The Cat's in the cradle

So, in the holiday rush, and the busy days following, I have forgotten to share some things. And, it is about time for another update on the KID. I am officially in the adoption pool, which means I sit with other potential parents in a book. Birthfamilies get to read the book and say, "I like this one or I like that one." Then if that happens, they look at your bio book (which I must say for me, looks rather cool - I think I would make a great read). If they still like you, then, you and the birthfamily meet - to close the deal (although, remember, until you have the KID in your hands, it's not yours yet). Then you bond with the birthfamily until you get the call, "She's in labor." Like any other parent, you will rush out of the house forgetting something important, get pulled over on the way to the airport, and sit between a drunk priest and new age minister (don't laugh, this happened on the way to England when I gave up my real seat to make sure that newlyweds could sit together).

So until that time, I think about the KID and what it will be like. But I can't call the kid KID for his or her whole life. I have settled on "Benjamin Adam" as a boy's name. However, I just can't come up with a good girl's name. I love "Grace" and I love "Helena" (no influence from My Chemical Romance, I swear). I also like "Abigail" or "Jude." However, here are the names other people have suggested: Megan (blech), Jennifer (because no one else uses THAT name), Penelope (thereby ensuring that she will be a librarian or an accountant), and Carolyn (NO!). Obviously, I am hoping for a boy. Little Ben or "Girl to be named" will probably hope for a different dad.

Baby Showers!!!! Okay, these sound like a "woman" thing to have. Your girl friends get together, buy you things for the baby (sometimes, expensive things), you have cake, coffee, and an alcoholic beverage or too, and you laugh. Where is the girly part? I want free baby stuff (kids are darned expensive). I can laugh. I like alcoholic beverages. So, my friends are gung ho on this idea (yes, even the guy friends). Baby Illini gear is fine with me (www.folletts.com). Also, some of my colleagues at the courthouse want to have a shower (lawyers have disposable income). The courthouse staff wants in - since the baby's gender is unknown, pick clothes in blue or yellow (blue is a great color for either gender, so stop with the hangups). I think people should throw a shower for people for all kinds of occasions. Who doesn't like free stuff?

This weekend was baby weekend for me. My college roommate TJ (although he is going by "Tim" now) and his husband Brian brought their little tyke (my godson Aaron) into town, not to see me specifically, but I got to see them. We had a great time and I thought, I can do this parent thing, even though the good comes with some bad. Aaron likes to grab at anything at toddler level, which in my house includes the fireplace poker, etc. Father lesson #1. Aaron likes to throw things in the toilet and flush (I needed a new toothbrush anyways). Father lesson #2. Aaron will fall asleep to the Veggie Tales. Father lesson #3. On Sunday, after that great game where the Bears marched to the Super Bowl, my friends Kelly and Chris brought their daughter Izzy (my unofficial goddaughter) to see me. She is two months old and cries like a banshee. Father lesson #4. But get this, they dropped her into my arms - she fell asleep, mom fell asleep, and dad watched mindless tv. I have a gift.

So anyways, I am rambling on about the baby thing, so leave a comment and let me know what you want my next blog to be about . . .