Everything is going to change...

The wife is pregnant. She is about 19 weeks along, give or take a few days. I/we have waited to tell everyone for a few reasons. First, we wanted to wait until she was at least out of the first trimester. There is a much higher chance of miscarriage/problems during that time so we wanted to wait until we were out of those woods. It would be difficult to tell people and be all excited and then have to explain if something were to happen. We did not want to go through that nor put anyone else through that. Holly is doing very well and is very healthy, as is the child.

Second, it was/is kind embarrassing to talk about. There is only one place babies come from and we did not really want to discuss that with other people. I am sure you understand. Our reproductive life is really no one's business.

And finally, we agreed to take a pretty religious approach to it. It was mainly my doing but she agreed. From the Jewish faith (which I am not but respect greatly) there is such a thing as not presuming on God's will. Any time I refer to the would-be child I use the phrase, "God willing." It is not a superstitious thing, it is a religious thing. I do not want to speak or act in such a way that presumes on God's will. As such, we are not discussing names with anyone else and we are not accepting gifts from anyone until right before or after it is born, God willing, depending on the gift. I know this may sound weird or cold but it is not. I find it very liberating, actually. Also, we do not have a very big house and we would not have a place to store it before the child is born, God willing. People like to smile and say, "well, I am going to give you a gift for the baby anyway." Why? Why do you not want to honor our wishes regarding our child? Just like with our wedding, people tried to horn in and tell us how to do it. Why, is it your wedding? Are you having the baby? Please, let us do what we think is best for us and do not tell us what we ought to do. Thank you. Oh, we are not going to find out the sex, either. We like surprises.

So, there you go. Just to recap: Holly is about 19 weeks pregnant, she is doing very well, we will not learn the sex, please do not buy us anything until we ask for it.

Thank you.

One Pissed-off Hobbit