So it happened

Well it happened and I know that it has been almost a month but I have never been very good at this blog thing.

Well we had an amazing birth. Lindsay was a total rock star and for that matter so was Zoe. Zoe was born on November 20th 2009 at 7:58pm. She was 6lbs. 8oz. Lindsay was in labor for around 12 hours that were mostly spent in the water. Zoe was born in the tub and was actually delivered in the amniotic sac, which is apparently rare. My little girl is so amazing. It is amazing what happens when you have a baby. How no matter what the only thing you want to do is provide for her and make her happy. Things are good and how could they not be when there is a face like that looking back at you.

This is one of those infamous belly shots that you see all over. Here is Linds with chipper standing at attention. We keep on getting asked if we think we are ready and more often if chip is ready. Well we all know that you can never be ready. Chip on the other hand, he is going to be the best dog that anyone could have asked for when having a kid.

Well my best friend was up for a visit for the weekend. It is way to short but I guess that is one of the reasons that we have decided to stay so close to home. I can't wait for her to come home and see my kid, which is kinda weird to say. Well weird to say my kid that is. I am finding myself going through the nesting thing which is kinda weird. I have been inspired to refloor the upstairs and install laminate flooring. The whole upstairs no longer has carpet and I am so happy about that. We have put together the baby room and set up the crib which is kinda weird but we have to do it now because harvest is coming and things could be short if we wait. I have been going crazy trying to paint but this time is different. Usually I get frustrated by find myself wanting to make everything perfect. Doing the cutting work was so easy and not frustrating at all.

Things have been crazy around our house this summer it seem like April was only two weeks ago. I find myself dreaming more nd more about the baby which is kind of weird for me. I think it is something that has been on my mind more and more each day. When I think that we only have a couple of more weeks left like less than ten. It seems like I can't wait and yet it seems too soon. It is a hard thing to describe being totally excited yet scared out of your mind.

I thank God that we have a totally awesome support network around here. We have tons of friends who have kids that are totally amazing and have given us tons of stuff and ideas and have encouraged us so much. We also have a great family that are willing to take time out of their day to come and help. My parents have been here twice to help me clean, lay laminate, and organize the plethora of baby stuff. We are so blessed by the people at church and our family. Thanks to those who have given us so much.

The eve of fathers day. A tribute

Well there isn't  much to say about what has been going on in our lives.  We are still debating wether or not to find out the sex.  Well I think most people know that I really want to know but my lovely wife doesn't.  She keeps saying "this is the biggest surprise of our lives." I reply with "I HATE SURPRISES."   

Well on this eve of Father's Day I find myself looking into the depths of my heart and soul thinking am I ready for it?  The only answer I can find for this monstrous question is to look at those in my life that show me what being a father really is.

First and foremost is my dad.  He is always been there for me when I really needed him.  Always giving me encouragement when I needed it the most.  Some times that encouragement comes via others but it does get to me.  My dad has always been a man that I could admire and hope to one day be like.   He is an amazing husband who has put up with my mom for soo many years and has helped raise 3 kids who are now having kids of their own.  I think that as that question keeps coming up especially since this is the first Father's Day that seems more important in some way even though I am not technically a dad yet I know that if I can be half the man that my father is I know I will be a great dad.  The older I get the more I realize that my dad has been far more influential  in the community that I grew up in.  He is not only a Physicians Assistant, treating this coughs and sniffles, but he has helped far more people than I know.  

My Fathers in law

Well I have two a father-in-law and a step-father-in-law.  That is a total mouthful.  I wish my one who moved to California was much closer than he is.  I think he is a wonderful man who will introduce my child to everything from sailing to motorcycles.  He is going to be an amazing grandfather.  I wish he was closer to be able to be more involved with our child because I value him more than I think I tell him.  All the mechanical things that I wish I could do I know he can do.  I know that he will be back in a couple of years and I can't wait for that day to come for both me and my wife but also for the little one growing inside her.  I know that I look up to all the fathers I have in my life for my own special reasons.  

The step-father-in-law

He is a man of few words and far more emotions than I think people give him credit for.  I think the news of us having a baby has been amazing news.  I think he is totally stoked to be around for all the subtle nuances of being a granddad.  We always overhear him telling others about what is going on in our lives totally proud of my wife and what we are doing in our lives.  He is totally too cool for getting older but he has to face it that he is a granddad now and that means he is getting a little older.  He will always be cool grandpa and I know that our child will look up to for all the reasons that I do.  Always calm under pressure and never afraid to walk away.  things that sometimes I wish I could do but can't because of the Irish Blood.  

As this father's day approaches I know that I am ready for this monstrous task that has been given me simply by taking pieces of those that I look up to and making them my own.  If I can take a little bit of each I know I will be ok.  No matter what the circumstances may be I know I only have to look to those fathers that are in my life for the example and I know I will make the right decision.  

Thanks to those fathers in my life.  As I make this big step don't worry I will be calling for advice!

Sorry to those who are waiting for a new post! Here it is!

Well things in this house have been kinda crazy for the past 4 weeks.  In that time we have cleaned out a closet and rearranged it more times than I can count.  My mom bought us a crib that we found through a friend.  It is kinda weird I think buying a crib so early on in the development but I guess it was a good price so that is my wife super thrifty.  Things have been progressing nicely as far as the pregnancy is concerned.  Lindsay is starting to show the cutest little baby bump.  She has been having a little trouble sleeping the past couple of weeks but she sees it as prep for sleep deprivation.   My sleep has only been interrupted by the crazy schedule I have been trying to maintain.  

We just went through graduation at JT so with that I bought a new camera which takes amazing pictures.  Those pictures will make this whole experience just that more memorable.  

While we are talking about crazy lets talk about mood swings......

We have some funny or scary stories depending on your prospective.  Well it all started when I picked her up from work and she mentioned that she fell asleep at work.  Well that isn't so bad I thought.  Until she said on the bathroom floor.  

Example 2: we were getting up from bed getting ready to go to work.  Lindsay decided to throw a sheet over her head.  In the process she knocked off the cover on the ceiling fan.  Well this started a fit of laughter from both myself and Lindsay.  Then it went south form that point on.  All I know is that she started to both laugh and cry... AT THE SAME TIME.  Who does that and what am I supposed to do keep laughing.  There needs to be a how to guild that tells fathers-to-be know what to do in these messed up situations.  

Example 3:  We had just gotten home from work or being out I can't remember but Lindsay ran in the house while continuing to have a discussion.  I came in and continued to discuss while she went to the bathroom.  While talking all I know is that I looked over my shoulder and say her crying while on the toilet.  When I got concerned and asked what was wrong, the reply was "I don't know".  What the heck does that mean if she doesn't know then who the heck does.  Come on how is a guy supposed to react.  I didn't know wether to laugh or cry and apparently neither did she.  

Well I think that is all for now.  Hopefully I will keep you all posted with posts more frequently.  

Thanks

 

After Appointment Epiphanies

Well we went to our first PRENATAL VISIT.  Oh yeah we did..... what we go every 4 weeks then every week?????   This seems super crazy but i guess it is necessary.  Well we walked into our first appointment and sat down and our midwife seemed surprised to see us.  She started off by saying that she thought we seemed pretty pro home birth (and to be honest we were) and asked us why we chose her.  If it had been me to answer I would have said something to the effect of "well we really thought it over and felt stronger to to deliver with you."  But I wasn't the one who answered.  My wife did.  What was her answer you ask.  "it came down to the financials"  As these words came out of my beautiful pregnant wife I got to watch as the woman, who will be providing all the care for my unborn child, shrug her shoulders.  What a total bummer for her.  What my wife didn't verbalize is that we liked both midwives equally and it seemed easier for us to deal with out choice because of the insurance issue.  I will have to explain.  

Well the visit went really well. The was peeing in a cup...... guys never have to do that it seems.  We go to hear the heart beat which was totally awesome.  I have been reading that this point is when "it sinks in."  I find myself really confused about this notion.  It seems that guys have a hard time coming to grips with the fact that there is human child growing in the loved ones uterus.  I have never been able to detach myself from this notion at all.  Ever since we found out I have seen the changes in my wife.  It has been a constant reality for me that we are creating life.  I never understand how guys can look beyond the obvious and realize that without some kind of proof.  I must say it was a little reassuring to hear the heart beat to know things were ok and that my wife wasn't going crazy but I kinda knew it was really  happening.  

Maybe things are different because I am totally excited about this whole adventure.  I am reminded of a famous opening " the final frontier these are the voyages of the star ship [baby] it mission to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no[parents] have gone before."  Lets be honest.  This is totally new territory for us both and we trying to take in stride.  This are going to be out of control for some time. Well at least until it can fit in one of those child leashes.  I just thank God for being able have the blessing of raising a child.  Also for having a wife that lets be honest is willing to throw all control of her body to the wind and chance.  I can't imagine what that must feel like.  We have both been really lucky that her only issues have been mainly with exhaustion.  She can eat everyday and has had no nausea issues so far.  Lets just pray that they don't materialize.   

The night before the first appointment!

Well we have finally chosen our midwife.  It has been an interesting process of talking about what is "normal"   (again that word keeps coming up).  We are headed in tomorrow to go to the first "real" appointment.  By real I mean that we start paying for it.  I don't really know what to expect on the first visit to be honest.  I think it better to go in with no expectations and be surprised.  I do love surprises after all.  Well that is a not totally true, actually it is the farthest thing from the truth.  I hate surprises.  That is one of the reasons I want to know the gender of the baby.  Look how PC I am, I used the correct adjective.

That is another who crazy debate in our house.  We are still going over whether or not we want to know.  Personally I really want to know.  I think it helps me identify a little easier and also helps me prepare.  Remember that whole not liking surprises thing.  Not that either gender will mean less or more but I kinda want to know.  Am I crazy for that?  I want to be able to prepare for buying tractor toys or  buying dolls.  These past couple of weeks have kinda been crazy.  

The weather has started to get a little nicer and warmer as well.  When we had that heat wave it was a little uncomfortable to sleep.  I think my wife had issues too.  It seems that no matter how much sleep she gets she is always tired.  I feel so bad because she seems so upset with it.  But in retrospect if exhaustion is the worse symptom I guess that isn't too bad, coming from the guy.  

Things seem way more important now.  Life, love, friends, and family.  The closer I get to becoming a dad, I know it is still pretty far away, the more I seem to notice how important little things are.  Simply being able to take my dog to work everyday seems way more important now.  We have started getting close with people in our small group and I feel comforted and encouraged going into this amazingly scary time.  Even going out for ice cream seems far more exciting than it was 3 months ago.  

So when life has you down...... head to the creamery and start the 50 scoop challenge!

Thanks Kinship!

 

Shopping for a midwife???

Well the search is finally over.  We have done it we have shopped and finally chosen our midwife.  I must say that it is one of the most interesting things  I have ever had to do in my adult life.  I never thought I would have to go out and shop for the person who would catch my just-born child.  It is a crazy world that we live in that you must consider doing something like this.  We went to two different providers that both had interesting things to bring to the table.  It was kinda crazy I must tell you.  

Things I learned:

Always go with questions- you never know how someone is going to react to you asking questions about what they do for a living.  I think I had to of talked more than my pregnant wife.  I guess my job is to do all the worrying so she doesn't have to.  

You can always tell what sort of provider he or she will be by how much time they spend for free- We must have been at both providers for about 2 hours.  The first place we went to was a home birth midwife who works out of her home.  We got there at 3:30 and left about 5.  The second place we went was a Nurse Midwife who spent almost the same amount of time.  Both appointments were free which was nice to be able to spend that amount of time talking about this whole crazy process.

This whole process is crazy but it can't be anything compared to what my wife is going through.  I did a bad thing I must confess.  It is so difficult for me to step back and always remember that there are some crazy things going on inside of her.  She has always been amazing and totally in control of both me and and things that happen in our life.  I feel like she has lost control and that is so scary.  She has been my rock for so long.  I came home Friday and was stressed because we bottled and I didn't recognize that she was as well.  I was not as sensitive as I should have been.  In the future I now know that as weird and tough as this is for me to deal with it is ten times harder to loose control of what is happening to your own body.