To my unborn child....

Dear Unborn Child,

I just wanted to let you know that I love you unconditionally and that will never change. Your mother loves you just as much, maybe more, and she is doing so much for you. You have become my number one concern in life, which I am grateful to you because in a short period of time you have made me mature to become a better man.

Mom is in a great deal of pain and she barely eats. We used to enjoy a complete breakfast, like in the cereal commercial, but now she can barely digest a part of a turkey bacon sandwich. What’s going on in there? I know you’re only eight weeks so far, but you’re my child. I should be taking her to Texas Roadhouse because she is feeding you. It would be nice if you can continue my eating legacy.

You are starting to hurt mommy’s back so I had to but this special pillow that looks like a gigantic version of you. It has a big pillow at the top, like a head and had a spine that contours down her back. It pillow ends with a coiled tail that mommy can put between her knees. Books and other sources are telling her that the pain is getting worse. It’s not your fault because you’re growing. Just in the future, try your best to not hurt mommy as much as you can, okay?

Your Grand dad, which it my dad, is hoping that you are a boy. He’s funny isn’t he? Daddy expects that you will continue the tradition a be a girl, just to rattle his cage. Yes, you will.

Everyone cannot wait to see just as much as they want to see us as parents. I would hope to be a kind, sympathetic Huxtable type of dad that would always be there for you in good times while putting you on the right path during the bad. We are always born for a reason and I believe you will be put on this Earth to inspire and motivate people to chase their dreams. I think you will be what this world needs for us to become peaceful with each other instead of destroying our fellow man.

I have high hopes of my own but I expect you to have yours. I believe that you will follow the path that is right for you. Until then, it is my destiny to make sure you get here and protect you until you can make those decisions. I love you unborn child and I will talk to you soon.

Love,

Your old man

March Madness Week 8

I am very personal when it involves my sex life like a lot of people in the world. It protects any insecurity that my partner has and, frankly, it is no one’s business what goes behind my closed doors. This blog post steps over this line I have always crossed with myself with others only to share my experience in the moment of my adventure of becoming a new dad and being a supportive husband.

I can assure you that there will be no graphic content but very little puns to describe what’s going on with me. I hope this will inform you as much as it will entertain.

As my life is changing, I am trying to hold on to what is normal and what makes sense. Unfortunately, there is little that is normal for me to hold onto.

As the hours of sleep are running down, it seems like I have more work on my hands to take care of. I find it difficult to keep track of things as my mind slips from me.

I have to find a way to get it together. I just noticed I was overdue for a haircut and my neckbeard itched like spider bites so I had to throw in the towel. How did I get here?

If my mind isn’t coming back my body is.

Intimacy is the source of how I got to expecting a baby and since knowing my wife was pregnant I have stayed away from it. Well, more on her terms but I wasn’t interested either. Now that my body has returned to normal, it wants to make up for lost time.

It doesn’t take long for this hot rod to get going. Actually, I go 0 to 60 in 5 seconds and the last couple of days it feels like my body has nitro in my veins. Even the scent of her perfume sends fire to chest as the pistons rev to the point of hearing sounds of a loud exhaust in my head.

I think women are oblivious to a man’s mental mojo, let alone the physical fight. It's not a bad thing, however, it's something that will always be. I think of myself as a high tolerance man when it comes to lustful temptations. But when has Superman ever resisted kryptonite?

One evening this week, my wife was getting ready for bed while I was sitting up watching Netflix, the typical end to an evening. What she doesn’t know is that anytime she is in her birthday suit I have this overwhelming appreciation for life and for her. Her curves are the sexiest in the world. Hands down.

Her bras are getting smaller to hold up “the sistas” and I can only assume they're getting smothered. She walks over to me naked and I panic because I know my body can’t take this.

Her: “Take a look at my boobs. I think I have a line on them from the bra and it hurts. Do you think the lines will stay?”

I try to barely look from my peripherals but I have this feeling that I’m brushing her off.

Me: “No. You’re gonna be fine.”

Her: “No, seriously touch it.”

Damn.

For a woman, you may think this totally normal and all she wants is for her partner to examine a place that she cannot see. For men, this sounds like the beginning scene for an adult movie.

Sorry guys, this is far from that.

Anyways, I take a look and examine in my best medical doctor performance ever. So, I give her the green light and she takes a shower. Just as she walks away the tree has grown full length.

I hope you got it.

I think this is horrible for men and this can really drive us crazy. For expectant dads we are stressed, tired, overworked and most of us just want some sort of release. Expectant moms, I think, begin their protective instincts during pregnancy. Therefore, asking them for a “quicky” is a quick way to get stabbed because if being in the mood is in America, the key is in Iran. Good luck winning that war.

The “men” that I mention are the good, faithful, supportive men that has the battle of everything against them. This is a more physical and hormonal change for women but we have to adjust to their needs as well.

Even worse, if you had enough and its time to put your hot rod in manual to ride solo but she won’t let you out of her sight. She is constantly asking why the bathroom door are being locked all of the sudden. The answer is you got a full tank of gas and you want to put the petal to the metal.

I hope this week informs women as much as the men can read a post and understand the ramblings of an expectant dad.

Guys, whenever you get a chance, enjoy the open road.

Real Men Can Learn From Mary Poppins

Hey MEN, have you watch Mary Poppins lately? It's the movie where a British nanny comes from out of nowhere and discipline the children while their father, Mr. Banks, leaves for work and usually comes back home and doesn't lift a finger.

Although I cannot see you, I'm pretty sure you are Mr. Banks. Yes, you.

You come home from work, you want a hot meal and you put your kids on someone else's plate and expect that person to digest what you served them. Now, I believe most children are great people but they all need to know their responsibilities and roles in the house. But, this also includes dads and husbands as well.

One day you will come home and that person you depended on (mother, wife, girlfriend, nanny) will not be there. The kids are tearing up the house and there isn't even a bologna sandwich waiting for you. What do you do?

First, grab a broom, mop, bucket, cleaner and a sponge because it is time to clean house. If a man can do anything, he can certainly clean a house. Why wait for your wife to do it? You don't need your mamma. You need to put in some work and stop being lazy.

If you are single then you have to clean after yourself. There is no way getting over that. There is no single woman that is thinking, "I would love a dirty man. Nothing turns me on more than old pizza boxes and a sink full or dirty dishes."

Husbands, we are running out of time. Women are beginning to make more than men in the workforce and we should be doing all that we can to make sure the woman in our lives aren't getting board of us.

A decent man told me, "Women treat men like cars. Make sure you're running good or else they will trade you in for a new one." If this is true I hope I have a Power Train warranty and 56 miles per gallon.

If you are not cleaning by now, you have to start. It is extremely important for our future. One thing a woman likes is a man who can take care of himself. If he can't take care of himself, why should she believe she will be taken care of?

If you are a guy who needs some help getting started, watch Hoarders. Once you see an episode it will turn you into a "oh-hell-no-not-me" attitude.

Finally, take care of your kids. There are so many stories and cases where daddy wasn't around or abused their kids verbally, mentally or physically (if he stayed). I'm not asking you to be their best friend but why can't you pay attention to them?

As my kid free days are closing in, I only dream of the day I come home to see how my child or children has evolved by life's natural lessons. Also, what life doesn't teach them it will be my responsibility to guide them.

At the end of the movie Mr. Banks hangs his head low as he dismissed his kids and ended up embarrassing himself in the process. Don't become Mr. Banks, guys. It will make you sick to your stomach when the kids are all gone and they despise you.

Because we can always change, Mary can help your illness. Remember, a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.

March Madness Week 7

Week 7 has been lighter than 6. Thank God.

Having said that, this week was all about the pain and fatigue becoming dominant in the household.

I need to be selfish real quick because I have had a bad time at work lately. If you have been reading I the past, I became a pre-apprentice electrician. This job requires intense labor and energy that will leave you drained by the time you go home. On top of this, racial profiling is strong in this profession and most workers are up front about it. More on this story will continue in another post.

Anyway, I decided to use my YMCA membership and shed some pounds and I have lost 10 pounds since I started working. Wednesday, someone decided to change the blue prints and I had to do grunt work by breaking ground with a sledge hammer.

As the hammer brought destruction to the floor, the hammer brought pain to my hands. Others have told me to leave the wedding ring at home. I paid a painful price as the hammer pinched my wedding finger leaving me with intense blisters.

Now, for my wife, the back thigh and butt was painful because the uterus stretches during pregnancy. During this week, she regained some of her appetite but broth and crackers remain most of her diet. I feel better about it.

For some time, her job working at home has kept her working past midnight and the weekends are an opportunity for her to catch up. As a friend and husband I am not happy with this because when she gets a minute I have to stop and spend time with her. As a video gamer, it has been a uphill battle trying to find my inner peace with my video games. I truly suffer for my family.

Because she has been glued to her work computer, I am putting a foot down and suggesting that she finds another job where she has a more stable schedule. I not a fan of the management anyway, and I feel her job will get more difficult and never get easier.

On the lighter side, I ended the week by eating some delicious fish tacos from a local eatery, De-lish. Also, I watched the Hunger Games and I am a true fan of the series now. I am now working on buying the whole series soon.

Now that week 8 is around the corner, I am ready for some new B.S. coming my way.

March Madness Week 6

If you were waiting to read what has been going on with the pregnancy there is a reason why I have not delivered. That reason is the fact that I had absolutely NO TIME at all.

Week 6 had to be one of the most energy draining weeks of my life. One night, my wife remained up passed 2 am in extreme pain. We were both freaking out, trying to figure out whether we go to the ER or just let the pain pass.

Later we discover it was intense trapped gas. In my mind, I really wanted to avoid a ER bill right now. I want to avoid ER visits until the birth but it’s too early to be in the clear.

My wife and I have been together for more than eight years and we had avoided hurling in front of others and ourselves. Ginger Ale and Sprite has dominated the house by keeping her nausea at bay. Although, keeping her in good health has been very difficult.

She has never been a big eater, but I was getting worried. At one point I thought she had a Twilight-Bella complex. Food wasn’t working so I was wondering if a blood transfusion was up for debate. Saltines and broth from soup became the gateway to her nutrition.

Most women know by week 6 there is no sign of a bump in the belly. But, the boobs got huge. Anytime breasts start pouring out of bras in front of men, we are programmed to stare, fantasize, and hope not to lose control.

Unfortunately, it did not do a thing to me.

My sex drive has gone from Fast and the Furious to Driving Miss Daisy. I have heard of guys having sympathy pain and I do not feel like I have any symptoms. I cannot feel turned on when my wife is going through so much pain and changes. There is a time for everything and right now she needs me for different reasons.

So far we have learned that when she is hungry she needs to eat right away. Most nights, I have taken the responsibility of cooking for us both but its has been like cooking for one-third of a person. Disappointing, yes, but we manage to get by.

What I can walk away from this week was the support and togetherness that we shared. Also, this means that she will be needing me and I need to stay by her side.

March Madness pt.2

Previously on March Madness…..

My wife greeted me when I came home from the store. I received a hug and at this point it felt like a hug that I was going to hear about a passing of a family member. For a split second, I had a “this-is-going-to-change-my-life” moment. She tells me she loves me and I look at her and return the feeling.

“I’m pregnant”, she says.

OK. Time to back up.

One week ago….

I’m laying in bed getting ready to pass out from my photography madness of a job. “I think I’m late.” My response, “What else is new?”

I know that sounds weird but my wife and I have had many, many slips with contraceptives and we miss the target with a flawless victory. Even before we were married, when a lot of people would judge about this sort of thing, we had the same issues so there was nothing to worry about. By the way, do I get a pass from the judgy people who frown on cohabitation now that I’m married?

Back to the story..

Just to ease our minds I say, “Well, go get a test just to get it out of the way. We always doge this bullet anyway.” My wife pauses for a minute. “What if this is for real this time?”

I wouldn’t call that foreshadowing, but if I was a betting man…..

Back to real time…..

To receive this information in my brain that my wife is pregnant felt like throwing a rock down a well and waiting to hear the thud… that you never hear. On top of all this I have the look on my face as if someone stole my car.

“Preganant?” It finally come out. She walks me to the bathroom and shows me these two lines that changed my life forever.

I mean… wow. I don’t believe it.

No. Really. I didn’t believe it. It was the Equate brand from Walmart and I really did not believe it. I wanted her to get the most advanced piece of technology…. She will ever pee on. Hey, it was from the commercial, not me.

We went to get it. And she followed the most accurate method to test. It featured a second digital test to confirm the non-believers of the results. 15 to 20 minutes later she come out of the bathroom with the digital stick.

The stick reads: YES+

Oh crap. We’re having a baby.

To be continued…..

March Madness pt. 1

February for me was one of the strangest month in my adult life. I was unemployed at the begging and my unemployment was not getting the bills paid. Although we were almost rubbing pennies together, we did purchase the latest Twilight move. The movie made the pre-Valentine’s weekend memorable for years to come.

Later on, I received a call for a position for a photography job. I was super-excited when I accepted the job offer. Although the job did not pay much, I figured I could learn some tricks and later on do freelance.

A week goes by and not only did I work weird hours, my promised compensation wasn’t so….promising.

Meanwhile, my father was pulling strings in construction and landed me an interview with a well-known electric company. It was a big deal because I can make about  $40,000 annually in a five-year span. After a thorough interview I got the job and I am now a “pre-apprentice Electric Contractor”

When I started a new job I took the responsibility of getting my own phone plan, a obstacle I’ve been struggling with since adulthood. Also, I wanted a career that would give my family an opportunity to be in a safe environment, no matter where the economy stands.

The madness starts…

This new job comes opportunity but delivers hatred and racism. I am bi-racial for those who do not know and I have heard a lot in my life. To work with people, who holds the responsibility in training people but resist change, is annoying beyond belief. But, I grin and bear those things because my future is in my hands and I cannot make any more mistakes.

To relax, I invited my mother and mother-in-law to my place to celebrate their birthdays. As we enjoy drinks and shared great memories, the night was perfect.

The next morning, I received a hug and a kiss from my beautiful wife. “I love you”, she says. “But there is something I have to tell you.”

To be continued……