Baby Story
Shortly after learning that “we” were pregnant, we decided to sign up for Lamaze classes. At the time, expectant fathers had to be Lamaze graduates if they wanted to witness the birth of their child.
We attended each weekly class, and in between we practiced the exercises at home. Following the nightly exercises, we would lay next to each other on the living room carpet, she on her back and me on my side. I would stroke and pat her tummy and talk to our child. I always used my best calming voice, repeating “It’s alright, it’s okay.” For the most part, it didn’t really matter much whether baby could understand me, as it was always a nice quiet time for us to share. Still, I couldn’t help but wonder if baby was listening to what was being said.
Soon after baby Steffen was born he was crying because that’s what babies do. I picked him up in my arms and softly patted his back. Hoping to provide some comfort and reassurance, I repeated the words, “It’s alright, it’s okay.” He slowly bobbed his head upward towards my face as if wanting to see where the voice was coming from. He then paused and stared at me with a fixed gaze as if he were having his first deja vu moment.