Little Rupert

Jenny and I have really only been friends for a little over a year, I think, but I feel like I have known her for a long time.  It's like we were meant to be friends with each other.  She is sweet and thoughtful and just plain hilarious - I don't know what I ever did without her around. When she moved here last year we were told by many people that we "had" to be friends, and thankfully these people were all correct.  Jenny also happens to have an equally fabulous husband, Chris.  These two are a match made in heaven, two of the most fun, most genuine people I know.  Despite the fact that these two had some crazy ideas about parenting (my personal favorite being a type of baby carrier that you can just hang on the wall) there has never been a doubt in my mind that they wouldn't make incredible parents, and that any child lucky enough to grow up in that household would not only turn out just fine but would likely become the coolest, most fun, and most adorable kid in any room.

Thankfully, Jenny managed to get herself knocked up so I could prove my theory.  The pregnancy was a little but tough, but Jenny was a trooper.  She is a strong woman and despite some tough days that I am confident I would have handled with infintely less grace, Jenny delivered a perfect little baby boy yesterday.  I've been calling this little man Rupert for about as long as he has been in existence.  Okay, about since the time they found out he'd be a boy.  But these two (understandably) have had one hell of a time coming up with a name for this guy.  At one point, Rupert was actually a viable option.  I didn't even to pretend to mask my horror at this name choice.  Not surprisingly to anyone who knows me, however, it stuck.  I've been calling him that ever since.  No doubt I'll at least sometimes be calling the kid Rupert for the rest of his life.

Poor little Rupert was unnamed for the first few hours of his life.  But they did in fact name him.  Asher.  I love it.  Not only is it better than Rupert, but looking at his perfect little face and his feet that are just so simultaneously tiny and huge on this little peanut, it fits him.  Asher, which means "happy," or "blessed," is the perfect name for him as he will undoubtedly be both of those things.  He's got some of the most incredible parents in the world who are going to love him so hard for the rest of his life.

We all know that the whole childbirth thing is pretty much a miracle.  Even those who don't subscribe to any particular faith or higher power are moved by it.  But seeing him wrinkle his little tiny nose and mouth - already a perfect little tiny replica of his mama's - and watching Chris hold him and just giggle, the joy that filled that room was overwhelming.  I feel so blessed to have been there, sharing in it. 

Welcome to the world, little Rupert-Asher.  We're so excited to have you, and can not wait to see all of the wonderful things you will do and become.  You are already so unbelievably loved.