Parenthood.. what an experience

Have a kid and everything changes. I used to to hear those words over and over again but still I couldn't anticipated the consequences.

I would like to share them. And since this is my blog and not yours, you'll just have to put up with my going on about this for a while. Or else, I'm taking my bottles and diapers and going home, to put myself down for a nap. See...have kid and right away you start acting like one.

Dragon and I never tried to get pregnant. It just kind of happened. We were in fact, already booked a trip with my old mates to Pangkor and hoo boy, doesn't everybody had a cold sweat back then.. this was because we were anticipating some of my old mates to get married first and enjoy our freedom for at least a few more years.

Not only we were not married, but I haven't even met with dragon's family... the 'ancient' dragons... ones that breath fire first before it speaks.. and her mom was an expert at spitting fireballs...

We both knew we wanted kids, as a concept but both dragon and myself were still scared and maybe a bit selfish. I thought "What would I do with a kid? What would a kid do with me?" And then, one night, within a moment, my whole perspective changed. I visited my colleague and her dad was in town. We were sitting in her sofa, laughing about something and suddenly I noticed her dad looking at her with what can only be described as a sparkling gaze of pride, love and eternal friendship. (words cannot describe this really.) And all at once he asked for a kiss and a hug. I said, "I'll hug you but a kiss is out of the question." I learned later that he was speaking to her.

This ineffable moment between them made me rethink about parenthood. Dragon and I knew - that having a child would change our lives, change sex, change everything. But after all these years and looking back at the time, I think it's the best thing that ever happenned to us. We wouldn't want to change anything even if we are able to go back in time. Dragon kind of suspected that she was pregnant. My reaction to the news that dragon was pregnant was screaming. Loud sustained screaming...probably because my mind was so blank at the time..

Dragon said "Aren't you supposed to call for help? Screaming won't help much"

"No no, that's an excited scream."

Actually, the whole process was kind of fun. I've never had such a MANLY feelings, both for her as well as about myself. Dragon has never looked more radiant. There's something about how lovely pregnant woman are that makes you fall in love even with pregnant strangers.

Of course, we were scared to death. Dragon said "Now, what do we do?" We were worried. I called my buddy to cancel the trip beforehand and to think about what to do... next...

"Err.. sorry, I can't come with you guys to Pangkor today"

"Why, is everything alright?"

"No, she is expecting a baby and I am going to be a dad.."

"What? Does her parents know?"

"Actually I haven't even meet her parents"

"What?"

"Well, I am going to meet her parents and I will say Hi..."

"Shit, does your in laws have to come to your full moon first?"

Her parents gave their blessings of course. I met them two months later on the 1st day of Chinese new year. I met them again for second time on Chap Goh Mei and proposed the marriage. They almost fainted.

How much being a parent would change my life didn't occur to me until I was heaving up my dinner the day my daughter was born. I ate my dinner at the hospital, then had to stop in the parking lot and throw up: once because of the baby, twice because of the food.