Shopping for baby stuff

Well, we made our first venture into Babies R US over the weekend. It was very overwhelming. There are so many things we just don't have. I felt a little unprepared before we went in but WOW! We are sooo not ready. It looks like we have a lot of work to do.

One thing is very clear. Once people know you are having a baby, everyone has advice for you. Not just friends and family...everyone. Strange women were stopping us in the baby store. "How far along are you?" "Is this your first?" "You know what you need to do is...."

I am going to have to start carrying a notebook.

-Dan

Natures way of helping...

Neither one of us seems to be sleeping very well lately. I know I am tired. I just can't seem to fall asleep. For starters, my wife, who is normally quiet as a church mouse, has begun to snore at night. (I know honey "payback is a b@#$")

Then, of course, there is all of the thinking that comes with being the husband of a pregnant woman. I know it is early in the pregnancy but I keep getting the feeling I should be doing more. As a "Dad to be" shouldn't I be building something or fixing something? Don't I need to be learning how to properly pack the trunk of a car? I know that as a kid whenever my family went on a trip, my Dad was the only person who new where all the bags and suitcases went. Is there a manual I need to read?

I guess this staying awake at night is just natures way of getting me ready for a newborn baby in the house.

A little history

I know that my first several posts have been lighthearted and sometimes a little crude (sorry Mom). It may be that I have used a little humor as a way to deal with the anxiety of becoming a father for the first time. The truth is, years of calm, careful discussion have led to this decision.

Shannon and I have been together for a long time and have a great relationship. She is the love of my life and my very best friend. We have a nice house, good jobs and are healthy. Having a baby seemed like a logical next step.

For years we didn't want kids at all. However, the thought of growing old together and not sharing our good fortune with a child made me a little sad.

Now that we are having a baby I am scared, anxious and excited but not sad. I am ready for whatever comes our way as long as Shannon is by my side.

-Dan

The Facts

It just occured to me that some people might actually want to know about the pregnancy. So here are the facts in no particular order.

• Shannon is almost 12 weeks pregnant (11 1/2)
• Shannon is due the first week of December
• I AM the father (seriously Clint...I am)
• Only one baby (damn, no twins)
• No morning sickness so far (for Shannon)
• No names picked out yet
• We DO want to find out the sex of the baby before it's born
• Shannon's clothes are getting snug, but not really showing yet
• Dan's clothes are tight too (I'm just fat)

- Dan

Last one to know.

The word is out and we are getting plenty of phone calls and e-mails. Thank you all for your kind words of encouragement. I would like to send a special thanks to my buddies for their horror stories.

Anyway, it seems that many of you suspected my wife was pregnant before she even told me. How about a little heads up next time?

While I am on the subject of pregnancy advice for men. Are there any pregnacy books for men that aren't written by a total "candy ass"? Man, there is so much touchy feely crap out there. I don't want to get in touch with my inner "oprah". I just want to be a stand up guy and a good husband and father. GIVE ME INFORMATION I CAN USE! I want lists. Always do, never do, what the hell were you thinking... you know, lists.
-Dan

So where exactly does the babyseat go?

Starting to sink in...

Now that we are actually telling people it is starting to sink in. This is real. To be perfectly honest, I still get a little queasy when I say the words "we are having a baby" out loud. Is that normal? I mean, I feel so unprepared for a baby. When I sit back and really think about it I am overwhelmed with questions. How do you put on a daiper? When do you know if they are hungry? What should you feed them? How early should they start taking Brazilian Jui Jitsu so they can be The Ulimate Fighting Champion? Would the babyseat fit on the handlebars of the Harley?

See, I'm doing it again...

It's True! Shannon and I are having a baby. (Well, Shannon is having a baby.)
It figures, I do all the hard work and she gets all the attention. I am still getting used to the idea but that doesn't matter. The word is out.
We wanted to wait to make an announcement until we had been to the doctor a couple of times. I wanted confirmation that she was really pregnant. Can you blame me? We have spent so many years doing everything we could to prevent such a thing from happening.

Anyway. This blog will be a way for us to reach the one or two people on the planet that have not recieved a phone call from either of our Mom's.

We'll have to wait and see how our spoiled little shih-tzu's take to the idea of not being the center of attention.