Our New Governmental System

Of course by government, I mean the ruling policies that give structure to my own upstart of a nuclear family.  If you recall, George, Joanna and I have some company on the way that we're expecting to drop by in the later parts of August...

As part of the process, several weeks ago Jo and I had our "Half-way Appointment" with her doctor.  It was time for another ultrasound.  Seeing for the first time what actually looked like a baby; kicking, squirming, and very much alive, we experienced a new revelation of all we'd gotten ourselves into!  Classically, this is the ultrasound where you find out if you're having a boy or girl - but we had a unique thought in mind - and looked away when the tech told us she was heading in the down there direction.

The next day we returned home after the final performance of the Thorn in Colorado Springs.  Jo's parents were in town, and we all headed over to my parents home for a party of epic proportions.  Up until that point, we knew we were pregnant, but hadn't seen the baby in months.  Our viewing several months prior had looked something like a gummy bear.  As you can imagine, this left us expectant for something more defined - hoping that we'd see little hands and feet, and something that was more... human!

We did indeed!  "It" was healthy, with spine, bones, toes, even a nose (that bears striking resemblance to Joanna's) and yes (the tech could tell), a something (or lack thereof).

We delivered the result to the local Whole Foods Bakery, who made us ten delicious canolli's filled with either Raspberries or Blueberries for a girl or boy, respectively.  They messed up our order a bit, but you can read about that here.  That night my Grandma picked the number between 1 and 20, and took the first bite. 

RASPBERRIES.

In the words of Neo from the Matrix, "Whoa."

It wasn't that I expected a boy, but somehow I didn't expect a girl!  It was a rough first few days as I let go of fears that she wouldn't be shaped by our personalities, wouldn't be affected by my love of the outdoors, and wouldn't even want to play with her boring old Dad!  Thanks to Jo for her patient and enthusiastic approach to walking me through this I've arrived at a place where now I can't wait to meet this little wonderkid, can't wait to love her as best I can.

Her little life has taken on whole new meaning.  All the names we had thought were cute, we had to rethink - after all, this is an immortal soul!  This little girl will want to dance on my toes, play with dolls, and who knows what else!  Although I had a sister - it's not like I paid attention to all that stuff!  Raspberries meant that certainly, I would someday clean a shotgun in front of some punk kid who thinks he's got what it takes to date her, that one day I'd walk her down the aisle to give her to someone else... and that someday far, far away, she may bring over a little youngin' to bounce on my knee.

Here's to you kiddo.  Got a couple things: promise you'll ride on my shoulders on hikes, let me teach you how to play with legos, and fly a kite with me every so often?  Maybe we can play catch some too, watch fun Disney movies I've saved up, and play house with your Mom?  And even though I have two left feet - let me dance with you in the hallway with PJ's on, and waltz with you in my tux the day you wear your big white dress?  Figured I'd at least ask.  :)

"...Well George, it's becoming more of a democracy than I think we saw coming, guys gotta stick together..."