How Life Changes Over 48 Hrs.

48 hrs. ago, Sharon went into labour.  48 hrs. from that point, I hold our boy's body in my arms

*  *  *

After the long basketball marathon I had on March 29, I was telling the guys that I had a feeling the baby would be coming soon.  Little did I know that it would be later on that night.

Went to bed at 12:30am that night cause I needed to unwind and heat up my knees.  I had a hard time falling asleep, when at 1:30am, Sharon told me she was cramping.  She had been cramping for a while, so I figured it was just her false contractions acting up again.  I told her to try to sleep it off.  Too bad she couldn't, because the contractions just kept coming up.

So at 2:30am, she told me to look up signs of labour.  Sure enough, it read into the classical form of true labour (sans water breaking).  So she did what I thought she would do:  take a shower.  If she was going to give birth this day, she's gonna be fresh doing it!

Called the mid-wife at 3:00am and made plans to call her again once the contractions became longer and more painful.  You know that stereotypical image of the mother going through contractions and squeezing the life out of a person's hand (a la Fresh Prince)?  There's a reason it's a stereotype.  It's because it happens.  Sure as heck happened to me (not that I'm complaining).

Speaking of stereotypes, of course this baby would be coming in the middle of the night...lol.

Called the mid-wife at 5:00am because Sharon said they were really bad.  Arranged to meet at the hospital at 5:30am.

I did avoid one stereotype, I'm happy to say:  I didn't drive like a maniac to the hospital.  Fitting though that one of the songs that played during the drive there?

This one:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlgHudEv_VA (the first few words of the song, anyway).  It was followed by this song:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPyq4iqt6Go (our first dance song).  I dunno, just something I wouldn't forget while driving there.

Anywho, got to the hospital at 5:31am, and Sharon went to one of the birthing rooms.  Our mid-wife did some checks on Sharon and said to her, "you'll never guess how dilated the cervix is?"  Sharon, in an annoyed (but understandable) tone:  "I have no idea".  Mid-wife:  "9 cm."

I think it was at that point I realized that maybe, just maybe, this wasn't a false alarm.  I mean, the water didn't even break.

It broke shortly thereafter.  After the mid-wife broke it.

A lot of men don't want to see the "action" going on down there during the delivery.  I was always going to be a game-time decision.  In this case, I didn't really have a choice because it was just Sharon, the mid-wife and me in the room.  And Sharon's legs were cramping up really bad, so it was my job to massage them.

All the fluids, all the smells, all the grossness that people wouldn't find nauseating did not affect me at all.  In fact, there was a point that I was so intrigued by what was going on and plus I had such emotions going through me (my wife was in horrible pain which pained me, but our child was coming which made me thrilled) that I couldn't think of anything else.

But there were a few specific things I remember during the birthing process that made me laugh:

-Sharon saying to the midwife "just give me drugs".  The midwife responding, "there's no time".  The look on Sharon's face after that

-Sharon saying to the midwife, "I don't know if I'm having contractions anymore".  The midwife saying, "are you having one now?"  Sharon:  "no (pause 0.2 seconds)...YESSSSSSSSSS"

-Sharon smacking me on the face by accident.  My glasses falling.  Right into the goop and fluids pooling right where the baby was coming out.  Me trying to massage her cramping legs while simultaneously trying to clean my glasses while trying to explain to the midwife what just happened/what I was doing after she turned away for a brief period

-Sharon screaming "can't you just pull it out?" after our baby had decided to just stop coming out when it's head was just halfway out

During the actual birth, it was crazy to see a full head of hair coming out.  Even crazier to see it stop half-way (lazy like Dad!).  But Sharon made it happen, and at exactly 7:00am our child was pronounced borned.

I checked and there it was...ballsack and pee-pee.  We had ourselves a beautiful, alien-looking boy!  The old Chinese lady was right.  He cried for only a little bit but was then quite content to be with Mommy (Mama's Boy?).

After that, it was like a blur.  The placenta came out (looked like organ meats), and unfortunately there was a lot of tearing so Sharon had to have a lot of stitches.  I witnessed that to, and felt horrible for Sharon (luckily, Sharon is a fighter and will no doubt recover quite fine after a few weeks).

So we looked at our Indian looking (ie. damn hairy) child and named him to what we both agreed before:  Eamon Al Marquez.  I mean, Filipino Dad, Indian Mom, so logically an Irish name, right?

Eamon weighed in at 6 lbs 4 oz and 19" long.  The head wasn't too too big and neither was the nose.

The whole thing just seemed surreal.  Weren't we supposed to still be at work?  Wasn't that alien just a few minutes ago inside her?  We didn't even have time to tell our families she was going through labour.  And wasn't labour supposed to be like 18 hrs. long and not the 2.5 hrs. of active labour Sharon went through?  And 18 years.  18 YEARS!

Well whatever happens, Eamon will know that his parents love him more than anything else.

When I had the chance, I broke the surprising news to the families, friends and of course Facebook so everyone would know.

Stayed in the hospital until March 31 at 1:30pm and made our way home with our baby.

Since then, he's been a little fussy and been a little congested and he can't sleep and he's been feeding like crazy and his parents are more than tired, but he's worth it.

And of course I gotta go right now to change a diaper...

Look at them sideburns...get this kid a leather jacket!

No Sweat

Literally.

So dayoff work for the win, what!

Then to my annual curling expedition at work.  Fun times, and with Pizzaville Pizza afterwards it just topped it off (forgot how damn good Pizzaville is).

Then went to play ball at the Valleys with my team.  We rented the gym for 2 hours, ended up playing for 2.5 hrs.  Non-stop.  As if we were still young.  I of course got blisters and leg cramps. It even got to the point that I was just not able to sweat anymore.  I swear I was just secreting stank scents and bile or something.

Should be interesting waking up tomorrow for the gym

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I have to learn how to listen and stop thinking it's about me.  So embarrassed to be so self-absorbed.  What am I thinking?  Jeez

*  *  *

New tires and brakes on Friday at Dave's shop in Pickering.  Gotta do what I gotta do I guess. Hurts the wallet!

It Must Be Me, Right?

I'm seriously having all sorts of irritations at work, especially with the people there.  This has to be some of the more trying times I've encountered (apparently I have selective forgetfulness?).

I'm really beginning to think that maybe it's me.  I must be doing something wrong.  Why do I think so differently from them?  Why do I consistently think they are doing stuff incorrectly (they are)?

Why should I bother trying to dispel that "government worker" tag we have when unfortunately, I have to work with people who are so stereotypically (bad) government workers?

(Oh right, my pride and morality.  Maybe I should just let go of that?)

What Are You, Chicken?

Chicken to wake up or something?  I don't think I had a choice though.  My fried chicken day yesterday did me in.  Woke up a couple times throughout the night, then woke up at 5am-ish.  So I thought I would just get up and start my day...until I rolled over.  I hit a comfortable position and then almost got knocked out (hate it when I hit a comfortable position right before I get up).

Luckily the guilt I had eating all that chicken skin yesterday overrode the wanting to sleep desire.

So now...gogogogogogogogogo

It's Called Stockyards Because It Makes You Stocky

Went to Toronto and met up with Arfeli.  Went to the Shops at Don Mills and it was a nice stroll, if not for it being freezing.  We ended up at the Stockyards and ordered some chicken dinners and a porchetta sandwish (tanks for the Birfday treat Arbs...celebrations for the win!).

It was awesome, if I do say so myself.  I'm sure I'm gonna be feeling it tomorrow at the gym (chicken wings for brunch, fried chicken for dinner?  Sure, why not?), but whateves.

I don't wanna go to work tomorrow...argh.

But soon enough, I'll have three weeks off, and it'll just be a different (more difficult?) kind of work

Weekends Would Be Better If They Were 4 Days Long...

...amirite?

Had a visit today from Tito Mon and Mar.  A quick appraisal from my real estate uncle, and he wants us to sell the house now.  I wonder why.

Next thing you know, it is the time it is now.  Wow it goes by fast.

Gonna meet up with Arfeli and hang out in Toronto.  Still gotta live up this weekend.

Disjointed sentences.

Lol

Earth Minute?

Okay, so I don't think I'm doing this Earth Hour thing properly.  But I am sitting in the dark.  Does that count?

And I'm sure I abstained from energy for at least a few minutes today.

I'm obviously trying to rationalize here.  I'm good at that, sort of

*  *  *

There is a 25th anniversary night at Father Goetz coming up in May.  I don't think we're going to attend, because aside from having a less-than-one-month-old, it's like I have a high school reunion everyday and everytime I meet with my friends

*  *  *

Watched a chick flick today:  How Will I Know.  It was okay; if I was a girl, I would totally have a crush on Paul Rudd (if I was a girl?).  He's on the same level as Matt Damon to me.

On another note, I'm quite a gaylord

Older, Wiser?

Nah.

Still continued my habit of staying up for no reason at all, going to bed at 2:30am-ish.  Was a nice dose of reality when I got to bed and Sharon was awake, asking me to get the book that describes what real labour is supposed to feel like (was false of course).

Maybe I should be sleeping at more reasonable times, because at this point it can happen at any time?

Nah

This Safety Moment Brought To You By My Mother

So I have an uncle in the Philippines.  He has a Facebook account.  As I've documented here before, so does my mother.

Today is his Birthday.  This is the message my Mother wrote on his wall:
happy birthday pogi from all of us here in mississauga drink moderately

The older I get, the funnier this seems to be for me.  I see I'm getting much older and mature.  Right.

(Interestingly, my Mother did not post on my wall Birthday greetings.  Not that I'm sensitive or anything...lol)

Speaking of being sensitive, I had a crazy dream last night that I was walking to my cousin's home in Markham with a heavy backpack on at 3:00am.  I had to pass through a gas station, and the neighbourhood had a speaker system that was playing old 1930's carnival music.  I thought to myself, "damn, they must listen to this every night.  How do they sleep?"  I then saw a baby bear on the pathway, so I naturally freaked out (where there is a baby bear, there is a mama bear).  I tried running away, but my backpack prevented me from doing so (apparently having a heavy backpack makes you float).  I tried running down another street, when sure enough I saw the mama bear.  Except a parrot/parakeet was on the mama bears head and fending it off.  I was going to watch the action happen, but decided that I still needed to run.  When I looked behind me, the bird/bear combo turned into a dog/bear combo.  I think at this point, I was freaked out and I passed out, and then when I woke up I was a cartoon and I was looking over pictures with a cartoon family and how they looked when the bear was going through their neighbourhood.  And then I really woke up.

It was like the movie Inception, except nothing like it.

Anywho, I think the events of the past few days made me go a little cookoo and overlysensitive. I'm ready to let it go now.  (Maybe I am getting older and tougher?  I hope I am not prematurely saying this and then I have another episode or something)

*  *  *

Thank You

So That's What Ignorant Hatred Feels Like

Two days in a row of the same guy shouting at me when I'm inches away, saying bold faced lies, threatening physical violence on me, arguably assaulting me, pointing his finger in my face and generally being volatile to me.  All while I did not say a word to him.

What makes it even better?

Having my Supervisor there with me and not exactly defending me.

Even better than that?

Having the said Supervisor thinking he did everything he could and being generally satisfied with his (non-)actions.

"He'll wake up one day and realize he was wrong talking to you that way" said the wise Supervisor.

Uhhh...no.  He's going to wake up every single day thinking it is perfectly okay for him to talk that way about me and to me because my Supervisor did not tell him it was wrong (granted, even if he did tell him it was wrong, he most likely wouldn't have thought otherwise anyway).

What would I have done differently?  If one of my staff members was being visibly threatened like that, I would've pulled that staff member out and called the police.  I would not have stood there, pretending to play peacemaker, especially if my staff member kept their mouth shut and did not say a word.  I would not have let my staff member hang out there alone because I "don't want to play sides".

So anger and disappointment?  Yes, I feel that.  Not only towards the hateful person, but also towards my incompetent Supervisor.


I never knew what unconditional hatred felt like.  It's nothing like people who are unjustly persecuted everyday around the world (ie. victims of racism, those of different religious beliefs, etc.) and I really shouldn't compare it, but I think I just had a horrible whiff of it.

Maybe I have lived a too sheltered life.  I know the world is not a nice place, but I do not ever recall being treated that way.

Let it go?  I have to.  I am trying to.  Really trying.

It's not worth it.

(It's really not).

It's been a hectic past few months.  Maybe it really is time to rethink my career and what else I want to do with my life.

My baby can't come soon enough...

The First Of Many Lessons To Teach Our Child

No matter what you do in life, no matter how much you try to treat people with respect, there will always be people out there that unfortunately just won't like you.  They won't know anything about you but they will judge you before even trying to (if they want to at all).  They will attack you, they will say harsh things about you, and they will certainly believe the words they say.  No matter what you do or say, these people will just not like you.

Differences in opinion will inevitably occur and you will have to recognize it; it's how you react to these differences that helps constitute your character.

Ignorant words, threats and slang against you and your integrity will ruin your day, but, don't let it ruin your life.

Believe in yourself, trust yourself, respect yourself.

Treat others (even those that you may not like) how you would like to be treated; if they don't treat you how you would like to be treated, measure what it is worth and if it is not worth much?  Walk away.  (Hint:  it's usually never going to be worth much).

There is no weakness in that.  It shows much more strength to turn the other cheek.

You will get this eventually.  I hope.

I admit I still have a hard time grasping all of this, especially after days like today (long story short:  received perhaps the worst verbal undressing I have ever had as a PHI as a result of an inspection the owner did not agree with.  It was vile, it was unfair, and it was ridiculous.  I will, however, refuse to let what was said doubt myself and what I think is right.)

I will not get bullied by my own emotions as a result of the words and threats someone who is inconsequential in my life gave to me.

I will toughen up because I want my child to see an example of someone they can respect and admire, because I want my child to be better than me.  And they most certainly will be

*  *  *

A paradigm shift is strangely appreciated because it makes me pause and reflect (as if I don't do that enough).

Constantly striving, constantly trying to improve...


*  *  *


Had lunch with Kiri today, who treats me all too well.  Gave me a cupcake, cake pop, and bought me lunch.


She also made me laugh when she caught me off-guard (I'm usually the tricker, not the trickee).  She called me from Sharon's extension and was pretending to be her and, oh, also pretending she was in labour.  My heart started to race until I heard the familiar laugh.  Dammit!


I love that her maturity level is on par with mine

These Days Go By Fast

For serious.

Work was busy, got home to cook for preggo's, then played ball with the team for 1.5 hours (sore feet and knees for the lose).

I also signed up for the next basketball season.  Perhaps I should've cleared it with Sharon first...oops.  Sorry Bubs.  I'll be home whenever you want me to be home

*  *  *

Exactly what I thought would happen at work.  Gotta condition myself not to care, especially with people I don't particularly care about.  I still feel somewhat vindicated...all that work actually did get somewhere.

Also have to remind myself to be vigilant with who I talk to and what I say...

Almost In Hot Water

Literally.

Crap dammit, came home to find our house was freezing (it felt colder inside the house than outside the house; this is only good in the summer).  Went downstairs to see the furnace to see what's up.  You know what was up?

The damn hot water tank pipe was leaking.  And I don't know for how long, but enough to make my blood boil (as opposed to water).

Apparently the water leaking tripped the circuit breaker, causing the furnace to stop working.  It's a good thing that was a sign for me to go down there (which just proves my point, yet again, that perhaps this house is too big for us because I haven't been downstairs in a long while).

Anywho, after being befuddled, it is always great to know my Dad is a genius when it comes to this stuff.  He came over and we soldered a new pipe where the old one failed (damn old plastic humidifier tube failing).

Felt bad for Bubs though...she had to go to her parents to take a shower.  Sucks.

But brightside to this?  Tanks Gawd she didn't go into labour today!

Maybe They Needed More Guys?

Waking up on a Monday...gogogogogogo.

Especially hard considering what we ate yesterday for lunch:  Five Guys Burgers and Fries.  I was expecting it to be like my experience I had the time I had it in the US; which was namely tasty and yummy.

Instead, what I got was a bland burger.  The fries were good and plentiful, but the place ran out of malt vinegar and had no fork (I don't like vinegary fingers, especially if it's not malt-vinegary).  This was all documented by my wife, who had great fun teasing me as she witnessed (verbally) my stages of excitement and happiness to disappointment and "meh".  It's especially telling since she really enjoyed the experience.  But of course.

I'll have to try it one more time before I write it off.

In the meantime, I should go for a jog or something (most likely "something")

Hey Gurl Whass Yo Numba?

So we went to Rye's 29th Birthday Celebration last night.  It was at the Absolute Condo's party room, which was pretty hip as the youngster's say.

I totally would've picked up girls last night if:

-there was a ratio better than 1 girl:4 guys (sausage what)

-I drank as much as they did (if I drank at all what)

-I wasn't wearing boots (to hide my white socks what)

-I, umm...actually had game (not saying stuff like the title of this post what)

-I wasn't with my pregnant wife (or, you know, I wasn't married what)

Last time we "party" before the baby comes!

(Been doing this thing where I keep saying, "this is the last time I (insert what I did) before the baby comes!".  For example, "this is the last time I get a haircut before the baby comes!" or "this is the last time I clean my car before the baby comes!" or "this is the last time I make crappy pad thai before the baby comes!")

What Is Flat But Still Awesome?

The flatbread at Subway Sandwiches.  Damn good.

I know it's not a healthier option than their regular bread, but yeah, I can eat this bread by itself.  The only thing Subway has to do now is figure out a way to make Donairs at their places.  Then I would be there every week.

Maybe it's not such a good idea

*  *  *

Smile

Friday Friday Partying Partying Fun Fun Fun

Yeah, this is a pretty ridiculous song that is about to be played out by next week I would imagine:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD2LRROpph0

But still, I got in while it was still cool.  And I am glad it is Friday.  Weekend what!

Went to Tutti Fruitti (yes, really, that's the name) with Lauri, Row and Joolias.  It was quite good, and while I don't normally like French Toast, I wanted to certainly french this toast (bad visual, but seriously, it was damn good).  Now for a light dinner...

*  *  *

Stay Amazing

It's Teasing Me...

...I feel it:  spring is near.  Good weather today, which got my shed dreams flowing again.  Uh-oh...might be hard though with a kid around here.  But whateves, I can dream.

For instance, I was dreaming today while I was in my "Crime Prevention" course.  The instructor reminded me of a Ron Howard (he even said it himself) and he wasn't, well, all that interesting.  And the material was pretty basic.  And it was a two day course.  I shouldn't complain though, because it was free and if there was anything I learned, it is that I have to replace some hardware for my doors.  Will be done, pronto.

We also went to our last class of Le Leche League.  What did I learn?  BREASTMILK SAVES ALL.  FORMULA SAVES NO ONE.  At least I think that's what they want us to believe.

Glad tomorrow is Friday, what

*  *  *

Stay Strong

I'm A Crime Fighter

Ummm, not really.  I am in the middle of taking a two-day "Crime Prevention Academy" course.  So far a lot of the stuff is quite logical.  The hardest part of the day?  Trying my damn hardest to stay awake.

Yet another sign I don't think I'm ever ready to go back to school.

Also went to the airport to pick up the in-laws.  Question I pondered while I was there, standing among the masses of people waiting for their people who was traveling:  I understand that travelers have the potential to stink because they've been on a plane for a long time; what, then, is the excuse of the people waiting for them?

Seriously now.

(A thought just came to my mind:  what if I actually stunk myself?  crap.  I doubt it, but I also wouldn't doubt that I stink now because of those people)

"And Here Is The Room...

...where your wife will be in intense, agonizing pain.  But in the end, you get a baby!"

Went for a hospital tour today.  That was not actually said, but nevertheless, what I thought.

It's gonna be a happenin' soon!  (yikes)

*  *  *

Last ball game of the season (consolation, not playing for a real victory or anything).

By next season, I'm gonna do the whole stereotypical "I'm playin' for my son/daughter!"

And I'll most likely be very tired

I Won!!! (What Though, Really?)

So an ADT alarm salesperson called me saying that I had won a system from the Home Show we went to (silly me entering a "contest" like that).

The salesperson had me going, and gave me the details of what I had won.  I told him I would contact him back if we were interested.

Then I did my "sleuthing" and found exactly what I thought:  yeah, I didn't really win anything.  It's the same promotion if I just signed up regularly.

But at least I had those few moments of feeling like I won something free

Up And At 'Em, Hour Early Edition

The time changes are always the worst when you lose an hour sleep.  Of course it doesn't help when you go to bed late, instead of trying to sleep earlier.

But it was worth it...when else am I going to surf the net?  (don't answer that; I already know I have this addiction problem with it)

Anywho:  gogogogogogogogogo

I Want To Adjust

So we watched The Adjustment Bureau this morning...pretty good movie.  That Matt Damon, he's so dreamy with his perfect teeth (in all his movies, he always has those teeth).

I wonder if my life's path has already been determined.  I guess I've been lucky thus far; who knows what the future holds.  I just have to remember to turn the doorknobs counterclockwise if I want it to change?

Either way, the day did bring us to Ikea for lunch.  I don't know what it is with Swedes and meatballs.  I'm assuming they taste much better homemade, because the ones from Ikea made me feel bloated

*  *  *

The Tabico Family All-Stars came for dinner last night with Little Chloe.  We can only hope our child is as well-behaved as she is.

Fourth time's a charm?  Finally I cooked a half-decent Pad Thai.  But something was still missing...gotta go for lucky fifth

My Father Is Funny Pt. 43

Went to my parents house for dinner this evening.  Baby boy X was there; I love that kid.

Received good news there as well...we can't wait.

So my Dad was on the laptop when he says to Con:  "Con, want me to hook you up with this girl?"

(wtf?  Is my Dad a pimp now or something?)

And of course my Mother had a moment as well.  After hearing Xavier yell out his baby-talk, she asks him, "what is that?  Are you the Hulk?"

Nesting

According to Kathie, only mother's are supposed to display this nesting instinct.

So then why do I have this urge to make sure eveything in the house is clean and perfect and done before the baby comes?

Unfortunately, my laziness overrides this urge.

I never feel productive enough on my day's off.  But I swear, I have to decompress from the hecticness of work and whatnot.

I'm such a government worker.  Yikes

Okay Yeah, Maybe I Don't Knee-d To Do This

This week alone, I went to the gym in the morning and played ball in the evening three different days.

I just came back from playing ball at the horrible concrete-floored police station (better than nothing) and my knees are wrecked.  Haven't felt this kind of creaking pain before, so I'm icing it down.

I guess I'll just give in and sleep in tomorrow instead of playing ball and going to the gym (day off what).

Sigh

*  *  *

Went to a La Leche League (cool name) breastfeeding class with Sharon today.  I missed the first class last week because we didn't know Father's were also supposed to be there (oops).

So today when we were doing introductions, they asked us to say our names and what we learned from last week.  When it was my turn, the instructors giggled and said, "oh, you weren't here last week!"

I responded:  "Hi my name is Jason.  I'm sorry I wasn't here last week...I was out buying Formula for our baby"

The look on their faces (and Sharon's) made it all the worth while.  Yes, I really am this embarrassing even out in public.  But it did garner a few chuckles (even if they were at me and not with me.  Whatever).

(As some people know, these breastfeeding groups are like a cult...if you heaven-forbid feed your baby Formula, you're not a good parent.  But I won't get into that)

U Of G(ee I Wonder)

Went to a seminar this morning in Guelph.  Wonder how different my life would've turned out if I ended up going there for University like I originally planned?

*  *  *

One of my favourite all time foods?  KFC gravy.  Had the poutine for dinner today.  Yeah.  BUT, I plan on playing ball tomorrow twice again.  So really, I needed the energy.

Right


*  *  *


Note to self:  don't be retarded

Getting It All In There

So I guess I'm trying to fit in as much basketball as I can before the kiddo comes along.  I act like I'll have absolutely no time anymore...lol

(obviously I'll just have no sleep.  But enough when I'm dead, right?)

Game tonight and I'll attempt to play again tomorrow morning.  I must hate my knees or something

*  *  *

The Hall & Oates appreciation continues as I heard this song earlier today:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0YX6Jgq7Ng

Sing it perm boys...sing it

*  *  *

Note to self:  it's different now