Maternity Shots at the Shakespearean Gardens

Blogged by: New Papa to be (aka Sash)

Seeing as I'm partially responsible for all the mayhem that lay ahead in the coming weeks, I figure it's only fair for me to blog...for the first time...ever! I've gone through a few phases since finding out that we're going to have a baby. First it was shock and disbelief, quickly followed by holy shit can I actually do this, then the excitment settled in. Now I'm just plain ready. I've never held a newborn for more than 15 seconds, let alone changed a diaper. In fact that first and last time I held a baby I was 20 years old and she puked all over me. Hopefully Milan takes it easy on me until I figure things out.

We've got a couple weeks left (20 days according to our midwife, but I don't believe her) and have been trying to enjoy the last of our time together as a childless couple. We went to Stratford over the weekend to take advantage of the nice weather and to squeeze in those ever-important maternity photos that every first time parents should have. The photo above is one of the many beautiful shots of Danielle in her verrry pregnant state. I can only pray that the labour goes as well as this pregnancy has...knock on wood, but things have gone well. I hope this is a good sign of things to come for us and little Milan.

That's it for now, but this blogging thing is kinda cool, so I'll try to jump on from time to time and share some more thoughts from a future sleep deprived proud papa. Now back to the couch to rest my legs after playing a grueling game of basketball; 25 minutes of one-on-zero took it's toll on me :)

four oh eight am

Well, here I am at (you guessed it) 4:08am. I am 37 weeks pregnant and have woken up for another late night potty break. Becoming increasingly usual, after the 2nd potty break I can't get back to sleep. So I surf. And surf some more.

Out of late night boredom, optimism and curiosity, I decided to start this Blog to try and journal some of the thoughts and feelings I have and may have about the "Big Adventure" which lies right around the corner for Sasha and myself.

So far, I feel the best during the day, and the most uncomfortable at night. Sometimes at night I get frustrated because I feel so heavy and every little movement seems amplified by an additional 55lbs of weight (or better as the water retention fairy has arrived). There are now 6 pillows on the bed, a wedge pillow that is getting flatter by the day and 3 blankets all eager to offer comfort in some way or another-which they do. But they also can make me feel suffocated and anxious. Throw in a husband who is sleeping like an innocent baby on Cloud 9 and a cat who dominates sections of the bed like a 200 lb man and I start to feel like I want to rip my hair out. 'Lil Milan also likes to wake up around this time too... little elbows and feet sticking out at all angles under my ribs all the way down to the Netherlands. Hmmm, could this be a pattern already in the making? A gentle whiff of what lies ahead at other 4:08 am's?

I think it will be fun to update this blog-spot with photos and ramblings once the baby comes. Hopefully we can attract friends and family, who might be able to keep closer despite the distance with some.

So for now, I bid you Lako Noche--good night!!