h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Found out today - in October I'm going to have a brother. They've named him already - Iain (spelling?) Campell.

It's going to be weird saying "I'd like you to meet my brother" or "my brother did the funniest thing" ... life may be short, but there is, in fact, plenty of time to encounter things that were previously filed away in the mind as "never going to happen."

So hey. We're looking forward to meeting you, Iain. Or Ian. Don't worry, no one can spell my name either

Wow, wild stuff. Isn't life strange? *hug*

Wow! I mean WOW! That's like news! What else can one say but - wow!

Congratulations and stuff to you and your parents...

- X

Which parent, in fact? At a guess i'd say your father?

What a life, to have 3 quite older sisters growing up very far away.

Wow!!

That would be like my mom getting pregnant now. Wow. Congratumalations to you and your parents! He's going to be the most spoiled baby brother ever, you know.

Hooray! A new baby!!

It's really...well, I said it before, but hey. It's weird. Part of me is really excited, part of me is scared half to death. I'll be almost exactly 26 years older than this baby when he's born. Not to mention hundreds of miles away.

I should clarify that yes, this is my dad's son on the way. Dad's marrying his girlfriend in about two weeks (I'm going to Denver for that weekend). We actually knew she was pregnant about two months ago, but they only found out the gender of the baby (thus the name and the gripping reality of it all) yesterday.

The wedding - now that's going to be interesting. My dad is from Australia, and his entire family lives there. I've only met most of them twice, on two trips that took place before 1986 (family reunion in Anglesea and a trip to Queensland before that), so it's safe to say most of my relatives are complete strangers to me. And they're all going to be there. Liz and I are discussing bringing flasks with us to the reception

My parents only got divorced officially in March, although the process was going on for about two years prior to that. So I'm worried about my mom. She wasn't invited to the wedding. She's going to be on a class trip (she's a high school teacher) to Rome during the wedding weekend so she sort of lucked out in that respect. I just hope she enjoys the trip. She certainly deserves to.

And that's the story of my recent family life, ladies and gentlemen! I think I might have to write a little "our family is difficult to get the hang of" handbook for my baby brother

I like saying that. Okay I admit it, I'm excited.

Sheesh! I had no idea you were so young Kate. And the handbook thingie might be a cute gift to give him when he turns 18, but written in the days preceeding his birth.

That would make a really cool gift.

- Jimi X, always looking ahead to avoid buying graduation presents

And reason number one:

"Sheesh! I had no idea you were so young Kate."

I love you Jimi!!!!

And I had no idea you were so much an Aussie, either, Kate. I'm not sure whether that's a good thing or a bad - 'specially with a heritage in Queensland... [JOKES, JUST JOKES!].

Congratulations to your Dad and all, and good luck adjusting. Given the ease with which you seem to have coped with so much else, this seems like a bit of a walk in the park. I sympathise with the "weird" bit, but it does sound like it could be a lot of fun!

Regards,

H.

I think that's a great idea Kate!

I must admit, I've been thinking of starting journals to my kids now. Just to say, "Hey, you're not here yet, but I'm already thinking about you and I already love you."

My stepdad started a journal for me when he and my mom met and he realized it was going to get serious. He gave it to me at my highschool graduation and it meant so much to me. The day he taught me to drive... the prom... everything.

*gets all nostalgic* You should definatly write something like that for Ian, Kate. Let him know that even though you're far away you're excited he's coming.

I couldn't imagine my mother or step mother suddenly being pregnant. Aside from the medical impossiblity, that would just be too odd.

My stepsisters and I wanted our folks to have a baby of their own and they didn't (they already had 3 kids between them) and now they are kind of wishing they had.

They did a good job with us, but there are so many parents involved we were kind of raised by committee. I think my mom and Bob would have made great parents alone together.

You are the result of a good job?

You just watch it, you. I resemble that remark.

Yes. Yes you do.