Home, Thirst, Morning Sickness?

Well, among all of the home inspections, termite inspections, septic inspections, well inspections, and mortgage meetings I’m somehow finding time to be pregnant. It is just wonderful to know that we will be fully moved in to our beautiful new home when the baby comes. Someone even shouted at me while I was walking today. “You’re such an inspiration to see!” (I don’t know if she thought I was overweight and trying to lose pounds or just saw someone exercising. It was kind of like one of those angel experiences, though.)
In regards to my health and the baby’s health, everything’s fine. I have been feeling a bit queasy, though. Is this morning sickness? It certainly isn’t bad. I feel like when I was in high school and early college when I had to struggle to eat. I just didn’t enjoy eating at that time of my life. I’ll admit that I do dread the next meal because I know that I need to get the proper nutrition, and I am making sure I get it, but it just isn’t fun. And if I even think about fried fish, I almost get sick. Yuck!
I’m also really thirsty a couple of times a day, and not just after my normal two-hour walk, either. This worries me a little bit because I know extreme thirst can be a symptom of gestational diabetes. It feels like when you’re in the car and have the heat on. If you forget about it, suddenly your mouth, throat, and face feel really dry. Yesterday when I felt like that, I drank three glasses of water, and then pottied it all out. Hey, if this baby needs liquid, I’ll drink it! : )
I’ve also been praying a lot at daily mass for the “health and happiness of this little baby in the womb, at birth, and during his or her life.” What a big prayer. (I’ll be darned, though, if I’m going to receive communion after touching sick people’s hands at peace time. Today I had to lather my hands with Purell. I didn’t care who saw me. It’s like I’m a magnet for sick people in church.) Today I plan to go to eucharistic adoration and read some of my Parenting with Grace. I would love to read some of that every time I go. Just to be in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament and reading about this wonderful gift we’ve been given will be a blessing in itself.
I have also been scouring websites about how to find out if the baby is a boy or a girl. According to the Chinese Lunar Calendar I’m going to have a girl. My “lunar age” at the time of conception was 29, and the baby was conceived in late January. That means a girl. But also, according to the same calendar, I was supposed to be a boy. Oops. : ) I’m also craving sweets horribly. (Why is it that when I do want to eat something, it is something really bad for me.) Craving sweets also means a girl. Hmmmm. . . .
Ironically, these days I feel like I’m having a boy. : ) Either one would be so fabulous!

Special Songs for Baby

I can’t help crying tears of joy these days. We are just so very blessed, and I’m sure to thank God every day for these amazing blessings that He has heaped upon us . . . amid so many others whose prayers remain unanswered. Not only has God blessed us with a baby growing inside me, but only a few days later we learned that we have secured the home of our dreams, which we affectionately call “The White House.” It’s the perfect combination of Brian (in a neighborhood, close to work, kids can walk to friends house) and I (lots of land, lots of privacy, by a farm with cows). We couldn’t ask for more.
I would be lying, though, if I didn’t say I had some worries. I’ve had cramps about twice a day, just like the kind you get when you have your period, but not as frequent. This has been scaring me to death . . . so much so that I’ve even said a novena to St. Gerard. Tonight I got fed up with it and looked on the internet. I found a fabulous site called “parentplace.com” that calmed my fears. It seems it’s written by a midwife who is teaching other midwives right now. I couldn’t be more happy with her explanation:

Please try not to worry. If you DIDN'T have these cramps, it would be a concern. The uterus is accommodating to the implantation, and you may even spot a bit at this time. The uterus is growing, and as it does so, it contracts. Everything in nature and the human body seems to follow a pattern of ebb and flow. Two steps forward, one step back; even labor is like that. As your uterus contracts, it is gaining the muscle strength to enlarge, and associated cramping is part of the process.

Thank goodness! Now for some news that’s more on the fun side. Then, there’s something else that’s been years in the planning. Brian and I are, of course, very musically oriented. As a result, I’ve always wanted to make a special tape for my first little baby (and the second one, too, as the occasion arises). A long time ago, I wrote down lots of songs that would be perfect in regards to their message and sound. There are some songs that are just so wonderful that I couldn’t choose between them for the boy or girl tape, so I included them on both. There are some songs that would be perfect only if we had a boy or only if we had a girl (hence the letters "B" or "G" before the title). I’m sure it will be fun in twenty years to compare the actual tape with this chart.
After the chart is a list that came naturally as I thought about what the songs meant, and what I really thought was really important to teach my children. How I wish that these tidbits of wisdom could be absorbed by osmosis so our children would never feel any pain!
Jesus and momma (Un. Love for You)
G She Don’t Know She’s Beautiful (Modesty)
Walking on Sunshine (Make me happy)
Who I Am (Identity)
Arms Wide Open (Give you the best)
B King of Somewhere Hot
High Cotton (Make me happy)
Down Home
Born Country
G She Ain’t Your Ordinary Girl (Identity-more than looks)
Both Sides Now (Life throws curves)
G Man! I Feel Like a Woman (Identity-Be Yourself)
Come on Over (You can count on me)
Pick Yer Nose ?
G Blood in the Boardroom
Delaney Talks to Statues (You’re special)
Fins (krrp your wits about you)
Come Monday (You can count on me)
Changes in Lattitudes (Things Change)
If Tomorrow Never Comes (Un. Cond. Love)
The Dance (Roots and Wings)
Standing Outside the Fire (Experience Life)
G Something in the Way She Moves (You’re special)
Wide Open Spaces (Roots and Wings)
Things Will Grow (Answer to When?)
I Hope You Dance (Experience Life)
How Sweet It Is
G My Girl (Make me Happy)
The Gift (You are a blessing)
The Sun Will Come out Tomorrow (Optimism)
You’re Never Fully Dressed w/o a Smile (Optimism)
I Don’t Need Anything But You
It’s Not Easy
Brazzle Dazzle Day (Optimism)
There’s Room for Everyone
Happy Days
Laverne and Shirley
Facts of Life
Good Times
One Day at a Time (Handling life’s curves)
Bread and Butter
Turn Turn Turn (Life throws curves – Changes)
Over the Rainbow
B I Got Rhythm (Make me happy)
You’re the Inspiration (Make me Happy)
B Along Comes a Woman (Future Hope-marriage)
Sweet Sweet Smile (Make me Happy)
Sing (Self-Reliance)
Close to You
Top of the World
LOVE (I love you)
Do You Believe in Magic
There She Goes (Love to see you grow)
Here Comes the Sun (Optimism, handling life’s curves)
Soulful Strut
Never Let You Go
G Happy Club (Optimism)
My Favorite Things (Optimism-Handling life’s curves)
Laughing Place (Optimism)
We Go Together (Parent Bond)
Bali Hai
I’m In Love
Wash That Man (Never NEED a man)
Honey Bun (Make me happy)
Give Me the Simple Life (Simplicity)
The Sunnny Side of the Street (Optimism)
The Way You Look Tonight
When You Wish Upon a Star (Faith)
Baby Mine (You can count on me)
Zip a Dee Do Dah (Optimism-Make me happy)
Candle on the Water (You can count on me)
Feelin’ Groovy
Blessed (You’re Special)
A Dream is a Wish (Faith)
Who I Am (Identity)
Love and Forgiveness (Importance of L & F)
My First Child (I love you)
Beautiful Boy (I love you)
Baby Girl (I love you)
Take Our Hearts (God Above All)
Seek Ye First (God Above All)
All I Ever Have to Be (Identity)
Arms of Love (You can count on God, too)
G My Father’s Eyes
B Lollipop (You’re special)
G Brown Eyed Girl (Make me happy)
Just the Way You Are (You’re special)
G She’s Always a Woman (All inclusive-smart-identity-self-reliant)
G She’s Got a Way About Her (You’re special)
B Tell Her About It (Communication)
The Longest Time (I couldn’t wait for you, you’re special, make me happy)
My Life
Good for Me
Baby Baby (I love you)
Galileo (I love you)
Earth Angel
Never Say Never (Optimism)
Highlight of My Life (Make me happy)
Always Tomorrow (Handling life’s curves)
Don’t Worry Be Happy (Optimism)
Splish Splash (Optimism)
B That’s My Baby (You’re special)
B Go West Young Man (Choose Good)
For You (Count on me)
B Let’s Hear It For the Boy (You’re special)
B When You Are a Soldier
Shall We Dance (Optimism)
Good Morning (Optimism)
Singing in the Rain (Optimism)
That’s the Way it Is (Handling Life’s Curves)
B Make em Laugh
I’d Do Anything (Count on me)
Whistle While You Work (Make work fun)
A Wink and a Smile (Parent Bond)
Hold On (Handling life’s curves)
Sixteen Going on Seventeen
My Favorite Things (Handling life’s curves)
I Have Confidence (Confidence)
When You Smile (Make me happy)
Little Miss Magic (You’re special)
Climb Every Mountain (Experience life)
What a Wonderful World
G Wouldn’t It Be Lovely (Hope for future-marriage)
When You’re Alone (Not alone, you can count on me)
Tomorrow’s Child (I believe in you)
You Can Count on Me (You can count on me)
G Punky Brewster (You make me happy among life’s curves)
I’ll Be There For You (You can count on me among life’s curves)
Get Happy (Optimism) Partrige Family
Chim Chim Sheree (Money Doesn’t Buy Happiness)
Little Houses (Money Doesn’t Buy Happyness)
Little Bitty (Optimism-Life is short)
Life’s a Dance (Handling Life’s Curves)

Know you’re special (and that you are different than everyone else, and that’s good)
Keep your wits about you.
Know that things change, but change is good.
Know that moms and Dads should give roots and wings.
Experience life, take chances, have fun!
Know that dreams can come true with time and faith.
Know that you’re a blessing.
Always look on the bright side, be optimistic.
Never NEED a man, just WANT one.
Be self-reliant, confident, and believe in yourself
Know that I believe in you.
Know that I have unconditional love for you.
Know that the simple life is the best life.
Have faith in both yourself and God.
Learn to both love and forgive.
Put God above all.
Know you can count on me.
Be modest.
Know you make me happy.
Find out who you are/ know who you are/ and Don’t be afraid to be who you are
Know that life will always throw you curves, just learn to handle them.
Laugh!
Know you can count on God, too.
Know that communication is the key to all good relationships.
Choose good over bad.
Make work fun.
Know you’re not alone.
Know that money is NOT the key to happiness.

Here are some more that they didn’t make songs about . . .

Know “the tricks of the trade” when it comes to school and business,” but realize that there aren’t any when it comes to heaven.
Manage your time.
Limit your spending.
Make Jesus your best friend.
Don’t dwell on the negative opinions of others.
Take great joy in and have a healthy respect for your sexuality as God’s life-giving gift in the sacrament of marriage.
Don’t be afraid to say no.
But don’t be afraid to say yes.
Know how to laugh at yourself.
Whenever, you’re embarrassed, . . .LAUGH.
Show compassion.
Never lose your inner child. Always be a child at heart. Don’t be afraid to act like a child.
Love people of all colors.
Find the good in and be nice to everyone, even bad people.
Realize you’re still learning, and that you can’t know everything.
Know that the Lord will never find you a suitable mate until you are okay with only God and you.
Know that you CAN make a difference in the world.
Know that things change, but change is good.
Learn to be a good listener, but don’t be afraid to talk.
Never be afraid to introduce yourself and make a new friend.
Stay healthy.
Admit when you’re wrong.
Always ask what Jesus would do.
Take joy in God’s will.
Always Laugh When Your Embarrassed

Baby Names

I guess there’s no other time like the present to talk about the ever-important names that we’ve picked out. If it’s a girl: Leia Rose. If it’s a boy: Dean Gerard/Andrew.
Why Leia Rose? Many reasons.
First, Leia is a variation of Lee . . . and that is very important to the Compare side of the family because Mom mom’s first name was “Libra.” But I would be fooling myself if I didn’t mention the great importance to Star Wars. Princess Leia is the most awesome freedom fighter of our time, not to mention I used to wear my hair like her a lot when I was little. She is a great hero, a strong woman, and someone (we pray) our baby girl will be proud to have as her namesake. Leia is also an absolutely beautiful name in itself. Leia is a variation of Leah from the Bible. In Genesis 29, it says that her eyes were lovely, but still Jacob loved Rachel more. Ironically, because of a case of mistaken identity, she became Jacob’s first wife anyway. The Lord certainly blessed Leah, for “when the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren.” (Well, don’t worry, Leia, you will certainly be loved!) In regards to the actual meaning of the name “Leia,” different baby books say different things (I never liked the ones that said Leia meant “weariness.”) In Hebrew Leia can either mean “gazelle” or “weary” depending on how it’s pronounced. In Assyrian Leia means “mistress” or “ruler.” In Old English Leia means “meadow” (that’s my favorite). The spiritual connotation of “Leia” is “beauty and grace” and her special scripture is Psalm 3:3. “It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of deer, and sets me on my high places.”
Second, Rose is quite significant to my favorite saint, St. Therese the Little Flower because she always sends me roses from heaven as she promised, and this name is in direct honor of her. In addition, I have become quite enamoured with a little-known saint named St. Rose of Viterbo. She was a little virgin saint who loved the Lord so much that she told people about him on the streets of Italy (again echoing our heritage) when she was only twelve-years-old, and even under threat of being beaten. Her response was, “If Jesus could be beaten for me, I can be beaten for Him.” Legend has it that, calling upon Jesus, she was able to raise her aunt from the dead. She was blessed with visions of Mary and predicted the death of the current pope. She longed to join the Franciscan order, but was refused by the abbess. She died at age eighteen, and no one is quite sure why. . . . Perhaps just to see the face of Jesus. In regards to the actual meaning of the name “Rose,” most of the baby books agree. In Latin, “Rose” means “the rose” or “the dew.” The spiritual connotation of “Rose” is “God’s Gracious Gift” and her special scripture is Isaiah 35:1. “The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose.”
Why Dean Gerard/Andrew? Many reasons.
First, Dean is Brian’s middle name and my dad’s first name, so Dean is in honor of both of them. In regards to the actual meaning of the name “Dean,” some of the baby books agree. In Middle English, Dean means “from the forest,” but in Old English Dean means “valley.” I have also read that it means “ruler” in other name books. The spiritual connotation of “Dean” is “prosperous,” and his special scripture is Matthew 12:35. “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things.”
Second, I want desperately for our little boy to have the middle name of Gerard because St. Gerard had so much to do with his conception, but Brian is giving me a hard time. He doesn’t like the name, and thinks it’s too French. (“People will pronounce it hair-AAARD!” he says.) Well, St. Gerard is the patron saint of expectant mothers and I’ve said the prayer for conception many times, . . . and now I’m going to start the one for a safe delivery. St. Gerard was considered a simple “lay brother” because he was rejected for holy orders again and again because of his health, but he was wonderful! Especially in his ministering to young women. He preformed an extraordinary miracle for a woman in childbirth, but I have been unable to find out what the miracle was. In regards to the actual meaning of the name “Gerard,” most of the baby books agree. In Teutonic, “Gerard” means “hard spear,” but in Old German it means “strong” and “powerful.” The spiritual connotation of “Gerard” is “Trusting Heart” and his special scripture is Psalm 138:8. “The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; do not forsake the works of your hands.” (I am incredibly partial to this name! If Brian succeeds in breaking me down, Andrew is in reference to one of the twelve apostles, . . . not too shabby either, I’ll admit.)

Calling Family & Friends

Today held the task of calling all of the extended family and friends of our joyous condition, . . . and no one reacted more jubilantly that day than Me-Maw and Natalie. Me-Maw: for whom this would be her first great grand-baby. Natalie: with whom we’d shared the joys of her two boys through her natural childbirth from great distances.
Also today, I realized that my breasts were incredibly sore. My breasts had some degree of soreness every month before my period, but it was nothing compared to today. The nipples were never sore, in fact I could always pull at them and freak Brian out (because his are so sensitive). Now I know how he feels. The nipple is so tender to the touch that I almost can’t stand it.
As a result, I ran out to the drug store and bought two things: lanolin and (unscented) cocoa butter. The lanolin is to help prepare the nipples for breastfeeding and the cocoa butter was for the elasticity of the abdomen and the prevention of tightness and stretch marks.
It is so strange to be 32 days past my last period and not have another!!!
Later in the day I called my parents at the exact time they called me, ironically, just to say, “It’s so special to feel another little soul in there!” They were as joyful as the previous evening, and so was I, . . . and so was Brian, for when he got home, he took me in his arms and said, “There is nothing more important to me than you and little Dean or little Leia.” My eyes teared.

We're Pregnant!

Today I have been leaping for joy! You are coming into our lives! How special it is to announce our new little Valentine on this special Valentines Day! Today, this Valentines Day, I learned that I was to be your mommy, and I began the labor of love that is this journal that will be held close to my heart as long as I live. How I wish my mom made a journal like this, for there are so many things over the years that, although more precious than gold, are still forgotten.
Brian and I have been trying to get pregnant for only two months now. Because it had taken mom six years (albeit, she was drinking lots of coffee every day, though) we tried to be realistic in that we would have the same type of trouble. Trying not to be pessimistic but at the same time trying not to get excited every month only to be let down yet again.

So began the devout prayers of my mother’s daughter, me, a devout Catholic. Each day I said the Memorare so religiously because in the words of that prayer was a promise, “Remember, Oh most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it know that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, we fly unto thee . . .” I have deep faith in this prayer. What a better way to ask for a child than to ask the holiest mother of all to intercede?

In addition, my ninety-year-old friend Sr. Mary Matthew from Sacred Heart Academy told me a heartwarming story last year about her own mom . . . who prayed and prayed to St. Gerard for a girl in a family of all boys. Sure enough, Sr. Mary Matthew came along! So, she sent me some information and I prayed the special prayer for St. Gerard to “take my fervent prayer to the creator of all life.” Well, he did, Lord bless him, and I REALLY want to name this child with the middle name of Gerard . . . as long as Brian changes his mind. (He thinks the name sounds too French.)

And, of course, there’s my precious St. Therese, the little flower who has sent me flowers in answer to this prayer with me wondering on the other hand when, in which month exactly, this prayer would be answered. It seemed all of heaven was interceeding for me: Grandma Staggers, Grandma Henel, Ree, . . . and of course my heaven on earth: my mom, whose prayers I suspect shoot up to heaven so fast that God stops what he’s doing and listens.
So a few days ago, Brian and I received a suspicious package in the mail declaring “Live Plants! Keep Upright!” We were expecting a phone book, so this large box was a surprise. Upon opening it, we found the most beautiful rose plant we had ever seen with three roses already blooming and four more about to open. I found it peculiar that the roses were so very happy being kept up tight in a box, yet there they sat smiling. An answer from a prayer from Mom and St. Therese. . . . but I must not have been ready or confident enough in faith to fully understand the answer those few days ago.

As the roses continued to bloom, I had begun to feel a bit . . . “different.” I felt a bit flighty sometimes. I was incredibly thirsty quite a bit, in fact, once I felt faint for lack of water . . . that there was no reason for me to really need at that moment. My abdomen also felt strange. I remember cleaning the tub a few days ago, leaning far over my abdomen, and felt for the first time that it didn’t feel like me. “Have I gained more weight?” I thought, exasperated. Then there was the strange sensation of one big cramp-like sensation about once a day. I was used to getting cramps this time of month. My cycles were going 28 days, 31 days, 28 days, 31 days . . . and today was the 31st day: Valentines Day. I couldn’t seem to tell whether what I was feeling was cramps or intestinal trouble or what. I was quite a bit burpy. I kept feeling around my abdomen trying to distinguish what I really thought were cramps. Finally, I decided that my intestines were in a strange sort of uproar where they weren’t really distressed, but something different was going on.

Still, I refused to see the truth for fear of being wrong, until I learned the most definite sign yet.
Yesterday at daily mass I learned that Maureen Woodstrom had died. I had seen her a few times and, although she was never really nice to me, I knew that she was a special lady . . . and I had overheard that she had cancer. Ironically, she seemed bright eyed and ready to help when she came to RCIA (which I was currently helping with also) and to daily mass. Then one day she stopped coming, and Father Phil implored us to please pray for her, that Maureen had been instrumental to his early priesthood. I began praying for this woman, this pillar of the Catholic Faith that I didn’t know. And when I learned of her death, that this pillar of our faith had passed into Jesus’ arms, I just knew . . . and I finally allowed myself to suspect that “when the Lord closes a door, somewhere he opens a window.” That somehow this wonderful Catholic lady had been taken to Jesus’ arms as you have chosen to enter ours in Jesus’ sight. And for that reason, little sweet one, I think that you are a girl.

So, last night I woke up twice under the sheer possibility that there was a baby sent to us from our Lord. And I came home from daily mass this morning in the midst of Lent, saying the Sorrowful Mysteries instead of the Joyous against my better judgement. (I had wanted to say the Joyous mysteries until we got pregnant because of Mary’s wondrous Annunciation.) In a trance, I walked in the door and put on my special music that I sang in the Newman Club at college, specifically “Unto the House of the Lord.” I went into the bathroom and took the test. I watched the line of water move slowly to the right . . . with no line in the first window. So I left the bathroom and sang. I sang the whole first song of the tape in praise to God as I tried to relax. As the song ended and I rewound it, I pressed play for a second time and entered the bathroom to find a distinct two lines in the windows!!! Our Lord had blessed us with you, sweetheart!

I ran around the apartment trying to sing the song, but I sounded more like I was under water. I set a timer on the camera and took a picture of myself at that moment and tears streaming down my face I rushed back to church to fulfill the promise I had made to God, “If you have blessed us with child, I will return today and say those Joyful Mysteries!” I sat there, the only person in church, clutching the pregnancy test that proved the Lord had blessed us with you and said those Joyful Mysteries as best I could, for my mind was racing with new joys. And, at the end, I walked right up to the altar, put my hand where you were growing inside me and said, “My Lord Jesus Christ, I offer this child up to you.”
Now to tell your dad!

Thank goodness I had so many things to do today, or I wouldn’t have been able to make it until Brian came home. Thank goodness he simply sent me a little Star Wars: Episode II Valentine via e-mail, and I responded with a quick love note with little substance on purpose, hoping he didn’t suspect anything. He didn’t. (I mean, I had already told him I felt cramps as usual, so he probably put the whole possibility out of his mind. I sincerely didn’t want to ruin the surprise or deprive myself of seeing his reaction. So, before I left the house to tutor my fourth graders, I wrote a special poem for Brian: one that I had begun months before, but I changed to include the appropriate Valentine theme:

Our Little Valentine

Our early summer burns within
As winter swirls outside,
And how we’ve longed for parenthood
As selflessness abides.

And what a blessed time of year,
This holy feast of Love.
St. Valentine, his soul for Christ,
Martyred, looks from above.

Heaven has heard so many prayers,
They could no more deny.
So, on this very day next year
We’ll have our Valentine.

It makes me smile a secret smile,
Our Valentine to be, . . .
A Child is Born, a Mother’s Heart,
A Father’s Legacy.

I also had a desire to frame it and give it to Brian as a Valentine card (along with the most recent Star Wars book he wanted). So here I was, rushing around Wal Mart trying to find the perfect Valentine frame, which I finally found. I rushed home, printed out the poem and framed it surrounded by a few of St. Therese’s special petals that were one of the first signs of this precious love baby.

Brian came home as usual, except today he was particularly interested in one piece of mail that revealed a maturing three thousand dollar CD. I could hardly contain myself at this point, saying periodically, “Can you open your Valentine present now?” and “How about now?” He was confused to see two gifts because he was only expecting the Star Wars book. I told him, “The second gift beats the heck out of the first one.” That confused him even more. He told me later that he thought it was some cool Star Wars thing at first, but it turned out to be something so much better. . . .

Finally, he opened the framed poem. I was determined not to take my eyes off of his face. He read the title, and his eyes immediately skipped to the bottom, that cheater! : ) I quickly said, “Read it in order, Brian!” He did, but he had already figured it out. He turned to be and said, “Lovie! Are you pregnant?!?” I nodded, and we kissed long and soft.

Now to tell your grandparents!

After we had finished our quiet celebration together, we picked up the phone and called my parents. Mom literally squealed with delight over and over again, . . . exactly the special reaction that I expected from my special mom. And Dad could only say, “This is a great day. . . . This is a great day. . . . This is a great day!” The biggest difference between my parents and Brian’s was that my parents couldn’t wait for this to happen and had no aversion to becoming grandparents, but I heard Brian’s dad mumbling just a few months ago, “I’m just not ready to become a grandfather, yet.” I told him to get ready. Brian’s parents to our great joy reacted in similar jubilation, and we were surprised to find out that their best friends were going to become grandparents in the same month! (I’m sure that helped cushion the blow.)