Reality Has Set In, Things Just Got Real – I’m Having a Girl

Yeah, sure I have three kids and I have been down this road before, but when your wife is pregnant, you don't necessarily think about it around the clock.

Then, things like this happen. Our Sales Manager, Miranda, walks in this morning to give me stuff for the baby that she never used for her daughter. I felt two things immediately the first was gratitude for the gift. The second was fear.

After thinking about it for a minute I know that is the appropriate emotion. I have three kids so I know what I am in for and I should be scared. When you have your first kid you are just delighted because you don't know any better. Ignorance is bliss and you are loaded with bliss. After having a child or a few you know the reality is that you are their first and last line of defense. You are who they look to for all of life's answers. Your the one they look to for guidance, you are it.

That's a scary thing because it is an enormous responsibility. It's my belief that to be a good parent you have to compartmentalize things. You need to see your life in different, smaller more manageable chunks or you could drive yourself crazy. Or at least that is how I do it. My kids are everything to me. Their health, well being and their safety are my number one priority. Now the health, well being and safety of my first daughter are right around the corner. While I am fearful I also know how capable both my wife and I are when it comes to the kids.

I had another emotion when I reached in the bag and felt the material on the onesie. It was love. The material is so soft, just like a baby. I realized that the next time I touch that outfit will probably be when my daughter is inside of it. I will be holding her, looking into her eyes and imagining what kind of young lady she will grow to be.