10 Weeks, 3 Days ...What's in a name?

Your mother and I were having dinner in one of the city's culinary abominations tonight when we started talking about names for you. Her friends and mine have been at it again with their questions. What are you going to name the baby is the second question people ask; the first being when are we going to find out whether you are a boy or a girl. As if it were any of their business. I want to make this as deliciously expectant as possible. I think I will play the waiting game for as long as possible on these two questions. It will be fun to make everyone wait it out. I have 2 names picked out already for her to consider if you are a boy. One she liked, one she will need to warm up to. If you are a girl she has a name, but is not hooked on it. If you really hate the name you can always have it legally changed once you become old enough to do so.

10 Weeks, 2 Days Twins!

Your mom's boss just had twins. There are 2 sets of twins in my family-you have a set of second cousins, and your great-great grandpa had a twin brother. Twins run on the maternal side, so not likely that you will have a twin sibling. People have always told me that I must have a twin, but I have never ran into anyone face to face that looks just like me. We can be twins, just 42 years apart. How about that?

10 Weeks, 1 Day Got your bill today, Golden and Crispy!

Well, kiddo, your mom and I got your OBGYN bill today. It's OK, your worth it. Actually it was not as much as I had thought it would be. Funny how the bill comes before you do. Funny but true story about my cooking. Today I breaded chicken fingers with corn meal, thinking they would turn out golden and crispy. Surprise, they looked and smelled like fried catfish. Your mom proclaimed that they sorta tasted like fish sticks. We then smothered them in catsup and ate them, and they were OK.

10 Weeks Other kids your own age

Your 10 weeks today. I know some people who are going to have kids when you are to be born. John, from Starbucks, is going to have a baby who will be 2 weeks older than you. And Crystal, whom I work with, is having her baby 3 weeks before your due date. It is interesting talking to them. I'm going to have to find some others so we can from a playgroup or something. Or a first-time dad's support group. Maybe we will call it DTB A for Dads-To-Be Anonymous.

9 Weeks, 6 Days Playing

You must have been playing hard because your mom was SOOO tired. She said she wanted to rest for a minute in her car after lunch but was afraid she would fall asleep. She crashed on the couch shortly after getting home and stayed there most of the evening. What were you doing in there for her to be so tired? You can tell me later.

9 Weeks, 5 Days ...going green

People are always asking me if I want you to be a boy or a girl. I tell them either one would be fine with me. Then they ask if when we are having an ultrasound to find out. They want to scream when I tell them we may just wait and be surprised! Baby, you were such a wonderful surprise that we may just wait and let the suspense continue until you are born. That is, if your mom can hold out that long. Get used to green. That is a "safe" color.

9 Weeks, 4 Days ...and then I saw 3 new white hairs

Hey baby, son or daughter. I saw 3 new white hairs in my moustache when I was driving today...and they weren't caused by you (at least I don't think they were). One day when I teach you to drive I will fuss when you look at yourself in the mirror. Inside though I will smile because I will know you got it from me!`

9 Weeks, 3 Days Room to Grow

Your mom and I went to Lowe's to look at some nursery ideas. We know what we like and we are pretty sure you will be excited about it too. We don't want anything too childish for you, but nothing too grown-up either. We saw some pretty over the top nursery designs and that is just not what we think would be best for you. Or us. Don't worry, if you hate it we will change it.

9 Weeks, 2 Days. Dancing for the soul

So, now you are moving around a little bit. Arms and legs getting coordinated. I'll have to play you a little music to get your party started. I can't wait until we can feel you dancing around and playing drums on mom's ribcage. You work on your steps and I'll try to work on mine. I usually have 2 left feet for dancing but for you I will have to make an exception. Yesterday was a bum day for mom. Some people she work with got laid off. Maybe you can keep her cheered up. Do a little dance for joy for her. Let it be contagious. You have made us both happy. Keep it up.

9 Weeks, 1 Day...and all is well

I hear you are starting a busy time in your life, my child. All kind of developments are taking place with your organs and stuff. You just continue to grow and do everything right on the inside and your mom and I are going to try and do everything right on the outside.

9 Weeks. Celebrate

Celebrating your 9th week! You are the size of an olive making the martini of life extra special. I know that sounded corny, but that is just the kinda guy I am. Obama said something in his speech yesterday that sounded cool. It went something like this-"blah, blah, blah-I'll extend my hand if you will unclench your fist." It made me think of how things should be. Always willing to offer support. It also made me think of the tight grip that babies have when they take your fingers. This is how we will be.

8 Weeks, 6 Days ...history in the making

It was so cool. People were talking publicly about the plane that landed on the Hudson River with everyone surving being a "Miracle." This was a miracle in itself, with the power of the media keeping us constantly aware of thing like Barak Obama moving into the White House and the 2 wars and struggling economy he is inheriting. Baby, you are history in the making too; much more of a miracle than that plane crash and all that other stuff. At least you are to me. And your mom. And grandma. And grandpa.

8 Weeks, 5 Days "No Fear"

Last night before I slept I put my hand on your mom's belly so I could protect you from anything that babies might fear. It must be cool not knowing about things like fear. Fear is mainly just a head-trip anyway. A famous man once said "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." You have the rest of your life to figure out complicated things like what you have to be afraid of, or what not to be afraid of. "No Fear" is a slogan that was on a lot of tee-shirts and bumper stickers. Maybe I'll look for a onesie with that on it just for you! And if you ever do find yourself afraid don't worry, I've got your back.

8 Weeks, 4 Days. Your First Dogshow

Your going to your first dogshow today. Actually its Nexus' first show too. She is making her debut. We bathed her last night, clipped her nails, brushed her teeth, trimmed her paws, and whacked her whiskers. As we were on the floor with her doing all this your mom made the comment that if you were a girl she didn't think we would do the whole "pagent thing" with you. I agree. She also said that she hoped that changing diapers was easier than trimming a dog's nails.

8 Weeks, 3 Days. Some old photos and stuff

Found some old photos of your mom and me from our college days. Yep, I was cleaning out a closet making room for your stuff and BAM-some pictures of us from 1985 and 1986 surfaced. I cant wait to show them to you some day. I also found some newspaper articles of your great-great-grandma. She would have been so thrilled over you. She lived to be 104. There was also a very nice Christmas card your mom gave me from about 20 years ago that I am holding on to for sentimental reasons. One day you will understand. I will explain it all.

8 Weeks, 2 Days

Your mom tells me your the size of a pinto bean now. I'll remind you about it later. Maybe we can laugh about it at Starbucks with Al. She lost the 5 lbs. she gained over you so far, but wanted me to feel how tight her belly has become with you inside.

8 Weeks, 1 Day

Oh, baby. Making plans for the next few months so your mom and I can have a most enjoyable pregnancy and have everything ready for your arrival. We are gonna stay in and relax tonight since we had stuff to do the last few nights. BTW, baby; what do you think about a jungle themed room? You can tell me later.

8 Weeks!!!

Hey kiddo, you're 8 weeks old today! Your mom says you are wearing her out. She's doing good though, 2 nights in a row with no nap. I gotta feeling you will be giving me a run for my money soon enough.

7 Weeks, 6 Days

Today I took one of the dogs with me about town. The smooth collie and I went to Lowe's and walked up and down each and every aisle. I wanted to look at wallpaper books for the nursery/kid's room. She laid down at my feet for about 15 minutes while I looked at pictures and got ideas. Then, with no warning, she stood up and gave a short bark and proceeded to howl! "Welcome, Baby" is what she was saying! True story.

7 Weeks, 5 Days

One of the ushers brushed my shoulder and whispered "Papa" at me this morning as he handed me the offering basket. I grinned and said "you betcha" probably a little too loudly and undignified!

7 Weeks, 4 days

Who knew I could be so proud to tell people about this baby? I feel like I have a delicious secret that I have to let people in on. I feel like I am letting them in on something important when I tell them I am going to be a 42 year old daddy. I find myself telling customers and my employees about it. I feel sometimes like if I dont tell them about it I will scream. One of my employees, who just managed to turn 18 before getting pregnant, asked me today if I felt funny being 42 and going to be a father. I asked her if she felt funny about only being 18 and pregnant. Our questions caught each other off guard.

7 weeks, 3 days

Babys "R" Us can be such an intimidating place. They have all this stuff laid out like you are going to be a bad parent and will have a deprived child if you don't buy EVERYTHING. It got to be a little overwhelming. I managed to suppress a mini-panic attack. I have been weaning myself off Lexapro by secretly cutting my pill in half . Fortunately, we left with nothing but the baby still intact and my over the top sanity!

7 weeks, 2 days

First doctor appointment today. I got to go back with her. Laying off tuna and thinking about cordblood banks. August 27, 2009 sounds like a great day to me!