Life's big decisions
OK, so here goes. I've had the structure for this blog up for days now, but have yet to post a blog. The decision to post my pregnancy experience, warts and all, is just like any other life decision--getting married, deciding to have a baby in the first place, creamy or chunky--you can only put if off for so long if you're truly serious about it.
So, even though we are now in our 20th week of pregnancy, I'll try to go back to the beginning.
First of all, perhaps you're asking how we decided that it was time to try to have a baby. Good question -- let me set the scene. A year ago, we were living in a crappy one-bedroom apartment, increasingly frustrated by a fruitless search for affordable real estate. I was telling friends and co-workers that any thought of a family would have to wait for several more years. Then, on two separate occasions as I was talking with parents of students that I tutor (my part-time job), they asked those two rapid-fire questions -- how long have you and your wife been married and do you have any children? When I responded "nearly four years" and "no, we really can't afford a baby at this point," the response was the same both times -- if you wait until you can afford a child, you'll never have one. Of course, these are people who are sitting in beautiful homes in one of the most expensive real estate markets in the country who are able to afford a private tutor for their children. But they weren't always in such a great financial position, they started somewhere too. My wife and I earn good salaries, have nothing in terms of debt and are careful spenders. We may not be able or willing to buy into this real estate market, but we can certainly afford a baby. There goes that convenient excuse.
Beyond the financial consideration, I had no other qualms about trying to have a baby. I've always wanted to be a father--in my adult life, I've been a teacher, coach and children's entertainer and have always envisioned having a child of my own. Fortunately, my wife and I are both in good health and this spring, without really having any long dialogue about it, we just decided to try to get pregnant.
So, even though we are now in our 20th week of pregnancy, I'll try to go back to the beginning.
First of all, perhaps you're asking how we decided that it was time to try to have a baby. Good question -- let me set the scene. A year ago, we were living in a crappy one-bedroom apartment, increasingly frustrated by a fruitless search for affordable real estate. I was telling friends and co-workers that any thought of a family would have to wait for several more years. Then, on two separate occasions as I was talking with parents of students that I tutor (my part-time job), they asked those two rapid-fire questions -- how long have you and your wife been married and do you have any children? When I responded "nearly four years" and "no, we really can't afford a baby at this point," the response was the same both times -- if you wait until you can afford a child, you'll never have one. Of course, these are people who are sitting in beautiful homes in one of the most expensive real estate markets in the country who are able to afford a private tutor for their children. But they weren't always in such a great financial position, they started somewhere too. My wife and I earn good salaries, have nothing in terms of debt and are careful spenders. We may not be able or willing to buy into this real estate market, but we can certainly afford a baby. There goes that convenient excuse.
Beyond the financial consideration, I had no other qualms about trying to have a baby. I've always wanted to be a father--in my adult life, I've been a teacher, coach and children's entertainer and have always envisioned having a child of my own. Fortunately, my wife and I are both in good health and this spring, without really having any long dialogue about it, we just decided to try to get pregnant.
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