I so want to fast forward to October already... I know just the other day I was worried that we wouldn't have enough time to get everything prepared but we have made some good progress and I just want to hold Emma in my arms and make goo goo eyes at her.

As much as it is uncomfortable for the Mother to hold a child in her womb as it grows, and suffer the physical stresses and hormonal imbalances that occur during pregnancy, the mother is blessed with the ability to interact with her child on a much higher level, and for a far greater period of time. Every cough, twitch, hiccup, and kick that Emma makes, Elena feels and responds to in an interactive way, with a laugh or a touch, thus strengthening her bond. I get the occasional, "Look at my belly, she's kicking!". Whereby I quickly proceed to place my hand on the surface of Elena's belly in hope that Emma will feel my presence and somehow bond with me too. Sure, I read her books, have her ultrasound prominently displayed on my desk at work, and think about her 24/7; but that hardly compares to the female experience. Don't get me wrong, I am extremely happy for Elena and Emma. If anyone should have first dibs bonding with their child, clearly it is the mother. It's just... 10 months is a long time to wait for your turn. I know we are almost there but lately I feel like I am on autopilot, going through the motions of my daily life. If only life came with a remote control, and we could fast forward through the boring parts and slow-motion through the good stuff. I know soon enough Emma will be here and that she will grow up quick and we will wish she was still in Elena's belly so we could keep her safe and dream a lifetime of dreams.

My good friend Rob told me when his first child was born the nurse picked up the baby and handed it to his wife who was lying in her bed and said to place the naked baby on her naked chest. This, she said, would allow for a more solid bond. As the nurse stepped back, after handing the child to its Mother, she was shocked to see Robert there... Topless himself, hands rubbing together eagerly awaiting his turn to bond.

I know I need to be patient and I think I have been good. And even if Emma doesn't know who I am when she is born, or how patiently I waited for her, and how eager I was to meet her, I will be standing there on the sidelines on her Birthday, patiently waiting for our first introduction and our bonding to begin... With my shirt off of course.