You’ve probably noticed that I’ve not written for a couple of weeks now. Want to know what’s been going on?
Well first, we’re expecting our third child any day now. And I do mean any day. My wife’s due date was the 13th – so we’re more than a week overdue. Neither of us are worried about it…we trust the process. Though, in her words, she’d like to “have this baby already.”
So that’s exciting.
I had planned a paternity leave from Oct 13th to Nov 4th so I didn’t work so much last week. The week prior I was getting all my client work to positions where taking a leave was possible.
What I did last week was make great strides in finishing our major kitchen remodel – which began in late May. We completely demoed our kitchen and dining room – removing walls, and taking both rooms down to the studs and floor joists.
This past week allowed me to get a whole bunch of little details done – things that could go on for a long time without being completed. Now, just a final coat of pain on the ceilings, install a bit of trim and hang our tile backsplash and we’re done – totally done. I’ll be painting tonight – if we don’t have a baby.
So now we have a large, beautiful – highly functional – kitchen with tons of storage and countertop space. Before we had a dinky kitchen attached to a huge dining room. Now, no dining room – just kitchen with eating area. And yes, I did all the work myself – with a couple of friends helping on a few small things. Oh, and while I did the rough electrical, I didn’t tie-in the new circuits – that was left to an electrician. Everything else, though – I did.
Anyhow, that’s where I’ve been.
I’ll likely be blogging on and off over the next few weeks – and specifically once the baby comes. Then I’ll get back to our regularly scheduled program.
Those of you who have been contacting me or just wondering, now you know. And if you knew we were pregnant and wanted to know what’s going on…now you do. Thank you for caring. Talk to you soon…maybe tomorrow.
And pictures of the baby when it arrives…my wife and I are still talking about it. We’ll see.
My name is Dawud Miracle and I'm a 
28 responses so far ↓
Thanks for the update. I’ve been thinking of you all and wishing you the best.
Dawud,
Making space for what’s truly important never requires an apology. I look forward to posts to come.
Our thoughts are with you and your family whether you post or not.
Barry
I missed your posts but figured you were afk with your growing family.
Will you post before and after pics of your kitchen? I love seeing project pictures.
Take care and best wishes for a smooth delivery. My third baby was my easiest and quickest.
Congratulations! We’ll still be here when you get back.
Hope everything is going well. You’re all in my prayers! Special blessings to your lovely wife!
Hey Hearty congratulations to you and your wife.
Please let us know as soon as you are blessed with the little one.
As Doug said, we’ll still be here when you return.
Bye for now, and best wishes.
First of all, I’d like to say congratulations. Congratulations on your wife having a baby and congratulations on having done so much. Remodeling a kitchen is no easy feat, I imagine. And it takes patience and persistence to get something that big of a task done without procrastinating.
Yes, I was wondering. Now that the mystery has been cleared, here is wishing both of you all the very best and a hearty welcome to the baby. I also admire all that you have achieved on your own steam. I wish that I could too.
Sounds like you have got your priorities totally in order! Thanks for the update and lots of positive energy coming your way.
Talk to you soon!
Best wishes for a safe and successful delivery. Envious compliments for all that you have achieved in your absence. All the very best. Looking forward to your regular blogging too.
As the father of 3 children I wish you all the best. It seems like such a busy time yet it goes so quickly (for the most part). My 3 are now 18, 16, and 16. We went from 1 to 3 in about 5 minutes but I would not change it for the world. Take care and carry on caring.
Jean,
Thanks.
Barry,
No apology meant. Just letting you all know what’s going on. Thanks for your well-wishes.
Laura,
I may post photos of our kitchen. The ‘old’ kitchen photos are pretty poorly lit. We’ll see what I can do with them. Won’t be for a while, though.
Douglas,
Thanks Doug
Shawn,
Things are well. Just a different timeline than either of us had planned.
Laser,
Will do. Still negotiating on posting photos. One good thing, however, is in the coming months my wife will begin blogging. More to come after the first of the year.
David,
As always…thank you.
Jen,
As with most house projects, the kitchen got bigger than anticipated. We live in a 100-year-old farm house and you never know what you’re going to find when you begin opening walls.
Amish,
Thank you. I’m one of those work-til-I-drop sort of people. I’ve just never shied away from hard work. I’ve only had to learn how to balance it with the rest of my life.
Char,
Thanks. We both feel that way, too. We’re just looking forward to meeting this little one.
Home,
Thank you so much. I’ll be back soon – and probably writing off-and-on between now and then.
David,
Wow. Just the other day my soon-to-be four year old (my oldest) fell asleep in my lap while we were reading a book and it brought me back to the first moment I held her after she was born. Made me realize how fast four years have gone. Thanks for the reminder.
Hey there…. I thought maybe baby #3 had already arrived! Thanks for the update though – been thinking about you and sending those ‘good sleepin’ thoughts your way. Hope labor and delivery are smooth an quick. Look forward to seeing pictures of the new little one.
Dawud, don’t negotiate on posting photographs. Please post them.
Hey bro, I had been wondering; figured you guys were in post-baby hibernation…
Glad to hear you’ve finished the kitchen, though! Whew!
Sarah,
Nope…not yet…still. Thanks so much. My wife is amazing – really. She does all the work…I’m just there to help in the small ways I can.
Laser,
Have too…she’s not sure she likes photos of our kids on the web.
Adam,
Not yet. Soon, I pray. Kitchen looks great. If we could only get all the crap back in it. I have no idea how we had so much stuff in such a small kitchen.
Congratulations on your new baby. My wife is wanting another one pretty bad.
I have been wondering WTH has been going on! THANKS for the desperately-desired update!
And NO, you do NOT need to respond to this comment – go hang with your wife instead and give her a hug and a backrub – I know from experience with late babies that she *needs* it!
All the best to you and your wife. Any news yet? Do we welcome you to the land of the sleepless just yet?
I know that new babies are the most frustrating and most rewarding thing in the world. God bless.
We’re now enjoying our first daughter, so I understand the lack of time to blog on your part. Are paternity leaves common where you live? I have never heard of the father receiving a vacation at birth time, only the mother.
Hang in there guys! Thoughts and prayers from here go with your family.
Wendy,
It appears I now have a little more time than I originally thought. Funny how things work.
Living,
Thanks. No news yet. You can read today’s post for more details. And yes, I’ve already entered the world of sleeplessness.
What is Love,
Congratulations on your daughter. Enjoy her as much as you can.
Being self-employed, I have the luxury of taking time off. In the States there is some who take paternity leave – but not often. I can’t imagine it any other way, personally.
Easton,
Thanks. We’re doing great – now that we know we have more time.
conratulations on your daughter
Umm .. no idea.
seo,
Thanks. I just love being a dad.
Kate,
Well, after this ride, me either.
The baby must have stared walking and talking by now
I would be more excited to see the pictures of your old as well as new kitchen. As I am planning to remodel mine very soon.
- Kashif