Baby on the way, some thoughts from an expected Father.

I’m about to become a Dad. I think I’m still in denial that I’m even old enough to be someone’s father. But my friends who have kids that are already cooler than me sort of bring me back to reality. My wife is pregnant. Very pregnant. Like her due date is tomorrow. So ready or not, here comes parenthood.

What a surreal nine months it’s been. In January while living in Florida, Chelsea came in the room screaming. I was sitting on the couch and I immediately jumped up in a panic. Maybe she was screaming because another giant spider had come in the house. It was that sort of scream. She told me the good news and I was relieved that it wasn’t another giant spider. We embraced. I stood in awe , with love in my heart and in slight shock.From that moment onward, our baby has been loved and nurtured.

We had just bought a house in Florida a few months prior, but with the baby on the way we agreed to pack up our belongings and businesses and sold the house and moved back to New Jersey. We bought a house back near the shore which I hadn’t even seen in person yet. We just wanted to be near family, it felt so good to be home. The whole process is a lot more stressful and involved than I’m making it out to be but that’s another story. What matters is that it all worked out.

What the hell is a mucus plug? People eat placentas? Babies skulls shift around during birth? What the….!? I’ve seen so many documentaries, read books and blogs about babies, natural birthing, pregnancy, vaccines and every topic in between. We did a Hypno-Birthing class and did Yoga and meditation together. Yes, we’re freakin’ hippies.

Did you know that a dog’s gestation period is about 60 days? I’m glad I’m not a dog. Nine months is hardly enough time to prepare for such a transition as it is.

I’m feeling pretty calm now. At this precise moment at least. I feel like I’ve prepared as much as I can. But that’s not to say that I’ve been without some spaz out moments running around the house finishing our baby room. I really hope our baby loves it as much as we do. It’s the nicest room in the house, I’d gladly live in that room if they want to trade. Ahhhh nesting.

I really want to be a great Dad. I know we’ll mess up sometimes, but hopefully not bad enough to complain to a therapist someday. But with a weirdo like me for a Dad…. I’ll definitely be trying my best, I already am. I want to be a cool Dad, but I’m already catching myself taking the garbage cans out with socks and flip flops on when it’s chilly out and I have a pair of cut off jeans from high school that I still wear because I can. It’s all about balance and self-acceptance right?

Our pregnancy has been such a beautiful experience. From the first sounds of the baby’s heartbeat… Thump Thump Thump Thump…Wow..pure love. How do projectile fluids and hormones turn into this? The miracle of life. It sure puts things in perspective.

We decided early not to find out the gender and I’m so glad we haven’t yet. It’s so nice to go through the entire pregnancy offering unconditional love towards a human without assigning gender roles nor preconceived identities.

I’m so proud of my wife for being such a responsible and nurturing Mother-to-Be. She has such a healthy lifestyle, eating vegan and organic foods mostly, with some much needed Chinese Food and vegan cookies when needed. She even gave up caffeinated soy lattes for the pregnancy which is a miracle shadowed only by our pregnancy itself. She truly looks amazing. I mean really, she does.

Almost a month ago, I dusted off my studio photography gear and took some epic pregnancy photos of her. What a dreamy pregnant chick. Since then, little baby has grown even more. Last week, we met our friend Tara Lauducci in one of our favorite beach towns, Asbury Park and we got some outstanding shots that we adore. I thought I’d share some of them below.

Well, c’mon baby. Keep us awake, poop, eat more than me, do cute things. Do what’cha gotta do. We are here to help you on your journey. You’re welcome and loved and we are one.

Namaste.