Taking a brief trip back in time (say about 15 weeks ago) … one weekday evening in our lovely home we find out that we’re going to have a baby. Awesome I thought … I hope it gets our nose, has 3 legs, can juggle and speaks Swahili. Following this news, there were lots of hugs, well-wishes from family and oh yes, can’t forget the tension, paranoia and sheer anxiety. My freak-out was not triggered by the news of the circling stork, but rather a promise I had made before we ever tried to get pregnant. I would have to quit smoking. Now, most sane people would say … dry your eyes and be a man, after all, this is a child we’re talking about and some petty addiction is merely an annoying blip compared to the joy we’ll experience once our child is born. And you are probably a rational adult … so bravo and my hat is off to you for your common sense approach.

I know it’s selfish, but I have had a hard time with this. I quit cold-turkey. Well, first I reduced my nicotine intake by 2 smokes every 5 days, until I get down to 3 smokes a day. I smoked 3 per day for about 1 week and then I took that pack of American Spirits (a brand new one I might add) and tossed them into the trash. I remember quitting in college for about, I dunno, it seemed like 4 months, but honestly I think I was off of them for about 7-8 weeks, and the experience was painful. Lots of anxiety and snapping moments aimed towards pretty much everyone. This time around I’m still grouchy, but my perspective is different. I am excited about the baby and I will feel better knowing that we’ll not raise our child around smoking. So, in short … I’m not going to preach to people in similar situations that they should quit smoking … but for me I think the timing was right. I was sick of it. I’m the only person out of a sizable group of friends that smokes and I always felt like a damn outcast.

What do I do for relaxation now? Amy has been very supportive as everyone would expect. At work, whenever I need a smoke, I try to take a walk (around the Yahoo! and EMC buildings), get some coffee or tea, chew gum and … oh yeah eat. I have been eating heaps. I have gained probably 6 pounds. While this doesn’t sound like much, believe me it is. Also, I have a cube neighbor at work that I take Yoga with. She is in comparison, a professional yogi or yoda … whatever you would call a person that’s good at Yoga, so I can learn much from her. My family and friends have been very encouraging, and my co-workers have gotten a good laugh from my brief moments of frustration. When it’s all said and done, amy and I will both be happier, healthier and without the nasty habit I loved so much. I feel at ease with the decision and the result, which is good, since I have a possible stress trigger coming up, FATHERHOOD.