In about 12 hours or so, Keturah will give birth to our second son.  Much to my surprise, Jude has made it all the way to August 4 without making his way into the world.  Thankfully, he didn’t decide to make his big move yesterday – Mason’s 2nd birthday.  A lot of people though it would be cool for our kids to share the same birthday.  I wasn’t one of them.  Everyone should have their own special day.  August 4 will be Jude’s.

Today has been an interesting day.  We dropped Mason off at his aunt’s house yesterday and the empty house has given me the first true opportunity to really absorb the thoughts about having a second son on Monday.  I’ve thought about how Keturah and I will have even MORE responsibilities and the extra effort that having two kids will undoubtedly required.  I’ve thought about how incredibly wonderful it is going to be to watch two little children growing up in front of my eyes.  I’ve wondered what Mason is going to think of all of this and how he will initially respond and adjust.  I’m wondering what will Jude look like.  Mason was born with tons of hair.  Will Jude be the same? 

Most of all, I’ve thought about how lucky I am.  How fortunate I am to have a beautiful family.  How immeasurable the joy that children provide is.

And I’m trying to remember how to swaddle a baby with a blanket.  Seriously, I think I’ve forgotten some of my skills. 

Tomorrow morning I’ll stop wondering and dive right in.  So far, I’ve been a passive participant in this whole process with Jude. Saying Keturah has done all the work to this point is not exaggerating the case at all.  Tomorrow, I get up off the bench and get in the game. 

It begins in less about 9 hours.  Keturah and I will be getting up pre-dawn and heading to Marin General Hospital as the sun rises. More, much more to come.

So may the sunrise bring hope where it once was forgotten
Sons are like birds, flying upward over the mountain

– Sam Beam