Friday, November 9, 2007

Coming Clean

I have to be honest with you. I have been keeping something from my dear readers.

I picked up a little more than a tan and some pottery when I was in Thailand. I got a very special little souvenir. One that will be running my life for the next 18 years at least.

Yes, I am in the family way.

Because, "Hey," we said to ourselves, "our lives are getting a little boring. What can we do to really spice things up? How about raising a baby in sub-Saharan Africa? That sounds fun!"

Actually, we are thrilled. Yes, a little freaked out about how we will manage on a contract-based career, but I was raised in hippie-Seattle in the 70s, where what didn't kill a kid only made him stronger. Like running around the streets naked (they've got plenty of that here), playing with matches unsupervised, and chewing on lead-paint toys. If I survived all that, I'm sure this baby will do just fine. That's what malaria nets are for.

So, details, you ask? Well, I'm due in mid-April, we have no idea if it's a boy or a girl, but it's big and healthy so far, and we're hoping to have the baby in the U.S., insurance permitting. I get a generous six months of maternity leave, then we will probably return to Malawi for another year, although that's not fully decided yet.

If it's a boy, Jorge wants to name it Tonka. I said no. He nixed my suggestion of Aramis (the bookish, sensitive Musketeer, in case you're not a Dumas fan), so we are at an impasse. If you know my husband and me, you will know that coming to an agreement on anything is usually a long battle of wills, so this should really be an interesting few months.

I think my greatest success so far is keeping my mother-in-law from rubbing oil on my stomach every night. South Americans have no sense of boundaries. ;-)

16 comments:

Katie said...

I'm SOOOO excited for YOU GUYS!!!! Thailand has that effect on people....three of my friends that live here are all due to have their first baby at the end of December or early January. There is definitely something in the water here....good thing I just drink beer! :)

I'm very excited for you guys, and I know Miriam is too! I'm sure she'll keep me posted. I'll be praying for a healthy, happy baby and mama too. (by default, I guess I should pray for Jorge also...:) )

Miriam said...

Yes you know I'm excited too! hey to make you feel better Tampa told me the other day that if we have a baby he wants to name it Oseitutu, I said no I don't think so, and so he said he would compromise and call it Tutu instead. We could have kids named Tonka and Tutu!!

Anonymous said...

I am soooo happy for you, Gwyn! All my love and best blessings to you and Jorge and the little growing sprout! Sounds like I might get to see you sooner rather than later, and the wee one too, if you are back in Seattle next summer - what fun! Good luck negotiating names!

Anonymous said...

FINALLY!
Email me soon!
Alejandra is a fine name for a girl.hinty hint.

Joy said...

If the baby came from Thailand, what about using a Thai name? Sumalee (beautiful flower) is pretty, although I have to admit I'm not seeing a good Thai boy's name. (There's Toy, Thirdpong, Pet, Phrom-Borirak, Apichart, Suttipong...)

I like Thirdpong. That's catchy.

Anonymous said...

I figure that Tonka is as good a working title as any. You might remember that yours was Habbakuk. As was Joy's and Miriam's. (Talk about hand-me-downs.)

Dawn said...

Gwyneth & Jorge! I'm so happy to hear the news!! And I love Jonathan's suggestion, by the way. I'd argue it would be a pretty girl's name, too. NOLAN!!

Anonymous said...

Excellent news, very very exciting. Jorge has good tast in names, and if its a girl it could be tinka.

What an brilliant thing to happen , to be full of arms and legs and new life.

Thanks for letting us know, I reckon Malawi is a solid place to bring up a nipper.

Welly done , welly done - sure.

Dan and Cynthia

Anonymous said...

Gwyneth & Jorge-
What wonderful news!!! We are very happy for you and can't wait to meet the new baby. Take care of all or yourselves and we look forward to seeing you. A happy holidays it shall be!
Michelle Richards and Family

Anonymous said...

Too late Jonathan, Steve and I already named our baby girl Nola!

Anonymous said...

Wow.....congratulations to you both! You will both make wonderful parents and why not make your life more of an adventure?
Glad to hear you are all healthy and happy!
xoxo, L

Brandi said...

Yay!!! So excited for you guys!!! I agree with you - what doesn't kill the kid makes him stronger. There is no other way to look at it, or you'd drive yourself crazy with stress. You guys will be wonderful parents! And everything will work out fine for you no matter what direction life takes you.

Congrats again!!!
-Brandi

AiKisha said...

OOOOHH MY GOD!!! CONGRATSSS!!!!
I miss you so much.
I think that Tonka is a good name seeing as my son (NiKKo) is also named after a toy :)

All jokes aside now, where is Malawi?

AiKisha

AiKisha said...

HELLO EVERYBODY!!!!!

Anonymous said...

YAY!!!! Congratulations!!

It was only a matter of time before you two added parenthood to your already brilliant list of life accomplishments!! A joyous time, indeed.

Looking forward to learning how the name challenge pans out.
What about "Art-onka" or "Tonk-emis?"

-Dan I.

mary carstens said...

YAY! I'm late posting, but still wanted to send my congrats to you guys. I think this baby, whatever his/her name, will have many, many fun + adventurous stories to hear about how he/she grew up. Or at least spent the first 2 years of his/her life. So fun!!!!