Kim and I are starting to be a bit concerned about our prospective baby boy (codename: Jumbo) due in June. Consider last night at 3:00am. I’m sleeping. Kim is sleeping. Somewhere in my subconscious I hear quiet words said, “Dear God, what are you doing?” There is some squirming then more words, “Quiet down, quiet down, it is OK, it is OK.” There is more squirming. I am sort of awake and query my wife as to the problem.
“It is Jumbo, I flipped to my right side after being on my left all night and he is staging a breakout.”
I place my hand on her growing middle and promptly have my hand pounded. These aren’t feathery taps or gentle brushes. This is a hockey rumble – elbows and fists and feet and knees and probably a head but. Livvy never did this. And it kept going – bang, smash, boom, thwack.
Kim speculated that he didn’t like being flipped after being situated in one position for most of the night – made possible because of our tempurpedic bed that “distributes weight evenly thus allowing you stay in one position all night long” (the bed is another subject for another day – there are distinct disadvantages to it pertaining to amorous endeavors – bottom line? The bed sucks a prone person into a pit. Enough said.)
Nah, we speculated at 3:09am, that wouldn’t make sense. That much fury over being flipped? Aren’t in utero babies fairly emotionally placid? Do they even have emotions? Silly, we said. And on he rumbled. Kim couldn’t sleep. My hand was bruised. Her liver hurt. Ok, I exaggerate a bit.
At 3:16am we wonder if maybe he is ticked and she should flip over. She does. Two more smacks and he is still. Later in the night she moves first to her back and then gently back to her right side. She tricked him.
This morning we look at our darling and serene little 20-month-old daughter and wonder what this boy will bring. We envision flying objects and great destruction and are concerned for the safety and health of our dog (although she is 110 pounds and runs quickly) and for ourselves. What an adventure this dude may be.
posted March 1, 2007 at 2:45 pm
Bebo Norman singing “I will lift my eyes” right now on the 700 Club.
posted March 1, 2007 at 4:03 pm
David- My sister had two girls and one boy. He is the quieter, sweeter and more sensitive one in the bunch. All of that despite being quite active in the womb.It sounds like you are looking forward to being rambunctious with your son. I am sure he will be all that but be prepared for his tender and gentle side. That is the thing that will break your heart. By the way my nephew is 6’2″ and 32 years old but I still have an advantage over him since he is extremely ticklish.
posted March 1, 2007 at 5:37 pm
As a parent, raising children is often an adventure, which, of course, is a good thing–most of the time. I am constantly amazed when I look at my teenage children, a boy and a girl. On the other hand, as a father, boys are special, but then I could say the same about my daughter. Just different. I often look at my son with amazement and joy in the man he is becoming. Congratulations.
posted March 1, 2007 at 6:14 pm
My first, a boy, was just wild in utereo. I felt like an inside-out punching bag by the time he arrived. My last, also a boy, was so quiet and still that I had to shake my own belly to get him to move. The wild one was wild all through childhood; the quiet one has been quiet throughout his childhood. God really does knit them together in the womb and they come out with a fully formed personality!What a blessing Jumbo will be!
posted March 1, 2007 at 8:17 pm
My first girl partied like a rock star in the womb. Tending toward good, solid rock music myself, I would turn off the Mozart every now and then (ok, every now and then I would turn ON the Mozart) and treat my belly to a little of mommy’s music. Without fail, apparently the strobe effects would kick on and the pyro would begin as the baby took a break from developing a lung and rocked out for awhile. At 4, she is still my little rockstar. Mellow #2, however, the one you had to poke or dance a jig to arouse in utero – took her time on entry…at 20 months, still just taking her sweet little time. Enjoy! What fun you will have.
posted March 2, 2007 at 1:30 am
“wonder what this boy will bring”… he’s gonna take over and change everything… an amazing, exciting adventure filled with God’s amazing grace. Further proof that God has a sense of humor!
posted March 2, 2007 at 12:46 pm
Our boy was the most mellow of children. We called him our Buddha baby. He remains quite wonderful at 25.
posted March 7, 2007 at 6:21 pm
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