New Edition: First Time Dad©, Part VII
6/17/11

Wow, baby girl mommy and daddy saw a 4-D picture of you a couple of days ago and it was really cool!  It was if someone took a piece of clay and chiseled away the likeness of a little angel. Though you do not have wings and a harp you will always soar in our hearts; we couldn’t help but enjoy your constant moving, yawning and sucking your right forearm.  Sometimes we wonder what it’s like being in there swimming around in your “pool.”

Mommy is doing well, you are totally healthy and your pool has enough water in it. You are very active and now at 37 weeks you have: helped mommy teach, sing and relax when she needs some downtime.  Most of the time you even fall asleep when we do and that gives us an opportunity to tuck you in and pray over you.  Soon we will do this every night face to face.  Then I’ll teach you about the cool side of the pillow (sleeping on your back is best:).

Baby girl I almost forgot, you are a “stylista” and mommy has gotten more beautiful every day because of you.  She is doing a great job taking care of her body and yours, but she keeps talking about somebody named "Braxton Hicks."  Now they come several times throughout the day, sometimes close together and sometimes not.  This is God's way of preparing mommy's body to deliver you healthy, naturally and on time. 

Who would of thought two years ago almost to the day of your due date I was getting ready to give your Poppi (daddy’s dad) one of my kidneys.  He needed it because he was very sick, but now he is all better.  When we were making arrangements mommy and I thought about starting our family them, but God had a plan.  God’s plan is always perfect and requires our participation.  This participation is also known as “faith”, “obedience”, “prayer” and “praise.”  These are all things that He uses to receive glory and remind us we are created for just that.  Maximum impact.  Glory.  Just like Jesus.  Baby girl Zaria, your life will not be random or boring, but spirit-filled and action packed because God has a plan for you! 

Lastly sweetie we wanted to report on how much God blessed us with amazing family and friends that gave us many wonderful gifts of encouragement and things for your nursery.  God has multiplied our provision and you have need of nothing!  All daddy has to do is paint and put everything together.  Our pastor told us everything would do just that.  Come together.  God is so faithful.  Always.

Mommy and daddy love you and can’t wait to meet you pretty girl Zaria!

New Edition: First Time Dad©, Part VI

5/17/11

On the way to work this morning God showed me you around the time you start kindergarten.  You are so pretty with your long hair and multiple pony tails.  Zaria you will be a carbon copy of mommy.  I don’t know what you were writing at your desk but it’s easy to imagine you as everybody’s friend and “the really smart girl.”  

Mommy and daddy are so excited about you and all of the times we will have together.  We will “raise you up in the admonition of the Lord!"

Baby girl Zaria, there are so many things to prepare for your arrival.  We have received many gifts already and this weekend your grandparents are buying your crib.  Mommy picked it out and as soon as I saw it I knew it was fir for a princess.  Princess is what your name means, it a variation of Sara and it’s a major city in Nigeria—and it so fits.

Your room will be ready soon and we will pick out the colors soon.  The last time I checked they are purple and bronze, but now it’s up in the air.  We continue to confess every day that you will have everything you need and God’s supply has been very abundant.

Zaria, mommy and I want you to know that things come and go, but God’s love is the most important thing.  This love also known as “Agape”, the God kind of love, is what moved Him to send his son Jesus to stand in our place.  This is why we have access to salvation and we can be forgiven for our sins.  Mommy and I will tell you all about Jesus and the impact He’s made in our lives.  We will do our absolute best to live it out to other people and especially YOU.

I can’t wait to wait to build your first dollhouse, put training wheel on your bike and fishing trips (mommy doesn’t like to so I thought we could).  

See you soon!

Love,

Daddy