Doctor's Appointment #1

I went on half-day leave from work today to accompany my wife to the OB-GYN. Since it's the first doctor's appointment after we found out about the pregnancy, I find it very important to be there lest I be accused as not excited, absentee or worse irresponsible. Specially because I am very excited and I will do my best to not be irresponsible and I want to be always there, for my wife and my future kids.

Anyway, we were eighth in line and doctor is an hour late. So we decided to go to a nearby coffee shop to wait. We called the clinic for a couple of times before it was confirmed that the doctor is already in and interviewing patient #3. I dropped Carmela at the entrance of UM Multitest Center then proceeded to search for a parking space in the crowded downtown area. After I circumnavigated the block, I found a perfect spot near Mandaya hotel. Then I walked what seemed to my gout ridden feet, a mile to the clinic. Under the heat of the sun coupled with my 220-pound frame, it was not a pleasant walk. All for my future kid, I said to myself.

I reconfirmed that I am a very impatient man because I was already anxious waiting for our turn in spite of being just the third in line already. When it was our turn I was half expecting fireworks because that was how my heart felt since last Saturday.

Unfortunately, I learned today, this was just an ordinary day for an obstetrician/gynecologist. The doctor seemed not to share my heart's excited pounding. She just matter-of-factly asked my wife about her medical history and of her family. Yeah, I did not even count. Anway, she proceeded to prescribe a folic acid/folate (something) medicine and supplement. She just lackadaisically explained to my wife what she can expect and what she will experience in the coming months. Again, I was just treated as a wallflower. She also checked her crystal ball (or some chart) and told my wife that her tentative due date is January 9, 2009.

And that was it. No ultrasound and no looking at any monitor. Well, I was told that it is not yet needed as of the moment. So I would just have to take this non-event and somehow encapsulate my excitement with it. I guess I should be happy because this ho-hum event means that everything is normal. And I can't ask for more.

Dad at 32

I had a very long day last Saturday. It started at 1:30 AM when I woke up to prepare for work. Due to some issues, I went out of the office at 1:15 PM (instead of 12:30 PM) and arrived home at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, barely enough time to prepare for the 3:00 PM wedding of my good friend Cherry Magnaye (now Lagat). I arrived home at 10:00 in the evening, super tired.

Imagine the state of mind I was in.

My wife, Carmela, showed me two pregnancy test results. Tired, I stared at her blankly. She already had delayed menstruation before but resulted to a negative pregnancy test so I asked her what did it mean. She said, it was positive.

My tired body couldn't show how my heart screamed at the great news.

At 32, I'm probably one of the old-er first time dads around. When I heard the news, I was so tired and sleepy, now I don't even want to sleep. Lots of things run through my mind. Like my fitness to be a dad, the name of the baby, lost sleep, etc. I was scared but I couldn't erase the smile plastered on my face.

We broke the news to our immediate family. We were first time parents and our parents were first time grandparents. We pray to God that everything will be normal. This is a dream come true. This is it, I am going to be a dad in January.