Jack got his first bath at home the other day. He sure like getting his hair shampoo'd. Maybe he though he was at Hair M...

I think he is going to have the Bunch affinity for getting backrubs and head-scratches and massages.

Day 3 at home with Jack! Christmas Eve was wonderful with the Bunches and Tompkins, and then a great (and snowy) Christmas with the Jaggers and Thompsons.

Becky and I are actually feeling pretty rested today. We had our fist checkup today and everything continues to go well with mom and baby. It was a new experience getting everything ready to go out the door with a kid...I'm sure all you parents can attest to that! But we made it on time...although I think I forgot to brush my teeth...better take care of that when I'm done here.

Thanks for all your prayers and blog comments! Jack has quite a supportive crew, we know we can call on any of you for help whenever we need it! Even those who live far away...

One of our favorite features on Jack is his long eyelashes. Without fail, every nurse and doctor said these two comments when they saw Jack for the first time. "Whoah, he IS big......look at those eyelashes!" You need to view the full size for the real effect!

Our happy little boy under the tree. The best Christmas present we could think up!

The new Bunch family...

Here's another pic of my little man! Jack is doing great. He's healthy and hungry and acing all of his tests. Can't wait to get him home tomorrow for Christmas Eve and Christmas will his cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents. It's going to be the best Christmas ever.

Just another quick pic...me and Jack.

Things are going well! Becky is up and about a little today, and Jack is behaving beautifully. We are, of course, a little tired, but so wonderfully happy and blessed by our little Christmas gift.

He's here!!

Okay, Brad was right. I'm making use of my wi-fi.

Our son was born at 1:34pm today. He was 10lbs and 5oz. He's 20.5 inches long.

His name is Jack Hayes Bunch. Here's my little boy!!!

Check out Eric's blog for more pics...

It's 11:30pm on December 19, 2007, and tomorrow my son will be born!! I should be sleeping rather than blogging, since I have a feeling tomorrow will be a little bit draining...

Because my wife is petite, and our baby, apparently is not, Becky will be delivering via C-section, and we're scheduled for tomorrow at 2pm! The estimation was 9lbs 6oz on Tuesday...we'll see what the "little" guy actually weighs once on the outside. Whatever his weight, it will be a great day!

I will, of course, try to update the blog for those of you who are not close enough to come to the hospital, but it might take a few days...so be patient!

PB

...so...still here.

Jim and I invented a new head-to-head betting card game last night. We still don't have a name for it, and we are taking suggestions. Be prepared for this response, "That's ONE idea...". Jim hands that one out quite a bit. (by the way, we've trademarked this game, so don't even think about trying to sell it to the Nevada Gaming Commission).

Anyway! Here's how it goes...The object of the game is to turn cards one by one until the sum of all cards shown reaches 31. The person who turns the card that makes 31 gets the pot. If you flip a card that pushes the total past 31, your opponent gets the pot. To begin, each player antes, and the dealer places 1 card face up and 8 cards face down as shown:

The player opposite the dealer then pays (a predetermined amount) into the pot to buy a card of his choice, and flips it over, increasing the community sum. The players alternate by paying (their bet) and flipping until 31 is reached, a player busts, or neither player is willing to flip another card. If the current player does not wish to flip a card (for fear of busting and giving the pot to his opponent), the opposite player has the same opportunity to flip or pass. If neither player wishes to flip, the hand is a push and the pot stays remains for the next hand.

In any given hand, once the sum of the cards is equal to or greater than 25 (ie 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, or 30), any flipped card that does not bust wins the pot. If the current player passes, the opposite player again has the opportunity to flip or pass.

Side notes: Aces are worth 11 until the sum reaches 25. At that point, any Ace flipped is worth 1 point.

T + 4 days...as if Becky was birthing a rocket ship.

Today is Monday, and I'm at work. I did not expect to be here today, but apparently, our son is just too comfy to leave his current home. We're looking at the positives...a full weekend with no dirty diapers and no midnight feedings. However, we are just too excited to meet our son for that positive thinking to hold much ground. We have an appointment with the doctor this afternoon, and we are hopeful that she will give us some great news. But really, I hope to get a call from Becky before that, so I can rush home and take her to the hospital! That would be neat.

Anyway, thanks to all for checking in on us, and I will keep you posted on our "progress."

...and a special hello to my aunt Marilyn, who, until today, I did not know was reading my blog! We miss you guys! Can't wait to introduce our son to you!

PB

It's D-Day...AND NO BABY!

I hope you will all join us in WAITING!

Just wanted to add one more picture to the great memories of Sunny!

Well...

No baby yet! Becky had a check-up with her doctor today, and there are no signs that this baby is coming any time soon. 3 days till due date, and it looks like he might be late. All we really care about is a healthy baby, so he can come whenever he wants...but this is the husband talking, not the 9-month-pregnant-momma.

Just for fun...Becky and I went to REI yesterday and I made her try on this jacket.

10 DAYS and counting...

Hard to believe that Becky and I could be mom and dad at any moment. Just refelcting on a few thoughts while I'm awake enough to have them!

-When I was a little over a year old, my dad started writing letters to me. From my first moments till my 18th birthday, every few months he would express what he was feeling about my life, our relationship, my accomplishments, my failures, his successes, his failures, great family moments, etc. in these letters and then file them all away in a notebook for me. I recently had a chance to read through them again, and I was overcome by their significance throughout the notebook. I think they took new meaning for me now that I'm actually getting ready to be a dad. I would encourage any of you fathers out there to do the same for your kids. I certainly intend to do it for mine. Dad - I know I've told you in person, but thanks again for these letters. They are precious...in a very manly way.

-I'm in love with my wife...and I like her too. There are so many famlies in this world that start because the partents made a "mistake" or they are trying to fix a failing marriage by having kids. I'm so blessed to be married to my best friend, and to have the chance to welcome our son into the world together as a team. I know she'll have the hard part of actually bringing him into the world, but I cannot wait to experience the joys and heartaches of parenting with her. I am overjoyed that God chose to unite our hearts in love, in ministry, in frienship, and in the decision to raise children. Baby - I love you! I can't wait to see you holding our son.

-Last week at church, we had a baby-dedication service. Parents who want to commit to raising their children in a God-centered household, came up on stage and made that commitment publicly to the church. I've been a part of these services before...as a member of the congregation and as an uncle. But, once again, now that I'm about to be a dad, it took a new meaning for me. I can't wait till the next one, when Becky and I get to hold up our son, and proudly commit to behaving biblically in our household, and passing on the knowledge of our Savior on to him. Early on in our pregnancy, I read the story of Samuel again. I was impressed more than ever, that even though Samuel had to make a choice for himself whether or not he would serve God, his mother made the decision to dedicate him to the Lord, and made the effort and sacrifice to place him in a position to succeed. That's my goal as a father...among other things...to set up my son for spiritual success.

Okay...this was longer than I expected. Maybe this will by my first letter to...What's-his-name.

PB