…and it sure is tiny.
For all my faithful readers who don’t already know, my wife and I are expecting this little jelly bean to hatch sometime in early November. It’s our first, and we couldn’t be more excited.
~~~
When I first saw this image, it was on a live monitor at the doctor’s office. It was a lot better than this, because you could see the heart beating. And just at the end, he (for lack of a better pronoun) moved his head in a little squirm.
My reaction was to bubble out all kinds of laughter, in an expression of ultimate joy. I still do when I think of it. It’s a day I always imagined, but nothing in my imagination could do it justice.
~~~
It’s amazing to think about all the promise and hope and inspiration contained in this cute little blob. He’s an individual, with his own gifts and rights, just as all the rest of us have. It’s crazy to think that I’m responsible for protecting all of that. He is the future – and I’m responsible for what he inherits.
That’s a responsibility I’ve always felt. It’s why I joined the military. It’s why I made sure to marry the greatest woman in the world. It’s why I do most of the things I do, really – in the hopes that I’ll leave a better world than I found. But now those feelings aren’t so abstract.
Just very pixilated and small. But growing. 
~~~
I am blessed, and always have been. My life has been interesting and rich beyond measure. I am surrounded by friends and family who love and support me.
But what’s unbelievable is how much hearing this little heartbeat last week added to all of that.
I can’t wait to experience the lifetime of joy and learning and love that I know I can only imagine right now. And I thank God that I’m surrounded by so many wonderful people who will help us out along the way.
16 responses so far ↓
1 Bob // Apr 16, 2009 at 7:56 pm
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2 Bob // Apr 16, 2009 at 7:57 pm
Alicia, Jen and I are wondering how it’s going to be raising two children now?
3 Ben // Apr 16, 2009 at 9:33 pm
Congratulations, I couldn’t be happier for you man. It will be fun to hear about your adventures in presenting a very well thought out argument, that you feel any rational human being would agree with, to a 2-year old only to have them run away, shouting something about trains, and completely disregard your very valid points. It’s most frustrating.
4 Orrin Johnson // Apr 17, 2009 at 8:25 am
When it comes to 2 year olds, I think I will probably adopt policies more in line with my foreign policy thinking…
Thanks, everybody!
5 The Wife // Apr 17, 2009 at 8:25 am
Bob and Jen, it will be a challenge
6 Emily // Apr 20, 2009 at 8:14 am
Congratulations you guys!
7 Jackie // Apr 20, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Congrats! This is such an exciting time! I loved each appointment and getting to see my little peanut grow. I can’t wait to meet the latest member of your family. Wait until the baby starts to move- it’s even more mind blowing than the ultrasound.
8 ModMilq // Apr 21, 2009 at 6:55 am
Here I log on to show someone that Hippie crying over dead trees video and get to read such good news. Congratulations! Make sure to get plenty of sleep now, because you won’t know what a good night of sleep feels like for another 18 years! Keep us posted!
9 SirWhoopass // Apr 21, 2009 at 7:28 am
I can’t wait to teach him how to ride motorcycles!
10 The Wife // Apr 21, 2009 at 10:41 am
NOT gonna happen, Sir Whoopass.
11 berkitron // Apr 30, 2009 at 12:17 pm
badass, dude. you’ll be an awesome role model.
12 Dustin // May 1, 2009 at 5:31 pm
When he gets older you need to initiate him into manhood on the “JUMP”!
13 Nicole // May 4, 2009 at 4:36 am
WOW. Orrin and Alicia – I am so happy for you! This is wonderful!!!
14 Ben Kostrzewa // May 11, 2009 at 10:50 pm
Congrats buddy – lets catch up soon.
15 -Dave- // May 14, 2009 at 1:40 am
Congratulations, Orrin and the Wife. We need to talk about his education… at home… -Dave-
16 Brad // May 26, 2009 at 3:45 pm
What a lucky baby! Congratulations!
Just had Tara baptized in the Ship’s Bell this past weekend. It just gets better and better with time..
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