A Post From A Dad-To-Be

Things are about to get real. Really real. Amy is 38 weeks tomorrow and if science had invented a baby-thermometer, right now it would be reading DONE. This is very exciting news and Amy and I are both really excited about how close we are to meeting our little guy. However, being the husband of a midwife, I am aware of the many things that could go wrong with a delivery, as well as all the things that can go right. If I had a birth plan it would have two bullet points: healthy mom, healthy baby. I feel like I'm back in college (oh, wait, I'm technically still in "college") cramming before a big test, reading through a stack of delivery and newborn baby books. I've watched numerous "birth videos" on YouTube, so I feel I'm adequately prepared for what to expect when Charlie is born. I definitely don't think I will feel like I am totally prepared when the time comes, but my goal is not to feel like a deer caught in headlights.

As a first-time father, I've definitely gone through different stages of emotions throughout Amy's pregnancy. I was initially hesitant about this whole parenthood thing. However, I knew how much Amy wanted a baby and I knew that I wanted a family, I just didn't know what was the right time. However, I now believe that there is never a right time for big life events, and sometimes you just have to have faith that you'll be up to the challenges as they come. Throughout the pregnancy, I feel like my mindset has slowly changed from self-focus to that of a Dad. Lately I have had this mantra of 'this will be the last time I  __________', focusing on what I will no longer being able to do once we have a newborn. I think this is easy to do, because some of the changes that come with a new child are much more tangible. However, I have slowly realized that some of the most rewarding parts of parenthood seem abstract to me, and thus hard to balance with the things that I've focused on what I will be 'giving up'. Amy has been really supportive through my own acclimation to parenthood and I'm grateful for that. I feel fortunate that Amy and I have such a wonderful and supportive group of friends in Denver, who are great examples of how to keep an active life with a newborn. I plan to be the Dad at the local brewpub wearing my child swaddled in a Moby wrap.

As for Amy, she's doing great! She has had no trouble sleeping and has been able to exercise without any trouble. We actually went on a 5 mile hike outside of Breckenridge (in the snow) and were passing people who were going too slow! She is counting down her shifts at work and is looking forward to her maternity leave and all the time she will be able to spend with Charlie. Amy has almost run out of nesting activities, as all the newborn clothes are washed (and sorted), nursery is all put together, and we will be putting in the base for the car seat today. Yesterday we practiced putting on newborn cloth diapers and swaddling. On a stuffed Moose.

As for Mabel, we both feel like she aware change is on the horizon. She seems to be more down when we leave and seems more excited every time we come home. She is also been suspicious whenever she walks into the nursery. Especially with all the stuffed animals that are off limits. We think she will be a great big sister for Charlie, and undoubtedly be the beneficiary of food thrown down by Charlie in the years to come. We have already had the big talk with her (see below), so I think she will be ready for the new addition to the family.