I remember when my sis was pregnant with child #2. My nephew was 4 and had gotten quite used to being an only child AND grandchild. Now, here comes another encroaching on his turf.

My sister asked him if he was excited about the new baby. His response?

"No. I'm going to act ugly to the new baby because I don't want it."

He was true to his word, too. Now they're fine (they're 11 and 15), but the first year was tough.

I am delighted to report that the Halloweenie has a heart, containing four chambers consisting of a pair each of atria and ventricles, along with an aorta that both ascends and descends as it ought and also has an aortic arch that arches properly, and a fully functioning mitral valve that... err... mitres, I guess. Anyhow, no parts are missing and everything seems to be in good working order.

Also, the tech took a picture of the Halloweenie's ass, and he and the doctor have both scrutinized said ass at length and have come to the joint conclusion that it is very likely the ass of a girl.

Beej -- (1) the makeup looks GREAT, and more importantly (2) you are a GORGEOUS woman! I hope that Fella (who is also a looker) knows he's got himself one smoking hot babe.

::choking a little on the piece of sandwich inhaled while reading this lovely compliment::

Thanks so much Steph. The makeup was really fun to do. Every time my hand bobbled, I just made the mistake a new branch. Fella's is much less than I wanted to do, (Greenman leaves on a vine) but we ran wicked late, so...

I wish we had a good picture of his outfit, (leather doublet, pantaloons and custom-made lace-up boots that make me all swoony) but it's all in black and difficult to photograph.

Beth, I can't wait to tell Fella friends on the interbunny say he's foamy! I'm not sure he believes me when I tell him how fine he is (and, honestly, the pics don't do him justice by half!)

Thus to be known as Halloweenie Asstastic Zmayhem.

Or, Haz for short.

I think the best predictor for how Emmett will behave with the new baby is Emmett. In general, I think that it's all to the good that Emmett is old enough to reason out some of what he's feeling, and even more to the good that JZ and Hec are able to reason out the rest of Emmett's behavior.

In the long run, I'm guessing he'll be a great older brother in part because he's had such a long stable run of basking in his parents' love.

Thus to be known as Halloweenie Asstastic Zmayhem.

I suggested Halloweenie Asscaps Zmayhem in email to Hec after several rounds of emails consisting of nothing but SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!EEEE!!! (at least on my end. He had actual information.) -- I think we're onto a something here.

Skipping in to the end to say...

YAY!!

Congratulations, Hec and JZ!! Halloweenie is a most excellent in utero name.

Here are the results, including a gratuitous smooch shot with Fella I included to show off my short hair to David

Completely and totally adorable, Beej. Not just the haircut, either. Fella's handsome. Eye makeup was spiff. Even your dog's handsome and well above average!

I'm not too worried about Emmett long term. It's mostly about making the transition. He's shown a high susceptibility to cuteness and little mammal things. He's been very sweet and tender with babies from Emeline to India. Also, once the Halloweenie becomes conscious that there is this handsome, funny, sweet older brother who comes and goes, I expect Emmett will appreciate her inevitable adoration and idol-worship.

At least, that's how I've got it charted out in my head right now. And as we know parenting never has any surprises.

Speaking of transitions for Emmett, his mother is now getting married January 27, 2007. JZ and I have been invited, and I've been asked to do the music as well. After EM and her guy move into a new house, Emmett will finally get his long sought puggle (or possibly a pugapoo) and he will probably never want to come to my house again. But he'll have his dog, which should be suitable distraction.

Emmett will appreciate her inevitable adoration and idol-worship

This is exactly what I was thinking. Halloweenie is going to ADORE Emmett. Handsome, funny older brother? Oh yeah.

Beej and Fella and puppy-dog pics! Yay!