Every night this week I have made a little wish that my son would be born, and be home, before Father’s Day. It’d be a sweet story to tell if he even arrived on the day. But no, he hasn’t come yet and I spent my first Father’s Day giving in utero hugs to my boy.

Next year will be all the sweeter, he’ll be almost 1 and hopefully be able to hug me himself. I cannot wait.

My wife was all ready in case and had a card and present for me from Leo. The card was a cute one, very sweet of her. My present was:

I spent the past couple of weekends finishing off a fatherly project, namely the furniture for the lad’s room. His Nan & Grandad had a couple of sets of drawers they gave us, so I sanded them back and painted them a glossy white to match his cot and change table.

As well as these, we bought a bookcase-toybox unit, which was raw pine. So I very excitedly also painted that one. Five years ago I would have laughed at the suggestion I would enjoy trips to Bunnings, but I must confess I do! Much painting has been done and I am all over the different types of sandpaper and primer. What a man…

Here is some of my handywork, hopefully the boy appreciates my efforts:

As I go to sleep tonight, I do hope he isn’t too far away.

Yesterday was the 30th of August, 12 days before our baby is due but my first guess at when he’ll come along.

Last night I did in fact make the football match between Carlton and Hawthorn, where I got to see Buddy Franklin kick his 100th goal for the year (didn’t run out but did watch the crazy action on the ground) and saw Brendan Fevola fall agonisingly short of his 100th (would have run out had he made it).

I went to bed last night and woke up this morning to recognise my boy hadn’t arrived as yet. Next week is Father’s Day and I really hope I get to spend the day with my son. This day has been a pretty shit one for me since my father died ten years ago. Being a father on Father’s Day sounds pretty special to me and my fingers are very tightly crossed!