Arrested Development!

Approx. 6.5 months! Due date is Nov. 22nd (Thanksgiving)

The fu-manchu and cowboy duds are because the church held its Vacation Bible School this past week and the theme was western! I was Sheriff Andy in the Tumbleweed Gulch drama all week. Plus, I think Ash liked the badge ; )

We're headed to OH-IO this week for a short vacation of fishing, quality time with the Maier fam, and a baby shower! Upon our return the doctor appt.'s begin on a 2 week schedule as the third trimester is upon us. NOPE, the nursery still isn't done... or even close! We don't have any baby furniture yet... EXPENSIVE! Cooper has a big comfy bed but I just can't seem to get Ash cool with the thought of sharing. Coop gets really warm at night which would be good! Anyway, Ashley has FINALLY had some pregnancy issues happen after over 6 months of pretty smooth sailing. Back pain has developed from time to time but she's doing really well despite some rough nights of not sleeping which everyone reminds us "to get used to"! Check back in a week or so for some baby shower pics!!! Love ~ J.

22/20

Ash 22 weeks / Baby 20 As you can see the physical attributes are strikingly common to the father. Bald! We had a chance of getting one of them thar new fangled 3D sonograms but were advised that at this stage of development the little dude would look pretty alien-like. That takes me back to the current shape of my own bald head... it's not round... like abnormally not round. What's up with that mom? We're hoping for a combination of our best attributes. Unfortunately, as in the Maier and Hausman men... this little guy has no chance at ever having a butt!

It's a...

It's a... BOY! We had our sonogram on July 18th and they found a winky!!! The week count is 20/22 (baby/Ash) right now. I'll put the sonogram pic up as soon as I can scan it in. Things went very well as they did a 20 minute anatomical survey. At first the gender thing was a little sketchy because he likes to move A LOT! He's been an active little bugger for about 2.5 weeks now and was all over the place during the sonogram. At the end she went back looking for the "bits-n-pieces" which came in much clearer. (Yes, there is a third grade level satisfaction in finding silly ways to say penis! Sorry mom!) We were pretty much emotionally neutral when told it was a boy. Honestly, we would've been just as happy either way. It's nice now to be one-track minded and thinking boy thoughts. NAME? Yeah, we're kicking some around. The middle name will be John (Ash's dad's first and my dad's middle). "Cale" has been a consideration along with "Jadon" but another has launched to the top. While at NYC (youth convention in St. Louis, MO) there was a worship song playing as the names for God flashed across the screen. While spelling out Adonai (Hebrew for Lord/Yahweh) each letter faded in before the next. When I saw "ADONai" it just popped... Adon (pronounced Aiden) John Maier. That could change of course but we both really like it and like how it was inspired.

17/19 36 1/2... hut hut hike!

So here's the latest:

Baby = 17 weeks / Mommy = 19 weeks

Circumference of the "baby belly" is 36 1/2 inches

So far... still very good! The baby is starting to move now a wee bit which is kinda cool (at least so I'm told). We are heading to St. Louis, MO July 8-16th for a youth conference with 15 of our students to join over 5,000 teens for a week of spiritual renewal and ministry. Hopefully upon return we will have an "anatomical survey" done to check all the wee bits and pieces ; ) YES, we want to know the sex of the baby and that will be posted as well at some point!

Reflection ~ Jesus referred to God as "Father". He also said that we are to come to him "as children". What does that say to us? What does that mean to you? I'm speechlessly overwhelmed at how reaching out to God with the same blind trust and unknowing faith that a small child reaches out to a parent has so radically changed my life. He has restored my innocence, revived my imagination, unveiled mysteries, imparted wisdom, and shaped my passion! Seek First! ~ J.

The current family (minus the cat)

So, our friends John and Christi just sent out a massive e-mail and I took advantage of a good ol' "Reply All" to catch anyone on there who may know us! This is for you. It's what the family looks like (pre-baby Fall of 06). Just so you know how bald I've gotten since you last saw me 6-8 years ago! The dogs are Cooper and Bo and the pic is minus our cat, Sammi. We are in Warren, PA where I am the Youth Pastor at the Warren 1st Church of the Nazarene, and Ashley is a Veterinary Assistant at a local clinic.

We would like to thank Carole Shaw (aka ~ Missy's mom) from the great state of O-H-I-O for the super cool OSU Buckeye Baby Basket!!! Thanks to all who have already donated maternity clothes and baby items. They are all greatly appreciated... this was just SUPER COOL! Go Bucks! Also, we are Steelers fans, Yankee fans, and Cleveland Cavalier fans... if you were wondering what gear to force upon the child!

WELCOME to the Grand Opening of the Maier Family BLOG! Basically, it's a hassle to e-mail pictures so we're making you come to us. I can't guarantee how often this will be updated but do stay tuned for the progress of baby Maier (or as some have come to call ~ Fetus)!

This is Ash at 3 mos. + 1 week. Due date is 11/22/07 THANKSGIVING! Did you know that the actual medical count is based on 40 weeks? Do the math... that doesn't equal 9 mos. It's messed up but since the world thinks 9 mos. I will continue to annoy Ashley by going off of the 9 mos. calendar. She would tell you differently and to add 2 weeks = 15! So yeah, we will try and update about anything involving us, the baby, the dogs and cat... and whatever. Lots of love until we post again ~ J.