Last time I wrote, I talked about having a pregnant wife going to bed at eight, the children being asleep upstairs, and the in-laws living their lives upstairs, usually watching TV, meaning I'm downstairs in the dark with the computer/iPad and my headphones. Well, ironically just a couple days after I wrote, 8:00 turned to 7:00. We went to the doctor for our first visit, and it was confirmed that Faith is actually 14 weeks along in the pregnancy. And the sickness is just getting worse! The doctor, much to my happiness, gave her a prescription to help with her nausea, and it helped...and knocked her out. She took it at 6:00 p.m. and was in bed by 7:00, not to wake until 8:00 the next morning. I had school cancelled, so I took the kids, and by 8:30 she was back in bed until 10:30. Thus, the reality is, and again I don't want a sympathy vote, that I have been given a glimpse into the life of the single parent, and I have gained a great respect for them. Now, as you may have realized, with Faith struggling so much with sickness and sleep, the past couple of months I feel like I'm married to my in-laws because they have been with the children a lot. As noted, they have gone above and beyond in their help and support since we've been living in the basement, but I didn't marry them! As you can imagine, we've definitely had our moments. We come from two very different worlds, and I'm still adjusting, so I might not be as patient as I should, and I don't like to receive help. Those factors have lead to some tense moments, but it's much better than having no help, so I suck up my pride and retreat to the basement. I have never prayed for so much patience as I have the past few months. I told Faith that this situation might lead us to need counseling! (I say that in jest, but if we didn't have a strong marriage I don't even want to think what this could have done to us.) People, if you're married and have children, or if that is in the future for you, appreciate the bond you have together. You married that person because you loved him/her (well, you should have), so don't take it for granted.
However, this phase will pass, and soon we will be on our own. My wife is excited about moving, but I know deep down she will miss all the help her parents are given. As for me, I'm pretty sure it's time for us to go. We just need to hit the lottery, or I'd settle for a full time job, and my wife could stay home all day. Who knows, as that new commercial shows that many huge businesses started in garages, maybe my dream will have begun in my in-law's basement and carried on to our new one.
Man Advice:
While it can be difficult to spend time together during pregnancy, make an effort to do things together and spend time together because once the children come, life changes.
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