Made me smile. What a sweet little slice of your day. 
again with the verklempt.
beautiful and insightful - you will be amazed once again, as your heart grows three sizes larger in a moment.
Gorgeous as ever. Also, Krazy Jim's sounds like it might be worth the drive up from Chicago. Deep-fried broccoli? A burger with egg, pickles & mayo? Sign me up!
Jules
House of Jules
Good day. and you didn't even have to use your AK
You're reminding me of the wistful contemplation I had shortly before the birth of my second daughter, Gianna. At least you don't have the pregnancy hormones to thrust you into wailing tears and sadness over the last few precious hours? days? with your first. I almost feel bad now when I look at Gianna and compare how much I love her and can't imagine life without her to how much I sentimentally dreaded her arrival as the disbanding of my "team" with Stella.
"We're going to have dewey-decimal subdivisions for hairlip-sensitivity fiction and illustrated polio memoir."
This made me howl.
Great things about teams, is there is always room for growth. I'm sure Ace will make a grand addition.
(Best of luck, Wood! I hope it happens soon for both of us!)
This is so sweet, Dutch. Really - you are such an amazing dad; you'd make a great pre-school teacher of the home-schooling kind. I think your kid is smarter than most, all the real-life education and adventure you share. You'll always be a team. There is something special about the first kid - it doesn't detract at all from the subsequent kiddos, but it's different. It's that time you've had alone, I think, that sets the foundation for all the rest.
Can't wait to read about your adventures to come, you and your little teammate and her wee brother in tow. Best of luck with Wood's delivery -
Ah, now you've got me reminiscing about those days pre #2...
And if you aren't feeling yet, the next emotion you should be feeling is fear. The wonderful period of one-on-one time will soon be replaced with a full-on-tag-team-cage-match for your affection and attention.
I can't wait to hear how it all works out for you. And I hope for Wood's sake that it's sooner rather than later.
i have to say, i'm glad you're going through this first so maybe i can get that special kind of insight that you share with us.
My second is three weeks old. I grieved for months over just how this was going to affect my sweet, happy little girl. She turned two a month ago. It hasn't been easy for her, but she is adjusting. Slowly. She is very gentle with him, it's us she takes it out on. I started to see it differntly towards the end, he needs to be loved too and having to share us won't destroy her. The babe is a mellow little guy who likes his sleep so there's hope, Dutch!
Ace! Awesome suggestion for a name. Tobin? Or is that too intellectual sounding?
I wish the baby safe travels through the birth canal, and I hope he's easy on his mother.
p.s. you and your Juney will always be a team. You may just have to occasionally make room for the little dude too. There ain't nothin' wrong with a little father-daughter 1x1 bonding, no matter how many people are in the family. Just like you'll bond with little Ace too.
I think I had that handicaps book. Just seeing the cover reminds me of that kind of 70's non-fiction for kids, of which I had more than a few titles.
I had a very earnest, post-60's NYC Upper West Side kind of up-bringing.
A lot of my friends were the children of divorced almost hippies, who were themselves children of real radical Trotskyite labor organizers and the like. Kept things interesting.
All the Moms joined NOW, all the Dads played handball in the park like their Dads had. We were Zabars before Zabars was cool.
Anyways, that's my moment of zen.
PS- yes, there's always a moment before the second one comes that you realize there's going to be some readjustments in your relationship with your first. But there's always something special about the first and with luck she'll thank you for her sibling(s), not curse you.
Another fantastic, wistful piece of writing that, even at 26 years her senior, makes me feel a kinship to Juniper...and makes me see my own father in your words.
I am the firstborn, with a brother 4 years younger, and my father and I were - nay, are - very much a team like yours and Juney's. And as much as you will love your son and develop an equally amazing relationship with him, the truth is that Juniper will always be your first mate. (so says the adult daughter who just finished making spinach dip and chicken wings for her father-daughter Super Bowl viewing tomorrow)
I used to live above Blimpy Burger ('99-'00)!
"Poverty that's the same as in Detroit, really, just a different color."
that's a perfect way of putting it. I have been working a post for my blog in my mind for year that can't quite find the best words for my experience living in AZ and NY realizing there is no white trash in NY. And why is that? There is poverty there, as well, it just look a lot different. your sent. above sums it up exactly.
as for the team part of your post, I totally get that sentiment I think. I am almost 5 months into the new member of our daytime team and he is feeling less of an intruder and more the focus and joy of the toddler's day. it's awesome how they connect together better than anyone else in the family already. they smile at each other and it makes me glad (not as worried as i was before) that he has a new play mate and what a wonderful gift we have given them both.
What a beautiful post. I clearly remember the last few weeks of my second pregnancy. All the while anxious to have this baby already, but at the same time treasuring ever moment I had with my older son. Just the two of us, or three, if hubby was around. I thought for sure we were going to ruin his world by bringing a baby into the mix. But now, 8 months later, he couldn't be happier with his new brother and it's as though This is how it's supposed to be.
Enjoy!
Three is company, but four? It's a crowd of the very best kind.
Anxiously awaiting the newest addition to your team.
We're wondering if it was that enormous Value Land in Ypsi that you went to... ahh, fond memories.
Beautiful post, as usual, Dutch, so bittersweet.
We're thinking of you guys (since we're close to the home stretch, too) and rooting for Wood as she nears delivery. I know it's not about luck, but good luck!
Juney's going to be great with little Yagi-Yogi.
Was it Value Village? I think it must be.
where is this miraculous thrift store, I never find descent baby clothes in the thrift stores near Cranbrook (what thriftstores near Cranbrook!?). Do share the knowledge!!
Yay team!
Do your thing, Wood. Go, Mama, go.
Lovely post. Go team Juniper! Can't wait to hear the good news about baby whatzhisname.
(I'm personally holding out for Munja, 'cause not much else rhymes with Ninja.)
Best of luck in the days ahead ...
"We were, I think, a really great team."
KILLING ME over here. Both Paul and I are beginning to realize we're nearing the end of our happy little family of three.
Thinking about all of you and looking forward to being right there with you in a few weeks.
With a 10-week old and a 22-month old, I can tell you that it's *hard*. The husband and I are treading water, though, and find that splitting tasks is easier at this point than trying to all do stuff together (the husband goes the grocery shopping solo, for example). Which kinda sucks because we were used to spending LOTS of time together when it was just us with DS1. However, this will be short-lived since DS2 is getting older and hopefully the worst of the Chicago winter is over. Looking forward to family outings again!
Having another child will definitely change your routine with Juniper but you will find a way. And it will be amazing! Best of luck to Wood and you, too.
Great post, your going to have to serialize Jennifer Jean the cross eyed queen for us it sounds like a cult classic.
Forgive me the crude thought, but this sure gives the saying "Ace in the hole" a new meaning!
Truly though, I'm so excited for all of you. If you approach this with as much finesse as you have in raising Juniper you will have no issues. Siblings will find a way to create their own niche in the family and you will find ways to still team up with the special first. Perhaps, little Yagi-Yogi and Juniper will form their own team!
initially I was going to title this, "an ace up her sleeve."
Congrats on the upcoming birth of a son, I enjoyed your blog. I'd never seen the book depository ruin, although I briefly remember hearing about it on the news a while ago. I grew up in Detroit and still live in the area, please don't name the baby Kwame
Ace is good, but Asa is better, esp. if we are to keep our children identically named (I also have an 8 mo Juniper).
I have loved reading your reflections on the upcoming baby (and Wood's as well). I just wanted to add to the sentiment that once a dad-daughter team, always a dad-daughter team. I'm the oldest and my father and I have always maintained our "team" even with the addition of my brother.
What a beautiful day with your daughter. Did you happen to go to the arboretum? That is one of my favorite places in Ann Arbor. We took our daughter there in Oct (she was 8 months) for her first visit.
oh why do you do that, make me cry like that?
ace...that's awesome! pnut wants to name her baby bro hercules (not after the movie! after a bulldog by same name) and so far it's not the worst name that folks in this place have come up with...
i have spent more time focused on what will change and being sad- time for me to focus on the whys i will love this new one just as much for just as many reasons. there is just something about a boy that makes me feel, i don't know, tired? challenged? garhg.
hope you three get a few good days of rest and burrowing and nesting in before the relief of giving birth...much love from nyc as you enter this awesome nest part of your journey!
we used to call them "blimpy virgins". My husband is very jealous you've had blimpy with your daughter...we look forward to this.
As someone who intends to name her firstborn son Rocket, I think Juniper's names--especially Ace--will suit the future child well.
My parents made a grievous error in settling near Baltimore/DC. My city is littered with chicken bones, and it gives us character, but I didn't know you could even deep fry broccoli! My roommate's family is from Wisconsin and I am now grilling her on details. It's like my world exploded.
Beautiful. Touching. Amazing. Made me miss my daddy like crazy.
One other note--I can see no way in hell that a frugal Dutchman such as yourself could possibly name his kid Kwame, as our mayor is the poster boy for financial waste.
To the anon person above who said there's no white trash in New York. They're upstate (often referred to as 'townies' there) and in Staten Island.
Ladre is right, the only thing I miss is doing stuff on the weekends all three of us together. Sometimes now it's easier to divide and conquer. But sometimes we do it the hard way, all together.
Good luck guys, thinking of you.
I must watch too much reality tv because the only Kwame I know was a finalist on the Apprentice, and Ace was on American Idol, as well as an Ace on The Real World. Seemed like nice fellas, but kinda dim.
kwame kilpatrick is detroit's beleaguered mayor who made national headlines last week when it was revealed through leaked text messages that he lied about an affair during a trial that ultimately cost the taxpayers $9 million.
Um, that anonymous comment up there about being right there behind you? Me. Sorry. Too late when I posted.
And I am have been hooping you would address Kwame. I even wrote his speech for him on my blog. Surprisingly, he didn't listen. Of course, you weren't here to vote for him ever, were you? We both did in 2001 and didn't in 2005.
um we haver four children and my husband has never bought one outfit while you are out buying 45 for the baby? so not fair. good luck with the little yagi-ace. hope he comes out soon healthy and rarin' to go.
oh and i would have had to buy any book that included "Jennifer Jean, the Cross-Eyed Queen" as well. or at least photographed it.
I also like Munja because it rhymes (ish) with Ninja.
and LOVE "ace up her sleeve", as well as the dewey-decimal subdivisions for hairlip-sensitivity fiction and illustrated polio memoirs.
sigh. i love this.
I am really looking forward to the honesty you'll share once your little dude has arrived. We hem and haw over having another, and I like to ask people who are very real with the parenting feelings all about the transition. Just so I can file it away to help me organize my own thoughts. So extra-selfishly, I can't wait to see how it goes for you.
Juniper sounds like such an awesome kid. I hope you have another of such cleverness and greatness, but with the bonus of a better sleeper.
Also, I had a weird dream on Friday that the baby had arrived and you guys had named him Buster. Buster? I found that really surprising. First ever blog dream too, should be noted. So your son is already having quite the impact.
"...hairlip-sensitivity fiction..."
This made me laugh before 9:30am. No small feat.
i think i know exactly which places you mention, on michigan ave between detroit and ann arbor. well, not really detroit and ann arbor: you had to leave US-12 after ypsi, right? in order to make it to downtown ann arbor?
anyway, the point is: i love your blog, and next time instead of eating at blimpy's, you should come to my restaurant. we can hook it up for you and the fam. i can't say the name here where everyone and their brother would be able to figure out where i am on a regular basis, but just send me an email if you want to try a little something new. we're about four blocks from blimpy's.
and i really hope this doesn't seem like a weirdo-comment. but, whatever, i'm going to extend the invitation anyway.
while i've already thrown myself out there, i want to say that you two--mainly, your very clear love for each other and the life that you work to, and take time to, enjoy everyday--give me hope.
i know too many people who are just going through the motions: getting married and having kids because they think that's what they're supposed to do. i don't have the right words to explain what it means to me to see a couple like you guys.
i know i'm the sappiest person on the planet right now...but, hello?
you guys are living the dream.
well, maybe 'the dream' is inaccurate...can there really be a 'the dream?' i mean, there must be more than one dream.
but you guys give me a real hope.
you are both funny and well-written, and obviously juniper is adorable as all get-out...but, more than any of that, just the flat-out emotion that you both share here--the connection that you let the rest of us see--it makes me hopeful. and i seriously thank you for sharing.
A powerful, moving and lovely post, as always. Thanks for sharing a slice of your life with us.
Cheers and best of luck to you.
Can't a team be composed of two or more? You're just adding a redshirt to the team...he can't play yet, but give him time.
I loved those last meandering days of waiting for the fourth member of our team to arrive. Everything seemed to slow down a little and be appreciated a bit more than in everyday life. Enjoy it all.
Best of luck, team Juney!
Now, all of you go take a nap.
Very precious. Teams of three are good too.
My heart just cracked a little at the 'team' conversation. I look forward to reading how the team of J&J initiates the new guy.
I've regularly wished my husband and daughter could have had the adventures you and Juniper have had. How can the two of you turn the mundane into such raw moments of experience? Sometimes I sit and actually shake my head after reading your entries.
Now Simon wants to name our son Ace. Thanks--someone's finally turned him away from his obsession with Ulysses.
Jana-
I loved this: "You're just adding a redshirt to the team...he can't play yet, but give him time."
So true. Our DS1 wants to play with DS2 so badly that he squeezes his hands above the baby's head in sort of a "OMG, come on already!" motion. It's frickin' adorable and sweet.
Dutch,
FWIW, I think Ace is a great name. Not conventional, but not freaky either.
I love that you and your daughter are a team. I treasure memories of my Dad and I doing cool stuff together. (Going to military surplus stores! Looking at bugs! I could go on.)
I'm 30 and currently expecting my first baby, but my Dad and I are still a team. Sure, the game has changed, but I know he's still on my side. Juniper is lucky to have you, and Ace will be too.
Go Wood! Sending good labour thoughts your way.
Oh, it's so close now! You're just going to form DIFFERENT teams is all. Bigger ones, stronger ones.
I've been reading Sweet Juniper for a long while, and I think this might be your most beautiful, best piece yet. Although the City Lights post was lovely as well; I sent it to a teacher of a film class which often focuses on Chaplin, and she loved it too.
We told my nephew that he could pick the name my niece. He chose "Indiana Danger Jones Bir" for her. We decided to revoke his naming privileges.
My cousin's 3 year old suggested the name "Bacon" for his new little sister. The rationale: "Everybody loves bacon."
The "still on the approach" photo brought me out of lurkdom. I've got to send you the similar shot of me trying to bring on labor 24-ish hours before Nature took her course. What is it about nearly-popping pregnant women that brings out the impulse to bowl?!?
Love the blog and the photos. Thank you for sharing!
"Are we a team, Dada?" Oh, that made me tear up.
A sneak attack of surprise and delight, that's your blog.
Wood, I'm sure you are antsy and miserable but since you've made it this far, I'm routing for tomorrow. It's my birthday.
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