Early Birth

            Michelle’s miserable now. Exhausted. Achy back. Upset stomach. She groaned and told me she wants the kid to be born early. We pulled out our calendars and started talking dates.

            “I think the eighth of June would work well,” I told her.

            “Not earlier?” Michelle almost pleaded with her eyes.

            “Sure. Whatever you want.”

            “Oh good. How about the week before?”

            “Okay, give birth on June first. A Tuesday.”

            “Great.” Michelle smiled.

            I’m not sure what other couples do as far as planning the birth date, but after our last experience, we’re both quite open to the idea that Michelle’s mental space will have a tremendous impact. My feeling is, if she’s psychologically geared up to give birth on June first, the chances are higher that it’ll come closer to that date than the actual due date – June fourteenth.

            I can’t blame her for wanting the birth early. Every day I massage her back now, and she’s going in to the see the chiropractor today for the second time in two weeks. It’s getting to be quite the burden, even more than last time, because last time she wasn’t bending over picking up Celia all the time.

            A number of people have asked me if I’m going to stop at two kids. Do you want more? they ask me.

            My answer at this point is simple – judging by how things are going right now, two seems plenty, thank you very much. I can’t imagine being this sleepless that much longer. Or Michelle being this exhausted and achy for a whole nother year. Or the costs involved! One was expensive. Two will be even more. Three? I’m amazed that people can still afford it these days.

            But then again, you never know. When both kids are older and not in need of diapers, perhaps we’ll reconsider. Right now, we’re not even discussing it. Let’s focus on what’s at hand and get through this last few weeks. Or maybe just one week. You never know.