Is This Real?

RockyTopVols

Hey fellers.

 

My wife is 21 weeks pregnant. We found out last week we are going to have a daughter- and I was able to feel the baby kick for the first time a few nights ago. Things are starting to click for me... It is starting to become real. It all seemed a bit like a dream the first few months- but now that she has started showing and I can feel our daughter inside of there... it is really hitting home.

Any advice from the Dads out there?

Coltsdad

Congrats!  Once you feel the baby move, it does seem a great deal more real.  As far as advice, at this point, aside from making your wife comfortable and taking some of the household responsibilities off of her there isn't a whole lot you can do.  Once your daughter is closer to arrival though, there is a great deal that can be done.

RockyTopVols

polooo26:

They basically just told me my life was over, but it really wasn't.

 

I have been preached to from books, friends, family, etc that my life is over as well lol. I like to think it is just beginning. 

Coltsdad

Life is definitely not over... it changes dramatically, but definitely for the better.  Your hobbies definitely suffer, free time becomes a much more rare commodity and going out with the guys becomes more of a treat than a weekly event (not that I really did that much, if at all), but it is completely and totally worth it.

 

One thing you might check is if your hospital offers any father courses.  Mine offered a one day course called "Daddy Boot Camp" where a bunch of soon to be dads meet and the course is led by a trained course instructor, and recent "grads" come in with their kids to give you a little practice, and real, practical advice from actual, new dads.  You get a book there too that looks more like a school workbook, but contains more info in it than I got from most actual store bought books.  I learned a fairly handy diapering trick there that has avoided several unnecessary messes.

RockyTopVols

Great idea- I will look into that for sure. Would be great to meet up with some new and soon-to-be fathers in my area. 

 

sadsadie

Right on! 

 

(I'm using my wife's account while she's soaking in the bath, so don't mind the picture.)

 

I firmly believe that life is an evolution, a progress, a process and that it actually changes all the time, when you think of it!  There is time to hang out with your buddies and there is a time to change dirty dipers. Take it as it comes and try to enjoy it!

sadsadie

Yeah, I hear ya. Same here; sometimes it was a bit unreal, particularly when my wife's belly was not any bigger than normal. What did it for me was setting up the baby room, doing all the related purchases, installing the car seat and all that. It's slowly becoming more and more real to me. 

 

If I can give you some advise: (1) enjoy, have fun; (2) get educated, read some books, get some course; (3) help your partner as much as you can, she needs it.

 

I know I'm whistling in the dark, but hey, we're all in the same boat and we'll manage just fine!

 

(Using my wife's account, don't mind me.) 

ladyjenna13

polooo26:

If you have some rainy day money set aside you could go on a babymoon for a weekend. That's the best thing we did. My wife also had me read a couple books. None that I recommend though. They basically just told me my life was over, but it really wasn't. Other than that. Just enjoy the experience.

I second the babymoon idea.  Upon bringing the young one home we realized it was going to be a very long time before we would be able to take a trip, much less leave the house for an extended period of time. We are both so glad we took a babymoon to Chicago earlier this spring before our son was born.