First off let me just say my lack of post over the past month have been a disgrace and I apologize to all. Between working crazy opera hours and having my wife, who had blood pressure problems the last month of her pregnancy which resulted in bed rest and finally for a lack of a better term an emergency "c" section, which takes me to the good news. Although he is almost two weeks old I am pleased to announce the birth of our first child Nathaniel Thomas weighing in at 8lbs 15 oz and 20 inches long. It seems like a lifetime ago when I first posted that grainy sonogram picture, but alas here he is in the flesh.
You know it's funny how quickly you're life can get turned around. Even when my DM was pregnant you still had the choice to go out to dinner and run to the store real quick or basically do whatever you wanted to whenever
you wanted. Not so anymore. Basically our entire lives revolve around this little guy. Not to say that is a bad thing, just in the short few weeks he has been here he has already brought more joy to my life than I could've ever possibly imagined.
During the nine months that we were eagerly awaiting his arrival I would often find myself daydreaming about him and wonder what kind of man he would be. Being a sports fan I always envisioned him being a professional athlete of some kind at first or even an actor, something that would bring him great riches and success. Now when I look at him as a person I realize I don't need those things for him to be a success al I need and want for him is to be happy with who he is. That's what fatherhood does to you it makes you soft and caring. You are no longer the selfish bastard that complains every time he has to get up early or is slightly inconvenient by a favor that someone may need from you. Overnight you become that guy who gets up at 4 a.m. to change a diaper and is almost happy about. While it may suck that my sleep which I cherish so much is being rudely interrupted nevertheless I get up and do it, b/c I know that is what will make my little guy happy and since the minute he was conceived that has become my main purpose in life.
I often look back on my own childhood with great memories of my father and now realize how much he sacrificed to make my brother and me happy. I can't recall a single time where he really raised his voice to me and I know for a fact that he never laid a finger on me. A lot of old school people will tell you that a good beating goes a long way, but not me. As I grew up I didn't disrespect my father because he never hit me in fact I think I showed him more respect for it. My only regret is that Nate will not get to know the man my father was like I know. As for myself when my son grows up I only hope he looks back on me and thinks that I am half the father to him that his grandfather was to me.
On a less serious note, I already owe Nate one. Thanks to the great timing on his birth for the first time since college I have been able to catch all the opening day games of the NCAA Tournament since I am currently on vacation. Nothing makes me happier than planting my ass on the couch on that Thursday and watching college b ball all day, even if I am constantly interrupted by feedings and what have you. Thanks buddy I already owe you one.
I also want to thank everybody who came by the hospital and house. Your warm wishes and thoughts make this special event just that much more special. Thanks again to all our friends!
