Back home

We made it home today. We got back to our apartment about 4PM today after a full day of hearing the hospital discharge speeches. I now am aware that I shouldn't smoke or use drugs. Man this parenting thing is tough. 

Well, I am already missing Katie's cooking. Today we got home and per the doctors orders, I am making sure Katie doesn't over exert herself. As a result I dusted off the old cooking skills. Simple grilled ham and cheese sandwich, no problem....well so I thought. I think I got it off right before the smoke alarms went off. I managed to eat the sandwich but it did taste a bit like burning. 

Enough cheap laughs from a guy who doesn't know how to cook. Abigail is adjusting to the apartment and continues to sleep a lot. She has been feeding some here at the apartment but please continue to pray that she eats well. I'll try to get some pictures up tomorrow.

And then there was three: Day 3

Praise the Lord for a great day. Little Abigail is doing great and learning to eat better each time she eats, a real answer to prayer. Katie was also able to take a couple naps which is good to her recovery. Tomorrow we should be heading home so if you remember, you can pray for a good transition.

Tonight we had some visitors which is a nice end to the day. It is wild to compare the size of a 7 month old to a 3 day old. I used to thing Alexia was so small but now that we have Abigail she looks so big.

We are blessed to have some great friends here in Texas. They remembered my birthday and brought a cake so that we could celebrate together. That's right daddy Harms is now 30 years old but by my math, I'm still in my mid 20's (Boys mature alot slower).

And again what everyong wants to see, more pictures........

And then there was three: Day 2.5

Day two was a good day. Baby Abigail was sleepy most of the morning but in the afternoon was more alert. Right now this is very exciting but in a week we might be praying for the sleepy state more. She is learning the eating thing as she is not the most aggressive eater but mommy and Abigail keep working at it and she is getting better each day. You can keep praying that she becomes a better eater.

We also had some wonderful visitors yesterday that stopped by and said hi and held Abigail. We also had others that just stopped by shortly because mommy needed to sleep. Today is going to be another day of rest for us. We decided to stay here in the hospital until tomorrow (c-section is a 4 day hospital recovery) and take advantage of all the wonderful helpers here.

And of course what would a post be without some more pictures of our beautiful little girl.

And then there was three: Day 1

More pictures of our beautiful baby girl. Today was a good day. Katie is up and walking around slowly and moving toward more solids. Abigail slept most of the day and is now eating dinner. She didn't eat most of the day but her blood sugar was very good. As soon as she returned from the blood sugar test she latched right on and had a good dinner. She also is starting to soil the diapers. Rodney is amazing at changing diapers already. But Katie said from this point on she will do all the diaper duty. (Can you tell who is writing this post?)

We should be here at the hospital until Friday so that Katie can fully recover from surgery. Today has been low key so we hope to talk a bit more tomorrow to everyone. We love you all.

Abigail has arrived

Praise the Lord!!! We are the proud parents of Abigail Sue. She arrived at 9:21 PM and weighed in at 7lb 4 oz with a length of 21 in. The C-section went well and Katie is in the process of recovering. The Lord was very good to us and we are really excited and tired. Abigail is currently feeding with mommy and after that we are going to try and get some sleep. Enjoy the pictures of baby Harms.

New Direction

Well pushing didn't work as planned. Keep praying. We are going for the C-section. We love you all.

6:30 PM and getting ready to push

We are getting closer. We are starting to get the tutorial on how to push. Exciting!!!!!

The baby is making progress

5PM update 7CM and getting larger. -1 position for those of you that know what that means.

And then came the epidural

We are approaching 5 cm and the epidural is in place. Things are progressing well and Katie is feeling much better now that the epidural is in place.

At the hospital

Well the day has come. This morning I was awoken to my wife telling me her water broke at 6AM. We had a good morning at home and got here to the hospital at 7 AM. She is currently dilated to 3 CM as of 8 AM and things are progressing well. Katie is a trooper and we can't wait to introduce you to our baby in the near future.

38 Weeks...

Yes, that blessed day is soon to arrive! Rodney and I are excited as we anticipate the arrival of our little one. I am busy getting last minute preparations in order, and I am staying on top of the laundry and the grocery shopping too. Today I picked up a used "baby swing" that I found on craigslist. It is super cute "classic pooh" and will work well for those times when Rodney is at work and I need to set the baby down to make dinner etc. I also had a doctor's appointment today. I am going on 2 weeks of being 2cm dilated, and I don't appear to have any signs of labor.

The baby and I continue to be healthy, though my blood pressure was a bit high today (though normal with a second reading). I continue to be thankful for a full-term pregnancy and continue to pray that I'll have strength for labor and delivery. I admit, it is a bit overwhelming, and at times, I find myself being anxious and afraid of how I will respond to the pain. I actually cried at the doctor's office today - worrying about my blood pressure, worrying about labor and delivery, and crying just to cry. Sigh. But the Lord is good even in my hormonal ups and downs...and I settled down before the doctor and nurse came back in to do the exam. I was encouraged today by the "Slice of Infinity" (from rzim.org) that I get everyday from the Ravi Zacharias web-site. The title of todays devotional was "The Slow Work of God" by Margaret Manning. I was particularly challenged and encouraged by the last two paragraphs.

In his second letter, what is considered Peter’s last will and testament, he discusses the slowness of God in relation to the Second Coming. Many arose even in Peter’s time asking why God was so slow when it came to delivering on his promise of an eternal kingdom. They began to mock God assuming that “as it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be.” Not so, Peter argues, for the slowness of God is in fact our salvation. “The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance....Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, and regard the patience of our Lord to be salvation” (2 Peter 3:9, 14-15).

The long, slow, work of God is not to torment those of us who find ourselves in a hurry, wondering what’s next. Rather, God’s forbearance and patience with us--even those of us in a hurry--is for our good. God’s seemingly slow movement gives us ample opportunity to be present to our lives allowing the journey to shape us and mold us into the people we are designed to be. In addition, God’s timetable gives us more opportunity to be diligent in godliness not just for our own salvation, but so that our lives would give witness to others in need of God’s salvation. As we live in the realm of God’s patience, “looking” as Peter says, “for a new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells,” we live to enfold others into the forbearance of God.

As I wait for Baby Harms, I realize even in this waiting that God is teaching me, molding me into more of His likeness. Beautiful.

On another note...my Houston church family had a most beautiful baby shower for me on Sunday afternoon. I was overwhelmed as many women from the Body of Christ here in Houston surrounded me with encouragement, laughter and great generosity. Two friends (Chelsea and Marisol) threw the party for me at the clubhouse of our apartment. They picked up yellow and pink roses, cake, punch and an assortment of delicious food. The cake was delicious! We played games (they measured my huge tummy) and told stories of their own childbirth and parenting. It was a huge blessing! As usual, I did a horrible job taking pictures. I only took three. I'll have to get some from Marisol and Chelsea. But I'll go ahead and post what I did take (just because pictures are fun). When I moved to Texas, I didn't think I would even get to have a shower. Both of my church homes threw me showers - the Body of Christ is such a beautiful thing! (I'm tearing up even now as I write this). We'll keep you updated...and hopefully be posting pictures of Baby Harms soon!

"Chelsea, me, Marisol"

"Welcome Baby Harms"

Perfect Timing

Well, I had another doctor appointment today, and I am 2cm dilated! I am only at 36 1/2 weeks, so I'm thinking that Rodney might either get his wish (and have a birthday baby in January) or get to celebrate his birthday "after" the baby is born. It is a comfort knowing that God continues to form our little one and carries him/her in His hands. The timing will be right.



So that is the excitement of the day. And on Friday, I get to meet Baby's pediatrician! I'll keep you updated.



So I am even more thankful that we had a wonderful Christmas and New Year with our family in Illinois. The Lord kept my cervix closed so we could travel, and He gave me energy and many nights of restful sleep (not to mention many days of excellent food - not as good for this pregnancy waist line). God was preparing me for the weeks and months ahead (now that my sleep has not been as restful and I am working hard to prepare for our little one to arrive).



Praise God for His goodness!