Dear readers, it’s time for me to come clean. For almost two months now, I’ve been hacking away at my keyboard on a daily basis, typing blog post after blog post about random, miscellaneous topics — events in my life, stories in the news, etc. — without telling y’all about the one thing that’s really been on the top of my personal “breaking news” list, the one bit of information that I’ve wanted to shout from the rooftops from the moment I learned it, the one fact that’s been totally dominating my consciousness since April 30 at approximately 12:30 PM. Namely:
BECKY AND I ARE EXPECTING A BABY!!!
We’re at about 13 weeks. That means we’re almost into the second trimester. Yesterday, we went to see an OB/GYN for Becky’s first major check-up, and we now have an official due date: December 31. That’s right — New Year’s Eve. Heh. Woohoo!
Among other things, at yesterday’s appointment, we got to hear our baby’s heartbeat for the first time. That was, needless to say, very cool. In fact, “very cool” doesn’t even come close to describing it. Naturally, I whipped out my digital camera in the doctor’s office and used it to make an audio clip:
That heartbeat, that’s our baby! I mean, I helped make that! And it’s inside Becky right now! How amazing is that?
(By the way, if you’re wondering — since everyone seems to ask this — yes, we do plan to learn the sex of the baby in advance. But it’s too early right now. We’ve got an ultrasound scheduled for August 13, so hopefully we’ll find out then.)
Much more after the jump.
We’ve known we’re pregnant since, as I mentioned, April 30 at approximately 12:30 PM. I remember it vividly: I had just published this blog post, and was in the process of proofreading it, when Becky walked into the kitchen and, with her index finger, silently beckoned me into the bathroom. She then used that same index finger to point at the blue “+” on the home pregnancy test she’d just taken. And in that moment, my life — our lives — changed forever.
Finding out you’re going to be a father for the first time is, I imagine, a pretty overwhelming experience under just about any circumstances. Finding it out when you’re in the middle of finishing two term papers and preparing for your last round of law-school finals? Heh. Yeah, I had a very interesting first two weeks of May. :) I felt a bit like an Alzheimer’s patient, actually, as I would keep “forgetting” and then “remembering” that we were going to have a baby. Not that I would ever literally forget, of course, but I would get so engrossed in my studies that I wouldn’t be thinking about anything else — and of course the fact of the pregnancy hadn’t really fully sunk in yet — so every few minutes, I’d look up from my studies, start thinking about non-law-related stuff again, and it would hit me like a brand-new piece of information: We’re pregnant! Sitting in the law library finishing my 78-page Electoral College paper on May 1, I think I must have texted Becky some variation of the message “We’re gonna have a baby” like a half-dozen times.
Needless to say, we are very excited about this new adventure — about starting our family — about bringing a new life into the world.
At this point, I think it would be appropriate to flash back to our wedding almost a year-and-a-half ago, when Becky’s siblings teased us about… well… see for yourself:
Heh. :) Well, I can’t make any promises about the hair color, but we’re doing our best to “make it happen!”
There are so many different aspects of this news that I scarcely know what to say about it, now that I finally can. There have been countless times in the last seven weeks when I’ve wanted to blog something that’s either directly or indirectly related to the pregnancy, but haven’t been able to because I didn’t want to give anything away. For example, I didn’t write a review of Knocked Up — even though I liked it a lot — because it would have been nearly impossible for me to discuss my reaction to that movie without talking about it in the context of the fact that we’re expecting a baby too. Or, as another example, remember my birthday tribute to Becky last week, when I looked back on where we were as couple at each of her birthdays since I’ve known her? Well, you can easily imagine now what I really wanted to say about the true significance of her 25th birthday!
Anyway, having a baby (obviously) has massive implications for literally every aspect of our lives. I won’t even try to outline them all right now; that would be crazy. But there’s one I probably should discuss a bit: the impact on this here blog.
What, and how much, will we blog about the pregnancy? What, and how much, will we blog about the baby, once he/she is born? And will those questions, or at least the second one, be rendered moot by the reality that, as a new dad with a new job, I will have drastically reduced amount of free time in which to blog?
With regard for the first two questions, we’ll be playing them by ear to some extent, but the short answer is that we probably won’t be blogging about this stuff as much as you might think. There’s been some good-natured teasing around here in the past, looking ahead to the hypothetical day when Becky and I have kids and speculating along the lines that I’ll probably liveblog the delivery minute-by-minute, post 20 baby pictures a day, and set up a live webcast to show the baby’s first steps. :) Well, I’ll tell you right now: that’s not going to happen. It’s one thing to willingly broadcast many aspects of my own life to the whole world, but the rules change when a child is involved. That’s not to say I won’t post any baby pictures (are you kidding?) or write about the kid at all in this space (again, get real!), but I do intend to be cautious, and probably more reticent than many of my readers might imagine.
In any event, this is something Becky and I will ponder and decide together, every step of the way. It’ll be a tightrope, and we’ll do our best to walk it. But whereas I’ve sometimes erred on the side of (arguably) too much exposure when walking that tightrope in my own life, I’ll be much more likely to err on the side of less exposure with regard to the baby.
One thing we will probably do is follow the lead of Glenn Reynolds and many other prominent bloggers who, when they talk about their children on their blogs, don’t use the kids’ real names, but instead use some sort of nickname. Glenn, for example, calls his 11-year-old “the Insta-Daughter.” I haven’t thought of a catchy blog-nickname yet for the IrishTrojanSon or IrishTrojanDaughter — suggestions are welcome! — but I think I will probably go that route, just to prevent the kid from being easily, instantly Google-able starting at infancy.
As for the third question I posed earlier, about the impact of my inevitably diminishing free time on the future of the blog, I really don’t know the answer to that; frankly, it’s a bridge I’ll cross when I come to it. Certainly, my daily blog-man-hours will have to be drastically curtailed, but I hope to keep this joint up and running in some capacity. Guestbloggers may have a greater role. We’ll see.
These are all things that I’m thinking about, along with about a million other side-issues. (For example: would we rather have the first baby of the New Year, or the tax deduction that would come with having the baby in 2007? Hehe.) But they’re very much secondary to what really matters: that we’re going to have a baby. Baby! Whee!!
I think that’s all I have to say about this for now. Obviously, I’ll have plenty more to say in the coming months. :) For now, I’m going to go add some new countdowns to my sidebar…
P.S. Stay tuned for a baby pool, coming soon in a new post. The object of the game will be to come closest to guessing the delivery date and time. (Believe it or not, this is Becky’s idea, not mine.)
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Categories: Our baby
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June 23rd, 2007 at 12:24:04 pm
I notice you have a few new items on the sidebar. :)
Congrats!
June 23rd, 2007 at 12:54:30 pm
Leanna and Joe say:
oxo xox
June 23rd, 2007 at 12:55:26 pm
Thanks, Grandma & Grandpa Loomer/Loy. :)
June 23rd, 2007 at 12:56:22 pm
Maybe it should be “Nana Loomer” and “Grandpa Loy,” just to differentiate from my grandparents. ;)
June 23rd, 2007 at 12:56:48 pm
Leanna and Joe add:
(I wrote this part and of course I put it in BRACKETS):
SMILE
June 23rd, 2007 at 1:00:57 pm
Leanna and Joe say:
Or possible PAPA Loy. Dad does have right of succession. (And there have been TWO of them so far, you may recall.)
:)
oxo xox
June 23rd, 2007 at 1:09:57 pm
Yeah, but then when I talk to our kid[s?] about my Papa Loy, I’d have to say “pAH-pAH,” with extra emphasis, like Dad always does when referring to his Papa Loy, in order to distinguish. Not sure if I could get used to that.
But I suppose Papa Loy and Nana Loomer does have a certain ring to it. :)
June 23rd, 2007 at 1:11:58 pm
Congrats! That’s awesome.
One of my life ambitions is to be a Dad - gotta go find the girl first, though. ;)
June 23rd, 2007 at 1:24:30 pm
Congratulations!
June 23rd, 2007 at 1:33:42 pm
Wonderful news! Congrats!
June 23rd, 2007 at 1:36:14 pm
Congratulations! I’ve been waiting for this news to get out on the blog. I’ve been careful not to make any comments that might give it away, but now I can say all I want about it. And while I’m sure you won’t live blog the delivery (Please, for the love of God and all our sakes, especially Becky’s, don’t do it!), I wouldn’t be surprised to see 20 new baby pictures a day. This is you we’re talking about here. When I was born, my father was taking so many pictures of me that he was taking a new roll to work everyday, till someone finally said to him, “How much can a baby change in an hour?” Somehow I think I’ll find myself saying the same to you. ;)
June 23rd, 2007 at 1:44:15 pm
OGJ [Old Gran’daddy Joe :] says:
Granny &
GrumpsGramps :) have had certain Rings to us for Lo these 30 years & whereas it’s already been All Worthwhile, this makes it all the muchMore so. :)Mandatorily-delayed :> public Congratulations to you
twothree. This is gonna be one verylucky New Kiddoe, to have such an excellent pair o’ parents.(Congrats also to GrandMumZ & Grandpa Ted, on this their 2nd Grand Time around :)
June 23rd, 2007 at 1:59:27 pm
CONGRATULATIONS Brendan and Becky !!!!
Very Wonderful News !!!
Uncle Larry and Aunt Patty
June 23rd, 2007 at 2:59:42 pm
Thanks for the congrats, everybody. :)
Lisa, I will most definitely take about a thousand baby pictures a day. The only question is how many of them I’ll blog. :)
June 23rd, 2007 at 3:27:36 pm
wow, wow, wow. This is amazing! Congrats Becky and Brendan, I’m so unbelievably happy for you. :)
I can’t wait for the endless stream of baby pics to start, and I can’t believe how far away December sounds, but again, Congrats, this is spectacular news.
And, Brendan, it’s stunning that you were able to keep this off the blog for as long as you did, that may actually be more surprising than the news itself, Daddy Loy. :)
Becky, have you had any weird cravings?
June 23rd, 2007 at 3:28:01 pm
I’m hoping (for his/her sake) that the parents’ respective affiliations with SC will cancel each other out, leading the child to choose ASU/ND over all other schools—or perhaps both!
Congrats!
BK
ASU, ‘03
ND, ‘07
June 23rd, 2007 at 3:47:05 pm
Lets start a pool for delivery date!
My guess is December 28th - my birthday :)
CONGRATULATIONS Brendan and Becky!
My only suggestion for now is to enjoy the peace and quiet!
(((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))
June 23rd, 2007 at 3:48:19 pm
Congrats.
Now all you need to do is buy a house, and you’re pretty much done.
;-)
Or as Al Bundy might say:
I’m married with children, I’ll never bee free.
June 23rd, 2007 at 3:59:52 pm
GrandMumZ & Grandpa Ted
I think you mean Babcia & Dziadzia. :)
June 23rd, 2007 at 4:00:25 pm
Oh, and Toni, don’t worry, there will be a pool. See my P.S. above. :)
June 23rd, 2007 at 4:12:37 pm
CONGRATS BRENDAN!!!
June 23rd, 2007 at 4:16:36 pm
Congratulations!
June 23rd, 2007 at 4:32:53 pm
Congrats Brendan, that’s really great news.
Now, I honestly think it is only fair that you allow us, your loyal readers, to vote on the name.
I pick: Roy (regardless of sex)
June 23rd, 2007 at 4:35:51 pm
How about refering to the baby as Moon Unit? Congratulations!
June 23rd, 2007 at 4:49:46 pm
Congratulations to you and the missus, Brendan.
Christmas, New Year’s, wedding anniversary and the first-born’s birthday … never let it be said the Loy household doesn’t send the year out in style.
June 23rd, 2007 at 5:05:02 pm
“I think you mean Babcia & Dziadzia. :)”
Why of Course I do, silly me, so forgetful, beg pardon / Look, don’t tell Bubbe of my goof, she’d kick my tucchus.
Love,
~ Dhaideo :)
June 23rd, 2007 at 5:11:26 pm
I’m hoping (for his/her sake) that the parents’ respective affiliations with SC will cancel each other out, leading the child to choose ASU/ND over all other schools—or perhaps both!
Why would you want them to choose an inferior school? And sorry SC blood is a multiplicative property, two parents only makes the connection stronger.
June 23rd, 2007 at 5:21:28 pm
Congratulations, I’m so happy for you both! (:
June 23rd, 2007 at 5:33:55 pm
We won’t pressure our child to go to any particular college. As long as it isn’t UCLA. :)
June 23rd, 2007 at 6:14:14 pm
On April 26 you wrote about it being your last class and I replied:
I don’t think it’s your last class. In fact you’ll probably be taking a class with Becky! [hint: Lamaze].
Nadine — Thursday, April 26, 2007 @ 1:39:18 pm
I knew four days before you and Becky did!!:)
And I live on the other side of the country.
Congratulations!
June 23rd, 2007 at 7:21:58 pm
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!
June 23rd, 2007 at 7:29:36 pm
congrats!!
June 23rd, 2007 at 7:53:26 pm
Very Cool and much congrats. It’ll one of the best things in your life.
June 23rd, 2007 at 8:20:30 pm
Congratulations to the two of you!
June 23rd, 2007 at 8:50:39 pm
Congratulations to both - Brendan & Becky!
Uncle Rick
June 23rd, 2007 at 9:13:02 pm
Congrats Becky and Brendan! Our family is excited about your family!
The lucky kiddo’s name, regardless of sex will most definitely be: Truman.
June 23rd, 2007 at 9:45:38 pm
Congratulations Brendan and Becky!
I noticed you do alot of Potter blogging so I thought I’d mention that your baby is due on Voldemort’s birthday.
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:07:11 pm
Congrats Brendan & Becky! That’s very exciting. And, you might want to re-think UCLA, especially if you are footing the bill!
Don’t forget to do everything Becky wants you to do until December - it’s only fair! :)
June 23rd, 2007 at 11:12:18 pm
Congratulations. What a wonderful addition to the journey the two of you are on at this time.
June 23rd, 2007 at 11:30:22 pm
Congratulations!
You’ll make great parents!
June 24th, 2007 at 1:22:45 am
OMG!!! That is such great news! Congratulations - your baby will have wonderful parents. I’m tearing up now…
June 24th, 2007 at 2:44:14 am
Congrats!
Please don’t liveblog any toilet training…
June 24th, 2007 at 3:03:46 am
Bea and I are leaving Colombia in a few hours, but we just wanted to publicly congratulate you guys now that we’re allowed to talk. :-)
Our vote for the birth date and time is the same day and the same time as you and Becky were officially pronounced man and wife. You would probably better be able to approximate the exact time that occurred than we would. ;-)
June 24th, 2007 at 11:53:43 am
Congrats to the both of you
If you think your life has changed now the Becky is expecting, you don’t know the half of it. The REAL change is when they hand you your first child (it’s NOT as dramatic with the later ones), and it hits you.. “I’m a father…”
June 24th, 2007 at 1:11:59 pm
Congratulations!
June 24th, 2007 at 3:38:31 pm
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!
June 24th, 2007 at 4:30:07 pm
Congratulations, Brendan and Becky, on your Tennessee baby! Those are the best kind, you know. ;) That’s one beautiful sounding heartbeat. Is it just me or was it beating in time to “Rocky Top”? hee!
Best wishes to you both!
June 24th, 2007 at 6:18:10 pm
I vote for the young Loy to be another FABULOUS Christmas baby! Those christmas kids always turn out to be amazing, wonderful, etc etc.. :) I just listened to the heartbeat approximately 30 times. AWWWW!
June 24th, 2007 at 10:24:20 pm
Congratulations Brendan and Becky. There is nothing quite like the joy a new baby brings. I think you’ll get plenty of great parenting advice and support from your blog community.
June 25th, 2007 at 3:04:11 am
Congratulations mommy and daddy Loy. And, wow, Andrew and Bea just caught up to you and now you’re putting the pressure on again. :-)
June 25th, 2007 at 9:29:25 am
Congrats!
June 25th, 2007 at 10:05:46 am
[…] To Brendan Loy and his wife Becky, who are expecting a baby in December ! […]
June 25th, 2007 at 10:27:57 am
Congrats, as a father of two boys, I can tell you it is both the greatest and most challenging thing I have ever or will ever do. Enjoy every moment. Mine are 14 and 11 now and time does literally fly past. I remember the day I found out I was going to be a father for the first time and thanks for allowing me to relive that emotion in your writing.
June 26th, 2007 at 8:34:10 am
Just read this…congrats!
June 26th, 2007 at 12:51:34 pm
Congrats!
July 19th, 2007 at 5:09:09 pm
Sorry it took me so long to post on this, but the first thing that I pictured in my mind was the world being populated by a slew of red-headed nerds all giving telling me to “Live Long and Proper”, complete with Harry Potter wands tucked away in their belts and each wearing the One Ring on their fingers.
Absolutely amazing, Brendan. You’re going to make a great dad.
July 19th, 2007 at 5:19:43 pm
… Or you’ll give the kid a light saber and start wearking a black mask with a voice-output device recorded by James Earl Jones (This is CNN).
July 23rd, 2007 at 3:44:10 pm
Belated congratulations!
We were on vacation when you posted your news
and I’ve been catching up with some backed-up
blog reading. :)
Best wishes,
Laura (a USC Mom who enjoys your site)