A little more reflecting

Hurry up and wait. That seems to be the order of the day. It is funny how we rush to get things in place before his due date. Installing the car seat, assembling the furniture and the countless other details are meticulously put in place. And yet the due date arrives but only carries with it more anticipation. So we wait.

And while we wait, I take the time to reflect. I am not over anxious or nervous as time winds down. My only concern is Nikki getting through labor and childbirth. The traumatic effect that childbirth has on the body is not lost on me and I am really hoping that it will go smoothly.

But, just like Nikki I can't wait to meet Nicholas. If only he would show up!

I will type another update tomorrow to let you all know whether we went into labor during the night. Who knows, I may even post a few blogs from the delivery room!

Pregnancy comparisons

In most of my pregnancy readings, I always see a caveat that reads something along the lines of “All pregnancy are different and different women will react differently”.

That rang true for me when a week ago me and Preggers rendezvoused for lunch at a nearby Chinese restaurant. The waitress that tended to us was pregnant but she was hustling and bustling up and down the restaurant taking orders, bringing out food and taking care of her patrons.

We asked her the typical question that everyone asks pregnant women “When are you due?” Turns out this pregnant waitress is past her due date. Her due date was two days ago. But you would never know it. She was a-hopping skipping and a-jumping all over the place. I found that amusing considering that Nikki cannot walk two feet without being totally exhausted!

PS We went back a few days after and was told that she had given birth!

Pregnancy update

Some more updates for you:

Latest doctor’s appointment revealed that Nikki is still one centimeter dilated but the cervix is 50% effaced. For a vaginal delivery, the cervix must be 100% effaced (or thinned out) so she is half way there.

A prophecy to share

Remember that reader I told you about that demanded more frequent updates? Click here.

Well, Nikki and I dropped in on her and her family the other day. During the visit, her son walked up to me in the middle of a discussion and out of the blue, he said: “You are going to have two babies.”

I started to panic thinking he meant twins. But, he continued: “First a boy, and later a girl” Well thank goodness. At least he didn’t think we were having twins, but he seemed pretty sure that we were going to have a girl later down the road.

In the back of my mind though I think Nikki put him up to it………

Random thoughts

We are now at 36 weeks. Very soon, the doctor visits will be weekly. Nikki is probably ready for the baby to be born. So am I. I think I am at the corner of Excited Avenue and Anxious Street. Although from my vantage point I have fleeting glimpses of Apprehensive Lane.

The caution evolves from the ever growing realization that I hold the responsibility of raising a man in today’s world. If that is not enough to make you sit up and take stock I don’t know what will. Even though I embrace this awesome responsibility, from time to time I reflect on how I will do as Nicholas’ father.

Well, I think we will pack the bags for the trip to the hospital within the next week or so. I can’t recall all the things that we need to include so I have some homework to do. I am sure Nikki can rattle off all the things necessary but I am a tad bit slow. (Work with me here).

Speaking of the trip to the hospital, I remember watching some movie a while back where the dad tears off to go to the hospital and almost forgot his wife. I cringe at that thought and hope feverishly I don’t fall into that category.

A few odds and ends

Remember that post about the T-shirt I saw in the store that said “Mommy’s new man”? Well I posted that I bought that shirt. Well Nikki pointed out that I did not in fact buy the shirt. So this is my idea of a retraction. But I am still concerned about being replaced. So I am still conditioning my mind about the impending relegation.

I know that there have been some grumblings over the lack of photo of the baby’s room. One request was also for a virtual tour. I did promise weeks ago to put pictures up. But, I have done my part for the baby room. I put together all the furniture and have them arranged and everything. But Nikki insists that something is missing from the room. Well duh Nicholas is not here yet! But if she says something is missing who am I to argue. Hopefully I will get the go ahead soon. And I am putting the blame for the delay firmly on the shoulders of the responsible party: Nicholas’ mother!

I believe we are ready mentally (and physically) for Nicholas to arrive. Sure, the sleepless nights are not on the top of my list of things that I look forward to but the excitement is now reaching palpable proportions. Interestingly one of the things that I am looking forward to the most is having Nicholas lie on my chest. Having that tiny body close and feeling the short sharp breaths with the little chest heaving is just awesome. I still remember vividly doing that with Angeline and I can’t wait to have Nicholas do the same. Some books claim that babies like to hear the rhythmic heartbeat but for me it was (and will be) one of the most powerful feelings in the world.

Some random thoughts

A couple of folks thought that the blog was a nice idea. Here is an email I received from a friend recently to that effect:

Dear MM: I love it!!!! I think it's great that you are doing this, and it's nice that we get to "share" the experience with you through your writing. Keep it up.

I feel as if I'm getting another "grand child" by association.

TMOP

Thought that was nice