Almost Familiar

On Christmas morning, during my Junior Year of Highschool, we had finished opening the presents from Santa and every present under the tree, all except one. The one, last gift was addressed to me and sent from Santa (a.k.a. anonymous.)

I opened it up; inside was a video tape. I stuck it in the VCR and up popped an ultrasound.

My entire family (even some extended) watched in confusion at this unidentifiable object on the screen, everything and everyone silent, only the sound of a heartbeat from the monitor. Finally, white typed words began to appear in the middle of the screen,

"It's....a...girl."

After five brothers I was finally getting a little sister.

It was probably the most memorable Christmas present I've ever had.

Today, I experienced a deja vu of sorts as I lay in front of a similar screen, exhibiting a seemingly unidentifiable object, and nothing could be heard but a pounding heartbeat.

Words were typed onto the moving image as Eric and I anxiously, nerviously, frantically stared at the screen:

"I'm .... a ..... girl!"

I felt a familiar sense of awe, excitement, but also a surprising sense of bewilderment.

A familiar setting, yet this time she was all mine.

And that is exactly what had me bewildered and tense.

As I said, I was raised with all boys, basically as a boy.

And after that, I had a crazy, sunshiney, energetic son.

All i know is pretty much boy. I'm good at boys.

Girls: I'm at a loss.

That's when I looked to Eric.

Having been raised with five sisters and zero brothers, he gets it. He's the one who crawls into bed after a fight waiting for a sincere, loving apology.

I'm the one ready to solve the quarrel with fists.

Although seemingly unconventional, I then felt, more than ever, the need for a dual partnership in this thing we call parenthood.

I guess it came a few months early, but being in that room with this 22 week little lady and a partner to share her with, felt a little like, okay maybe a lot like, Christmas morning.

p.s. I know that was a cheezy ending, but i felt there could be no other way.

p.p.s. I am well aware that we have somewhat of a lack concerning Christmas decor

(as shown above) I'm working on it.