I think I feel the same way that Art Welling does about Y2K. I am 6 foot 1 and weigh 285, I bench press 420 pounds, I have studied Shaolin Chin Na, Aikido and many different weapons. I don't fear individuals (well ok - my wife), but I am not afraid to admit that Y2K scares the hell out me. I have been preparing for Y2K for the past 2 years.

On December 31, 1998, I sealed (what I thought was my last 6-gallon bucket of wheat. Location, (rural Idaho), well on property with hand pump (water supply will carry for years). Heat, enough fuel to cook, heat, etc., get us by at least 3 years. Food, can feed ourselves, family, and small amount of neighbors for years - plus a large very plentiful garden. Ammo - lock & load, we could probably hold off the National Guard (wouldn't want too though). Gold, silver, cash, you name it. I wanted to be prepared early, avoid the rushes, also I believe a major financial collapse (bye-bye wall street) in this country by early fall. I have covered every base I could imagine for my wife and I.

BABY - AH OH!!!! My wife informed me tonight she was pregnant. This is something we definitely had not planned for. We are the .08 % that the pill has failed. It is not that I am not excited to be a father, I am thrilled and ready in every way. I am just in a little shock thinking about my wife delivering 6 weeks before 1/1/2000. My wife and I are more competent survive during a "disaster", than anyone I know. A newborn throws a little more excitement into the pot, don't you think? After spending three hours driving with my wife and enjoying the visions and excitement of our first child, I find myself sitting at the computer with a flood of thoughts. I work in the health care, I know first hand the hospitals are gone, the pharmaceutical industry also, Insurance (goodbye). I am wondering about immunizations for a baby, diapers, medicine, you name it. A baby makes the challenge a little more interesting. I guess we will start stockpiling a ton of dry milk & formula. I do realize that things happen for a reason, and I am a very excited to have a child. Put yourself our position and imagine having a baby just a few weeks before TEOTWAWKI. I better go change my shorts now. - Matt

-- Matt (Butenam1@aol.com), January 29, 1999

Answers

Matt,

1. Congrats to all three of you. :-)

2. Considering the alternatives, I'd submit that y'all timed it perfectly - you've still got time to alter your stocks to take account of the young'un, and the kid will be showing up while the high tech medical hoo hah is still pretty much functional.

you wanna worry - imagine the y2k aware couples who find themselves pregnant in August or September....

Arlin

-- Arlin H. Adams (ahadams@ix.netcom.com), January 30, 1999.

Yeah right, your the perfect martial arts practitioner...

Not afraid of any man but afraid of a ghost story.

You whining, gloating jerkoff. Go and rethink your philosophy, I think you need to work out a few kinks.

TEOTWAYKI has already happened for you my man, and by your own doing.

Congrats

-- (NoY2K@foryou.com), January 30, 1999.

Breast-feeding confers the mother's immunities to the baby. Formulas don't. Plus it has emotional advantages for both of them.

Health, good fortune and long lives to all your family.

-- Tom Carey (tomcarey@mindspring.com), January 30, 1999.

Congratulations!

From reading your post I know your going to make a great dad. You already have it well in hand.

Take care and enjoy.......

-- Carol (usa-uk@email.msn.com), January 30, 1999.

Congratulations! From your description of your preparations, I'd say the kid's going to be in *very* good hands :) As far as the immunizations go, my opinion only:

Don't have them done, even if Y2K is a big fizzle. Their are some who link them with SIDS and a host of developmental disorders. I have two friends who have mild/severe cases of polio that they got from taking the 'harmless' Salk vaccine. Don't take my word for it, do a search under vaccines and see for yourself.

-- Why2K? (who@knows.com), January 30, 1999.

Vaccines have saved millions of people. Think about polio for a moment. Read what it was like for the hundreds of thousands of victims. Measles decimated the American indians long before the Blue calvary arrived. Are there a few unfortunte case where the vaccine(s) caused harm. Sure. But the potential benefits far outweigh the risk. Antibiotics also kill a few dozen people every year from anaphylactic shock.

The kid will be fine but read up on basic medical techniques and emergency care (especially respiratory treatments). Stock a fair amount of Pedialyte.

-- RD. ->H (drherr@erols.com), January 30, 1999.

Matt, "Life is what happens while you're making other plans." For you, that common saying is a literal one!

Tell your wife to think about breast feeding. Healthier for both mother and baby. Connect with somebody in the La Leche League and they'll supply you with all the info and help you want. Then your wife can drink the reconstituted milk and baby will already have a built in food source. The system has worked well for a few thousand years, and it's Y2K compliant. Also, breast feeding does provide some protection against a further pregnancy - unless you'd planned on stockpiling those pills, too? Or some other form of contraception?

You're in for the adventure of your life, and I don't mean Y2K. It's going to be wonderful, don't doubt that for a minute. I'm happy for you both. LIFE! It doesn't get better than that!

Now go give your wife another hug and be prepared to patiently put up with the possible hormonal ups and downs she might experience in the next few months. And if she says she wants sauerkraut and ice cream - get it for her!

-- Bonnie Camp (bonniec@mail.odyssey.net), January 30, 1999.

Feel Blessed and just remember all of the people that have lived before us, without all the amassed technological wonders (?).......

and by the way, my wife breast fed our 3 kids (1 boy and twin girls). Their first illnesses were all close to 2 years of age. I firmly believe that the 6-7 months of breast feeding gave them the natural, and strongest antibodies / nutrients for their health and development.

-- Mr. Kennedy (y2kPCfixes@MotivatedSeller.com), January 30, 1999.

Great news! If we all stopped having babies, the world would dry up. At least, your baby will be born to prepared parents.

Breastfeeding does confer the greatest protection from illness--if your wife has not nursed before, have her meet with a lactation consultant before the delivery (there might not be those folks mmediately available after 2000.)

-- nursey (leckels@msn.com), January 30, 1999.

Matt,

The two most beautiful sights any man can look upon are his pregnant wife and his own children. You may not feel prepared, but you'll soon find that you are.

Motivated too!

Congratulations to all of you.

-- Hardliner (searcher@internet.com), January 30, 1999.

Congratulations.

Words of advice from here, where our sixth child will be born in June are as follows:

1) Talk frankly with your doctor about immunizations, because they can be accelerated somewhat from the traditional course.

2) Get your hands on a copy of What to Expect the First Year, an invaluable guide to help you understand your developing child. ( What to Expect when you are Expecting is also excellent.)

3) Learn about the changes your wife will go through after delivery. Breast-feeding is the best way to go, but can be wearying for the mom. She may not feel like she has 100% of her old strength back until six months have passed.

4) Think ahead for clothing and children's books, if your scenario calls for extended economic breakdown.

-- Ron Southwick (southwick@macconnect.com), January 30, 1999.

It is good that the delivery will be *before* Y2K. Personally, I am not expecting Y2K to be a complete blow-out, but I think a depression is quite possible. Things will be rough, but you are prepared. Better of than me, with two little ones, living in the Dee Cee burbs.

Aikido?

"The Path is exceedingly vast. From ancient times to the present day, even the greatest sages were unable to perceive and comprehend the entire truth; the explanation and teachings of masters and saints express only part of the whole. It is not possible for anyone to speak of such things in their entirety. Just head for the light and heat, learn from the gods, and through the virtue of devoted practice of the Art of Peace, become one with the Divine." - Morihei Ueshiba

-- Anonymous99 (Anonymous99@Anonymous.com), January 30, 1999.

Oops! Forgot to mention.

DO NOT accelerate the vaccine program.

No, no, no! DO NOT!!

D O N O T ! ! !

Get them (!), but spread them out. A baby's immune system is fragile. Having it adjust to so many biologics in such a short time is a BAD THING.

...but get them. The benefits outweigh the risks. Also, breast feeding is very important for the baby's immune system. Medical benefits for mother too, but I can't recall what.

-- Anonymous99 (Anonymous99@Anonymous.com), January 30, 1999.

I'd like to have my wife also respond to this, but for what it's worth here is my view- I am a 63 year old man with a 5 year old boy and a 4 month old daughter. I've covered several generations as far as the man's involvement with his wife and children. In my first marriage, I was the typical male of the time, that is, not very involved with the birth or the day to day care of the newborn. What a joy to be previledged to be a part of this generation and the direct involvement and care of the infant and growth of two beautiful children!

My point is this: Count it a blessing to be a father and DO be involved totally. Be as aware as possible of your wife and attend her needs now, during the pregnancy, and especially during and in the days immediately following the birth. She will never forget the full attention you give to her and her needs, and it will bless you immeasurably also.

Regarding Y2K and preparations, I cannot tell you how much peace my little daughter brings to our home. She is a gift to help both my wife and I focus on the present. Some aspects of Y2K may touch my emotions deeply in a negative way, but when I am looking into the eyes of my daughter, I am focused and happy and very much at peace.

BTW, please listen up to the folks above who talk about the importance of breast feeding. And we know the concern about immunization shots. We feel this concern. Personally, we have opted NOT.

-- PJ (Just@here.com), January 30, 1999.

Nothing is as cool as being a parent. It makes everything you do and prepare much more meaningful. My little one is what I consider most when thinking about this whole mess. I just wanted to add an extra vote for the Pedialyte. If sanitation takes a couple of steps backwards, baby's little system could have trouble. Mom's milk can help prevent a lot of that, but we prepare just in case, don't we. Congratulations and good luck.

-- margie mason (mar3mike@aol.com), January 30, 1999.

Congrats!

Stock up more is right, but right away you better get used to living without sleep! (grin)

-- Art Welling (artw@lancnews.infi.net), January 30, 1999.

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Thanks Hardliner, from a mom of 6 living and 4 in Heaven. That is lovely!

Matt- Congratulations. You are gonna do great. Don't forget the infant Tylenol. Lots of baby wipes and diaper rash stuff. Definitely Pedialyte and the above mentioned books.

Give the wife a hug, and thank God for the gift of new life.

Blessings...Mercy

-- Mercy (prepare@now.com), January 30, 1999.

Receipe for Baby Wipes: Take a roll of extra absorpent soft paper towels and cut it in half and remove center cardboard. In a large pot or bowl, pour in 1 gallon of distilled water, 1/2 cup baby oil and 1/2 cup baby shampoo or mild Ivory soap. Mix well. Put paper towels in soap solution to absorb moisture. Seal them in 1 gallon size zip locks. If they dry out, simply pour water on them. This is an inexpensive way to have baby wipes. Good Luck.

-- bardou (bardou@baloney.com), January 30, 1999.

congrats on the expected addition to your family.

My wife had our 2 as homebirths with a certified nurse midwife. Both were very positive loving experiences.

God forbid the infrastructure fails before she delivers. Not to attempt to convince you of anthhing, but you may want to invest in Rahima Baldwin's homebirth book. Iforget the title. It was the manual our CNM used for all her patients.

If this is your first baby together, remember there is really not any reason to panic. people are being born under primitive conditions all over the world.

My wife advises your gal may want to look into Homeopathic Medicine. It was a very large boon to our lifestyle because: it works, stores forever, has no side effect if wrong, has very complete diagnostic resources, dominant medical system until the rise of pharmaceutical cos.

Also, your child can breastfeed for 18 months or longer. As long as you have plenty of good foods stored for Mom.

"Mothering" magazine is a good resource too. Your library may have it.

Just a comment on what worked for us. feel free to e-mail.

les

-- les hogan (elhogan@gvtc.com), January 30, 1999.

Matt,

Matt consider purchasing a good milk Goat .

Some newborns have adverse reactions to mothers milk & formulas.

Goats milk is best for them It's also good for you , makes great cheese . :o)

Good luck

-- Mike (mickle2@aol.com), January 30, 1999.

A milk lamb is even nicer, if you can locate one... less aggressive, plus you get wool and mutton.

-- Why2K? (who@knows.com), January 30, 1999.

Congratulations, Matt, to you and your wife. Your life will become much more difficult, but also much more fulfilling. Until you've held your newborn for the first time, no one can really describe that feeling adequately to you. Plan on enjoying your child, regardless of the outside circumstances. Being well prepared will go a long way toward allowing you to do that. Good luck!

-- Nabi Davidson (nabi7@yahoo.com), January 30, 1999.

congrats!!! Being in teh health care field, I expect that you know some pliant docs (note I did NOT say COMpliant!! and you know the dif!) Sit one or two of teh ones you trust down, lay out your concerns ref your scenario, immunizations (no blanket here, some I like, and one or two I have questions about), antibiotics, etc. and see what s/he says. You might be surprised.

You work in the field, I am going to assume (without basis) that you are Paramedic/emt/something in emergency side. If so, you already know you can assist in the delivery (I love the male medics who "deliver" a baby. WE DON'T DELIVER (THANK GOD!!!!) LOL). You already know that if teh timing is a bit off, you can handle almost anything that you can have thrown at you. Just get a late term (8.5 month) ultrasound so you have an idea as to presentation, and whether you need to get the home number of the OB/GYN surgeon.

Beyond which::::::>> CHEERS!! CHEERS!! JOY!! JOY!! GOD BLESS!! GOD BLESS!!

(HE certainly has already!!)

Chuck

-- Chuck, night driver (rienzoo@en.com), January 30, 1999.

Congrat's "Dad".

By the way, you've already experienced TEOSASYKI (the end of sleep as you know it). As my dad reminded me years ago - don't be too nervous about the whole first twenty years - people have been having kids for some 400,000 years, and most of them turned out okay in the end, despite parental miscues. Have you noticed that there are more 2 month-old baby girls around than woolly mamoths, mastadons, saber-toothed cats, dire wolves and cave bears?

Now, either the 2 month baby girl is meaner than a sabre-toothed cat, or her mother is, but the cat lost the fight.

Also, one thing NOT to get is Dr Spock's baby book - worst group of piddly-poop whining advice ever. Follow your instincts and your feelings, because his lead to nothing but trouble.

-- Robert A. Cook, PE (Kennesaw, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), January 30, 1999.

Abortion. Abortion. Abortion.

If this is not an option, then tough titties -- and to all religious wackos.

The severity of this Y2K thing will be increased because of the 6 billion a-holes on this planet, most of whom, for cultural or religious reasons think it's just ducky to drop litters of rug rats with no mor concern than rabbits, cats, and dogs.

-- A (A@AisA.com), January 30, 1999.

CONGRADULATIONS MATT; Everyone seems to have a plan when doing something important in LIFE, You two just have some more stuff to get to store away. But when your Wife has that baby girl , Will you name her Millinie ? No joke I thought of it for my wife if she had that kind of news for me. My prediction is a girl, red hair, 7lbs 12 oz. 20-1/2 in long , All toes and fingers wiggling , Congradulations again :) Furie....

-- Furie (furieart@dnet.net), January 30, 1999.

I am choked with emotions after reading all these posts...but I bet Matt is frozen right now :-) :-) Except for "A" who we're just going to blank out and feel sorry for, everyone here said what I would have, but I want to stress some points already made, so they imprint well in your brain ;-)

- Encourage your wife to breast feed, as long as she can cope with it. Not only does it provide the mother's own immunity, but also while breastfeeding she will be less firtile, a natural birth-control method. It will be very demanding on her, so be prepared to support her emotionally and be there for her.

- Her hormones will be out of wack for around 6 months after birth, it will affect her emotionally and physically, she'll need you more than ever.

- If a baby was meant to be born during those trying times, it couldn't be to a better father and mother! She's in the most secure and responsible hands, keep your confidence strong! Follow your instincts and DON'T READ DR. SPOCK!

Congratulations from a mother of 3 healthy big kids who's also a nurse,

-- Chris (catsy@pond.com), January 30, 1999.

Catsy is righton, the best thing is to ignore anykind of touchy feely shit, beat 'em early, beat 'em often. Teach 'em good old fashioned respect for a whip, and show 'em how it is used. Yessireebobbabooey. That selfesteem dungnonsence is for the birds.

-- Dieter (questions@toask.com), January 30, 1999.

this thread provides an interesting reflection of the TB2K community - widely diverse people struggling to interact and provide some support to each other, along with a couple of goombahs who don't know any better.

I dunno if y'all have thought about it, but this forum is starting to take on some of the characteristics of a typical small town.

Arlin

-- Arlin H. Adams (ahadams@ix.netcom.com), January 30, 1999.

You may be right Arlin,

In that case, who is allowed only one bullet?

MMmmmmmm, I can smell that cherry pie cooling on the window sill from here...

-- Uncle Deedah (oncebitten@twiceshy.com), January 30, 1999.

Dear Matt:

I know how the surprise feels, but from a Grandma's point of view. My daughter called me last week to let me know a grandchild is on the way. Their 3rd child. Since they are not yet that concerned about Y2K, and I am the only one who has been preparing, it was, oh boy, I have someone else to prepare for. But I'm really happy about the situation. I'm also glad this birth will be before 01/01/2000, after that date it may be a lot more difficult.

Congratulations to both our families.

Sandra

-- Sandra McGuire (scmcguire@webtv.net), January 31, 1999.

Add my congrats to the others, Matt.

Maybe the baby KNEW to come to you, and now, BECAUSE s/he saw you were already prepared. Passed over those DWGIs down the street. You'll do just fine.

Also congrats to the forum for being a healthy small town, letting the village idiots drool in front of the saloon without giving any attention.

PJ, (age 63 with 5 yr old and baby), I have been whining since our almost-3-yr-old was born (I'm 49) about how tired I am and whether I'll survive her early years. (Mostly aimed at my wife and her moody lashings at me.) But that's just whining -- I love fatherhood the 2nd time around and what an amazing person has joined my life -- I think I'll jest shut me little yap from now on and keep my messages clear.

Actually, after our move to farm last Oct. and upcoming selling my biz, I'm _looking forward_ to y2k (and most of this 1999 preparation year) as both a break from workaholism AND maybe a wonderful close year(s) with my daughter. I'm really HUNGRY for a change!

Maybe it's lazy to wait for y2k to draw the line for me and force me to change, BUT you know, if y2k fizzles, I may never go back to that stressful life. I plan to use TEOTWAWKI real or imagined to rally to a new life and take that little girl with me, and I'll bet lots of other parents/parents-to-be are going to use it to give their kids a better life than it would have otherwise been. Yes?

-- Jor-el (Jor-el@krypton.com), January 31, 1999.

There only one thing I would add to all the posts. Breast feeding is EXCEPTIONAL for the baby but you should be sure that your food supplies address the extra nutritional needs of the mother.

-- RP (phoenix@quickmail.com), January 31, 1999.