Somebody Else's Problem

Life the Universe and Everything is The third book of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy "trilogy." It's probably my favorite of the five books. In this book, Douglas Adams describes a cloaking device known as an S.E.P. (Somebody Else's Problem). Actual invisibility, says the book, is expensive and nearly impossible. An S.E.P. relies on people's natural tendency to ignore things they're not ready to believe. In order to spot an S.E.P. you need to catch it by surprise, out of the corner of your eye.

The first question people ask when we tell them that we didn't know Kelly was pregnant is "how could you not know?" The answer is S.E.P. We weren't looking for it. The newest birth control pills keep women off their cycle for three months and the shots can last even longer!

Kelly had morning sickness and she thought it was a flu bug because people around her at work were getting sick. She also overlooked her elevated body temperature and headaches for the same reason. She'd even commented to me that her pants weren't fitting anymore. Neither are mine, so we both assumed that we'd been building up to our Winter weights again.

There are a few more personal details to this story. I'll leave out the graphic details because Kelly isn't screening this. I'm sure she'll gladly talk about these things ad-nauseum with any female readers of this blog.

After we found out, Kelly was checking herself in the mirror. She asked me if I'd noticed a symptom of pregnancy that one of her books mentioned. She didn't see it, but I laughed and said I'd noticed a week or two ago. I almost said something at the time, but I thought I was just imagining it. Had I said something, though, neither of us would've known what it meant.

Telling the Parents

Obviously, after blogging about this baby on the internet we couldn't wait long to tell our parents.

Kelly called her mother the next day. Kelly's mom probably won't remember hearing the news, so we can pretty much skip her part of the story.

Over the weekend we told my parents in person. Kelly didn't want me to call them first. So, when my dad came by the house I told him that we now have a deadline for house projects and we showed him the ultrasound. Later on, I jokingly asked my dad if he remembered how many electrical outlets we've installed in this house. We agreed that I might want to buy outlet plugs in bulk at Sam's Club.

I used the housework deadline to break the ice with my mom, too. I think she's really excited to be a grandma. That's somewhat of a shock, because every other event in my life seems to have required a lecture. I think that she's really been starting to wonder if any of her three boys was going to start a family.

As we've been telling people, Kelly has been taking all the responses very personally. I think that people just don't know what to say when you spring big news on them. We haven't had any time to prepare ourselves, much less everyone else for this! I know that we're all excited, though. That's what's important.

The waiting is the hardest part, right? I'm determined to make these next few months fly by, so we can get on with the good stuff. There's no sense in getting all worked up. We will make mistakes, but we'll be ready. I can already see that the hardest part is going to be keeping all the baby names I don't like off the list. :)

The Look

You've probably already read my long explanation of yesterday's events. Believe it or not, I left a lot out. Those of you with kids already know what I mean.

One thing in particular that will stick with me is "the look." When your woman is about to tell you she's having your baby you'll know it before she opens her mouth, trust me.

There wasn't much doubt in my mind what I was about to hear. I think she was a little disappointed because I didn't say much. Under normal circumstances, she probably would've been all over me for having no reaction to big news. I guess when the news is big enough it's ok to be speechless, huh?

Honestly, I was waiting for the next bomb shell to drop. Judging by the look on her face, I figured there was going to be a string of information for me to process. When there wasn't anymore for her to say, I was a bit surprised.

Note to the guys: the first thing that comes to mind in this situation should probably not be said out loud. You're best off keeping your mouth shut. That way you might fool her into thinking you're just being cool and collected.

Welcome

Kelly wants to keep track of our latest adventure. I misunderstood and thought she meant we should chronicle it publicly.

So, welcome to the "baby blog" of Subject to Change. If you want all the insider info on our latest addition, look for it here first!