Brandon Coppernoll Web content management, internet marketing and social media in Indiana

Thirty-nine weeks

Here we are - at thirty-nine weeks. My wife is miserable! She's sore, swelling and ready to have this baby, but our baby girl is so stubborn that she won't come into this world.

Yesterday we went to the doctor only to find out we're still not "technically" ready to give birth to this child. We did find out she is measuring a little large though for thirty-nine weeks so we did get an ultra sound yesterday. Just as the doctor suspected, she looks to be larger than average at this point. She's in the 90th percentile in size.

So today my wife will be waiting by the phone hoping the doctor calls with some news on whether or not we can induce and get the ball rolling. I'm waiting anxiously hoping that my baby girl will be here soon.

Let's have a little fun with a baby poll!

I figured we could have a little fun and do a poll today on when the baby will come. Feel free to comment on the blog to let everyone know your pick. As soon as the baby arrives I will update my blog with the correct answer!

[polldaddy poll=1473039]

Now we play the waiting game

We are officially 38 weeks pregnant today and no baby yet. Yesterday's doctor appointment was somewhat of a disappointment to say the least. We really thought we were closer to go time and only found out we barely have scratched the surface of being ready - at least physically.

Mentally and emotionally I think my wife and I are both ready. Knowing that our baby could come into our world and make our family complete on any day has me so excited yet exhausted from the emotion! I keep finding myself wonder what she will look like or be like. I keep wondering what our son's reaction will be when they meet for the first time.

The only answer I have is I have to wait. We both have to wait. Will you wait with us?

Navigating the final stretch

Today my wife goes in for her first of weekly check-ups before the baby comes. We are both very excited, but we are both very stressed. There are so many unknowns despite this being our second child. One of them is raising a little girl. Another is the economy and job market is so "topsy-turvy" that every day is an adventure in itself. We have a tenant to find for our Peru rental. Financially handling two children will be different.

At the end of the day we should know more about the status where she is in the pregnancy such as how close is she really to giving birth to our baby girl. We are hoping soon. About half of me can't wait until she's here, but another side of me tells me hopefully she will come closer to her due date so I can prepare more.

"Prepare for what?" I might ask myself. Having a baby is stressful and exciting at the same time whether it's sooner or later. The truth is we will be a happy family regardless of what happens outside of the home. That's what matters. So here I go with my wife and son navigating the final stretch before our family will become whole.

That definitely means we are stopping at two by the way!

Staring down the face of adversity

It's really no secret to many people that know me that we are about to experience the birth of our second child which should be a baby girl. It's kind of a big deal. It seems, however, that this is the month that will test me the most. I have many things I'm trying to accomplish in my professional career at the same time, and I am now faced with a rental with no tenant. No tenant means no income. No income means more out of my pocket. This could be the worst possible timing as we are about to bring a baby into this world.

Against my initial feeling I told my wife about the situation. I don't hide anything from her. Ever. I knew deep down it's better that she know now than two or three months down the road when I say, "By the way we haven't had a renter in the rental up north so we are going to foreclose on it and let our credit score we worked so hard on go down the 'you know what.'"

I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. For now I will be "stare down the face of adversity" and not quit. I will succeed and overcome these last few hurdles. I know when I get by them I will be in much better position than we are now.

The unbelievable love

Today I experienced two emotions that can only be described as unbelievable. I say this only because it's hard to imagine that someone could love someone so devotedly and give so much of themselves to care and nurture a human being. I sometimes feel as though that this love can only be described in movies or books, but when it strikes you - you find out it is definitively real.

Only once before had I experienced the rush of adrenaline and emotion of fear that I felt today when it comes to my son. When he was only a little over a year and half he fell from a chair when I turned my back for only a second after repeatedly requesting he stay down on the floor until I could get to him. He landed on his head and did a flip to his back. The way I saw his neck bend when he hit the floor so much adrenaline pumped through my body that I quickly snatched him up and comforted him the best way I knew how.

Today he is almost thirty months old, and I had left the room to use the restroom. I heard the pitter-patter of his feet following me, but I could tell he was moving quickly. Suddenly I heard a thud. I figured he fell as usual, but I soon found out it was a little more serious than I assumed. He had fallen in his usual graceful ways, but this time he didn't catch himself and his face had bounced off our hardwood floor. Blood rushed from his nose and lip. He picked himself up and ran through the tears to me. I picked him up quickly and rushed to the bathroom to take care of him.

After only five minutes he was calm and the bleeding largely had stopped. He repeatedly told me, "I not crying." He was right. He had stopped crying. He had been comforted, and the pain subsided. I kept a close vigilant eye on him to make sure he didn't open the wound in his nose again.

Now for the second emotion. After that whole scenario it eventually became time for his nap. He fought me as hard as his little, tired and sore body could fight, but eventually he let me lay him down in his bed. He cried some more and asked that I lie down next to him. I don't usually do this as this isn't a habit I'd like to form, but considering the circumstances I felt that I could do this once.

He snuggled up under my chin and rubbed my goatee.  His little fingers caressed my hair, and I watched as his tired eyes gave in and closed. He scooted a little closer, and I listened as his breathing evened out and he was finally asleep. I quietly arose and gave him one last kiss on the head. He opened his eyes one more time and said, "I love you Da-da."

That's when it ultimately hit me. It became ever more apparent that I would sacrifice my all for my child. It hit me even harder knowing that I had a second on her way within weeks from now. It's scary to know that you could love someone so much that their happiness and well-being comes before your own.

It also struck a chord in myself to hear him subconsciously speak those words. In most cases, he reverberates the words you say to him so saying "I love you" is usually a reaction to something we said to him. This time it was somewhat on an unconsious level that I believe he really realizes what love is. It's amazing seeing these things take place.

Take some time today and let your kids know how much they mean to you. Believe me when I say it definitely will pay off.