Chapman's been out and about having a great time everywhere he goes. He's sleeping great both at home and in his pack-n-play. We're so proud of our little cutie.
Click here for a slideshow of his latest pics!
"Where did you get that blog header?"
That is the question we hope lots of people are asking our friends over the next few weeks. The Penuels are venturing into the business of creating custom blog headers and logos. To get things started, we want to offer FREE HEADERS to anyone listed under "Blogs We Check".
How to Get Your Blog Header
Check out loudmouthlogos.com and browse the Blog Header Template Gallery. If you see a header you'd like, just fill out our Design Request Form. We would really appreciate feedback on all aspects of the website and the "word of mouth" grassroots promotion of our friends would really help us out! Can't wait to hear what you guys think.
We took more pictures of Chapman and the Nelson kids this Tuesday and Wednesday. Alli decided to dress up Chapman like Danny Zuko but David thought he looked more like the Fonz.
Chapman told us this morning that he's starting to get really excited about meeting Grama, Gramps, and Aunt Vizshi over Thanksgiving.
Click here for a slideshow of mostly Halloween pictures.
We took a bunch of pictures of Alli's 28th birthday (on October 25th) and our weekend at Pine Cove hanging out with the Sisco's while David spoke at a Junior High conference. Chapman didn't seem to mind all the loud music and Junior High kids hanging around. He also adjusted very well to sleeping in his Pack-n-Play in our room. We had a blast on our first family road trip and , as you can tell, lots of fun testing out Alli's new camera!
(NOTE: Alli got a new camera for her birthday and we're going to Pine Cove this weekend. We're planning on taking lots of new pictures and will have a slideshow posted early next week!)
Chapman has been sleeping so well. He's been going between 5 and 7 hours between feedings at night and Mom & Dad are very happy with that. Chapman had a blast at his Sip & See in Wichita Falls and has been enjoying Play Group, Square One, and hanging out with Dad on Wednesday mornings while Mom goes to Refresh.
His hair is still awesome and he's getting bigger and smarter every day. He is now noticing his hands and he's working hard to figure out how to get some part of them into his mouth.
This week Chap went to his first Shoreline, experienced the babysitting joy of Michelle & Ellie Buchanan while Mom & Dad went to the Fair, was very pleasant at Mom's "Square One" meeting, cheered on his cousin Jack at his flag football game, and slept through his first visit to the pumpkin patch with his friend Bennet.
Click here for a slideshow of pics from week 6.
We were pretty much slackers this week when it came to taking pictures of Chapman. I guess we were just too busy watching him SMILE! We tried to capture a few of his happier moments but weren't too successful...we'll keep working on it.
Our freind Bode did a video for Chapman. It was for church stuff, so that's why it's weird. Our little star did a great job...the camera loves him!
This week Chapman celebrated his 1-month birthday and also Grammy's birthday, enjoyed babysitting from Aunt Julie while Mom & Dad went to the Steven Curtis Chapman concert (3rd row), hung out with the Zafars, the Willcoxes (including his new friend Reese), Megan, and Sara, and went to Watermark to meet the Junior High kids and also worship his Maker.
So far, he's also managed to avoid catching the cold that Dad's been fighting for the past 3 days. He must have his mom's antibodies!
Click here for a slideshow of pics from week 4.
Rebecca Anderson and her mom stopped by for a visit. Chapman ventured to Northpark Mall with Mom, Aunt Jen, and Cousin Claire in tow. He also enjoyed playing on his Baby Einstein mat for the first time and spent his first night in his crib! Mom & Dad enjoyed their best night's sleep since his birth!
Click here for a slideshow of pics from week 3.
The Penuels had a great week. Chapman is sleeping well and has had his second official bath. Sharee stopped by and we got some amazing meals delivered to us. Our Community Group came over and Chapman really enjoyed hanging out with his freind Bennet. Looking forward to week three...
Click here for pictures capturing Chapman's second week of life.
We've had a few more visitors (Minters, Siscos, Cousin Lynn & Aunt Cynthia) and we gave Chapman his first "bath". He's been eating well and sleeping well. Mommy loves it when his eyes are open and took him on his first trip to Target (Don't tell Dr. Crow). Daddy loves his awake time with Chapman between 3:00am and 4:00am.
Click here for a few more pictures capturing Chap's first week of life.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
