The joys of Fatherhood

Manuela has begun her final leg of the pregnancy race. She was in fine form up to this point but of late she has hit the proverbial 'wall'. Lacking strength, energy, and emotional control, life in the Meloche residence was been very interesting. My lovely wife spends the lion's share of the day doing as much work as she can given her growing condition, which unfortunately, amounts to brushing her teeth and waddling to the bathroom every 15 minutes. This vigorous activity leaves her out of breath and needing a much needed respite. Mila, intuitively realizing that her keeper is on the ropes, takes full advantage of the situation by running amok and causing much mayhem. Yesterday, I came home from school to find my wife resting on the couch and Mila doing her best Picasso impersonation on my favorite microfiber chair. The current situation has caused a domestic gap, which of course, I willingly and eagerly filled. Following in my fathers footsteps I have hence mastered the art of sweeping dirt under rugs and cooking 'African chicken thighs'. This may sound like a complaint, but my cross is my joy!

It's my Birthday...

Celebrated my 31st on Saturday. Had a grand ol' time opening gifts, eating cake, and watching football with Mila...

Delivery

Manuela went to check out the local hospital were she will be delivering our son. She was a tad hesitant but upon seeing the hospital and meeting some of the RNs she has been reassured. One remaining concern, however, is that the hospital will not give her an epidural if Manuela was to ask for one 'unnecessarily'. I told her not to worry and that I had a two-phase plan ready to be implemented if things got too painful...

Looking Great

Why do other women feel the instinctual need to comment on other pregnant women. Without hesitation or qualification they always comment that the pregnant woman "looks great". What does this mean? This 'greatness' must be a relative greatness. For surely they cannot be hinting at that notion that a woman's physical ascetical perfection is to be ascertained only when she is with child. If this be true then a woman only reaches the pinnacle of beauty when she is pregnant. This, however, can not be the case for i have heard staunch feminist say that my wife "looks great". It would seem therefore, that "looking great" is in reference to either their past or post- pregnancy physical stature or to other woman who have large protruding abdomens. In either preposition, I find the comment more insulting than flattering. Thus, it seems that there is no good reason to state that a pregnant woman "looks great". This rant, of course, is by no means a denial of my wife looking great.

Mediatrix

In the last few days Mila has added several new words to her ever increasing vocabulary. Aside from the normative linguistic repertoire of "mama", "papa", "dog", "cat", "baby", "car", "ball", "shoes", "Jis" - which means Jesus, and "bye", she now says "boat", "eye", "nose", "hat", "banana", "bear" or she could be saying "beer", and my personal favourites "transubstantiation" and "mediatrix" - I have no idea where she learned these last two. Manuela was a tad irritated that I posted a few pics of her that were according to her - less than ideal - so I have added the following pic which I think she will be happy with. I pray everyone has a restful Sabbath.

Wonder Child

Mila is a ball of fun. Every day I awake to her enthusiastic shouts of "PaPa!". Aside from the angelic choirs welcoming a man into Paradise it is the most pleasing sound he shall ever hear. Hear are a few pictures of my lil'girl...

The New Year

The new year finds all well down here in Southwest FLA. I am eager to begin studies on the 15th of January. Mila was spoiled rotten by all the generous gifts of her loving grandparents, uncles and aunts, and diva zias. Manuela is growing larger and more uncomfortable by the day. She daily comments on how active lil'Moses is (no, 'Moses', i am afraid, is not the official name of invitro-meloche. The debate rages on. I have claimed Moses, Augustine, or Oscar and my opponent is fiercely adhering to her divinely inspired name of 'Julian'). The following is a recent pic of manuela's comical belly bulge. She may waddle like a duck, but she remains absolutely stunning.

Why the big decision to Blog...

Being physically so far from our friends and families, Manuela and I figured that creating a "blog" would be a good way to keep everyone informed, share adorable pics, and not allow my brother (Tom) to dominate the world-wide-web. Consequently, this blog site has been hence forth solemnly declared to be the unofficial, yet authoritative, web page of the 'Meloche Clan of SWF'. Enjoy!