MetaChat - 65 Days

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22 April 2008

65 Days →[More:]That's the estimate until our baby girl arrives (totally need to update that page). I'm entering freak-out mode, and am entirely exhausted. We've been preparing the play room and nursery, slopping Drylock all over the basement walls and putting an epoxy finish on the floor (so the cat litter can go down there, which is currently in what will be the playroom), installing new lights, new dishwasher . . . I should say "I've been" since I won't let Mrs. tr33 get around any of that stuff, esp. the paint and whatnot.

And I know it'll all get done, but I'm a worrier. And I want to be a good dad. I want her to like me in addition to love me. I want her to respect me and admire me, and learn from me while becoming her own person. I want her to be healthy and happy. I want her to spend more time laughing than crying, more time with friends than I do. I want her to love this beautiful earth, the sun and the woods, and the animals.

I want to be able to provide for her, while helping her understand the really important things are in the arms of a loved one, the beauty of art and music and words.

I want to teach her patience, and understanding. I want her to be liked, and I want her to love herself.

So, Sophie Rayne, if you ever read this, know we anticipate you, and your daddy can't wait to tickle your belly and watch you laugh, can't wait to watch you chase the dog through the back yard, can't wait to watch you grow and learn and love and live.

* * * * * *

So, happy earth day all. Lots of new people around these parts; I need to regain my status as a regular!

post by: tr33hggr at: 08:20 | 12 comments

From what you've just so eloquently said, I think you'll be miles ahead in the Dad stakes from the start.

posted by GeckoDundee 22 April | 08:35

awwwwww!

posted by By the Grace of God 22 April | 09:35

Wonderful - the hormones must be rubbing off on you too!

(or maybe it's the paint fumes, you never know)

Seriously, you sound as ready as any new parent ever can be. And, you're already miles ahead. My Dad was mostly absent during the week, but we built things together on weekends when I was younger - I still miss him... just doing things together is the key to bonding, I guess!

posted by mightshould 22 April | 10:29

tr33hggr, you just have to hang in there. In the beginning, mom and you are both operating without a handbook and scary as it may be, there's an amazing amount of common-sense genetically built-in both of you that will kick in as soon as baby arrives, and on top of that everyone will have advice (so much so that you'll probably get sick of it). That said, baby wants mom a lot more in the beginning - due to titties. If you opt for the bottle and boob combo, you'll have a much better shot at early baby bonding when you share night-shifts with mom (same with bottle alone). But if you opt for full on nursing, which is so easy especially at nights with baby in bed mom can just roll closer and nurse while sleeping (like I did, I'm tres lazy), mom will have the power of boob-scent and thus be the one baby wants most of the time for the first six months. I get that dad feels a tad envious and perhaps even ignored when that goes on, but don't worry your time comes, when baby gets a little bigger they tend to want daddy more. It comes and goes in waves.

Also you sound way more prepared than me, I was building the crib (despite huge tummy in the way) around a week before due date. We have some photos of that, it was really hard to do and she kept kicking while I hammered.

posted by dabitch 22 April | 10:34

(daughters tend to want dad more that is - the daughter/daddy bond is a really powerful one, so you have a lot to look forward to!)

posted by dabitch 22 April | 10:36

awww...you're going to be such a great dad, tr33hggr.

And you are a damned sight more organized than we will be. We have to move out of our apartment 2 months before our due date, so will start apartment hunting in a month or so. Then again, apartment living means no nursery, no playroom, maybe a separate crib if we don't just stick her in a drawer somewhere...

posted by gaspode 22 April | 10:45

Congrats again, tr33. It sounds like you'll be a wonderful dad. What a beautiful name, too.

posted by elizard 22 April | 11:00

And I want to be a good dad.

You'll be great!

I want her to like me in addition to love me.

She will, but like dabitch is saying, it'll take awhile. She won't be capable of anything beyond crapping and screaming for seems like a really long time and occasionally it will be hard to remember hopes you have for her now. Writing them down like you did here is a good idea, to get you through those times, to remind yourself of what you're working towards. You'll get there.

posted by danostuporstar 22 April | 11:14

You will be a great dad, tr33. Your post makes me sentimental for those wistful days leading up to birth. I'm with dano, keep a journal of the baby days and beyond.

posted by LoriFLA 22 April | 11:20

You are all so sweet. I'm glad I came home for lunch so I don't have to explain the tears to my coworkers.

Thanks, to all.

posted by tr33hggr 22 April | 12:22

Awww! *whuffles tr33*

You are going to do such a great job at being a dad; everyone is right!

posted by Specklet 22 April | 16:36

Aw, that's lovely. All the best to all three of you!

posted by goo 22 April | 17:26

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