How Does It Feel

Bob Dylan wasn't the first person to pen those words, but he gave them some bit of attention when he wrote his famous song "Rolling Stone". That line has popped into my head at various times in my life. Most recently, it's been closer to the volume of a crashing cymbal ringing in my brain and in my heart as I contemplate what it's going to mean to have a person depend totally on me for everything for the first few years of her life. Of course I'll have more than enough help from her wonderful Mommy and all the people who I know will spoil her rotten. But when it's just us at home and she needs something, she won't be able to do it herself for a long time. How is it going to feel when she comes into this world with nothing but her arms, legs and voice to cry out for a blanket and something to eat? How is it going to feel the first time her eyes crack open and it's clear that she recognizes my voice and acknowledges me as Daddy? How is it going to feel when I hand her to her mother for the first time and see all of her dreams fulfilled in that one moment? How will I feel as I pass her to each of my loved one for the first time and they pledge their love and affection to her, not because they have to, but because they will? I'm no songwriter and I can only play about 2 or 3 chords on a guitar, but I think I could fill a few volumes with How Does It Feel questions.

Countdown Begins

Ok, so really the countdown began at the beginning of the pregnancy really...sounds elementary doesn't it. But in all seriousness, I was just telling Eric the other day that it seemed like we still had so much longer to wait...Wednesday marks only the beginning of the third trimester. We getting so anxious to meet our little soccer star! But this morning the tables turned from "it is going to be forever" to "holy cow, we don't have much time!" Funny how attitudes can change at the drop of a hat!

Let me explain...so my boss has been bugging me to find out the exact date that I will be leaving on maternity. So I took the opportunity to talk with my doctor about it this morning at our 26 week check-up. She informs us of the entire policy (which is too long an boring to go into here) but basically I can leave work at 36 weeks. I do the math in my head - only 10 weeks left of work - HURRAY! Then she drops the bomb.

"So the baby's lungs will be viable at 29 weeks, and gets the sucking or eating thing down at 32 weeks - but when you get to 35 weeks, we will not stop your labor if it starts." I then do the math again...35 weeks - 26 weeks = 9 weeks. Only 9 weeks and I could possibly be a parent? Sure, technically I have another 11 weeks until I am considered "full term, " another 14 weeks until my due date, and another 16 weeks if Addie takes her time and goes past due at 42 weeks. But the 9 WEEKS kept echoing in my head...single digits...what we have hoped, prayed, and waited for. It is here, "technically." And all I can do is think of all the things left to "do" before she comes.

All it takes is one comment to go from thinking "forever" to "around the corner." Now God, grant me the energy to get all the rest of the tasks done in the amount of time I have remaining...whether it be 9 weeks or 16, or the wisdom to let the things go I cannot get to. A span of 7 weeks - seems like forever and yet not enough time.

Introducing...

It's official...the newest member of the Montgomery clan will be Adelyn Jean Montgomery, otherwise known as Addie. For those familiar with the nickname history, AJ will also be an acceptable way to address our little girl. Sorry that we had to keep you all in suspense for so long, but we were trying to give the parents a chance to learn her name in person first. Now that it's out, it's no longer a secret. Addie can't wait to meet everyone on or around June 25.

Peace Baby

Though there is no audible proof as of yet, we're pretty sure the first words that our little girl has said are "Peace Baby." She did not disappoint when her parents went for a 4D ultrasound last week and she promptly gave us this Hippie-like gesture. I don't remember us watching Forrest Gump or listening to any anti-Vietnam War music lately...apparently she's prepping for a career in international relations. That sure would be a great way for Mommy and Daddy to travel after they retire. She has been around Daddy watching an awful lot of his favorite team, the Lakers, who have been on quite a roll. Maybe this is the victory sign...though the Lakers did lose later that night. Did she jinx Daddy's team? Was she predicting the end of their winning streak? Was she telling Daddy not to worry since all streaks end eventually? Something tells me her little brain hasn't thought through all of those things yet and Daddy needs to get a grip on reality.

So crazy to think that we can get such a good glimpse of our little sweetheart at only 23 1/2 weeks along...technology has come a long way hasn'it it? We were so amazed to watch her moving her whole body - legs and arms and her little fingers and toes - all that and she only weighs about a pound! She is already smiling, punching, kicking, and an acrobat - having at one point both hands and a foot by her face and kicking mommy with the other one. She also is displaying some traits of each parent...quite amazing. The first half of the sonogram, she was shy and didn't want to wake up and show off (Gumby reserved nature) After some "coaching" on how this was her "time to shine," she took to the spotlight immediately - first shot was the peace sign (displaying the "Timmons" side of family with that little performance). It is quite an amazing experience to witness this early some personality traits of our little one, it is getting so hard to wait to meet her. Although we both know that she is exactly where she is supposed to be, we simply cannot wait to see if she is going to have brown hair, will she have Eric's eyes? One thing we already know - she is awesome already!

Wave bye-bye!