By Olumide Emmanuel
Welcome to another edition of The Daddy Diaries!
In the last edition, I left you in suspense, right before diving into the unforgettable Beluxxi and Malt era. Before we get into it, let me give you some backstory that led to this season.
By June 2000, I thought I was completely done with the phase of pregnancy and childbirth. But as we all know, life doesn't always stick to our plan. After thirteen years of what I jokingly called "hanging up the boots," my beloved wife and queen, Nikky, became pregnant again—this time, with our third child. And here I was, back on the pregnancy journey, now in my forties.But I was excited. Genuinely.
This time, the circumstances were more peaceful, joyful, and comfortable. There was no anxiety, no fear—just gratitude.
While I was excited, this pregnancy came with a unique set of challenges:
So yes—I needed fresh grace for this new beginning. And just when I thought I had seen it all, I was introduced to the magical combo of Beluxxi biscuits and malt... 😄
I’ve known malt drinks forever. But this Beluxxi biscuit? It became a household name, thanks to Nikky’s consistent cravings. No matter how she felt—nauseous, tired, or moody—once she had Beluxxi, she was good. We had them everywhere: in the house, in the car, in my office, even in handbags. It became a traveling companion, and I still joke that I deserve shares in the company!
Across all three pregnancies, there were certain principles and practices I held dear. For expecting parents—especially dads—here are a few things that truly made a difference:
As a Christian, I believe strongly in the power of prayer. I prayed consistently—whether I was physically present or away on assignment.
In addition to prayer, I made daily faith declarations over each pregnancy. In fact, the same confession was used for all three children—right up until their birth.
Don’t wait until the baby is born to start bonding. I spoke to my babies while they were in the womb, and they would often respond with a gentle kick. That’s a connection you’ll never forget.
Touch is healing. I made it a habit to rub my wife’s belly—both for bonding and comfort. Research even supports that couples should touch each other at least seven times a day for emotional wellness!
There’s so much more I could share, but I’ll leave it here for now. In the next edition, I’ll be taking you into the labor room and sharing the delivery story of the baby of the house. Trust me, you don’t want to miss that! Until then...
— Olumide Emmanuel