Journey to Fatherhood

Oct 17 Today I sung to you ABC’s and we counted to 10 together for the first time. You will be so intelligent from day one. I’ve also been reading Proverbs and Psalms to you at night. This evening as I was cleaning the kitchen, getting the trash ready and preparing a snack, mommy started eating my pizza and told me I had to share with you. She said that you are going to enjoy eating food off my plate and that I can’t get mad about it. Is that true? Oct 20 Today mommy and I heard your heartbeat at the doctor’s office. You are 19 weeks old inside your mommy’s belly. I recorded your heartbeat on my cell phone. Mommy uploaded it onto her email account. It is safe to say that we have been sending that recording to everyone we love. We are so excited to know that God has been faithful in keeping you healthy. Mommy can’t wait to feel you moving around inside her belly. Why don’t you show her what you can do! Oct 30 Daddy has been working hard in preparation for you. My friend and I installed a ceiling light in the living room. I cut two circles in the ceiling and a box in the wall in order to run wires for the electricity to flow. 6 days until we find out your gender and I’m so excited!

Dec 6 Today mommy and I took a child care course at the Camp Hill Giant. We learned how to properly give you a bath and change your diaper. There were numerous couples there. Your mommy did a great job. This week we begin the last trimester of mommy’s pregnancy. You must be running out of room. You are sleeping a lot and not moving around as much lately. Mommy says she can feel you moving randomly throughout the day. I bought you a children’s picture Bible today. Now I can read to you the same stories I read to your uncles and aunts when they were little. Dec 13 Mommy and I took our second child care class tonight. At the beginning of class I was timed on how fast I could unswottle a baby, undress them, change their diaper, redress them and then reswottle them. Mommy was right there with me every step of the way. We also learned more of the benefit of breastfeeding. It increases your child’s IQ, immune system, etc. Dec 17 Tonight was the first night of our weekend child birth class. I must admit, there is so much I didn’t know or understand and it has me kind of scared. I pray I don’t freeze up during the “big day.” I want to be strong for both you and mommy. Today we also had a doctor’s appointment to check your heartbeat; it beats 144 beats per minute. The doctor says that you move around a lot and it’s hard to track the beats. I praise God that you are healthy and active. Dec 18 Day 2 of child birth classes. We have class from 9am-5pm today. Last night the instructor gave us a homework assignment. Mommy and I had to practice proper breathing techniques while I comforted her by rubbing her back gently. We also took turns being transparent, sharing some of our fears about parenthood. I want so much to be the best provider, protector and example for both you and mommy that I put too much pressure on myself. The Lord has provided for our family thus far and we are confident He will continue when my beautiful Sydney comes into the world. I’m learning that the best gift I could ever give you is to love the Lord and love your mommy with all my heart every day of my life. Everything else will take care of itself. Dec 22 I had the honor and pleasure of clipping your mommy’s toe nails tonight. She can no longer reach her feet to do it herself. I’m also regularly assisting her in putting on socks and shoes now.