Well, here we are again. As I announced last week, Mrs OddFather is expecting our third child.
The news was welcome, but it was also unexpected. After the pregnancy with the OddSon, this one feels very different. For long time readers, you’ll remember the last pregnancy was shrouded in anxiety.
A certain level of anxiety remains. I want this baby to be healthy – who wouldn’t? The same way I want the existing OddKids to be full of health. I just really don’t want any curveballs.
The strange thing is that being a family of four already means we haven’t really had time to sit with this pregnancy.
The kids keep us on our toes so I don’t really have time to sit here and think about what name to give to this baby, what song to assign to this baby (yes – I do this), and to sing to this baby. The OddBaby will probably be thankful for that last one. Let’s just say I’m no Stevie Wonder.
The pregnancy seems to be going well. Mrs OddFather has always been made of steel. Getting her to slow down is impossible. Once again, I don’t think she has the time to slow down when we have a Princess and a Gremlin to deal with. A Gremlin I love, I should state for the record.
It’s funny – being a third child myself, I always wanted baby no.3. Mrs OddFather on the other hand was always insistent on sticking to 2. I even remember holding the OddSon asleep about a year ago and turning to Mrs OddFather asking if she’s sure we don’t go for a third.
Yet, a year and pregnancy later, it’s me that is sitting here nervous. I’m big on routine. I’ve made sacrifices to spend as much time with my kids. I’ve chosen to give up gaming. I’ve chosen to give up watching as many tv shows/movies as I used to.
I mean, we only have one television in our household and it’s in the side of the house that we don’t use much so as to avoid the kid’s screen time. And I’ve also chosen to reduce my social life.
Honestly speaking, these sacrifices have been totally worth it. I have no regrets. I love spending quality time with the kids – even if it is exhausting. So, what more do I have that I can sacrifice? Dare I sacrifice following Arsenal?! No. Snap out of it OddFather!
And then there are the things completely outside my control.
What sort of world are we bringing this child into? Every day seems to bring another war, another crisis, another reason to lose faith in people. Social media rewards outrage more than kindness, and it sometimes feels like we’re asking our children to grow up in a world that’s forgotten how to be patient with one another.
I guess you could argue that the cat has been out of the bag ever since the OddDaughter arrived.
I worry about being a father of a newborn at 40 years old. When this kid is finally old enough to look after themselves I’ll be close to retired. Will I even get to support my kids with their own young kids? With my own parents’ health patchy at best I already know how difficult it can be on me and Mrs OddFather with little support.
How do I keep up with a young family in my 40s? All I have to do is turn to look at the person next to me and I’m rendered immobile.
The house is already chaotic. I walk out of a tidy room and return 90 seconds later to find felt tip drawings on the floor tiles, play-dough shoved into plug sockets, and the OddSon undressed and rolling around in flour he’s somehow managed to take from the top shelf.
Seriously – his ability to cause chaos is equally impressive and disturbing!
I’ve been needing a break for almost a year now and every time I think one is near, I wind up being dragged into plans for the rest of the family.
But – then I think of the cuddles my kids give. They honestly give the best hugs ever. I watch them both sit there and play, and then laugh together uncontrollably at something silly. I see them grow to learn new skills, be it talking in sentences, reading a book on their own, or swinging on the monkey bars. I listen to the inquisitive little questions they ask. The excitement in their eyes when they see something new for the first time.
Yeah… I can’t wait to be the father of three.
