It’s been known to some for quite a while already, but now the cat is well and truly out of the bag. Sarah announced at work today that she is pregnant, so soon the whole world will know.
The estimated delivery date of our baby is 18th May 2005. The plan is to deliver the baby at home, using a midwife. Depending on your point of view, this is either entirely normal and conventional or radical and irresponsible. I’ll leave it to your imagination in which camp we are.
The news that a woman is pregnant seems to result in two particular questions (at least in the US), to which I’ll provide answers below:
Q. Do you know whether it’s a boy or a girl? A. Yes, we’re pretty sure it’s either a boy or a girl.
Q. Have you decided on a name? A. No.
Before Sarah would let me reveal our news, I’d already blogged a number of entries about the pregnancy. You might feel moved to read them; or then again you may not. More old entries may appear over time if I can persuade Sarah to share her musings with you. She’s a very private person.
Anyway, I can’t tell you how excited I am at the prospect of becoming a dad. It’s all the more surprising, given that I used to hate children; I really did. I never wanted to hold a baby or play with other people’s. I would grimace on a transatlantic flight if a child boarded and took a seat within five rows of my seat. Their crying and whinging drove me mental.
This is one of the few areas of life in which I’ve mellowed, however. I like children now; I really do. I have no idea why this transformation in me has taken place, but I first noticed the mellowing process occurring about seven years ago. It took a few more years before I decided I actually wanted children of my own, but when the moment arrived, there was no doubt in my mind.
Anyway, I’ve resolved not to be the kind of obnoxious prat who goes on about his children all the time, as if everyone else should fawn and drool over them the way their parents do. Stop me if I go too far. This time I’ll do the decent thing and stop myself.
lol Welcome to the club Ian. I’m expecting the 4th in my clan of Bixby Boys to be born on April 16th. Yes, we know — only because I wanted to get the depression of AGAIN failing to conceive a girl over with before the child is actually BORN. But that’s it, ‘cos we can’t HOUSE any more children. grin
I’ve got to say though — you certainly seemed pretty mellow around my kids — even 4 years ago (yes it’s been that long since we worked together). Somewhere I have pictures of my children climbing on you…. and you grinning.
I’m harboring a guess that your tolerance for children may coincide with your tolerance for semicolons. 🙂
Congrats, publically!
Well, Matt, I don’t know whether to congratulate you or offer you my commiserations. A fourth boy, huh? I suppose you just weren’t meant to have girls. Congratulations, anyway.
And it’s true: I was always mellow around your kids. In fact, I think your kids were the first that I really liked, so perhaps you’ve been instrumental in bringing me to the point I’m at today.
Hey, Geoff. Thanks for the congratulations.
As for semi-colons, I’ve always loved those; they’re kind of cool; if you know how to use them;
😉