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
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Sunday, March 24, 2013
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:
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
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!
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!
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
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! :)
Monday, March 18, 2013
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:
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
Sunday, March 10, 2013
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!:)
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!:)
Thursday, March 7, 2013
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!
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!
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