On the brink of a life change

We are on the edge of a huge life change. No, we are not joining the circus or voting for Hillary, but we are having our first daughter within the next week or two. Both Kylie and I think that we would rather it come sooner than later. Not only do I get a week of paternity leave (crack that one up to equal rights) and Kylie gets to walk without a backache, but we are ready to be a daddy and mommy. Now, that said, we have received all sorts of advice in this area, as people feel the need to express their wisdom as experienced parents; in addition, they have no inhibitions to talk about the most personal parts of their bodies and fluids. I have heard to keep them on a schedule from the moment they see the light of day. Formula makes them sleep longer. The poop doesn't really stink until they eat solid food. Labor is not that bad. Epidurals are God's gift to women. The list can go on...

My take on it can be summarized by our first day at birthing class. The teacher separated us into a guys and girls to tackle to talk about our expectations in the birthing experience. While this exercise is only performed in the state of California, the responses from the guys started to grow legs and run to the absurd. The first guy just wanted to support his wife. The next person then had to add that he wanted to support his wife and hold her hand during labor. This continued to escalate until the guy before me said that he wanted to support his wife, hold her hand while look into her eyes, catch the baby, cut the umbilical, give the bath, perform the circumcision, and be out of the hospital the next day. I think it is fair to say that none of us know exactly what to expect and I plan to try and go with the flow.

I will keep this blog updated with the latest pictures, thoughts, and stories, so please feel free to stop by.