"Moses" (part 1 of 2)

We found out my wife was pregnant in the final days of January this year.  Let's just say, it was quite a surprise for both of us.  Even more of a shock was learning that she was so far along without our knowledge, almost a month and a half at the time.  She tentatively walked out of the bathroom with two EPT's in her hand (yes two), and approached her unsuspecting husband sitting on the couch, reading some online article about hunting.  Now I'm no rocket scientist, but my mind quickly put together the pieces of the not so hard to solve puzzle: white plastic sticks in her hand, tears in her eyes, jaw on the floor.
       
          "Congratulations!" I exclaimed with a wicked grin.  "You're pregnant!"  To my dismay, the look of panic didn't leave her face.

          "Sweetheart," I stood up and whispered to her softly.  "It's okay.  We have been married for over five years and we love each other.  This kind of thing is supposed to happen to people like us."  "Plus," I added. "We will just call him Moses.  When he is born, we will float him down the nearest river in a wicker basket."  With this biblical reference and rudimentary attempt at some sly humor, the color returned to her face and she even managed to let out a few giggles.

          "Mission accomplished." I thought to myself, basking in the knowledge that in any given situation, I had the ability to make her smile.  Then....out of nowhere....it hit me like a Louisville Slugger.  "I'm going to be a dad?  There is no way I am ready for this.  Is this actually happening right now?  This is not what I signed up for."  This train of thought continued for a spell, and I was engulfed in probably the same thoughts that every man has after just learning of an unplanned pregnancy.  My wonderful wife (and soon to be mother of my first child) and I embraced that day on the couch in complete bewilderment.  But....

....at least we had a name.  Moses, he was to be called by many, both family and friends alike.  The name was never meant to be permanent fixture in our lives, but as we are learning, no one really knows what is meant to be.

(...to be continued)