I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the challenges of blogging, and the first one I’ve identified is this…

“First Season Jitters”

What does that mean? Well, let me tell you.

Have you ever noticed how bad the first season of TV shows are? Especially shows that turn out to be really good. You go back and watch the reruns of the first season and ask yourself, “How did this ever turn out so good?”

Examples:

Star Trek: The Next Generation.
When this show started, I was 14, a huge classic Trek fan, and a geek. (I’m no longer 14, but that’s about all that’s changed.) I was ready for new Star Trek on TV. And… it stank. It was wooden, contrived, and, amazingly boring. Check it out. You can identify any first season episode of ST:TNG by this – Riker doesn’t have the beard. Compare any episode with a beardless Riker with any later episode, and you’ll see what I mean. The show turned out to be pure gold, but what a shaky start!

Seinfeld
When Seinfeld first came on the air, it was good, but not as good as later. What was missing? The interweaving story lines. Character development. Elaine wasn’t even in the first episode, and Jason Alexander spent most of season one acting not like George Costanza, but Woody Allen.

So… I’ve got the First Season Jitters.
Yep. No doubt about it. I’m worried that my “first season” of blogging will turn out like a beardless Riker. Or an overly nervous Woody Allen wannabe. Oh, I’m sure my writing will grow to the later, better developed Number One. Or the more mature “my life stinks but I’m not going to be neurotic, I’m going to relish it” George. But until then, things might be a bit bumpy.

What to do? I will press onward. I will let my writing (hey, it’s been 13 years since college) redevelop naturally, and through consistent practice. And I’m confident things will work out OK.

Bear with me, my friends. Bear with me…

Today we had the first appointment at the Ob/Gyn. It was just with the nurse, and she just went over some basic (though very helpful) information. We also filled out some paperwork, answered questions about medical history, etc.

Pretty routine stuff, but we also got to schedule the next appointment where we will get to hear the baby’s heartbeat for the first time! I can’t wait, it’s such a wonderful, glorious gift.

Shannon is doing OK, but still suffering from nausea. The nurse today gave her some advice, so we’ll try that.

We miss McKaylyn horribly. She’s been at her dad’s almost 3 weeks now, with 4 weeks left to go. The house is too noisy when she’s here, but the silence is even worse… We love you, Princess Bubblegum!

Well, Shannon is now 5 1/2 weeks pregnant. She will be 6 weeks on Saturday.

She is now on her prenatal vitamins, and is unfortunately just getting over a nasty sinus and ear infection.

On top of that, she is having morning sickness, if you define “morning” as “any time of the day after she wakes up.” She didn’t have it with McKaylyn, but this time around, she does indeed.

We’ve started looking around for baby stuff, in anticipation of spending a lot of money. Thankfully, that process only lasts 18-25 years. We found web site with some great retro baby clothing, including this one, which takes us both back to our childhood…

Well, that’s it for now. Until next time…

James 1:17

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. (ESV)

A few announcements…

Site Redesign
I’ve been meaning to update the look and feel of the site for quite some time, and turn it into more of a blog site, but that’s obviously not yet done. Over the coming weeks, I will hopefully find the time to update more of the design, such as that annoying gap up in the banner graphic at the top of the page.
Which leads to the reason for “relaunching” the site early:

The Baby
There’s no other way to headline that, now, is there? Yep, you read it right. Shannon is pregnant!
We found out yesterday afternoon, and estimate that she is about 4 weeks along. The estimated due date for James Jr. (not really the name, and we obviously don’t know the gender) is February 18, 2007.

I will be blogging through the pregnancy, including some more later (hopefully), but until then, may I simply say…
Wow.

Psalm 127:3

3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
the fruit of the womb a reward. (ESV)