Nine Months

It's week thirty seven. The baby is full term and ready to exit the comfort of my wife's belly into the bigger, but maybe not so comfortable, world. The other day I went to the hospital with my wife to take lessons on how to bath the baby and change diapers. We also watched a video on breathing techniques which sounded a lot like a dirty phone call. I decided to be in the delivery room during the baby's birth. I thought I would have to take a lesson, but they said that they would instruct me the day of the delivery. In Japan, the mother's stay at the hospital is about a week. According to the hospital, the amount of stuff my wife's needs to bring amounts to more things then when I first came to Japan. Minus the diapers of course. It's tradition in Japan for the mother and newborn to return to her parent's house for the first month. I have mixed feelings about this, but she will need help and time to recover. Luckily her parents home is not far so I can visit often. Well that's it for now. We are bursting with excitement to finally meet the new member of my family. It's all seems like a dream.

Eight Months

At the time of this entry, there are 60 days left until we meet our baby. My wife and I went to the doctor for her monthly "baby check" and the doctor told us, " your baby is maybe a boy". I guess it's difficult to tell for sure by looking at a sonogram, but from what I saw, namely "the family jewels", our baby will be a boy. Already our baby is quite an active boy. Kicking and punching the inside of my wife's belly. She is still working for another two weeks, but some days she is to worn out from all the action in her womb she can't go to work. It's hard to believe that the baby will get bigger in the upcoming months! This month and next will start to make the "nest" and take classes on preparing for birth and beyond. Now that's a good name for a baby store "birth and beyond". Remember you heard it here first.

Seven Months

The countdown continues (as you can see from the graphic on the right). My wife’s belly keeps on getter bigger. It’s hard to believe that it will get even larger in the following months. But, I can’t help thinking about the scene from the movie “Alien” every time my wife sticks her stomach out. Although my wife displays her abdomen proudly as see struts around the room applying cream to prevent stretch marks, the doctors here in Japan, warn against gaining too much weight, so she is concerned about her weight. She has taken to walking to and from the train station for exercise and eating whole foods, but trying to pry sweets from her hands could result in injuries. Mainly to ME!

The topic of the babies has entered into all areas of my wife’s conversation. “It’s a sunny day today, isn’t it” I say. “I can’t wait to take the baby to the park” she replies.” I think we are out of eggs” I say. “That reminds me, the baby was kicking a lot today” she replies. “The price of gas has risen again” I say. “Oh really, my friend just had another baby” she replies. “

The other day she went to the doctor for her monthly check-up. I thought at last they could determine the sex of the baby, but the position of the baby’s feet and hands are covering the “essentials” so yet again, I we must wait another month. Boy or girl, the baby is healthy, kicking and already is the “main star” in the movie of our lives. I guess I have to settle for a strong supporting role.

Six months

There is a warm feeling in the house. The baby is getting bigger and has started kicking. Every time it starts to kick, my wife calls me and has me feel her belly. But every time I press on her abdomen, the baby swims aways! I was hoping we would know whether the baby is a boy or girl this month, but these little things are not clear yet. Earlier this month we went to a local shire which is known for a ceremony for a safe and healthy birth. The ceremony is performed on "Inu-no-hi", which means "dog day". The dog being the symbol of fertility and safe birth. Afterwards me my wife and her parents ate "Sukiyaki" which is the symbol of us being hungry! These days my wife struts around the house proudly displaying her ever growing midriff and complains of backache. She has never looked happier.

Four Months

The days of watching my wife suffer from Morning Sickness are over. Her appetite has returned, and our baby is getting bigger everyday. In accordance with the growth of my wife’s belly, I have decided to grow my brain more. I purchased several books about babies. It’s really fascinating to learn the reasons babies cry and do the things they do-do. I also started to notice other fathers, and watch how they interact with their babies. Unlike my wife, who is looking forward to buying baby clothes, diapers and baby accessories, when I envision being a father I imagine walking hand in hand in the park, playing games, reading to my child and buying toys that I want and say it’s for the baby. The truth is I really never noticed little babies before, but recently I started to think that little babies are pretty cute (except for ugly ones of course!) and our baby will be the cutest in the WORLD! Maybe.

Three Months

The third month is particularly boring. The morning sickness and mood swings still persist and the countdown continues. The predicted birthday is September 22, 2008.The American standard for the term of pregnancy is nine months, but in Japan the term is 10 months. This gives us amble time to consider names. The naming process in Japan can be more complicated than in America. Names are chosen based on “Kanji” characters. Each “Kanji” has its own meaning and number of strokes. The amount of strokes it takes to write a "Kanji" character can be a lucky or unlucky number. The numbers of names there are to choose from are staggering! In the past, Americans tended to name their children on relatives, loved ones or saints. As in my case, having the same name as your father can be quite confusing at times! There are no “Junior”, “Senior”, “the thirds” or middle names in Japan. But I think when deciding a name, it comes down to a name you like that sounds good and harmonizes with your last name. We do have a few “working titles” for the baby at the moment, but nothing is final yet. During the upcoming months, as my wife endures the aches and pains of carrying a baby to fruition, I will be relaxing on my comfortable sofa with a cup of coffee (perhaps an espresso) and do my part as “father to be” and think of names. It’s a tough job being a father!

Two Months

I'll try not to make this boring. I'm going to be a father. Not the "father" ( the priest type ) my grandmother wanted me to be, because thats too late. The father of a baby. When I heard this news, I was suprised at how excited I was. We have been "trying" for over a year. Which is not long for those who have been "trying". I admit up until now, I haven't given much thought to the "miracle of pregnacy" but from now my education starts. Fact: It's NOT the stork who brings the baby. This is important to know. Building bird houses will not help. Fact: pregnancy is not pretty. Well, not yet anyway. I heard that pregant women get a healthy flush during the later months, but the first two months are only the flush of the toliet. Before she was pregnant, she used to think it was my fault that she couldn't get pregant, but now it IS my fault she feels sick all day long, she says. The baby is the size of a bean now. She saw the heart the other day. This week she goes again to the doctor to have the "beanie baby" checked out. I'm excited and bit nervous during the first three months of pregnacy, but I think things will be fine.