Thursday, October 1, 2009

the long way home

memento mori
Yesterday, I had the entirely unoriginal thought that time changes -- if not quite everything -- then something awfully close to it. I asked Trish what, in theory, the due date would be and she told me that it's the middle of April, which would (counting on my fingers), make Cole and the new baby just about 15 months apart.

Now, I realize that a perfect ultrasound at 11.5 weeks isn't a guarantee of, well, anything. But for so long, I used to cringe whenever I saw a double stroller. And in the spring, if all goes well, I'll be pushing one.



(Oh, and the picture? Beruriah, in one of the comments to the previous post, noted that this blog was becoming positively cheerful. Which made me think that a little bit of countervailing darkness was probably in order. Because, consistency and all of that.)

25 comments:

Jayme said...

You could always put the baby in a sling...

Tash said...

TIme is rather circular: Life, Death; Death, life. Gravestones and strollers. Makes complete sense to me.

areyoukiddingme said...

Hey, thanks for adding a little David Bowie to my already overcrowded mind...Ch-ch-ch-changes...

Magpie said...

Consistency, hobgoblin, little minds, and all that.

Sunny said...

Here's to double strollers, and perfect ultrasounds.

Congratulations.

Clarabella said...

Love the picture. Love the news. Love the sentiment of this post. Here's to double strollers. Cheers.

Sara said...

I so hope you will be.

Somehow this gravestone still evokes a sunny day.

Wishing 4 One said...

LOL, i love your balance. You are so funny and so amazing.

Bluebird said...

Very interesting. I can't imagine not cringing at the sight of a double stroller! That said, I have everything crossed that you are soon pushing one, and I'll even smile should I see a picture of it on your blog :) Heck, maybe I'll find myself in the same situation one day (oh, who am I kidding?!) Interesting what just stepping back and looking at the same picture with a different perspective can do.

Emily said...

Despite the contrived morbidity of the picture, I detect a little bit of optimism. Hoping you find peace with the double stroller...

Alexicographer said...

I like the cheerful Niobe just as much as I liked the dark Niobe. Maybe consistency is overrated. Maybe I just like Niobe.

Kristin said...

Wow, 11.5 weeks already? Wasn't it just yesterday that y'all were scheduling the transfer date?

after iris said...

Are you sure you're not British Niobe? Your cheerful gloominess/ gloomy cheerfulness would fit in perfectly here!

P.S. I can recommend a good double stroller that works well with a small age gap, if you like?

Amelie said...

whoa, Niobe.
Hoping for you.

Hope's Mama said...

I love reading here.

niobe said...

Hope's Mama, Alexicographer, Wishing 4 One: Aw, you guys are making me blush. Thank you.

After Iris: I'd love a recommendation.

Julia said...

I get self-conscious often, thinking of what I must look like, out with Monkey and the Cub, to a heart-sick IFer or a DBM. I try not to flaunt, and I figure that's all I can do.

I will smile for you if/when you get your double stroller. It may be weird for you, but I hope it will also be good.

Sarah said...

Countervailing darkness? I've always found headstones, particularly ones that are so clearly amazing, rather hopeful images. Probably because I have issues... but what's more wonderful? That you're damn near cheerful or that you can go so far as to mock your own cheerfulness? Hope hope hoping for you!!

Maggie said...

I think that you are going to look positively fantastic behind that double stroller!!

CLC said...

There's nothing wrong with being cheerful once in a while. And hope is what makes us keep going, right? So I hope you get that double stroller in your future.

Aurelia said...

As happy as I am for you, I know how busy 15 months can be, and I am mentally trying to picture a newborn and one just like Julius right now....oh boy....

When you go for a wild adventure my dear, you definitely go for it! Weeee!

Catherine W said...

Double stroller. Oh my.
Funny old thing time. xo

Cara said...

Flashing back to my days pushing one, having two cribs, and mostly two of everything else.

Joy. And a little sleep deprivation. But mostly pure joy knowing that some prayers are answered.

Here's to this time next year!!

Bon said...

phew. the headstone makes me feel comfortably familiar.

the cheer's still welcome, though. just lard it with doses of, y'know, morbidity.

xo

diana said...

Well, memento mori, for me, doesn't have anything dark. It's what it is: remember we are mortal. And we are. But, even if every life finishes in death it doesn't mean the purpose of life is death; rather a celebration of the magnificence of the light (how did Sidney Poitiers say at Oscars?)
I just like and love you, and, yes, you must have some British thread in your fabric...