In the Womb Archives - The 40YrOldDad The 40YrOldDad

November 13

ALICE IN WONDERLAND

AUTHOR: 40YrOldDad // CATEGORY: 0-6 months, Events, In the Womb, The Baby Years
15 Comments

13
NOV

Our trip to Wonderland began with another journey down the rabbit hole, and what did we find?

A menagerie of mad hatters; red, blue and white. (I’m always surprised as to why a bald man such as myself, is still required to wear a hair net in an operating theatre). But them’s the rules, I guess?

Cheshire Cat grins a mile wide, and a lovely little girl named…

Alice Nevada Bechtold

Born at 10:23am on…what day was it again? Oh, yes…

Remembrance Day!

3.95kg and 52cm in length for those running a pool at work or the TAB. So, 5 grams lighter than Indy but 2cm taller and looks so amazingly like Indy, they look like twins born 2 and a half years apart! (more…)
November 10

ONE SLEEP TO GO

AUTHOR: 40YrOldDad // CATEGORY: 3rd Trimester, In the Womb, The Baby Years
6 Comments

10
NOV

Only one sleep to go until…

40YrOldDad Version 2.0

Our final day of ‘treesome’.

Wow, can it really be true? I feel like we’ve both been so busy; Mumma with work and me with going back to Uni, that the time has suddenly crept up behind us and before we knew it, we’re staring right down the barrel of baby #2 about to enter our lives. It seems crazy. Are we crazy? I think we are (or at the very least, a teensy bit delirious).

And the fact that I’ve been a dad for 2 and a half years now should give me a quiet sense of confidence, but the truth is, washing little girls clothes in the washing machine freaked me out a bit. And when we were shopping in Target, we strolled past the girl section where Mumma kindly pointed out the little bras and knickers hanging on the racks, and indicated that’s something we’ll have to get used to one day.

Holy crap!

Never-ever-ever in my whole thought process of being a new dad to a little girl did the thought ever cross my mind that one day we’d have to go bra shopping!

What-da-f#*k, Mumma? You’re weirding me out!

(more…)
September 4

THE NIGHT I CRIED AT MY DAUGHTER’S WEDDING

AUTHOR: 40YrOldDad // CATEGORY: 3rd Trimester, D-scoveries, In the Womb
2 Comments

4
SEP

Mumma and I snuggled on the couch in a rare opportune moment of synchronised ‘free-time’ from our busy schedules. Indy was safely snoozing in bed so we had a few hours to kill, and we took in a movie with Kevin Costner who had ‘3 Days to Kill’.

Kevin Costner plays an ex-CIA agent who missed out on seeing his daughter grow up, and when he finally retired to spend more time with his family and get to know his daughter again, he’s forced back into one last case. Turns out he’s also dying of an inoperable brain tumour, and the CIA operative who coerced him back in, has an experimental drug that keeps him alive that he needs to keep topping up. The whole movie takes place over a 6 month period, which, if you remember the title of the film, makes perfect sense, right? — NOT!!

Which is one of several things that made this movie just…gawd awful. The only good thing about it, was Kevin Costner. It was as if he knew he was in a really awful film and knew the dialogue was really terrible, and the direction appalling, so just refused to say anything ‘corny’ or ‘on-the-nose’ like every other character did, and just did his own thing. The reason I bring all this up is because even though it was probably one of the worst movies I’ve ever seen, something unbelievably unexpected happened, right in the middle of watching it.

There’s a scene in which Kevin Costner reconnects with his estranged daughter and teaches her to dance in preparation for her prom. A father and his daughter slow two-stepping together and then it happened… (more…)
July 3

THE SEX NAZI: NO SEX FOR YOU!

AUTHOR: 40YrOldDad // CATEGORY: 2nd Trimester, Events, In the Womb, Ultrasound
17 Comments

3
JUL

We had our 20 week scan and got to see our beautiful girl doing tumble turns in the oven. It’s a marvel of technology to be able to see everything going on inside. That’s the humerus…“Gee, I thought it’d be funnier?” I said. The stenographer smiled politely. Mumma topped me without missing a beat…“we thought you would be, too.” Then high-fived each other with their eyes. It was a good call, but stung like a prick to the testes.

Our gal is growing marvellously and we couldn’t be happier. The placenta is a little low, and seeing as we have no experience in cheering one up, we have to get another scan at 32 weeks to ensure it’s not obstructing the birth canal. That will determine whether or not she takes the natural route or gets ejected through the skylight.

We followed that up today with a visit to the Midwife clinic, where we had a couple followers of our own. A friend from our Mothers group and a friend of Mumma’s sister, both midwifery students, accompanying and observing our appointments. It’s a little unusual to hear the Doctor call out your wife’s name…and four people get up and walk in! Like Bill Paxton and his ‘Big Love’ Mormon Wives. Our own private entourage. (more…)
May 9

RESULTS ARE IN…

AUTHOR: 40YrOldDad // CATEGORY: 1st Trimester, Events, In the Womb, Thoughts, Ultrasound
16 Comments

9
MAY

Indy had just gone down for a nap and I was in the loo when I heard it. Not that, THAT…the shrill of Mumma’s ringtone. By the time I made it to the living room, my heart was already in my mouth, which is probably why I couldn’t breathe. Unless it had something to do with a certain There’s Something About Mary ‘frank’n’beans’ moment I had unwittingly recreated in my haste to zip up and hear the news.

Through wincing eyes and bated breath, I was playing catchup. Having already missed part of the conversation, I had to extrapolate what I thought was being relayed down the phone by piecing together Mumma’s subtle facial expressions, body mannerisms and pupil dilations as she listened intently. Like trying to figure out what’s happening on LOST, when you’ve already missed the first two seasons, there’s just no way.

Even if she did say something, there’s no way I could have heard it over the pounding of the pulse between my ears, like the guy swinging his hammer at the Rank Arena gong. And suddenly, all at once, there was a resounding SILENCE as she hung up the phone. The results are in… (more…)
May 8

THE SEQUEL: HIGHS AND LOWS

AUTHOR: 40YrOldDad // CATEGORY: 0-6 months, D-scoveries, Events, In the Womb, The Baby Years, Thoughts, Ultrasound
14 Comments

8
MAY

Our journey into parenthood began a couple years ago with Four Little Words, “You’re f*#ng kidding me!” Now that we’re writing the sequel, there were actually zero words. Just shock. Open-mouthed, jaw dropping shock…for about a day and a half!

The day before my birthday Mumma approached me on the couch and said, “Hold your hands out…”. Slightly confused and a little disappointed that whatever was behind her back was neither the size nor shape of golf clubs, when she placed the stick with two lines in my hand…my mind got carted for a six!

Next thing I remember, it was Wednesday.

Wow, for those who don’t know our story, we tried for 10 years to get pregnant. Endured 9 failed attempts of IVF, quite a few miscarriages and even a visit to a witch doctor but still no dice. We both turned 40 and decided it wasn’t to be, so we decided to have holidays instead of kids. We packed up and moved to Bali for 5 months and fell pregnant naturally with our miracle boy, Indy Wayan, within the first month of living there. Now, he’s just turned 22 months old and is the joy of our lives.

Never ever in our wildest dreams did we ever expect to ever get pregnant again. EVER! It’s one of those things we always said, “if it happens, it happens”, and we always thought it would be lovely to have another kid, but we never truly actually believed it would (or even could), ever actually really happen. So yes, I was gobsmacked and totally paralysed internally.

Can we really do this? Is it real? Indy was such a great baby, what if this one’s the devil or worse, barracks for Collingwood? What if it’s a girl? I know nothing about girls, I’m 43 years old now and still don’t understand women fully. What if it’s another boy? I love Indy so much, can I actually even love another baby? I’m considering going back to uni in July. Can we even afford another baby? How will Mumma cope? How will I cope? How will Indy cope? (more…)
March 11

WELL, THIS JUST HAPPENED…

AUTHOR: 40YrOldDad // CATEGORY: 0-6 months, 1-2 years, D-scoveries, Events, In the Womb, The Baby Years, Thoughts
18 Comments

11
MAR

Never ever ever ever expected this to happen a second time.

Will say more on this after I’ve had a little lay down…
July 8

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

AUTHOR: 40YrOldDad // CATEGORY: 0-6 months, Body Functions, Dad Mishaps, In the Womb, The Baby Years
4 Comments

8
JUL

Nothing can quite prepare you for your first encounter with your child. I really didn’t expect to be so attached to him. I kind of expected the feeling would be the same as when I meet other people’s kids…

You know, they’re fun and interesting…now, who’s for Cribbage…anyone?

But I can’t explain the change that occurs when he opens his eyes for the very first time and you lock eyes for…one minute. His tiny deep blue eyes scanning your face, peering deep into your soul. It touches you in a way that doesn’t require Investigative Journalism. Instead, it bonds you for life. Like Superglue and Araldite…(I loved their show in Vegas, btw).

And there’s no greater bonding experience between a man and his son, that makes you feel like…the worst dad on the planet, than when you’re changing his little nappy. And as you clear away his troubles, he looks up at you with the purest of love and trust that would melt Wolverine’s Adamantium claws. You turn to reach for a clean nappy…and that’s when the screams begin…you turn back with horror to see little Indy…

Peeing on his own face!

It makes your heart sink, and makes you want to run crying from the room like a school girl. But you have to suck it up “Mary-Ellen” (your nerve, that is…not the pee. Use a cloth for that…and wash your hands afterwards), because you’ve got to rebuild that bridge of trust. The one bonded by Superglue, which apparently can lift a one-tonne sedan with only 7 drops (I saw it on Mythbusters), yet, completely disintegrates under the influence of baby urine…go figure?

(more…)
July 6

PAINTING THE BABY’S WOMB: REVEALED

AUTHOR: 40YrOldDad // CATEGORY: 3rd Trimester, In the Womb, The Baby Years
6 Comments

6
JUL

For those of you who’ve been tuning in, if you remember about 7 weeks ago during Week 34, a friend organised a lovely face-paint artist to come and create a mural on the largest blank space we had available at home…my wife’s pregnant belly.

And because our schnitzel’s actual name is depicted in the design, we had to protect his identity by blurring it out. Unfortunately, nobody was even close with their guesses as to the what the actual design was.

However, all will be revealed…

Next Week!

I kid, I kid!!

Seriously, it gives me great honour to present to you, (now that he’s finally come out of his womb…ah, room)…the wonderful uncensored belly mural featuring our new son… (more…)
July 5

INDY-PENDENCE DAY!

AUTHOR: 40YrOldDad // CATEGORY: 0-6 months, 3rd Trimester, In the Womb, The Baby Years
4 Comments

5
JUL

It is with enormous pride and unbridled love and appreciation that we FINALLY present to the world, our miraculous SON…

Indy Wayan Bechtold

Born today, July 5th @ 7:26pm

Weighing 8lbs13oz or 4kg bang on the knocker…(thanks McPuddingPop, you were way off!)

Both mother and baby are doing very well. Daddy needs a spatula to peel himself off the ceiling.

Thank you so much to all our family, friends and strangers all around the world who have been touched by our story and flooded us with love, support and best wishes along every step of this incredible journey. And an extra special thank you to the amazing hospital and midwife staff for helping to bring little Indy into our world and into our hearts.

I feel like he has been one of the most anticipated arrivals on the planet, and I can hardly believe he’s here!

My biggest thank you of all, goes out to the most amazing woman I’ve ever met in my entire life. Your continued love, strength, passion, thoughtfulness, guidance, support and belief in me and our desire to be the Love of the Century, inspires me every day. How did I get so lucky as to wake up every morning to that gorgeous heart-shaped smile and soft beautiful eyes. You are the spark that ignites my heart that makes me feel like the most special man on the entire planet. I just wish I could remember your name… (more…)