May 24, 2004
Outnumbered
So the wife is going to have a baby boy. Caleb knew she was pregnant before we did; one day rubbed her flat stomach and asked, "When are you going to have that baby in your belly?" Another embarrassing trip to CVS later, and we had our answer, namely that this year we are going to finally be outnumbered in our own house, and that the ringleader is destined to be either a psychic or an obstetrician.
But this was only part of our answer, because as regular readers can well understand, we were hoping to have a little girl again. There were some tears when a recent sonogram showed another little boy, and guilt over shedding the tears. We spent the following weekend watching the boys play in the back yard, and being reminded of the sweetness that underlies their sweat and lunacy. Any child is a blessing, even though we had different plans, even though we bought a little pink dress because we were so sure this one was a girl, even though we had chosen her name.
Any child is a blessing, we know this when they look up at us in their delicate, vulnerable state and see us as their world, a response out of all proportion to anything we deserve. And for a time they are ours, and it is an interlude filled with love and sacrifice and frustration that we wouldn't trade for anything. Those little boys are precious, and I'm glad to add another to their number.
Now there is the matter of the naming. We started a trend, or rather Caroline did, when she told us she wanted the brother she wouldn't see to be named Stephen. We liked the name "Caleb," and so he became Stephen Caleb. The next one was Timothy Eli, the first name to honor the wife's dead father, the second because we liked it. Two boys with a New Testament, Old Testament name, each called by the second one (though Caleb often gets called "Stephen" when he is in trouble, which is probably less than prudence dictates, but more than he would prefer). We feel a bit like those parents whose first names begin with the same letter, and who think it will be cute to give each of their children a name beginning with that letter as well. At some point it isn't so cute, but you're locked in.
We may break bold new ground, however -- very bold, if Caleb has his way. "What should we name your new little brother?" I asked him yesterday.
"Hmm," he replied. "I think Isaac, or Fluffy."
Isaac Fluffy Woodlief.
We may have to get Caleb a rabbit, or perhaps a kitten. He is stubborn and persistent enough to have this new one answering to "Fluffy," if he sets his mind to it. Sometimes good parenting consists of channeling natural childhood inclinations into the right places.
Come to think of it, that's probably true for all of us.
Posted by Woodlief on May 24, 2004 at 08:45 AM
Congratulations! May God Bless you and your family; may your wife have an easy pregnancy and delivery; may this child bring you and your family great joy and happiness!
Posted by: Tom K at May 24, 2004 9:15 AM
I knew that there was another baby coming -- I'm so glad things seem to be going well and that you're getting used to the idea of another little boy. I do feel a bit sorry for Celeste with all that testosterone around, but I get the feeling she can handle herself quite well.
Best wishes!
Posted by: Jordana at May 24, 2004 10:43 AM
A big and hearty congratulations to all of you from this corner, Tony. That's just awesome. It's funny, just recently I wondered if you'd wanted to have more kids, and of course thought it'd be great if you could have another little girl. Maybe it's better this way, though, without any sense of stepping into Caroline's shoes. Or maybe not. What do I know anyway?
In any case time to switch to a zone. And congratulations, again!
Posted by: Jeff Brokaw at May 24, 2004 12:09 PM
Posted by: Palmer Haas at May 24, 2004 2:02 PM
Tony,
Felicitations all around! What great news!
We are expecting our first in September and have been blessed by, brought to tears by and giggled insanely at some of your postings on family life. Thank you for sharing the bits of your life that you post here.
Peace be with you!
Todd W
Matt 10:28-33
Posted by: Todd W at May 24, 2004 5:37 PM
Congratulations! I'm envious (in a good way).
Posted by: Sandee at May 24, 2004 5:39 PM
Oh what wonderful news!
My best to your whole family, Tony.
Posted by: Athena at May 24, 2004 6:26 PM
Congratulations all around. That's what happens when you ask children with wonderful brains questions----they answer you. Too lovely. I think I have a crush on that child.
Posted by: Katherine at May 24, 2004 10:30 PM
Buy Caleb a kitten . . . .
Having grown up with 4 brothers I can just about guarantee that your new one will be called Fluffy!
Congratulations - I am so very happy for you!
And I can't wait to read all of your posts about the Littlest Master Woodlief.
Posted by: MoJo at May 24, 2004 11:54 PM
i heard somewhere that issac means laughter ... and i think that would be appropriate, given all the personality he is destined to have.
best wishes!
Posted by: kate at May 25, 2004 12:10 AM
Congratulations :)
from another fan of your musings on family life
Posted by: Sarah at May 25, 2004 7:24 AM
Posted by: John at May 25, 2004 9:52 AM
I'll join in the congratulations party, as well as praise God for the blessing of another life. May the Lord watch over the new life growing in her and may He help deliver another Woodlief into the world.
(PS You may already know this, but if you're getting serious about getting a cat you should wait until after the baby is born. There is supposedly some nasty bugs/diseases in a used litter box that can affect unborn babies.)
Posted by: MarcV at May 25, 2004 12:35 PM
Congratulations. God's blessings on y'all.
Posted by: Stuart Buck at May 27, 2004 5:52 PM
Posted by: TulipGirl at May 28, 2004 1:00 AM
Congratulations, Tony & Celeste. New baby Woodlief is a blessed child indeed.
Posted by: susanna at May 28, 2004 6:42 PM
Wonderful news- brings a tear to my eye.
your friend,
Ann
Mama to four boys
Posted by: Ann S. at June 11, 2004 5:21 PM
We just had our first baby boy in February. Ain't nuthin' better in life... Wonderful news and many congrats!
Posted by: robyn at June 24, 2004 11:19 PM
