It's a BOY!

Many people, from office mates to friends to relatives, tried to guess the sex of our little baby. A large majority said that our baby will be a girl.

My guess that our baby will be girl.

My Beloved Wife Lei guessed that our baby will be a boy.

The guessing game was over last weekend and the ultrasound result is this:

Our baby is boy!

All I said was that Lei has the advantage of having our baby inside her womb so her intuition will be more accurate than mine.

Lei also said that she dreamt of arranging blue paperclips the week before our visit to the Ob/Gyne. She thought that the dream is telling her about our baby.

I am happy, obviously, because Ishmael Ahab Jr. is coming (although Lei doesn’t want to name our child after me so it will not be a junior). I am also happy because Lei and the baby are healthy. Although, she needs to reduce her intake of carbo-rich food because she’s getting overweight (including the baby) which may cause her to Caesarean operation.

Lei’s is already at her third trimester. In just a few months we will be seeing out little junior and I’m excited for that.
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Our Baby is Moving!

Lei told me that our baby is moving the whole day while she is at the office. She said that she can feel the movement. She can even pinpoint where our baby is during his/her rest times.

My Mom told me that that movement is normal and it means that Lei’s pregnancy is going well.

Lei also reported feeling “itchiness” inside her womb. Her office mates attributed the itch to the hair that covers our baby.

I think that Lei’s co-workers are correct. According to Lei’s Mother Book (or Pregnancy Book), our baby should be covered by fine hair since he/she is already in the 4th month development stage. That hair is known as lanugo and is normally shed in later stages of our baby’s development.

We are yet to hear our Ob/Gyne’s comments regarding our baby’s movement but I think that our baby is doing well.

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Image courtesy of Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Fatherly Advice: What to Do When You Lose Your Cool

Being a good husband requires great amount of patience. As we all know, marriage is not purely a fun ride. There will be problems or disagreements or petty quarrel or even a big war with the wife. The virtue of patience will be very helpful in avoiding all of these.

There were times, however, that we lose patience. I admit that it happened to me a few times already, especially now that Lei experiences mood swings due to her pregnancy.

Some people would say that it is fine to let out our temper a few times because we're just humans. These people are correct but we can (and should) strive to be better humans (and husbands).

Here are some things that you can do when you lose your cool:


Say “I am Sorry”

Saying “I am sorry” should be the first that you should do. Apologize to your wife sincerely. Practice the virtue of humility and tell her that you are in the wrong.

Your wife may not immediately accept your apology but what's important is that you apologized.

Pray 

Another person that you should apologize to is God. He expects you to act as a good husband because it is part of your solemn marriage vows at His altar. Pray to God for forgiveness and also ask Him to help you to be a good husband.

Aside from praying to God, it is also good to pray to our heavenly intercessors (a.k.a the Saints). I personally pray to Saint Joseph since he is known to be the best father and husband that ever lived. You can also pray to other saints that you want. I also suggest that you pray to your guardian angel for help.

Reflect on What Happened 

You should also think about what caused you to lose your patience. Was it entirely your fault? Did your wife did something that displeased you? Think about what happened objectively. Don't let your anger or other emotions cloud your judgment.

Talk about It with Your Wife 

Big wars between husband and wife do not occur spontaneously. It is a result of little disagreements or petty quarrels that were not resolved. These little things accumulated in the heart and was left there to fester.

To preempt the big wars, you and your wife must resolve the small quarrels. Don't be afraid to open the line of communications and talk about what happened. However, you must do this prudently and with humility because doing otherwise might spark another confrontation.

Practice and More Practice 

Being patient doesn't come overnight. It requires, like other virtues, continued practice. To be a more patient husband you must become a patient employee, and a patient father, and a patient jeepney passenger, and a patient MRT rider --- in short we should practice patience in all areas of our lives until it becomes a habit.

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There are other things that you can do when you lose your patience with your wife but what I posted here are the vital things.

Always remember that there will be friction between you and your wife. It is painful (and at times will wound you deeply) but you must make your love grow bigger than all the problems that will come. Love your wife and honor your marriage vows.

Saint Joseph, model of good husbands, pray for us!

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Image courtesy of holohololand / FreeDigitalPhotos.net