We're Positive! Now with FAQ!

The Latest Chapin

Yes, this is a sonogram from our first visit to the OB-GYN back on March 18th and I'm sure a lot of you have many, many interesting and insightful questions. So we are going to anticipate some of the more popular and intelligent questions and answer them for you right here, right now!

What the hell is that, a blurry gummi bear?
That's a picture of our latest creation: a child! After some practice we figured things out and managed to create some new life. It totally looks like a blurry gummi bear though.

Don't you have a newer, better sonogram picture?
Why yes, we do. But we want you to revisit our blog in order to get more and more "unique daily visitors" so that we can implement Google ads on our blog and pay for our child's college education. Unless our child masters the French horn, in which case we're all set. So revisit the blog at a later date and we'll have fresh, new sonogram pictures that look like an actual person.

So, are you going to find out whether it's a boy or a girl?
Yeah, no we aren't.

Any names picked out?
If it is a boy it's Samuel Robert. If it's a girl...we actually have no idea what we'll name it if it's a girl. We're currently taking suggestions.

How's everything going so far?
Surprisingly well, especially given some of the 1st trimester stories we've been hearing. Erika has been doing really, really well. No nausea, no getting sick, no weird cravings. There was a 4 week stretch where she was napping within approximately 35 seconds upon returning home from work. There was also a time at Hopkins where for a few minutes she didn't feel 100%, but then she felt better...

So are you guys ready?
Not at all! We have a nursery ready to fill up with stuff, but so far we're still researching cribs, car seats, changing tables, playpens, diapers, child care, baby monitors, books, glider rockers, mobiles, bouncy seats, onesies, twosies, pacifiers...all that stuff.

What's up with those pirates in Somalia?
Weird, right? Who knew that there were still pirates in the 21st century. Yarrrr!

So Erika's doing well...how's the baby?
So far, so good! We've taken a a couple tests and screenings and so far everything looks great!

OK, when's this baby arriving?
We have a tentative due date of October 24th, but since we are usually late for essentially everything, and assuming tardiness is genetic, it might be early November...

Worried about the Red Sox?
No, and while you're asking, we're probably not going to name our kid "J.D." However "Drew" is on our list of girl names, but the loose association with the current Boston right fielder did cost that proposed name a few points. "Dustin" on the other hand...

Late October...aren't you two school counselors? And isn't that a busy time?
Yes and yes. What's funny is that we thought we could plan for a July delivery but obviously that didn't happen. Apparently these types of things don't quite operate on a schedule.

How excited is cousin Emma about all this?
Funny you should ask. We had the chance to sit down with Emma this past weekend and she had this to say:

"I am quite excited about meeting my cousin and anticipate the two of us having quite a bit of fun together. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Uncle Deacon and Aunt Erika on the new addition to their family."

Anything else?
We have never been more excited about anything. We are so thankful for each other and our families and their love and support. The pregnancy has been really wonderful so far and we are cautiously optimistic that it will continue to be. We can't wait for October!!!