The Smidget commeth

So, I'm gonna be a dad...

My lovely wife and I are 8 months (today) pregnant and we've code named the little guy 'smidget' as that's the first word that popped into my head when I first saw the ultrasound many many months ago. We're also not giving out the short-list of names until the lad arrives... and yes, use of 'little guy' and 'lad' is intentional.

I have to say, it's quite the surreal experience so far. It seems very abstract, all these things we're doing... buying furniture, going to doctors appointments, giving up hockey tickets (ouch) etc... the pre-natal classes were interesting but long (two full Sundays at the hospital is draining), I guess that's preparation for how much time you might actually be at the hospital when the time comes!

During this whole thing, I've been wondering what kind of dad I'll be... will I have to help with math homework (maybe better to ask mom)? How the hell do you teach toilet training? Geez, it's not like I remember how I was taught... What do I tell him about girls?

It also occurs to me... none of these things will really come into play... or will start being an issue for a few years at least. I have very little experience with babies... people seem genuinely amused at me when they see a baby near me... and want to go out of their way for me to hold one just to have a good chuckle.. and tell me that I'm not holding it right.

I'm very fortunate that I've got some great role models to follow... and everyone in the past 5 months (since the news came out) has had advice to offer and seem confident that, while it'll be highly entertaining, I'll be a good dad. The kid won't get my jokes for several years (or, perhaps, never) so I'll have to find filler material in the meantime. Thank God my wife already seems to be a great mom so the little guy is in good hands until I figure out what I'm supposed to do.

So for now the furniture is set up... I initially questioned why we had to have nice, matching baby-room furniture. It's not like the baby will care or remember, or tell his friends when he can talk "Dudes, I got this wicked crib... " but now that it's in the room, my wife's taste is proven right yet again and it's a room to be proud of.

I dunno... babies though seem to be the exact opposite of everything I'm comfortable (or uncomfortable) with... such as sleep, feces, screaming & crying, change, and fine dining.

The one phrase I hear the most is "Your life as you know it will change". I'm sure that's true.. but I like my life now so the adjustment will be strange. But hey, nearly all of my friends and colleagues have one or more and we do adult stuff together... there's hope!