Posted on 04/12/2016 10:02:02 AM PDT by 20yearsofinternet
So, my wife and I just celebrated our one year anniversary, and got each other the best present of all... we're having a baby!
She's only 4-6 weeks along at this point, so we haven't told anyone yet. We want to wait about 3 more weeks until the first real checkup. But I can't wait that long to tell someone... anyone who will listen/read!
We're going to the OB on 5/3 for a first appointment and to hear the heartbeat for the first time. I'm so excited to be a father. I'm happy we did everything we could to start our precious cargo's life off in a place of love and security. Got married, bought a home, settled in.
I feel so blessed and fortunate that we barely spent any time trying and (so far) have been successful. We gave it a shot in January and my wife was plotting everything on a calendar and using ovulation tests and to be honest, I think she was stressing herself out about it and that might have affected the success. Life got in the way of the meticulous tracking during February and she had given up on the record keeping, with plans to start again this month (LOL). We're lucky, I personally know people who have had to go multiple rounds of IVF to conceive, and I'm so very thankful that we didn't have to do anything like that.
For the past week I have been thinking non-stop about all the things I want to do, both around the house to get ready and after the baby is born and beyond, once it grows enough so that I can start teaching him or her about the world.
I'm relatively young around these parts (mid thirties), and I think my age and experience has kind of tempered any nervousness I might have had about becoming a dad. I'm of course hopeful and cautiously optimistic, but still a little nervous about the pregnancy going well, my wife being healthy and comfortable, and everything else involved with making it to the finish line happy and healthy. But as far as the baby actually getting here, I'm nothing but pure excitement. I'm ready for this.
I've always remained pragmatic about having children, just so that I didn't get myself all pumped up to be a father as my sole purpose in life only to find out I couldn't have kids, or my wife couldn't. I'm pretty good about managing my own expectations. But now that we know we can do it, I can't lie to myself, I'm basically giddy with enthusiasm.
So, it'll be a couple of weeks before we tell our families, but I had to get it out of my system.
Now, if you care to, give me some advice on fatherhood! LOL
Awesome!
Congratulations, your excitement says a lot about the Dad you’ll be. Don’t lose that enthusiasm. I’d echo other replies, this time goes by quickly.
Acknowledging our imperfection, here’s two things the Mrs. and I have done to consider:
1. Before our first born arrived we wrote lists - what kind of parents we wanted to be, what kind of home life there would be, and what and we wanted inspire and grow in our child (such as faith, resourcefulness, education, healthy living, confidence, etc.). Talk about what you want as a couple for your family, be on the same page, and try your best to make it happen.
2. We take seriously that we only get one shot at this. When the Mrs. felt the need to stay home with the kids we ran with it. Simply being there has been helpful on so many levels, and while we don’t drive new cars or take excessive vacations we know we’ve chosen well. If you can have someone stay at home please consider it.
Here’s my advise, get ready for a lot of advise but ignore 90% of it. You’ll be nervous with the 1st one but by the 2nd you’ll be an old pro and have that kid tucked under your arm like a football. OK here’s my real advise. When the kid gets older make her or him have a piggy bank whatever and when they want something more expensive than you’re willing to pay, make them anti up the difference. This makes them think about purchases they really want and teaches them value of money. When they get the age where they want to drive the flying car make them pay for the insurance. This means they must get a part time J O B. This teaches them the value of work. There ya go and enjoy!
Congratulations! You sound like you’ll make a wonderful father. Your wife and future child sure are lucky.
Congrats!
The most concentrated joy that can fit in a small package is coming your way. Take the time to do the “couple thing” in the next few months; afterwards you probably won’t want to because babies change and grow each day and you won’t want to miss anything.
Children are a gift we give ourselves.
Kid only remember small vignettes of their childhood but parents remember the whole thing!
May God hold the three of you in the palm of his hand!
Many congratulations! It will be trying, rewarding, aggravating and glorious all in one.
And it will go by faster than you can imagine, so enjoy!!
Awesome. My youngest son and his wife just found out their pregnant too. Congrats
You remind me of a wonderful man I worked with a few years ago. He was a graphics artist and he and his wife were near 40 when they finally found out she was pregnant. He was so thrilled.
He lasted working about 6 months after their little boy was born. He just couldn’t abide the thought of dropping his son off with strangers at a day care. He figured his wife had a better job and he could free lance from home, so why not stay home. It made me feel like a horrible parent for not fighting to stay home with mine.
That’s so exciting.Congrats :) ((((Hugs))))
Congrats bro.
Advice tip # 1: Get as much sleep as you can in Nov & Dec :)
Will you accept fatherhood advice from this mom/grandma? :-)
First, love the Lord. Second, love your wife. Keep it in that order and you’ll be a fantastic father! Congratulations and many blessings to you and your beloved!
congrats.
The story above your thread is “Megan Fox is pregnant with her third child”, so I was tempted to ask the obvious question...
bttt
LOLOLOLOLOL!!!!! LOVE IT!!!!!!
That is wonderful news, congratulations!
Congratulations! Enjoy the precious times when your child is young and you are the center of their new life. All the ours of sleep you will soon lose will be more valuable than the wealth of nations. Children are truly a blessing and reveal a glimpse of God’s love. May your house be ever filled with joy!
Congratulations to you both!!
I waited a long time for my bundle of joy. My spouse worked 14- and 16-hour professional days and I was also very well established and working from home. I was able to continue working full-time UNTIL THE KID STARTED WALKING age one to two and a half. That was the critical time to spend lots of time as a hands-on parent, I believed, and I don't regret it although my lifetime earnings took a hit and that's just the way it is.
From 18 months til age 3, we had a great grandmom-type nanny for half-days during the week, and then once the diapers were gone, we employed a great half-day pre-school. The nanny then did the pick-up and the rest of the half-day. So I was able to resume full-time from home after a year and a half break.
Mine is now mid-30s, and now with instant digital communications, the break from full-time can be a lot shorter. On the other hand, the pace of work and the 24/7 expectations of work are now heavier. But on balance, I think your generation has the advantage. When computer systems became the state of the art in 1989, I had to learn to stop working at 110% of normal expectations in order to succeed. Now because of the global, borderless, real time reach of digital, it's considered wise to work at 80-85% of capability most of the time so you don't burn out.
Congrats AS LONG AS YOU DON’T SAY, “WE’RE PREGNANT”!!!!!
The phrase “we’re pregnant” will never cross my lips. My WIFE is pregnant, “WE” are having a baby. You can pry my old-fashioned way of speaking from my cold, dead hands! :)
Thanks again to everyone for all the well wishes and prayers! It felt really good to be able to put it in writing and get some of my feelings out to someone other than my wife, and I really appreciate the reception. God bless you all!
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