Introducing Number Two

There were a few neats shots of the baby's startlingly hand-like hand -- with four long fingers, a thumb, and everything -- waving at us from over its head. "Haha! Surprised to see me?!"  The rest of the baby looked, as they usually do, like an alien. Or a tadpole. Or an alien tadpole. And we momentarily got a spooky close-up of the face. I swear David jumped when that happened. I kept laughing, in a nervous "I can't believe this is happening" kind of way. No, really, I can't believe this is happening. It's very embarrassing to have made it to one's late 30s  without accidentally getting pregnant -- and then accidentally getting pregnant. But there's nothing like pregnancy and childbirth to drive home the point that you are not in control. I suppose there are some people who make a plan and then everything falls neatly into place but I don't know any of those people. And those people may think they are in control but they aren't really in control. They are lucky. And deluded.

Also: I wish there was a way to stockpile sleep.

Later, at home.

Steph: What do you think we should name the baby, Luke?
Luke (thinking a minute): Uh... I know. Baby Jesus. Yes, Baby Jesus. That or "Pookoo."

I wonder if "Pookoo" means "Surprise."

This morning Luke woke up and announced, "I had a good dream, Mommy! About the baby!"

I guess the nightmares will start once the baby is actually here. Remember his reaction to his little cousin River?

Comments

[Beth]

Congratulations... Pretty exciting stuff!

[Megan]

Congratulations. You'll have to get Luke a bunch of books that show how great it is to be a big brother to help stem the nightmares.

[Kerry]

I am so excited for you, Steph. Congratulations!

[Matt]

Congratulations. Now go take a nap.

[Kate C.]

Awww - Congratulations! Surprise babies are the best, really. I (sorta) had three! ;)

[genevieve]

My goodness, that looks beautiful online. Up there with one of the most affecting photos I've ever seen on a blog, I think.
Thank you so much for posting it, and very good luck! and good sleeps!!

one of ours said quite matter of factly, of number three, when she was crying yet again at dinner time: ' and I think that baby should go back to the hospital'. (21 years later, of course, she sees it a little differently.)

[Melissa]

Congratulations! Baby looks beautiful! Grainy and swooshy and beautiful. :)

[CAAF]

Warm congratulations to you, David & Luke!

[victoria thorne]

Oh, this is so wonderful. Great joy in your life (little sleep). Take naps, as many as you can, be greedy about it. You deserve it. And you will feel so much better, throughout. My fourth came at 34, and I became a master napper. It was the only way through, and--in the end--we were all better for it. Blessings to all!

[kittenpie]

Oh, wow! Congratulations! It's incredible how many people I know who are getting pregnant or having babies over this span of about 18 months that we are in the middle of. Can't wait to "meet" ... er... it?

[Susan O]

Congratulations Steph!

[Working Dad]

Congratulations!

[Stephany Aulenback]

Thanks everybody. I have been taking everybody's advice and having lots of naps. When Luke is busy elsewhere.

[Sara O'Leary]

What a fantastic picture - that maybe baby is looking very real.
Happy Holidays to all of you - eat, sleep, and be merry.

[Jennifer Niesslein]

Hey, congrats!

Can you imagine the sibling rivalry between a child and his brother, the Baby Jesus? We love you the same! You're good at soccer and your brother can walk on water!

[patricia]

Hooray! Congratulations! I'm rather fond of the moniker 'Pookoo'. It has great potential.