We are so psyched! I’m going to have a son!

It’s all finally sinking in now, too. Up to this point the whole experience has been rather surreal. It’s hard to imagine what parenting will be like, but now my imagination is taking shape. Not that I’m planning my child’s life out or anything. Simply, that I can start to see what could unfold.

But within all the excitement, I’ve been perplexed by some reactions…

Before finding out the gender, I can’t count how many times I was asked, “So what do you want to have?” Hey, I appreciate people’s curiosity and all, but that seemed odd. It is only me? I wasn’t quite sure how to answer except, “Uh, whatever comes out?”

Even after finding out, a friend asked, “So is it what you wanted?”

“Uh, sure, since I wanted whatever I got, I guess so.”

Now, I’m a science fiction buff and read my fair share of modern apocalyptic literature. I know that it’s fully possible that we will be capable of tailoring our children anyway we want…from the gender to the eye color. Not that I think that’s a good idea (or brave), but I could imagine these questions making sense in that kind of a world.

But in the here and now, it’s got me thinking about the unknown and watching life unfold with the same enthusiasm of watching a good movie. You know, the kind that isn’t so cheesy that you know how it will end in the first five minutes.

I have no control over this child. We didn’t have control over when he would be conceived (well we did, but didn’t want to :-)). We don’t have control over his fetal development (other than keeping Colleen healthy). And we certainly won’t be able to control him when he’s born. This is a wild card in our life. We may have input and influence, but we take what we get. And I’m content with that.

Bring him on!