Parenthood: First Impressions (Plus 3 Pics)

I just wanted to take a second to share a few of my first impressions about parenthood. The experience of labor, delivery, and bonding has stirred up some distinct thoughts that I think I will probably impact me for the rest of my life. I'm not sure how to organize them so here they are:

Impression #1
Chapman might not ever be more like Jesus than he was the moment that he was born. When Alli started pushing around 5pm, we stopped and prayed in between contractions. As we prepared for his birth, I was overwhelmed with this thought and I shared it with the nurses in the room. Jesus was born and was a baby just like Chapman. He came into this world the same way Chapman did...through a birth canal. Jesus was God and God made himself JUST LIKE US. If I ever question whether or not God understands the things we go through, I will remember the birth of my son. Merry Christmas! Philippians 2:6-11.

Impression #2
Chapman might get to go to heaven someday and see Jesus. We participated with God in giving life to a person...a person who will hopefully have the glorious privilege of standing in the presence of God. I got choked up as I told Chapman in the delivery room, "Someday you'll get to see Jesus". Oh yeah, this is what life is all about. 1 John 3:2.

Impression #3
Having a kid can induce all kinds of unexpected anxieties. As I woke with Chapman in the middle of the night during his first 24 hours of life, I began to stress about his next 24 years. Is his body healthy? Will he keep breathing? Will he get sick? Will I drop him? Will I screw him up? Will he rebel? Will I be able to pay for college? I cried when I remembered that God is in control of all of that. The phrase "God is in control" takes new meaning when you have a kid. God was really pleased with the prayers I prayed that night for my son...He is very excited about the plans he has for Chapman! I'm excited too. Psalm 139.

(Chapman wearing a Lion onesie from Marmi)

(Mommy's favorite picture of Chapman)

(Daddy's favorite picture of Chapman)

Chapman Comes Home!

We brought our little cutie home today around noon. He's doing great. Lot's of sleep. Lot's of feeding. And a few good poops. Dad's got diaper duty (dootie) so it's all good. Click HERE for a few pics of the trip home.

Hospital Visitors Set 3

Okay, we have had what we think will be our final group of hospital visitors. Some very thoughtful High Schoolers from our Watermark Small Groups made the trek up to Plano to meet little Chapman. It was really cool to have each of them hold our little bundle of joy. Click HERE to see the pictures.

Hospital Visitors Set 2

We've had a few more visitors and a few more are on the way. Stay tuned for "Set 3". Click HERE to see more pictures of Chap with his friends.

Hospital Visitors Set 1

Our families were with us all day long through the Labor & Delivery process. After Chapman was born, some of our "extended family" stopped by for a visit. Click HERE to see a slideshow of pictures.

Labor & Delivery "Play by Play"

5:54pm - Chapman is born! 7 lbs exactly. 20 inches long. Healthy. Cone head. Lots of hair...kinda spikey. Pictures coming soon!





4:20pm - Power went out momentarily at the hospital. That made us a little nervous but it came back on and we're all good. Contractions are getting bigger and Alli is starting to feel pressure in her lower abdomen (a good pressure). We haven't checked dilation lately and hope to check it again soon. Everything is going well...just chillin.

This may be the last update before Chapman enters the world!



3:10pm - Dilated to 7 centimeters. They say you usually progress at a rate of 1 centimeter per hour. That makes the estimated arrival time around 6:00 or 6:30pm. We're hoping he comes sooner! We wrote a big number 7 on Alli's ice chip cup...just because.



2:40pm - Well, we switched playlists on the iPod. Lots of sitting around, reading magazines, snacking. Alli's only allowed to eat ice chips. But she doesn't seem to be that hungry...



1:20pm - Dilated to 5 centimeters. I think that means we're halfway there! Family is the room with us...reading magazines and doing crossword puzzles. I've eaten 2 packages of peanut butter crackers and a Nutrigrain bar (Apple Cinnamon). Chewing pictured below.



12:15pm - Epidural administered by Dr. Ku. Our nurse Lindsey (pictured below) has been very helpful and is enjoying our "Labor Tunes" playlist which includes Brad Paisley, George Strait, and Kenny Chesney.



11:30am - Dilated to 3 centimeters. The goal is 10 centimeters. We're getting ready to start our epidural.



11:10am - Aunt Julie has arrived with snacks and magazines! I want to call her "Aunt Buggie" but she is violently opposed to that name.



10:45am - Family has arrived. Everyone's hanging out in the room. Contractions continue. We're watching Hannah Montana...it's the best of both worlds!



9:30am - Dr. Matthews just stopped by for a visit and broke Alli's water. It was weird. Contractions have begun. We're watching the Today Show.

8:20am - Alli has her IV in. She's got her ID bracelet and is ready to go!



8:15am - We're here! Alli & I are in Room 308. Our room is new and HUGE! If you'd like to come visit here are directions:

• Take the Tollway North to Parker Rd
• Exit Parker Rd and turn Left (West)
• Drive under the Tollway to Communication
• Drive Through the light at Communication
• Take the next Left into the Hospital
• You can park in Guest parking in the front or in the Parking Garage
• Enter the hospital and navigate through the Lobby to West Elevators/Tower A
• Take the Elevator to Floor 3
• The waiting area is to the right off the elevators

8:00am - Check-In

7:00am - Call Labor & Delivery to confirm bed availability

Midnight Wednesday - Nothing to eat or drink (including water, ice chips, mints, and gum)

Chapman's Room

These are some fun pictures of Chapman's new room! Click here to see a slideshow.

Baby Showers

I had a baby shower on July 28th hosted by my sister, Jennifer, & my good friends, Kathryn & Megan. I had another one on August 5th hosted by my sweet community group. Chapman got so many fun things!! Click here to see a slideshow of pictures.

Fingerprints of God

Alli & I went in on Thursday (April 12th) for the big "Week 20 Sonogram". We were so excited to find out that we will be having a baby BOY!

Spring Break '07 in SoCal

The Penuel's had a great adventure in Southern California over Spring Break in March of 2007. Click HERE to see a slideshow of pictures.

The Penuels' Big Announcement!

Ski Trip 2006

Happy New Year 2007! Click HERE to see a slideshow of the Penuels' adventures on the Watermark Senior High Ski Trip.

Also, click the following links to see David's latest skit character, "David Penuelfield" in his debut Street Magic Spectacular. Amazing Feats Video, Family Time Video, and More!

Christmas 2006

Click HERE to see a slideshow of our Christmas fun in both Bartlesville, OK and Wichita Falls, TX!

The Penuels - Newlyweds

Summer Fun

The Penuels are having a very busy summer...weddings, showers, vacations, camps, retreats...and more! Click HERE to share in the adventures of David & Alli.

Deibert Wedding

In early July, we traveled north to Tulsa, Oklahoma to participate in our good friend Andrew Deibert's wedding. We really had to brush up on our Portugese because he married Tatiane Silva from Sao Paulo, Brazil and most of her family didn't speak English. It was an awesome ceremony in an outdoor rose garden and an even better reception at a Brazilian restuarant where we were constantly fed various meats served to us directly off of sabers. Click HERE to see all the great pictures from the weekend.

Spring Break in NYC

Over spring break, we made our way up north to see the sites in the Big Apple. After a few days there and some quality hangtime with Dieon Sanders, Katie Couric, Matt Lauer, Al Roker, Natalie Portman, and Hulk Hogan (all spotted by the Penuels), we jaunted over to Indianapolis to spend a few days with the Zafars.

Click HERE to see the slideshow of pictures.

Ski Trip & New Years Eve!

The Penuel's had a blast on Watermark's Senior High Ski Trip. Check out the fun pics by clicking HERE. (We also included a few bonus pics from New Years Eve)

Christmas at the Lam's

We spent our first Christmas as a married couple at the Lam's house in Wichita Falls. Click HERE to check out the exciting pics after our visit from Santa Claus!

New Downloads!

Okay...2 months have gone by and it's time to get this thing up and running again. I'm going to figure out how to get pics off Alli's camera and then this will become an incredible cornucopia of updates and images.

For now, you're going to have to settle for the sounds that have been filling our house this week. I got several iTunes gift cards for Christmas and spent them all right away on the following:

Derek Webb "Mockingbird"
Ginny Owens "Long Way Home"
Mae "The Everglow"
Chris Tomlin "Live from Austin Music Hall"
(Not Pictured) Joss Stone "The Soul Sessions"

Be on the lookout for my new iMix "Penuel's Picks 4" in iTunes! I'm narrowing down the selections and will have it posted soon.