Excuse the ambiguous pronoun in the title but at this moment, we don’t know if our little peach-sized combo is a boy or a girl. But for now, we relish in the happiness of building up our family through love, commitment and a physical union of both Drea and myself. And at 15 weeks old now, we can talk about some of our options moving forward.
I don’t know what it’s like to be a father since I have no immediate children, or nephews or nieces. But, I’ve heard from others in my situation of having a first child that there’s no “go-to” manual and instinct is what kicks in after that child is born. With us, we’re moving in closer to that every day as the weeks grow and Drea’s stomach grow with them. Our little child is getting bigger in there and she’s beginning to feel the flutters in her tummy.
When I attended our first appointment and saw the sonogram of our child, I did something I rarely ever do unless I yawn too hard — I teared up. He or she was just dancing in there pressing up against their bag and you can see the fingers and legs. They looked like the only party that mattered was inside of Drea. At that instant, I became ultra-protective of that child and silently swore I’d do everything in my power to protect him or her.
Baby checkup #2
Yesterday, we went back to the doctor for a checkup and everything was excellent! Drea’s HPV, STD, and other results came back negative! She won’t have to have another pap smear for three years. She’ll get a flu shot and at some point, she’ll need the Tdap shot for vaccination against Whooping cough. Until then, she needs to be careful around children since Arizona has a growing number of anti-vaxxers and a sudden outbreak of measles has occurred. As for now, she’s in the clear.
Nothing hugely eventful happened but the doctor checked the baby’s heartbeat and at 168 beats/minute they’re doing just fine. Hearing the audio of the heart always makes me smile. It’s strong and rapid showing no signs of abnormality. Drea’s adamant about not finding out about abnormalities. Sometimes disrupting the uterine wall may have an affect on the child so we’re not even going to go that route. This child will be loved no matter what so what’s the point?
Check my own health
For me, I’m just anxiously waiting for the arrival but that’s not coming until August. For me, I have to make sure my health is in tact as well because who needs a 46 year old dad who can barely move around? My back was somehow injured bending over and putting on socks about a month ago. It’s slowly getting better as now, I can put them on again without writhing in extreme agony. But being a guy who hates pills, feeling the crunching of the back was pretty annoying. So, it starts with ibuprofen which always works.
I went to the doctor and he prescribed muscle relaxers. I’ve only taken 2 pills so far and it seems to be working. Not sure. But through the drowsiness, I think I’m getting better…or at least, not feeling the pain. He went through my x-rays, which I got last week, and my back is apparently in great shape. My blood pressure is borderline so it’ll be time to hit the gym again. Since high blood pressure runs in my family, as well as diabetes to an extent, I’m concerned for the baby. So, it’ll be a whole physical in two weeks to make sure Dad is in prime shape for fatherhood.
The doc was cool because when I let it slip I’d be a father, he made sure I received a Tdap shot as well to cover myself. As far as Whooping cough, it looks like I won’t be an issue to our child. But that physical will be important and necessary. It’s funny…but to quote Bushwick Bill, “Once you give life, life is bigger than yours” rings true. I’m not a father YET but as the weeks dwindle down, the possibility rises and I’m getting ready for the task!
Yesterday only reaffirmed my desires to be a parent. I never gave it too much thought before meeting Drea but afterwards, the idea festered and now, it’s coming true. They say Black men are the most involved in their children’s lives and I won’t be any different…just like my dad was in mine. He was also 44 when I was born and 46 when my brother was born. So, in keeping with the family traditions, I’ll be 46 when this one is born. Seeing my father today, I can see into my future 45 years from now. And I can smile at that thought.
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