Character Creation

Warning: If you are already afraid that the gaming jokes and/or puns are going to be coming on rather heavily, let me suggest that these fears are very well founded.

First, let's cover a little bit of character background:

I am a 29 year old third-year law student and former high school history teacher with a strong interest in science fiction, fantasy, video games, role-playing games, and other imminently "geeky" pursuits. I also like martial arts, long distance running, and trips to the gym... so I'm not a total stereotype. Not totally. Just mostly.

I've lived in four states, and a scattering of cities in two of those, and currently reside in North Carolina.

My wife and I have been together for about 10 years, and married for over 4. We met online, through one of the original MMO's called Ultima Online,  and she is a mediation specialist who is getting her certification as a massage therapist.

Second, let's introduce the players:

I'm Mike.

My wife is [INSERT NOM DE PLUME HERE]. We'll figure out what she'd like to go by soon. Coming up with the name has always been one of her least favorite parts of character creation.

The little one is going to be called the Kiddo until we start to get more of an idea as to what sort of person we're dealing with.

Others will be introduced as needed.

Third, we need to set the stage:

In the final weeks of January 2010 my wife and I discovered, to our great joy, that we were pregnant. Well technically she is pregnant, but I've been informed by the only authority that counts (her) that this is how we're referring to it and that's fine by me.

We double and triple checked, and being somewhat impatient people we broke all protocols by letting certain friends and family members know. We were excited, what can we say? In any case, we shortly after had our hopes confirmed by the doctor and began slowly coming to the realization that this meant we'd very soon need to take serious action.

It's alot to wrap the head around, even when you're really trying to, as I'm sure that anyone with experience on the matter can attest to. I couldn't be happier, though. I've always wanted to be a dad someday, and I only hope that I can be a good one. It's the most important thing I can do, at this point.

Even typing that makes me grin a bit foolishly.

So now we're coming to the end of the First Trimester, a day away from getting our first ultrasound, and we're working hard at coming up with solid plans and checklists that we can pretend will make us prepared until they are inevitably shattered by reality.

We're talking to day-care providers, looking at potential schedules, trying to work out rough (very rough) long-term budgets, doing extensive research on random questions, and putting together shopping lists.

Did I mention I was excited?