What makes a great Dad?

Was up early this morning, sun coming up, coffee in one hand, protein shake in another and typed in "Attributes of a Great Dad" and found this article. Loved it. It really took me back to my childhood and remembering how my Dad raised me. He was, and still is, a great example to me in a lot of ways. The confidence I have in being able to raise my child and be a good dad comes purely from the example my Dad put forth. I don't know any other way to be a dad so it has to be from him.

Share with the dads and men in your lives.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Common-Attributes-of-Real-Dads---16-Types&id=3269225

(The one attribute missing? Play catch after work with your son while still wearing dress clothes!)

J

Daddy's First Post

I wish that my thoughts were more clear on what to write about. I know that I have never been more excited about my life than I am right now, but I've had a hard time thinking about what to blog about. There are just so many thoughts and feelings running through my head, I can't seem to get them all out in a clear pattern. The one over-riding theme is 'blessed'. Timnah and I just feel so blessed to be in the situation we are right now. We have worked very hard the past few years to get to a place where we felt we could have children and really succeed as parents. Now to have this miracle baby on the way is just the most incredible thing God has done in my life. I am so happy to be on this journey with Timnah.

Since I am a little late to the blog party, I haven't been able to share thoughts all along the way, so here are just a few highlights:

• Hearing the news from Timnah was literally the most unbelievable thing I have ever heard. I don't even remember what the next 60-90 seconds of conversation entailed. I am really surprised I didn't wreck the car.


• Telling my sister and mom and dad was one of the neatest experiences of my life. Still makes me smile every time I think about it. Mom and dad's squealing and Aubrey's "mouth open, eyes bugging out, shocked silence" was just the absolute best. Thank God for technology! I'll never forget it and am so excited that she is so excited to be an Aunt.


• If it's a girl--I'm already a sucker for her. My gut has been telling me a girl and she already has me wrapped around her little finger. Great.


• Babies need a ton of stuff--and it's all cute. And expensive.


• I am very excited to decorate a nursery with Timnah. I was already researching ideas two days after I found out. I guess that was a bit early, but who cares! I think there are so many cool ideas for great nurseries!


• I am all gooey inside. I'm such a softie right now, it's just pathetic! There must be some 'Daddy Hormones' developing. It's probably because......


• ......I'm pregnant with Timnah. At least that's what she says. I get misty during tv shows, all I want to do is eat junk food, I love to sleep even more than usual and I all of a sudden have developed a habit of online shopping for baby stuff!


• I love rubbing Tummy Butter on Timnah and talking to "little bambino" at night.


• Timnah's nose is unbelievable right now. She's like a bloodhound.


• Being a dad doesn't scare me. Naming a baby is terrifying.


• Baby proofing this house is going to be a herculean effort. There's glass and sharp edges everywhere. I'm starting to rethink the hardwood floor decision. I'm thinking those fold up mats from high school gym class would have been a much safer option.

That's about it for tonight. Just this little bit has helped get the juices flowing a bit more. More to come soon.....

To those who have inquired, sent well wishes, called and shared in our excitement and are subscribing to this blog and sharing this journey with us--thank you. From the bottom of my heart, I can't thank you all enough for the support over the years and now being a part of this amazing joy. Love to you all.

Josh

11 weeks and feeling good!

Today is the start of my 11th week and so far I have felt great throughout my pregnancy. I'm almost to the end of the first trimester and I think I'm in the clear for any morning sickness. Woohoo!

The major changes I have noticed are a change of taste and heighten sense of smell and some mild fatigue. I'm not sure how long those will last.

This coming Thursday I have another doctor appointment. I'm looking forward to talking with my doctor about our birth plan.

I hope I continue to feel good throughout this pregnancy. That would be a big blessing!

Bonjour Baby Moon!!

Nous patrons pour Paris! That means we are off to Paris!

Josh called me last week, while I was in Florida for work, to surprise me with the news that we are going to Paris next month with his parents for a baby moon trip! I am so excited!

Josh's mom, Jennifer, and I had talked last summer at the lake about doing a trip to Paris together. One last big trip before the baby comes. We referring to the adoption then. It is much easier to plan this trip knowing exactly when our little one is coming!

We all got on a three way call to plan dates, flights, apartment, etc. It's set! We leave from Chicago on Friday, April 12th at 6pm and arrive in Paris at 9:30am. It's an 8 hour and 25 minute direct flight. This will be the longest direct flight I have ever taken! April is the perfect time for me to take a trip like this. I will be in my second trimester and still have lots of energy for all the sight seeing!

Jennifer has been to Paris several times in her career at United Airlines, and she is going again right before our trip so that she can scope things out! I feel much better going with someone who has been before and knows where things are. We have a big hit list of places to see, eat, do, and we have 5 days to pack it all in! We are so excited and thankful for this opportunity to go with his parents. We will make great family memories!

We are taking this baby bump to the top of the Eiffle Tower!

Au Revoir! :)

What We Call Ourselves- The Nicknames

My family has a long history of nicknames. Not so much on Josh's side of the family. The closest thing I can think of on his side, is 6 years ago his parents chose to be called Lollie and Pop instead of Grandma and Grandpa. I love it! It's so cute and original. My Dad is Grandpa Gary Geer, which my nephews nicknamed him Triple G. Now he is a Great Grandpa, so we tease that he is 4G! It totally sounds like a cellphone!

Ever since I can remember, my family has always come up with silly little nicknames for the children in the family. Some of them stuck more than others; in particularly MY nickname! As we think about the name we will chose for our baby, I have to consider the nickname possibilities my family will come up with. Even if we don't call our child that, I know my Mom, a.k.a Grandma Debbie, will have several of her own! :)

When I was first born my older brother and sisters couldn't say Timnah that well yet, so they said Timmy nimmy new! I was the new baby so that seemed perfect. Then it turned into Nimski. How, I have no idea, but that's how we rolled in my household. But my Dad loves to tell the story of how I got my nickname that lasted a lifetime! He said that I didn't want anything to do with him and was more of a Momma's girl. Until one day he went to pick me up, and he said, "Dinky Doodle Bug!" I smiled bright and giggled and threw my arms around him and that was it from then on, we had our special nickname. Where he came up with it I don't really know, except I was very tiny, or dinky, as we called it. The name evolved as they always do in our house. Dinky Doodle, Doodles, Doodle Bug, to finally just plain old DINK! I have been called Dink ever since. Even at 33 years old occasionally someone will slip and say, "Hey Dink,..." It just cracks me up!

I can't wait to find out what my family will concoct for our little one. Let's hope it doesn't stick as long as mine! :)

Additional Family Nicknames:

• Tamar is still Tay Tay


• Terah Rebekah was Beckah Boo


• Jeremiah was Miser


• Matthew was Chooch (he loved choo choo trains)


• Michael was Mikey Boy

 

 

 

Sizing it Up!

So this week I fly to Orlando for Abbott's National Sales Meeting. As I am packing my spring business gear, I tried on my capris and tops to see how things were fitting. Well, they are all a bit snug! Lol!

I needed to go invest in the belly bands and get a couple bottoms that weren't so tight. I went into my favorite store, White House Black Market. I know their game here. They load your dressing room with tons of stuff you didn't pick out, insist you try this top with those pants you want, and tell you that everything looks awesome on you!

But I'm going to be getting bigger each month, so I'm shopping for a stop gap before I need maternity clothes. None of those cute tops make sense to buy right now.

I walk in and it's not my normal crew working. The lady says, "what can I help you with?" I said, "I need a size bigger black pant like the ones I'm wearing." I knew what her response would be...."Why? Those look great on you." And I smiled big, knowing this was my opportunity to boast my news! "Well, I'm pregnant and I need to get a bigger size because I'm growing, and these are too tight for work!"

And that little sentence did it. I had escaped the normal flood of clothes in the dressing room. Instead they just brought me every black pant in the entire store and didn't make any comments about going up a size, or how they look. I loved it! Instead it was all the congratulations and smiles.

It's the only time I can ever remember being so happy about buying a larger size pant!:)

 

Being Negative Matters- Rhogam Shot

My doctor's office called me on Monday evening with the results of my blood work. My nurse told me that I am B negative. She explained that I will need to have a Rhogam Shot. I didn't know what that meant, so after we hung up, I looked it all up, and of course called my Mom to get more info.

Only about 15% of Caucasians are RH negative blood types. Typically, being Rh negative is not a health concern until pregnancy occurs or a blood transfusion is needed. Rh incompatibility is a mismatch between the blood of the mother and the blood of the baby and occurs when the mother is Rh negative and the baby is Rh positive. When Rh negative blood is exposed to Rh positive blood, the Rh negative blood responds by producing antibodies that attack and destroy the Rh positive blood cells. This can lead to problems such as anemia, kidney failure, etc. Rhogam shots prevent your immune system from attacking your baby’s blood. And protects against future pregnancies if you have a baby with a positive blood type.

After I deliver, our baby's blood will be tested and if it is positive I will then have a second Rhogam shot to prevent me from making antibodies against the positive blood.

We are learning so much about pregnancy and birth already!

Protective Instincts

I noticed I am already quite protective about things. :)

Josh thought it would be funny to text our Moms hideous names for the baby. Pretending like that's what we wanted to name our child. He tells me this while he is mid-text. I snap,"There's NO JOKING about the baby!! Delete that right now. That is not cool!" He said, "Geez, I was just trying to be funny, why are you so uptight, chill!"

I thought about it. I never care what he banters back and forth with people on his cell phone. What is my deal? Then it hit me, I'm being protective of the baby. Then I thought about it a few more seconds, And realized.....NO, I'm not!

I thought about our Moms getting that text, and taking him serious, and feeling uncomfortable with the name choice. I pictured them laying in bed, thinking of subtle ways to try and get us to rethink our baby name. Possibly losing sleep. Well, that's just mean I thought! You can't be stressing out the Mommas!

I'm a Momma now, and you don't mess with Mommas! So yes, I am being protective for us Moms. ;)

 

First Doctor Visit

Friday March 1st, was our first appointment with our OBGYN. We were so excited, I could barely sleep the night before. I awoke to a buzz of excitement! My phone was chiming from text messages coming in from friends and family wishing us well and praying we had a great appointment with the doctor. It was great to know so many were thinking of us. The excitement lasted all day.

We went into the ultrasound room and within seconds of rolling the wand over my belly, BAM!!, there was our little baby on the screen!!! What a cool moment for us! We were cheering and laughing with joy. The technician took measurements, and quoted a more accurate due date. Then we got to hear the heart beat, and that was the best moment! I still keep playing the recording over and over! :) so much fun!

We sat with a nurse and discussed all medical history, plans, scheduling, etc. I go back in 4 weeks and meet with Dr. Lund.

All in all, we had a GREAT first appointment!

Momma Midwife

As many of you know, my Mom is a nonlicensed midwife. When I was young, I went on several births with my Mom and watched her in action. I would ask lots of questions that would make her laugh. I listened to countless phone conversations over the years of her counseling her moms. I remember her floral patterned midwifery bag full of gadgets and fetal charts.

My Mom delivered me, Terah, and Andrew at home, all by herself! She is Momma midwife. She has delivered all 4 of my brother Jeremiah's children at home, as well as Terah's first son Alex, and has handled all the prenatal care for every one of her grandchildren.

When we announced we were adopting, I know there was a part of my Mom that was sad to miss out on that intimate time she was hoping to experience with me during my pregnancy. But she embraced it and was just thrilled to be a grandmother again and watch us become parents!

As most women probably do, when I found out that I was pregnant, I immediately called my Mom! Not just any Mom, Momma midwife! I needed answers, reassurance, etc. She was bursting with excitement! We planned an evening for Momma midwife to do my first prenatal.

On Feb 20th, my Mom showed up with that floral patterned midwifery bag, and I wanted to cry! I said, "Mom, you brought that bag to MY house! This is really happening!" She replied, "I know, I didn't think this was going to come true. I am so happy." We giggled and got started.

Shes so professional and has an excellent way of delivering information that makes you feel comfortable and confident. I was smiling the whole time watching her work. She started my charting, recorded my vitals, checked my urine, and we attempted to hear the heartbeat, but could only hear the placenta. It was a special moment for all of us. Josh was there and Mom was teaching him too.

We will be delivering at IU North and I do have an OB, Dr. Julie Lund, M.D. She also delivered Terah's son Aaron as well. But my Mom will be with us every step of the way, and if it is Josh's wish, then my Mom will catch the baby and this will be her 1000 baby catch as a midwife! Very cool!!

Start Spreading the News!!

We have known that I am pregnant since Feb 6th, and it has been so much fun telling our families and friends this exciting news! The reactions have been epic! The ones that we were able to see their faces, I won't forget their shocked expressions and screams of joy!

The funniest reaction was from my sisters Tamar and Terah. I planned a dinner with them the following week so that I could tell them in person. I didn't really know how I was going to bring this big news up, but I figured I would find a way to work it into the conversation. So we order our meals, and no one orders any wine. I make a comment that I can't believe none of us ordered any wine (normally we would have a glass). Terah said, "well you said you didn't want any." I replied, " yeah, I won't really be having any wine for 9 more months because I'm PREGNANT!" And I smiled. They just looked at me for a minute, and I thought why aren't they saying anything?!! Terah said , "So you are going live like your pregnant during this adoption process, like your birth Mom!!" Tamar was thinking the same thing. I said, "No, No, I AM PREGNANT!" They busted out in excitement and Tamar said, "I knew, I knew it, when you said you're were adopting, I said watch she will get pregnant now!"

You were right Sis!! And I won't forget that funny and special moment of telling you both in person! Thanks for a great night! Oh and Terah couldn't wait to tell her husband before I even got in the door!

We thank you all for your support, prayers and well wishes for our baby.

Love,

Timnah and Josh

We Got to Hear the Heartbeat Today!!!

Click here to listen to the HEARTBEAT!

It's music to our ears!! Never heard anything sound so good! Lol!