we’ve known about a baby for a while, but now we know she is a “she”. I can already see her in my heart. She’s already stolen all of our hearts. A little bit of you and a little bit of Shelby will make such a beautiful baby…

I can’t wait to do so many “firsts” with her. I think I’ll teach her how to swing a baseball bat (He LOVES Baseball). They give scholarships to girls for baseball, too! April 22, 2012 will be such a special day for the entire McCaleb family. Our lives will never be the same because of our little girl.

Your uncle Josh is SO ready to be “UNCLE Josh”, and he wants to teach you how to play receiver just like we did!  But if that is just for your high school powder puff days, and college intramural days, that is OK!  But, you will know how to run precise routes and catch the ball with the best of the best!  Your Uncle Chris is a lot like your daddy!  When he sees you for the first time, his heart will melt like mine.  He will take you fishing and teach you how to grill any kind of meat that you could ever fathom.  I am sure that your Uncle Chris will get you your first pair of boots too!

I have always thought to myself that I would have “ALL” girls of my own, and you are certainly proving that theory to be true.  All that I know is that a few men in my life that have been great mentors to me, have had all girls.  I think of Todd Gaston, Bruce Webb, and your Grandfather David Harp.  They all mean so much to me and all have three girls each.  It is weird I know, but something just feels like we are destined for all girls. EXCITED!

There is a song that I want to share with you because I will cherish every moment that I will ever have with you.  It is called “Butterfly Kisses” and it is about a dad singing a song to his daughter.  They have a very special relationship, and I know that you and I will too!  I can’t wait until you are old enough to know what butterfly kisses are, but one day you will, and I will be blown away at the joy it brings me.

There’s two things I know for sure:

She was sent here from heaven and she’s
daddy’s little girl.

As I drop to my knees by her bed at night

She talks to Jesus and I close my eyes

And 
I thank God for all the joy in my life

Oh, but most of all 
For butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer;

Sticking little white flowers all up in her 
hair;

“Walk beside the pony, Daddy, it’s my first ride.”

“I know the cake looks funny, Daddy, but I sure tried.”

In all that I’ve done wrong I know I must 
have done something right

To deserve a hug 
every morning and butterfly kisses at night.

Sweatheart, you are Loved!  A few more things that I know:  You will Love the Dallas Cowboys , Texas Rangers, and the Dallas Mavericks! You will look hot in your green and gold as you grow up a Baylor Bear!

But most importantly…  YOU ARE and WILL ALWAYS BE…  DADDY’S LITTLE GIRL!

I love you!

Daddy

Boy or Girl?

So what do you think… Will the McCaleb Bambino be a boy or girl?

Baby M Update

Just wanted to let you all know that Shelby and I will find out the sex of the baby on December the 8th when we go in for our sonogram. We are so excited about this!  Yesterday Shelby had some routine blood work done and we will find out the results soon.  Nothing is wrong, they do this with all pregnancies.  We are praying for a healthy baby.  The thing that continues to blow my mind is hearing the babies heartbeat.  UNBELIEVABLE.  It reminds me of this Psalm:

Psalm 139

¹ You have searched me, LORD,
and you know me.
² You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
³ You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
⁴ Before a word is on my tongue
you, LORD, know it completely.
⁵ You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

⁷ Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
⁸ If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
⁹ If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
¹⁰ even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
¹¹ If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
¹² even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.

¹³ For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
¹⁷ How precious to me are your thoughts,^[a] God!
How vast is the sum of them!
¹⁸ Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.

¹⁹ If only you, God, would slay the wicked!
Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
²⁰ They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.
²¹ Do I not hate those who hate you, LORD,
and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?
²² I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.
²³ Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
²⁴ See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

THERE IS A GOD!  

Baby M Coming April 22

Shelby and I are going to be parents. So far Shelby has been very healthy. The baby is due April 22, 2012. We are so excited and would appreciate your prayers for safety and the health of both the baby and Shelby. It brings me to tears every time that I hear the heartbeat in my head over and over. The first time that we heard it at the doctors office I laughed because it was so unreal. It is like I didn’t believe the pregnancy test. But as soon as I heard the heartbeat, I knew that God had a plan for us!

God is SO good! Amen?