Welcome to our site!

Danielle and I are super excited to join in on this whole parenting thing. Sure, this is a practice that has been going on for countless generations ... but we think we have something unique to bring to the mix once our little one gets here. We anticipate a child with insane amounts of hair, a large head, a sharp yet accommodating personality and dashing good looks. And NO, we do not plan to name our child Daron Conworth (Danielle + Aaron and Conley + Stallworth), unless of course we decide to move to South Dakota before January 11, 2011. More to come...

Let the journey begin!

So Amazing!

This photo and the above shot of our pregnancy test represent two very unique moments. When we saw the word "pregnant" on that pee-stained piece of plastic, it felt like the moment when you receive an acceptance letter from a college you've always wanted to go to. There was excitement and all types of light bulbs going on in our heads about what we have to do to make this a successful pregnancy. Though that was definitely a special moment, it was nothing compared to the moment a few weeks later when we got to view the sonogram for the first time. Just under seven weeks after conception, we were able to see our 1/2 inch tall son/daughter's heartbeat. At that moment, if I had one less ounce of testosterone in my body, I would have wept like Jimmy Swaggert. I'm sure those of you who have had this experience understand the overwhelming emotions that the sight of the beating heart that you created can conjure up. I know that tons of people experience this everyday... but, wow -- it was easily the most miraculous 10 seconds of my life to date. I can't wait to see his/her growth over the next 7 or so months plus. More to come...

Change Gone Come...

I'm thinking a suitable crib will fit in the place of our desk and a twin bed isn't much larger.  Yep, I think lil' Daron Conworth will be able to make the most of this space for the next 11 years or so, then we will upgrade him/her to the larger space that is currently our guest room.  God, career path, and real estate market willing.  More to come...

Change Gone Come Part II...

As we mentally prepare ourselves for the lifestyle change that comes with being parents, I will confess that one of the more exciting requirements is upgrading the automobile. I would be less than truthful if I said that I do not thoroughly enjoy our current mode of transportation, but the Texas-ranch-raised guy in me is looking forward to having a vehicle that sits more than 8 inches off the ground with more than 2 doors. We will probably have to choose one of those hybrid vehicles (that's what D wants) over the rugged and manly 4X4 Wrangler Sahara Unlimited, but it is nice to have the excuse to get something a little bigger nonetheless. Gotta make room for the baby's accouterments and all the in/out car seat action that will soon become second nature. More to come...

Change Gone Come Part III...

Our love for spirits has evolved from enjoying top shelf Strawberry Hill Boonesfarm and 40 oz bottles of malted liquor to being connoisseurs of aged, pressed grapes picked from the vines of our dear friend's family owned vineyard.  Our 228 day countdown to properly rejoining our affair with a good drink at least once a week begins now.  It seems only right that I also pretend that we are in the days of prohibition since D and lil Conworth can't enjoy a drink with me.  I imagine I will be allowed, on occasion, to make it to a happy hour but I will resist.  What can I say...we're in this together.  More to come...

9 weeks !

Daron Conworth is showing his/her father's laid back nature so far.  Mommy hasn't had to upchuck or curse me out...yet.  At 9 millimeters tall, lil Daron has grown quite a bit since the last intrusion.  More to come...

Daron Conworth's dad drives a ... Prius.

The natural family car for a BMW 328i coupe driver is either the sedan or the X5.  Well, we don't like the sedan and the X5 drinks too much gas plus there are few reasons to justify the cost.  Our 3rd alternative is the car we've rented on our past couple of trips to Houston, the Toyota Prius.  We both found it to be a pretty cool car and getting 51 miles per gallon is incredible.  So we bought one and can't wait to add a car seat for lil' Daron Conworth to ride home in.   So far, no BMW withdrawls.  More to come...

My current ritual...

Every night and/or morning, I place my hand on Danielle's belly and say a little prayer.  I ask God to bless lil' Daron Conworth with good health and intelligence and to bless us as we prepare to welcome and impart  knowledge onto this little miracle of life over the next 2 or 3 decades...plus.  Right now, our little one is about the size of a lime at only 12 weeks.  I am amazed at this miracle of life that every living being and creature has encountered.  Truly amazed.  More to come...

I gained 7 pounds...

Danielle and I went to the doctor today for the regular Daron Conworth checkup.  How is it that Danielle has lost a few pounds, the baby is healthy, we hear his/her amazing heartbeat and all is progressing properly BUT I have gained 7 pounds.  I've always heard about fathers-to-be gaining weight during pregnancy but I figured my regular workout schedule would make me immune to this occurrence.  I have indeed indulged in my share of culinary offerings that include more calories than I normally consume but I had no idea that my lack of will to turn down an extra helping would amount to 7 extra pounds on my scale's read-out.  Oh well, Danielle hasn't recommended that I join weight watchers so I guess I'm OK for now.   More to come...

A note from Mom Marla to Danni (4 months before she was born)...November 16, 1977

Click image to enlarge.

Testosterone or Estrogen?

In the next 6 or so months, Danielle and I will take a picture similar to this of our baby.  I snagged this photo from hip hop pioneer, D-Nice's website.  The question rambling through my mind today and the first question that everyone asks when we tell them that we are expecting is..."are you having a boy or girl".  The answer to that question for the next 5 weeks will be..."we don't know".  The follow up question is always..."do you plan to find out".  The answer is always..."yes".  Most folks, taking a guess at it, figure I want a boy.  This was true before I spent quality time with my nieces last summer.  Now I have no proclivity.  To this end, we've already come up with a name for a girl and all the boy names either of us offer up are quickly rejected by the other.  The tragedy of this is that Danielle thinks she's a psychic clairvoyant and she had a recent dream that vividly revealed us having a boy.  I guess we shall see if her superior intuitiveness exists in 35 days.  More to come...

Maternity clothes can kick rocks!

Danielle's baby bump is quite delightful.  She has finally made it past the stage where it looks like she is on a twinkie and milkshake diet, and now looks like the proud mother-to-be that she is.  I love it!  It is so amazing...this whole miracle of life thing.  10 more days until our next sonogram and hopeful determination of the sex.  We've even come up with a boy and girl name that we can agree on.  This pregnancy is progressing well.  God is good...except when it comes to the market determining the retail price for maternity clothes.  How are these clothing companies going to take advantage of pregnant women when it only costs an extra dollar or two worth of fabric to make their clothes that only get worn for 5 or 6 months.  It's criminal I tell you...CRIMINAL.  Excuse the abbreviated rant.  We unfortunately have to go shopping for more clothes soon.  More to come...

I Love Her!

"Nurse Mumbles" and "Nurse Ratchet" rolled their sonogram wand around Danni's belly for over an hour.  There were incomprehensible exchanges between them and there was astonishment between me and my wife as to how they maintain employment with such poor bedside manner.  The doctor finally comes in and assures us that our healthy, active (umbilical cord jabs were observed), cute little lady will probably arrive 3 days earlier than we expected.  We are super-excited!  More to come...

I'm excited about buying a stroller...talk about a lifestyle change ;-)

We have little to no intention of ever buying a mini van.  That is easy to say with only one child coming.  If we were having twins or if we decide to have another child, I'm sure a swagger wagon would become an option we have to consider but for now, the Prius will do.  As many know, and as we are quickly discovering, the consumer market for all things baby related is humongous.  From the socks & diapers to the crib & stroller, and about a hundred things in between, preparing for a newborn can become overwhelming.  We're not at that point yet and hopefully preparing early and minimizing Daron Conworth's bounty will help us maintain our sanity.  More to come...  

God Bless All Parents

I spoke with a student today who is 14 years old and will find out if she is having a boy or girl next week.  Her baby is due about 2 weeks after Daron Conworth.  This exchange made me think of how different the paths of our children will be.  I am nearly 20 years her senior and it has only been about a month or two worth of Sundays since I found comfort in accepting the career of fatherhood.  Life experiences and ample time to mature made it so.  Her challenge will be greater than ours but millions have walked her path just as millions more have walked ours.  It is impossible to balance the resources that these precious lives, albeit parallel ones, will have access to.  Choices that stimulate much political and religious debate come to mind.  I will stock my drawers with snacks and pass on knowledge that I have gained from my preparation for fatherhood to her.  I wish I could do more.  If parenthood had 7 steps, it seems like ours are an escalator and hers are precarious heaps of earth along the side of a mountain.  Only God knows what is in store for our children.  I will pray daily for His/Her blessing to shower down on each of us.  More to come...

Daron Conworth will be Jam, Jam, Jammin' on the one...

I LOVE MUSIC and I am excited for lil' Daron Conworth to enjoy her first music mix tonight.  I have a little Grover Washington, Jr., Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Tribe Called Quest, Hezekiah Walker and Bob Carlisle lined up for her listening pleasure.  I will add some Mozart, Frank Sinatra and Digable Planets before bed.  There's some Nina Simone and Eric Lewis I want to add to the play-list too.  I am about to overwhelm myself with all of the music that I want her to hear.  This doesn't even scratch the surface.  Do YOU have any suggestions for some good in utero easy listening?  Leave a comment.  More to come...

Sunk In...

Nothing brings to reality the miraculous impending arrival of fatherhood like receiving a Lovin' Hug Plug-In baby swing from your best friend from college and his fiance.  Was that a run on sentence?  Yeah, I thought the sonogram and the baby's kicks took the cake but it is the arrival of gifts from friends and family that really make the whole parenthood thing sink in for me.  I'm sure more substantial occurrences make this certain for Danielle.  We are truly blessed and excited about our daughter's arrival!  About 2 months to go.  More to Come...

We are truly blessed...

We are quickly approaching the any-day-now mark for Daron Conworth's arrival.  I want to use this post to honor and recognize our super-fantastic family and friends for the support, love and shared excitement  that you have shown for our addition to the Conley-Stallworth household.  We believe it takes a village to raise a child and our village is filled with an incredible bunch of folks that we are truly blessed to have in our lives.  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.  More to come!

8 down...

Time flies when you spend every weekend of the past 8 months preparing for the arrival of your first child.  Danni's adorable belly leaves no room to dismiss the certainty that our crib, bassinet and stroller will soon be put to use.  I am unbelievably excited and Daron Conworth's mother is as well...assuming we overlook the labor and delivery factor.  Hopefully the class we take next weekend will help a bit.  Hopefully our little lady doesn't decided to make an appearance before then.  I think RIGHT NOW is a good time for me to check out a few websites and videos on the delivery process.  Oh the joys of pre-parenthood!  More to come...

Change Gone Come Part IV...

We have spent many of the past several weekends getting Daron's room together.  Transforming the space from a pretty boring office to a comfortable, nurturing and reflective environment has finally happened.  Special thanks to EWB for your creative input.  Merry Christmas 2010!  More to come...

This is an EWB production ;-)

Daron's daddy is quite proud of the bookshelf he installed.

Daron's great grandmother's painting of a little girl on a tricycle is our most cherished detail.

Can't wait to peek in on our little lady!

Erykah Badu & Nina Simone albums on the wall were the final touch!

Due Date Shmoo Date...

At the time of this post, we are 6 days away from our lil Daron's due date.  Thanks to the Holidays, neither one of us has had to work for the past two weeks.  That is a good thing when it comes to our desires to relax and tie up loose ends in preparation for parenthood.  But it totally sucks when it comes to the fact that the days move a lot slower when the routine of going to work is absent.  We are ready for Daron to exit the womb ASAP!  Danni has even allowed the fears of labor to be conquered by the hankering to no longer be pregnant.  As I type, it seems like Daron will be taking her sweet time and not come a moment before her due date or even take it upon herself to enjoy the comfort of her moms uterus for a few days after.  My hope lies in our doctor's words from the visit today, "she could come at any moment now".  Fingers are crossed that this moment is shortly after I post this entry.  God's speed.  More to come...

Best Day of Our Lives! - January 9, 2011

Labor

Shortly after delivery.

Overjoyed & Speechless!

29 Days

At this moment, I have been residing on this planet for twelve thousand, three hundred and eighty days (12,280).  Harper has been here for twenty-nine days (29).  I am loving this new chapter of our lives.  Sleep deprivation and all.  More to come...