The McClure Family

6 weeks!

2009-07-28T12:59:00.000-07:00

Beckett says Hi to all! He is doing fantastically in this world. He eats solidly, and sleeps, recently, 5-6 hours the first chunk of the night and 3-4 the next, so mommy and daddy are happy, and rested. He spits up a lot on really cute outfits so goes through about 4 per day. And he truly rarely cries, which is a huge blessing.

As for activities, Beckett has, in 6 short weeks:

-been to the beach, twice

-been to Pike's Place Market

-seen a fireworks show on the 4th

-been to Portland, OR

-BBQ'd probably 8 times

-slept through 4 sermons

-watched numerous Mariners and Sounders games on tv

-stayed home alone with his godmother Maleah on our anniversary

-been to the Seattle Downtown Library

-been visited by who-knows-how-many family and friends on their pilgrimage to meet him

And now, the moment you've all been waiting for ...

2009-06-16T17:25:00.000-07:00

Beckett Warren McClure

June 16, 2009

2:17 a.m.

8 lbs. 7 oz.

20.5 inches

More details to come. But Beckett was 'occipital posterior' meaning his forehead was stuck (to put it plainly) so Alexis underwent a C-Section after 22 hours of labor. Both Alexis and Beckett are doing well but tired. Enjoy some pictures for now.

Here we go!

2009-06-14T14:47:00.001-07:00

So it turns out that Beckett is larger than expected, supposedly well over 9 lbs at this point. After gathering much information and weighing our options, we have decided that this guy is ready to come out. So, that said, we are being admitted into the hospital today (Sunday) at 5pm for some medicine to help Alexis' body prepare for childbirth. Then, Monday morning we will be induced if necessary. Beckett will be here either Monday or Tuesday this week, so congrats on all who predicted and voted for "after June 13th". Your self-fulfilling prophecies have come true, and Alexis is thankful to you that he has grown overtime :)

Please pray for us. Pray for the doctors, the decisions needed, and the health of Alexis and Beckett. We thank everyone for your prayers and encouragement over these past 9 months as well as all of the practical help that has been invaluable to us.

We love you all! The next pictures will have baby boy Beckett in them!

Patrick and Alexis McClure

Psalm 127:3

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward."

39 weeks! Ready to go

2009-06-07T22:55:00.001-07:00

Beckett's Nursery

2009-06-06T15:16:00.001-07:00

38 weeks! So close!

2009-06-06T15:12:00.000-07:00

36 Weeks! (Patrick turned 26)

2009-05-19T22:28:00.001-07:00

35 Weeks!

2009-05-10T20:02:00.000-07:00

For the people inquiring regarding our current whereabouts:

Patrick and Alexis (and Beckett) McClure

9517 233rd St. SW

Edmonds, WA 98020

206-629-4392 - Home

206-669-3856 - Alexis' cell

206-947-7985 - Patrick's cell

32 Weeks!

2009-04-22T21:03:00.000-07:00

So they say you're not supposed to fly much past 34 weeks or so. I now know the reason. And I'm not totally convinced it's 'cause they think the baby might pop out on the seat-cushion-used-as-a-flotation-device due to all that cabin pressure. The odds of that happening are still as slim as the little guy sayin' a premature 'How do ya do?' in the frozen juice aisle at Safeway, or making his triumphant entry on a leisurely stroll to the mailbox in search of the tax return. The reality is, if he's comin', he's comin', and if he ain't, he ain't, whether you're 42,000 feet in the air or lying prostrate on a couch with both feet elevated on a pillowed ottoman.

No, I now believe the reason women are strongly encouraged not to fly into the 30s weeks is purely because of discomfort and bladder control. The baby isn't the issue, mommy is. You think it's difficult getting comfortable on a queen bed with a pillowtop mattress and memory foam? Try an upright seat designed for an 85 pound prepubescent with unfathomable muscular and structural resilience. And one would assume if it is difficult to get comfortable with 5 bed pillows, 2 throw pillows, a body pillow, and a down comforter, then it would be mighty tricky to get some shut-eye with a thin, flat airline pillow the size of a handkerchief and a standard navy 'whose hair is that on this' blanket. And to top it off, it was as if the dinging sound of the seatbelt sign was Beckett's magical cue to start doggy-paddling all over Alexis' bladder.

Favorite quote of the flight (all 4 flights actually): Alexis: "Umm, can I still go to the bathroom even though the seatbelt sign is on?" Stewardess (Looking at her face, then stomach, then face, then stomach): "Ma'am, I'm supposed to tell you that you can't get up with the light on, but the bathroom is up there, and I'm walking back here (wink)." That's service. Way to stay classy Northwest Airlines. Now if they could just work on that leg room.

All that to say, Michael Junior's (Alexis' brother's) wedding in Kentucky was awesome! The ceremony was held in the bride's family's beautiful country back yard. The impending storm held off (thanks to a multitude of urgent prayers). It was great to see family and friends, and to spend time with Michael before his big day. Favorite quote of the wedding weekend: Michael to Alexis (who had yet to see her pregnant in person): "You look like a basketball. But I'm a little disappointed. I really thought you'd be like a beach ball by now." Alexis: "Thanks Michael."

31 weeks!

2009-04-10T17:50:00.001-07:00

Beckett's first home!

2009-04-10T17:29:00.000-07:00

So there's nothing that's got STRESS written all over it, besides being 7 months pregnant, like moving! As one of my ninth grade basketball girls told me, "Coach, it's kinda hard to nest when you ain't got a nest." Thanks Kate. I know. But when our landlord told us that he was selling his 'bottom-fell-out, who-would've-guessed-it-was-that-bad-of-an-investment' townhome, we had to skiddadle, eventually. Of course as far as he was concerned we could stay as long as we wanted. Right up until his house sold. Sure, great plan for us. Let's wait until possibly 2 weeks until the due date, and then be told we'd have to up and move. Or, perhaps better yet, wait until we had a 2 month old crying, pooping, and needing feedings every few hours, and try to pack the house and U-Haul. That sounds wise. No. We told our landlord we'd be out in 10 days, guaranteed.

Sure enough, we found a house on a Wednesday, signed the lease on a Friday, and moved in the following Friday (with much help from friends I might add). Two weeks later (after back-to-back Spring Breaks - Alexis' then mine) we are lovin' it. It is 3.4 miles from the old place, so no relocation really. And it is much, much bigger (like almost twice the square footage) for less rent per month. Yes, God is faithful. We have 3 bedrooms plus a huge bonus room. Large deck with monstrous back yard (Roxy, being a 15 pound Dachshund-Beagle, looks like a Black Stallion roaming the countryside). And I spent my spring break painting Beckett's room (transforming the not-so-masculine peach walls to a, apropos if you follow March Madness, TarHeel blue).

We are flying to Kentucky next Thursday for Alexis' brother's wedding, so pray for us. Pray that Alexis is as comfortable as possible on a transcontinental flight. And pray of course that, especially since we will only be 32 weeks, we don't go into labor, as Beckett will be premature, and we don't know any doctors in the South, though I'm sure they are quite friendly and cordial.

"A house is made of walls and beams; a home is made of hopes and dreams."

And his name shall be called . . . drumroll please . . .

2009-03-14T11:39:00.000-07:00

Beckett Warren McClure

6 months and still goin' strong. We're in week two of 'Birthing Class' which is interesting. We have anywhere from pregnant teenagers to super-Organic Seattleites to college couples to just your average middle-aged pregnancies. And then there's us. So it's fun. Decent instructor. We got to turn the lights out last week and lie down with classical music and work on breathing/relaxation exercises. And we got NuGo chocolate bars. Good stuff. Oh, and a 200+ page book, and we all know how much I enjoy reading, so Score.

We also had a huge baby shower in Northern California and are still recovering from the awesome blessing that was a Durango full of blankets, toys, clothes, and other major goodies for Baby Beckett. Thank you to all that have loved on us and this little boy so much already.

"A grand adventure is about to begin." - Winnie the Pooh

Soccer Player, Tae Bo instructor, or Rockette?

2009-02-02T20:38:00.000-08:00

It's been literally only 30 minutes since our first glimpse of future stardom, via a single powerful kick. Flutter-flutter turned to heart beat cadence, and then, BLAWWWW!! This monstrous rocket off the uterine wall shook my hand and heart, respectively. It was the first visceral connection between father and son, a prenatal high-five of sorts, a Rocky sparring session with his punching bag (mom's not excited for the prospect of that over the next 4 months).

On another note, registries are up and running. You can find them at:

-Baby's R Us

-Target

21 Weeks = back pain, right upper rib pain, scattered sleep, nursery color choices, free baby hand-me-downs, name ponderings, future budgeting, and an ever-growing mommy belly.

"Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body." - Elizabeth Stone

Baby Boy McClure!!!

2009-01-16T20:25:00.001-08:00

It's official, unless that's a third leg the doctor says, then it's definitely a boy (as confident as he can be in 2009 while avoiding a lawsuit for false information). We're no doctors, but seeing is believing. Alexis gloated in her being 1-for-1 on predictions and I promised a furious comeback over the next few kids, but we'll see, she was eerily confident in her prediction from the get-go. And I was so sure it was a girl that it took me awhile, to be honest, to visualize having a first-born son. We are so stinkin' excited to have a little baby boy it's unfathomable. I loved the baby before, obviously, but this takes it to a new dimension. We can't wait to carry him through the zoo and look at giraffes, tickling his little neck as we point out their long ones. His first ballgame, (Mariners, because the Sonics left town) teaching him the National Anthem and the infield fly rule; standing and cheering with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th. Some day we'll read of Noah loading a huge boat with all them animals, Jonah's big man-swallowing whale, and Jesus feeding 5000 people with one little boy's sack lunch. We can't wait to raise a son, a McClure, and a child of God - precious in His sight.

Here's to "snakes, snails, and puppy dog tails"

Luke 1:31 "You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name ..."

*That's not an open invitation for suggestions. It's a secret for now. We'll let you know soon enough :)

16 1/2 weeks

2009-01-02T14:34:00.000-08:00

The start of a BIG year!

2009-01-02T11:17:00.000-08:00

It's 2009, forever the year of our first baby's birth. 2008 finished well with family and friends in LA for Christmas, and then back up in Seattle for New Year's. We received many gifts for Baby McClure (a piggy bank, learning blocks, etc). Alexis was given many compliments and congratulations, as well as recognition that in fact she had 'popped' as she had hoped. And, for the first time, the baby is beginning to make it more difficult for Alexis to sleep at night.

But with the passing of 2008 comes the commencement of 2009, the first 5 months of which being spent waiting for the arrival of our little one. Baby McClure is currently as long as an avocado, and his/her heart is pumping 25 quarts of blood each day! We are immeasurably excited for the start of '09, particularly because in merely 2 weeks we should find out the sex of our baby. Of course, of course we'll let you know (don't forget to vote, you have 12 days, it's not twins ;)

We pray 2009 will bring a healthy pregnancy to our baby and Alexis, a successful delivery in June (hopefully) and a blessed first 6 months in OUR world.

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

'tis the Season

2008-12-06T14:38:00.000-08:00

Naturally, we are extremely Thankful this holiday season. It has been a blessed year, even before the news of pregnancy. We bought a new car (Dodge Durango) the last week of last year and it has proven worthy of the slick rain and snowy passes of the Pacific Northwest. I felt God calling me away from teaching in the next few years to pursue an Administrative career. Alexis and I enjoyed a summer of traveling to family camping in Tahoe, sports ministry camps in LA and San Diego, and family beach time in Catalina. In the fall, Alexis began a new teaching post in Kindergarten very near our house. It has been a great year, memorable. And then in October we found out that 'we' would become 'three'. God is faithful, sovereign, and good. Thanksgiving brought the Conrads (Alexis' parents) up from San Fran and we spent the holiday with them in Seattle. And in a new tradition, we went to the middle of rural Washington (Snohomish) to cut down a Norway Spruce. It is tall, plump, pretty, and prickly. I still have the rash from needles chafing my forearms during the cutdown. But it was well worth it. And Alexis is 13 weeks today. 1/3 of the way into this journey. During our checkup this week, the baby's heartbeat should be audible. We are blessed, thankful, and looking forward to spending the Christmas holiday in SoCal with my parents, family, and friends. Alexis is hoping voraciously that she will 'pop' and be showing more before our trip to LA. We'll see. But for now, this is what she looks like. And the maternity shopping spree with mom was a success, so she will be showing off new clothes along the way too :)

"A baby is something you carry inside you for nine months, in your arms for three years, and in your heart until the day you die." -- Mary Mason

Miss America / Presidential wave? Could be.

2008-11-16T17:45:00.001-08:00

So we had our 10 week checkup last Friday, meaning we got to see our baby for the first time. The lights were off, our doctor pointed me (Patrick) towards the screen and said, "There's your baby!" Now I had assumed it would be a blur, like trying to find the big dipper in a night sky with no prior Astronomy instruction. But, to my amazement the baby was right there, clear as day, and I am not being hyperbolic in saying that the baby was waving right at me. No joke! The doctor even confirmed this inference of mine, as the little sticky arm twitched back and forth, "Hi guys, just hangin' out. Tell everyone I say Hey." Ok, ok, we can't hear in there yet, so maybe that was exaggerated, but for the first time, it REALLY set in. I mean, we're not just having a baby, THERE IT IS, RIGHT THERE! You can't deny it. And though obviously we can't tell boy or girl yet, we can tell (sorry the 2 of you that voted) it is NOT twins. But either way, we are elated; it is an emotional relief to SEE the baby when you have simply been sick and not gaining weight (even lost 1/2 a pound - how 'bout that). God is faithful, and we feel blessed for the first ten weeks of pregnancy and the growth together. Until next time, we'll continue with our Ginger Ale, Fish Oil pills, 5pm naps, and aversion to Costco Salami.

Luke 2:5

"Mary was GREAT with child."

8 weeks ...

2008-11-01T20:57:00.000-07:00

Wow, it's flying by. Our baby is the size of a kidney bean, has webbed fingers and toes, but can't tell yet if it is a boy or girl. We shall see (don't forget to vote on the left). We go to the doctor again in two weeks and are looking forward to hearing the heartbeat and seeing the baby for the first time. Mommy was craving pancakes and eggs this morning, and then once they were all cooked up, she couldn't stomach the thought of even looking at Patrick eating them. Go figure. Salami is out of the picture now too. Daddy is doing a lot more around the house and is voraciously reading the weekly updates about his baby (and other baby-related resources).

Psalm 28:7

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped;"

4 Weeks ...

2008-11-01T20:50:00.001-07:00

We had our first doctor's appointment with innumerable resources about diet, exercise, baby development, mommy development, and much more. This is what he/she looks like so far (no ultrasounds quite yet).

Psalm 139:13

"For you formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb."

Bun in the Oven

2008-11-01T17:56:00.000-07:00

On October 7th, we thought that we might be pregnant. We could hardly believe it- so 4 tests later... YEP.... definitely pregnant! It has been a busy and exciting past 8 weeks filled with mild morning sickness, food aversions, crazy mood swings, and extreme EXHAUSTION for Alexis. Nevertheless, we have been reading up on our newest addition and praying like crazy for him/her to grow big and strong during these critical weeks of development.

Luke 1: 46b-47a

"My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,"