Constance was late – two days late, to be exact – and that inevitable glimmer of hope emerged, tempered by a heavy dose of realism. As the hours ticked by with no sign of her cycle, victory felt nearer. I had been feeling like February was our month all along, but it wasn’t. Marking time [...]

Filed under: Husband & Wife | 2 Comments »

Constance and I made the trip to Iowa this weekend to visit my family and celebrate an inordinately late Christmas. First thing Friday morning, my pregnant sister Angie called with the sad news that her blood pressure was extremely elevated, thought to be preeclampsia, and she was being put on bed rest for four days [...]

Filed under: Diversions, When I'm a Dad ... | 5 Comments »

One of my favorite Tori Amos songs, “Spark,” is about a series of miscarriages she suffered in the late 90s, and there’s a lyric within it that chills me more now than ever:
“She’s convinced she could hold back a glacier, but she couldn’t keep baby alive. Doubting that there’s a woman in there somewhere.”
I know [...]

Filed under: Husband & Wife, When I'm a Dad ... | 3 Comments »

One snag to opening up your life for all to witness is the marked change in phone etiquette by your loved ones.
In the last week I’ve had three different friends greet my wait-till-the-third-ring, “Hello?” with an, “I’m sorry, were you guys doing it?”
Classy.
Upside being, of course, that you are reminded of the depths that fraternal [...]

Filed under: Baby Prep, Why is Everybody Pregnant? | 2 Comments »

Yesterday was an unexpected reprieve in many way. The scene was the same, top-floor urology office buried in the hospitals bowels, but the players had significantly changed. A lobby once filled to the brim with geriatric bladder cases was replaced with empty seats and one 35-40-year-old man reporting for his “procedure.” Lack of clarity creeps [...]

Filed under: Baby Prep, Doctor, Doctor | 1 Comment »

This afternoon I head back to the urologist to find out the results of my tests, which will either be a clue to my problems or a gateway to more embarrassing endeavors. Either way, I can’t wait to know something, even if it’s bad news.
In the meantime, my extreme gratitude goes out to the folks [...]

Filed under: News from the Parent Front | 2 Comments »

George Michael was arrested for it.

Pee Wee Herman was arrested for it.

I was encouraged – nay, required – to do it,

Filed under: Doctor, Doctor, When I'm a Dad ... | 4 Comments »

After a bizarre, disconcerting 2-½ hours at the hospital Thursday, and a return trip Friday morning for a sunrise blood test and a final test on Saturday afternoon, I now know that on the surface I’m a fully functioning male.
Whew!
Dr. Meadows’ office was on the top floor of the hospital in the last room lining [...]

Filed under: Doctor, Doctor, Husband & Wife | 3 Comments »

I loathe children’s dance recitals with a passion generally reserved for times of great political injustice or, say, The Black Eyed Peas winning a Grammy. In the past both of my nieces have taken dance class after dance class and, of course, I always beam with joy as I watch them because they are cute [...]

Filed under: When I'm a Dad ... | 5 Comments »

Once again from the home front arrives news of bizarre deer activity. The first time it was a deer in the cosmetics department at the West Des Moines Target where my sister April works.

Filed under: Why is Everybody Pregnant? | 3 Comments »