Fatherhood

While many of the changes for me have not been as visible yet (no "baby bump" showing on me), I'm sure some things have changed. Getting ready for Lizzie's arrival has been processes within a process. We started by getting a new room, which meant moving. With things still in boxes, we started getting more boxes: packages with paper and strings... and ties, bags, parts and instructions. Some things have been given to us (ie, free things -- yeah!) others we have had to buy. Which is where one of the major changes in Honorablelauren was visible:

Before, while visiting a store such as Wal-Mart, I would sometimes point out something in the baby section, and she would crinkle her nose or roll her eyes -- baby items were not on the radar. Now, the very same items are "ahh... cute!!" Now, I'll admit: shopping for baby items has been fun. I don't always feel in the mood (like Saturday night, when I begged out of going in exchange for shopping after Church on Sunday) but I enjoy the enjoyment.

Sticker shock did set in a while ago, but we've modified our budget and the necessary items should fit it easil... er... should fit! We've not only been purchasing items, but we've also attended a class on caring for an infant. It basically covered the first two weeks of life (feeding, changing, bathing, sleeping). Still have to schedule the birthing class.

I'm excited, a little nervous, but looking forward to Lizzie's arrival. As long as she sticks to her scheduled time, everything should be set up and in place. Just in time for her to turn everything upside down! At least I have a few years before having to worry about school, proms... and boys!

Ain't That A Kick In The Head

"My head keeps spinning;
I go to sleep and keep grinning;
If this is just the beginning,
My life's gonna be beautiful..."

~Dean Martin, from "Ain't That A Kick In The Head?"


One evening in November my husband and I were sitting on the couch after dinner watching Wheel of Fortune. I had felt little Lizzie moving around inside of me but I had never felt her kick before. It kinda felt like the nervous feeling of butterflies when she would move around. My husband decided to lay his head next to my belly to see if he could hear her moving around inside when all of the sudden the belly jumped. "Was that a kick?" my husband asked. I replied, "I don't know.I have never felt her kick before..." Then little Lizzie moved again, this time with greater force. POW! Our little girl kicked my husband again, still with his head on my belly. And from that day on, our little Lizzie has been swirling and kicking and moving around.

Beer? Sure... I'd Love Some... Oh Wait! Better Make That A Root Beer Instead

While I would not consider myself addicted to alcohol the absence of it seems be a constant nagging reminder of all that I do for this little baby inside me. I love having a glass of wine while eating spaghetti or having an ice cold beer with steak or even having a rum and coke when at a social function. My last sip of alcohol was on the 4th of July when my husband and I were vacationing with family in Maine. It's not that I have a strong desire to drink because I have been several months without it now, but honestly, I don't like being told NO! The very fact that I am not allowed to have something is extremely annoying to me. Could you imagine if they (being medical professionals) said chocolate was bad for fetuses? How would I survive?

Surprise!

I will not lie to you when I say that my reaction to the positive pregnancy test back in June was less than joyous. It felt as though someone threw a monkey wrench into our plans that we had so dutifully discussed before my husband and I got married. We thought that maybe a couple years from now or after we both finished college or when my husband had a more stable job... that then, would be the "right" time to start having a family. Not to mention the fact, that my husband and I, who although we have been friends for years, were still trying to figure this marriage thing out, let alone how to be a mommy and daddy. I even took another pregnancy test but it only confirmed what the first one said and what my husband already knew, that I was pregnant.

I will say that my attitude toward this whole thing has improved much since my initial reaction but I still wonder if I am ready to partake in a responsibility that I feel have no real training in. Babies unfortunately do not come with instruction manuals and despite how many books one person can read every child is unique. So just as a baby is learning to survive outside the womb, so we too are learning how to care for them. It shall be only by the grace of God that we succeed as we experience a new chapter in our lives.