My Most Fascinating Experience

8 weeks ago, Katie and I went for her monthly checkup and our baby's first ultrasound. As we arrived at the doctor's office, I have to admit that I was really nervous. This was the first, true physical evidence that would prove Katie's pregnancy. Although Katie experienced pretty much all of the early pregnancy symptoms, Men (for the most part) are visual creatures and we like to "see it to believe it". I couldn't keep the "what if" thoughts from swirling in my head until the very moment I heard my child's heartbeat (registered at 197/minute) and looked at its developing body on the screen. It was the most fascinating thing I have ever seen in my life. The nurse said to me, 'Hi daddy, here I am' .....I loved it...I was so filled with joy as I witnessed another human being that I helped create.....wow....what a fascinating experience.

All is Well!!

Katie and I went to the doctor today for her monthly checkup. Today made 16 weeks and she is doing great! She gained 4 pounds since her last visit (she will probably kill me for saying that) lol..Anyways... the baby's heartbeat is 154/minute; which is normal. The nausea is long gone and she is bursting with much needed energy. We have an appointment scheduled for June 3rd to find out the sex of our baby (Katie thinks it's a boy and I think it's a girl)!!!! We will announce the sex to everyone on June 5th, so stay tuned! :0).....All is well and I am a happy father getting more and more eager everyday to see my baby.

What a Wonderful Feeling!

Good morning to all you early risers!

As I lay in bed this morning thanking God for allowing me to see another beautiful day, Katie shifted and laid on her right side. I turned over and laid on my right side too as I snuggled up behind her and laid my hand on her cute little baby bump. Then she laid her hand on top of mine as we both whispered 'good morning' to Baby Stuckey. I kissed her on the cheek and whispered 'good morning' to my best friend, my wife...the mother of my child. We continued to lay there, with our hands touching our baby........wow....what a wonderful feeling.

Women: God's Chosen One

For the first time tonight I got to see how emotional pregnancy can make a woman. With the increase production of hormones and the life and times of current happenings caused Katie to shed a few tears tonight. It breaks my heart to see her cry; especially when there is nothing more that I can do besides comfort her and give her words of encouragement. I applaud every woman who has gone through pregnancy; it is a tough task. I see on a daily basis how the development of the baby takes over Katie's body and feelings. There is a reason why God gave women and not men the ability to have kids...we couldn't do it. I repeat, MEN could not do it.

Living in a Mad World

As I read the story of the car bomb found in Times Square this weekend, I think to myself 'man this world has gone mad'. Katie and I for a long time expressed our reservations with bringing a kid into this mad world. People are stealing to get what they want. Drivers blowing their horn and giving the car in front the middle finger as they pass them for going too slow. Kids bringing guns to school and learning really bad habits because they see their big brother/sister or parents do it. People intentionally make someone jealous because they don't like them or they want to "show" them up. On a much bigger scale, let us remember the tragedies of 9/11, Columbine High School massacre, Virginia Tech massacre, and the list goes on and on. With all the violent acts, mistrust, killings, stealings and other terrible things that go on this world, who wouldn't think twice about bringing a child into this world? We sure did. Even though this world is a dangerous and hurtful place, life must go on. Katie and I can't put our life on hold because of we don't like the current state of this world. As Christians, we all have to continue to pray for this world; we are only pilgrims passing through.

I believe my mom had a good recipe for raising her children in this mad world and I plan on using the same recipe. The recipe is (in order of importance):

1. Help your child get to know his/her creator and help them build an eternal relationship with Him.
2. Give your child lots and lots of unconditional love and support
3. Be the example
4. Discipline your child so him/her will understand right from wrong
5. Share your thoughts, wisdom, and experiences with your child because you never know when it may be guidance for them in the future

With this recipe, I can teach my child how to live in this mad world.

Greg
A proud daddy.