Cause 1

         I can remember her telling me that she was pregnant; many things flashed through my head at the time.  I just figured that I have plenty of time to do what needs to be done.  At first, that was really the case; it changed has the time for her to deliver our son grew near though.  Soon, my time was spent on preparing his nursery, folding small clothes and allowing my mind to drift off in daydreams about what he would be like and school work just seemed to not happen.  This daydreaming and lack of concentration quickly pushed me into an ever growing pile of backed up English 101 work.  How was I ever going to catch up? 

My research plan

                My plan for researching this paper will be very proactive over the next few months.  I will be living my research as I write this paper and be answering questions based on experience as well as research.  I have numerous relatives and friends that have had children, all of which had their own unique experiences when dealing with issues of parenthood; these people will be a wealth of knowledge and wisdom.  Luckily for me, there are also many books that have been written by so called “experts” in parenting.  This information should be of great use; after all, these are experts.  I will be talking to my pediatrician about many issues that range from immunizations and feeding schedules to colds and colic.  Everyone who has had a child of their own is a potential source for this paper and there are many magazines that are directed towards new fathers such as me.  This will be a great experience and opportunity to ensure that I am doing all I can to be a great father and husband.

Background

            Picture it…Bath, Maine…August 3^rd, 1979; a baby is heard crying throughout the maternity ward.  I enter this world at 4:30 pm at eight pounds and twenty-two inches long; my mother weeps in joy as I am placed on her chest and fall contently back to sleep.  Yup, my first experience with child birth was my own; what a long day that was!  Since then, I have seen friends and relatives bring bundles of pooping and peeing joy into this world; Every kid with a personality of his/her own and every kid with a different story to tell.  I would like to say that I am real good with children.  I hold them, they poop and I give them back to their parents!  I hold them, they cry and I give them back to their parents!  They come to visit, I get a headache and they go back to their parents!  I “thought” that I had this kid care thing all figured out.  Nine months ago that all changed.  I can no longer give the screaming, pooping child back to his parents; I am the parent.  I am told that I was an evenly tempered baby; I didn’t cry a whole lot and slept through the night earlier than my brother did.  Can I get that lucky?  I don’t have the experience with children that some have when becoming parents.  I am thankful that my wife had watched her young cousins for most of their infant lives.  I am so glad that she knows what to do.  Everyone tries to pass on their own nuggets of wisdom as to what it takes to be a father; everyone tells you exactly what to expect.  I wish it was that simple!  My background is that I was a baby and have known some babies in my life.  I am a novice parent, a beginner to say the least.  My wife and I will find for ourselves what it takes to be parents.  I will find for myself what works to combat sleep deprivation, colic and the other challenges of parenthood.

New ISearch Motivation

            It has almost been nine months since my dog walked up to me with a something hanging off her tag.  “Mommy is having a baby” was written on a sticky note hanging off her tag; mommy peaking around the corner with a smile on her face.  I don’t think that I could have been any happier; I am going to be a “Dad!”  Wow, has my life already changed and it has been a journey already.  What do I need to do to get ready?  This has been a question that has haunted me for months now.  I have scraped, painted and put together baby furniture; I feel like I have literally lost my mind at points.  My motivation for this paper is my son.  I am determined to figure out what I need to do in order t0 be a good father to Collin.  I imagine that there are questions that I will not be able to answer with research, only experience.  I will give it my all though; I will not fail my son.  I want to know the following:

1)     What should I expect in the first few months?

2)    Is there any important things that need to be done to get ready for him?

3)    What can I do to help stimulate brain development and growth?

4)    What are some tips to survive the sleep deprivation?

NEW ISEARCH SHEET (TOPIC CHANGE)

What do you want to write about?
  Newborn Baby: Surviving the first months.

What do you want to find out about your topic?

What to expect and tips on how to not go insane in the first months

What are your questions about the topic?
1. What can I expect?
2. What are some ways to still live your life while living for another?
3. Ways to beat the sleep deprivation?
How does it connect to your life?
I have a son due SOON!

Give three reasons you like the topic
1. It is real personal subject to me.
2. I have been attempting to deal with the unknowns and excitement already.
3. It may give another expectant father some advice so that the don’t go insane like I have.
Give three ways your life might change if you answer your questions
1. I will be able to better manage my personal life while dealing with my sons needs.
2. It will make me a better father and husband
3. My son will think I rock!

Cause Outro

        In a nutshell; I am a nutshell right now!  I have a million and one things happening in my life that I am having a hard time concentrating on school work.  It helps to take a minute to step back and re-evaluate what is going on.  It doesn’t really help to realize that things will only get harder before they get easier though.  My son is almost here and it appears that I will never get any sleep, I have way too many jobs and there are not enough hours in the day to do what needs to be done.  My life is hectic and crazy as can be.  However, this is my life and I wouldn’t trade it for the world!

Cause 2a

                I stare at my laptop screen as the cursor blinks in almost excited anticipation to do its job; nothing happens.  My mind wanders off in a million different directions, unable to concentrate on the task at hand.  How did I allow myself to get into this situation?  I feel a bit of nausea building in my stomach and my heart begins to pump faster.   I am so far behind in my English 101 work that it is making me sick from stress.  I think about it more and understand why I am where I am!