Expectations

Dear son,
Last night we went to the first of several classes we are taking to help us bring you into the world in October. It was a birthing class where we learned about all the stages of labor, delivery and finally expulsion of the placenta. In case you don’t know, the placenta is an extra organ your mom grew in her uterus to support your little life as you developed from a fetus to a little guy inside of her.

The class was packed with other moms and dads in various stages of pregnancy. It’s funny, but until last night the whole experience—from finding out your mom was pregnant, to finding out your gender—has felt so personal. But last night, after seeing all of those other pregnant people in the same room, it suddenly hit me how many people go through this experience.

The main thing it makes me think about is individuality. How, among so many people in the world, is anyone able to have their own personality? It doesn’t help that everything in our world is mediated, marketed and owned by someone. Yet, even among all of the people going through the same experience, it’s obvious that all parents have high hopes and expectations for their children.

When we found out you were coming, we were both very excited. But then your mom had some complications and we thought that maybe you were dead. We called the doctor and he said your mom's symptoms didn’t sound so good. We were sad, but it was very early. After a long weekend (and a terrible dinner I tried to cook for your mom), we finally made it to the doctor’s office on Monday morning, and he sent us to a clinic for an ultrasound to make sure everything was okay with you mom. I was waiting in the hall when the nurse called me in and, to our amazement, there you were—healthy and developing naturally. Apparently lots of women have symptoms early in their pregnancy that make then think their baby isn’t going to make it.

Now everything seems fine. We’ve had a second ultrasound, multiple check-ups and we’ve started to put your room together. Lots of dog stuff in there, so we hope you like dogs. I’m not sure what your personality is going to be like. I have no idea what your interests are going to be. But your mom and I do have expectations for you. We talk about what kind of kid we hope you are, and the types of activities we hope you participate in. Regardless of our expectations, and no matter what path you choose in life, I want you to know you are loved, and we’re both so very happy you are on the way.

Love,
Dad