You would think after having three beautiful, happy, healthy girls that the wife and I would be old pros at this pregnancy thing, but alas, we still have more to learn. We can pull the heartbeat out of the air and read a ultrasound as good as a tech, but is still so much to know, especially with a new one.
On our most recent doctor's appointment, the nurse mentioned that my wife's Rubella antibodies were off. My first response when my wife mentioned that was, Rubella? Apparently, my wife is not immune and her antibodies were off. So, the research began. Nasty little virus this Rubella is and it can do some major damage to the unborn baby. Great, something new to be concerned about. Not to mention that since the wife is now 35 (I was being nice, she just corrected me, she's 36), they asked if we wanted amniocentesis. So, another thing to think about.
With all this little uncertainties, we started second guessing our decision not to have genetics testing. We started second guessing our thoughts on vaccines and medicines. We started second guessing everything. So, as good parents, we tried to become educated and the best place was to ask the Doctor, duh! So, my wife called and the doctor said there was absolutely nothing to worry about and that everything was fine. Whew! False alarm, back to normal.
Long story short, always trust your instincts. You know you better then anyone else and if you take the time to educate yourself and listen to your heart, it will all be fine. What do you think?
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Life Goes On
At what point do we as parents realize our children are just that, children, and that the accidents, bumps, bruises, and hurt feelings are all just part of growing up. I mean we all have our horror stories of some tragic event that happened during our childhood and we're still here. Better maybe, stronger for sure, but we are here, alive and well. I've had stitches, broken bones, and scars galore, each with their own unique lesson. How else did I learn not to run with scissors? (joke) Seriously though, it's first hand, real world experience for children to learn that parents do know what their talking about.
Yesterday while visiting the baby doctor we ran into some friends with an 18 month old. We haven't seen them in a while and their baby sure has grown. Well, during our painfully long wait, their daughter had an accident. Her Mom had asked her to stop running in the waiting room and to put her other shoe on, but as kids will do, she did what she wanted. Next thing you know, whack, she tried to install a doggie door in the entrance with her head. Now, as a seasoned parent my first reaction was to do absolutely nothing. It happens. After three kids you have a better understanding of what a mind blowing fall is and just another bruise on the head. Now, immediately her Mom sprang to the rescue scooping her off the floor, trying to console her and her now bashed in head. All the parents-to-be and new parents stared at her with disgust letting her poor, innocent child hit her head. How dare her? Then came the moment I knew would come, and almost all seasoned parent's knew it would too, the look. The look is the point in time where the child reviews their surroundings, who saw, and decided on the best course of action. Typically, due to the attention they have gotten, and of course their embarrassment for not listening, they begin their screams of pain and sadness. This is always uncomfortable for the offending parent and the rest of the world that is witnessing. Never a good situation.
By now I am sure you think I am a heartless, terrible Dad. I assure you I am not. After our over protective phase with Random Girl and we had Monkey, I learned the look. My wife and I also learned how to use it to our advantage. When our children run and fall, they do "such a good job." That was such a "good fall." This almost makes it a game for our children, they forget what happened, they are not embarrassed because they did a good job, and life goes on. There is no blood curdling screams, no guilt, and the world is at peace. It's like it never happened.
The point is, as new parents we learn, we grow, and we adapt to our new role in life. There is not a single new parent out there that can honestly say they are the experts, no matter how many books they've read or what classes they've taken. What seems as a horrific fail as a parent with kid 1 will just be another day in the park with kid 2 and won't even be noticed by kid 3. It's all apart of growing up for you and your kids. Take it one day at a time, remember their are no rules, and do the best you can with love and affection for your children and you'll be fine. It's all apart of the game and life goes on.
Yesterday while visiting the baby doctor we ran into some friends with an 18 month old. We haven't seen them in a while and their baby sure has grown. Well, during our painfully long wait, their daughter had an accident. Her Mom had asked her to stop running in the waiting room and to put her other shoe on, but as kids will do, she did what she wanted. Next thing you know, whack, she tried to install a doggie door in the entrance with her head. Now, as a seasoned parent my first reaction was to do absolutely nothing. It happens. After three kids you have a better understanding of what a mind blowing fall is and just another bruise on the head. Now, immediately her Mom sprang to the rescue scooping her off the floor, trying to console her and her now bashed in head. All the parents-to-be and new parents stared at her with disgust letting her poor, innocent child hit her head. How dare her? Then came the moment I knew would come, and almost all seasoned parent's knew it would too, the look. The look is the point in time where the child reviews their surroundings, who saw, and decided on the best course of action. Typically, due to the attention they have gotten, and of course their embarrassment for not listening, they begin their screams of pain and sadness. This is always uncomfortable for the offending parent and the rest of the world that is witnessing. Never a good situation.
By now I am sure you think I am a heartless, terrible Dad. I assure you I am not. After our over protective phase with Random Girl and we had Monkey, I learned the look. My wife and I also learned how to use it to our advantage. When our children run and fall, they do "such a good job." That was such a "good fall." This almost makes it a game for our children, they forget what happened, they are not embarrassed because they did a good job, and life goes on. There is no blood curdling screams, no guilt, and the world is at peace. It's like it never happened.
The point is, as new parents we learn, we grow, and we adapt to our new role in life. There is not a single new parent out there that can honestly say they are the experts, no matter how many books they've read or what classes they've taken. What seems as a horrific fail as a parent with kid 1 will just be another day in the park with kid 2 and won't even be noticed by kid 3. It's all apart of growing up for you and your kids. Take it one day at a time, remember their are no rules, and do the best you can with love and affection for your children and you'll be fine. It's all apart of the game and life goes on.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Daddy's Date Night
So, it's a rare occasion, but every once in a while I try to go on a date with my oldest daughter. The first date night was the year before last when we went Christmas shopping for Mommy. It was a great success and a joy to watch a 4 year old pick out a present for Mommy. So, as these things tend to happen, a Christmas tradition began.
Tonight was a little different then usual. Random Girl is 6 now going on 21 and able to give me a lot more thoughtful ideas for a Christmas present for Mommy. There were other reasons tonight was unique as well. Our first stop was the Dollar Tree. Here my darling daughter picked out gifts for her sisters. Not once did she ask for anything for herself. She was very thoughtful in picking out something that each of her sisters would enjoy and they were very appropriate for each one. I was so proud of her choices and her selflessness. If you have a young child you know it's all to easy for it to become all about them. I was amazed that tonight it wasn't.
Our next stop was an eye opening experience for me as well. My daughter apparently can pick out presents better for my wife then I can. She gave me lots of great ideas that will make Mommy very happy and as not to ruin the surprise, we'll leave it at that.
Chic-fil-a was our dinner location of choice as it has a playground and she wanted to go make some new friends. They were having a birthday party and she enjoyed watching the other kids and eating her Kid's Meal. She then went a played for hours on end until she was plain warn out. I got her a milkshake since she had been so good and we headed home.
On the way home, Random Girl told me about Jesus and God and why we celebrate Christmas. She is so smart. She told me why Jesus was so important to us and about his mother Mary too. I was so amazed that she has learned so much. I wasn't raised in a very religious family and for her to learn this at such an early age through an after school program is just wonderful. She understand the reason for the season and I don't think many 6 year olds can do the same thing.
So, that's my little journey for tonight. I know it's not a lot, but it means the world to me and I just wanted to share. Just when you think your kids aren't looking, they will surprise you to the point where you just kind of sit back in awe. I love my girls.
Tonight was a little different then usual. Random Girl is 6 now going on 21 and able to give me a lot more thoughtful ideas for a Christmas present for Mommy. There were other reasons tonight was unique as well. Our first stop was the Dollar Tree. Here my darling daughter picked out gifts for her sisters. Not once did she ask for anything for herself. She was very thoughtful in picking out something that each of her sisters would enjoy and they were very appropriate for each one. I was so proud of her choices and her selflessness. If you have a young child you know it's all to easy for it to become all about them. I was amazed that tonight it wasn't.
Our next stop was an eye opening experience for me as well. My daughter apparently can pick out presents better for my wife then I can. She gave me lots of great ideas that will make Mommy very happy and as not to ruin the surprise, we'll leave it at that.
Chic-fil-a was our dinner location of choice as it has a playground and she wanted to go make some new friends. They were having a birthday party and she enjoyed watching the other kids and eating her Kid's Meal. She then went a played for hours on end until she was plain warn out. I got her a milkshake since she had been so good and we headed home.
On the way home, Random Girl told me about Jesus and God and why we celebrate Christmas. She is so smart. She told me why Jesus was so important to us and about his mother Mary too. I was so amazed that she has learned so much. I wasn't raised in a very religious family and for her to learn this at such an early age through an after school program is just wonderful. She understand the reason for the season and I don't think many 6 year olds can do the same thing.
So, that's my little journey for tonight. I know it's not a lot, but it means the world to me and I just wanted to share. Just when you think your kids aren't looking, they will surprise you to the point where you just kind of sit back in awe. I love my girls.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
I Am Number Four!
Totally different then the action packed thriller about aliens living among us with super powers, this post is about my family's journey to child number four and all the emotions along the way. Not any less exciting, just without all the killing and stuff.
"Four kids, really?" That's the typical response from anyone I tell that we're expecting another child in May. That and the always classic, "You haven't figured out what causes that yet?" It's funny that people look at four children as such a high number. I think in the current world, two or three is the norm. After having two children, the third was pretty easy to handle, so why not try for four? It just seems like a logical choice to me. I can't help it that I prefer even numbers and symmetrical architecture.
With all that being said, I never thought I would be the father of three or even four. I thought two was more then enough. God blessed me and mine with a third though, and at that time, I knew in my heart that three kids was good and plenty. My wife had said she wanted another child, but I had all but taken that completely off the table. We struggle to raise two, much less three. There was no way we could afford to have a fourth child. So, almost two years passed and I woke up one morning thinking about having another child. My wife and I had not even talked about it. It was just there. A seed had been planted and began growing in my mind. Every Dad can probably agree that they want to have a boy, sometime in there life. I had already been blessed with three beautiful girls, but I wanted to see if the fourth time was the charm.
Several days later, during one of our day off, house cleaning sessions, I proposed the idea to my wife. I didn't immediately want to start trying, but I could see having another one in the next couple of years. It took all of a week for us to find out we were pregnant. Thank God that He had planted that seed in my brain because I was already ready for it. Now, we are about four months along. We find out in about four weeks what the sex of the baby will be. I hope it's a boy, but whatever God decides to bless us with will be more then wanted and loved. I remember clearly my wife, then my girlfriend, telling me that she had been told since she was fourteen that she couldn't have children. Every child to us is a blessing.
So, I picture a little boy growing in my wife's belly, sucking his thumb, running his laps, and thinking "I am Number Four!" He will be blessed with super powers just like the rest of us. Love, compassion, humor, and smarts will be in his tool box. And he will be born in May. I can't wait to see the world premier.
"Four kids, really?" That's the typical response from anyone I tell that we're expecting another child in May. That and the always classic, "You haven't figured out what causes that yet?" It's funny that people look at four children as such a high number. I think in the current world, two or three is the norm. After having two children, the third was pretty easy to handle, so why not try for four? It just seems like a logical choice to me. I can't help it that I prefer even numbers and symmetrical architecture.
With all that being said, I never thought I would be the father of three or even four. I thought two was more then enough. God blessed me and mine with a third though, and at that time, I knew in my heart that three kids was good and plenty. My wife had said she wanted another child, but I had all but taken that completely off the table. We struggle to raise two, much less three. There was no way we could afford to have a fourth child. So, almost two years passed and I woke up one morning thinking about having another child. My wife and I had not even talked about it. It was just there. A seed had been planted and began growing in my mind. Every Dad can probably agree that they want to have a boy, sometime in there life. I had already been blessed with three beautiful girls, but I wanted to see if the fourth time was the charm.
Several days later, during one of our day off, house cleaning sessions, I proposed the idea to my wife. I didn't immediately want to start trying, but I could see having another one in the next couple of years. It took all of a week for us to find out we were pregnant. Thank God that He had planted that seed in my brain because I was already ready for it. Now, we are about four months along. We find out in about four weeks what the sex of the baby will be. I hope it's a boy, but whatever God decides to bless us with will be more then wanted and loved. I remember clearly my wife, then my girlfriend, telling me that she had been told since she was fourteen that she couldn't have children. Every child to us is a blessing.
So, I picture a little boy growing in my wife's belly, sucking his thumb, running his laps, and thinking "I am Number Four!" He will be blessed with super powers just like the rest of us. Love, compassion, humor, and smarts will be in his tool box. And he will be born in May. I can't wait to see the world premier.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Our New Ride
Well, we sucked it up yesterday and traded in our totally awesome truck for a minivan. I hate to see the fun thing go away, but I know it was necessary with number four on the way. I never thought we would be a minivan family, but I know now that is was inevitable. I guess I am growing up after all.
With that in mind, let me tell you about our new ride. It's a 2007 Nissan Quest. Yes, not new as in brand new, but new to us and in a lot better shape then our previous 2005 Toyota Tacoma. 60,000 miles vs. 150,000 is kind of a no brainer. It's fully loaded, which is also new to us. It has all the functions that a family vehicle should have, including a DVD player. All I can say is that's totally awesome. It's roomy, seats are comfortable, and it's ride is smooth. Even a cool feature the kids like is that they each have their own private sun roof. How cool is that? Every time we go out I feel like Captain Kirk is going to come over the intercom and give me some orders. It's very futuristic looking. I have to say that we have looked at many minivans and this is the coolest one yet. If you've got to have a minivan, this is the one to have, definitely.
Now that I am done bragging about our new car, let me say it didn't come without a price. We were about nine months from paying off the truck. Oh how I hate having a car payment. It is a lower payment and a shorter term, but the interest rate is ridiculous. Sometimes I really do question my judgement, but I also look at it as no one knows what my family needs more then me and the wife. If someone wants to judge me based on my decision, that's fine. It's not your money, your time, or your family so get over it.
That being said, it's nice to have a new car, not so nice to have a new payment, but GREAT to have a Nissan Quest. Next time your in the market, check'em out. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
(Pictures to Come)
With that in mind, let me tell you about our new ride. It's a 2007 Nissan Quest. Yes, not new as in brand new, but new to us and in a lot better shape then our previous 2005 Toyota Tacoma. 60,000 miles vs. 150,000 is kind of a no brainer. It's fully loaded, which is also new to us. It has all the functions that a family vehicle should have, including a DVD player. All I can say is that's totally awesome. It's roomy, seats are comfortable, and it's ride is smooth. Even a cool feature the kids like is that they each have their own private sun roof. How cool is that? Every time we go out I feel like Captain Kirk is going to come over the intercom and give me some orders. It's very futuristic looking. I have to say that we have looked at many minivans and this is the coolest one yet. If you've got to have a minivan, this is the one to have, definitely.
Now that I am done bragging about our new car, let me say it didn't come without a price. We were about nine months from paying off the truck. Oh how I hate having a car payment. It is a lower payment and a shorter term, but the interest rate is ridiculous. Sometimes I really do question my judgement, but I also look at it as no one knows what my family needs more then me and the wife. If someone wants to judge me based on my decision, that's fine. It's not your money, your time, or your family so get over it.
That being said, it's nice to have a new car, not so nice to have a new payment, but GREAT to have a Nissan Quest. Next time your in the market, check'em out. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
(Pictures to Come)
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