Aug 9
2007
It’s a boy?
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!
2007
4:29 pm
Jon,
I am so excited about your little boy:) I know you and Colleen will be great parents. Give her hugs for me. What are you up to these days? Still at the chapel? I am going to start school in a couple of weeks to get my masters in special ed, not that my BA is in teaching but I’ve been working for a virtual charter school for the past year and half in the special ed dept and love working in it. Anyway not too much here, I will keep the 3 of you in my prayers for a safe and healthy little boy. Bye, Jess
2007
8:27 pm
JP,
This is Ellie’s second pregnancy. I continue to be perplexed by a parallel sort of inquiry that you are getting. Around here everyone asks “what do you think you’re having?” I find this question completely out of bounds, not because it assumes that I want one sex and not the other, but because it assumes that I have a sort of omniscience I patently do not have. Why does it matter what I THINK we’re having when there’s no way for me to know until the sound waves tell us? No one ought to be allowed to “think” they’re having something when there is absolutely no non-old wives’ tale testimony of any sort one way or the other.
Interesting reflections on “control.” For us, life really seemed in our control until that plus sign showed up. It’s really hard to imagine being in the driver’s seat of our lives any more. We just plain aren’t. I didn’t want that, but now I can’t imagine it any other way.
Ellie’s got a song on her forthcoming record, the words of which I penned to try and capture this feeling. Ellie came up with a really cool groove and melody that is appropriately military. It’s called “What You’re Made Of”
What a glorious intrusion
Has pulled my calendar from the wall
Years and months and days they’ll all gladly wait
All my big ideas are so small
What a welcome invasion
Has overthrown my citadel
Was no matter of persuasion
Just the ringing of a bell
That says it’s Time, it’s time to see what you’re made of…
And to make it all over again
You’re my grand re-constitution
My whole portrait to redraw
You’re my bloodless revolution
Making hey of all you saw
2007
9:57 pm
jonathan,
WOW congratulations on being pregnant!! Words cannot express the expereince. I am dumfounded every day when I discover how much my boys really mean to me, and what an amazing responcibility I have been given to raise them. Yet in the same moments I feel the weight of the responicibility, I expereince joy beyond measure. You will love it! congratulations!
Derrak
2007
3:24 pm
Jon, congrats on being pregnant. that’s so awesome and crazy at the same time. a guy being pregnant… who would have thought. Coleen must be so proud!!
ha ha
jk
love ya bro
2007
11:53 pm
Congrats! I’m so excited for you two! A baby son! How awesome is our God! :)