Vanity: Physicist and Mrs. Physicist Had a Son Today

Mrs. Physicist, with my invaluable assistance | November 16, 2001 | self

[Physicist]

I am pleased--irrationally exuberant, in fact--to announce the birth of my son today.

Jacob David Sterner was born by caesarean section at 1:41 PM EST today at Riddle Memorial Hospital in Media, PA. He weighed 6 lbs. 11 oz., and was 19.25 inches long. Jake and Mrs. Physicist came through the process in excellent health.

The surgery was performed by Dr. Mark Finnegan, who delivered our daughters Emily and Molly, also at Riddle, in 1995 and 1997, respectively.

Here is a bigger picture of Jake.

Here I am holding my boy.

To take this post into the stratosphere of vanity, I will inflict upon you a valedictory sonnet, which I penned today:

ATLAS

Jacob David Sterner, start your life!
Knight errant, leave the fortress of the womb,
Your country's been attacked, and all is strife,
Ten patriots exhort you from the tomb.

The fashion of the day is ignorance,
You'll have to think and learn, despite the japes,
And cover for your neighbor's indolence,
Your sweat will feed and clothe ungrateful apes.

Your father has affrontery enough,
To ask so much of one boy at his birth,
But know that you are made of Sterner stuff:
Your shoulders can accomodate the Earth.

To sire you was my duty, dearest son:
The world needs such a man as you'll become.

(The line about "ten patriots" refers to his ten ancestors who served in the Revolutionary War.)

[WVNan]

Gee Physicist, why didn't you post a BIG picture? One would think you are proud or something. I have to admit, the kid is not too bad looking. Seriously, you and Mrs. Phy. have been wonderfully blessed with beautiful healthy children. Enjoy them and raise them up in the way they should go and when they are old they will not depart from it. Congratulations!

[ItCanHappenToYou]

He's beautiful. Congratulations to you and your family.

[RadioAstronomer]

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!

[Rowdee]

Many, many congratulations on your fine-looking son! He has two darling sisters, and I imagine they are very proud of their brother.

You and Mrs. Physicist did good.

[RJayneJ]

He is just too precious!

[mcenedo]

Congratulations to you and your wife on the beautiful addition to your family.

I have the matching daughters, 6 & 4 (Sarah and Emily), so I'm thinking yours will love taking care of their little brother.

God Bless

[mlmr]

We brought home our son after having two daughters. A very different experience, but wonderful. Congratulations and very big blessings to your and your family.

[Marie Antoinette]

Congratulations!! Babies are just the best!

[Chemist_Geek]

Yay! Cheers and congratulations to you and Mrs. Physicist. The future's so bright, I have to wear shades. (smile)

[Brett66]

Congratulations, it seems like yesterday since my 2 year old daughter was that little.

[Molly Pitcher]

Darling! Congratulations!

[Alamo-Girl]

Congratulations!!! I pray all the time, so I Praise God!!!

[Big Bopper]

Congrats are in order...wonderful news!

[JohnHuang2]

Congratulations!

[onedoug]

...And thanks again, Physicist, for aiding every time we had a physical problem, and you answered your flags for help....

[dixie sass]

What a handsome boy! He looks like you. GOD bless you and each and every member of your family. Take good care of them.

[Molecular Biologist]

You've seen him. How'd your namesake look to you?

Pictures (even at 2.2 megapixel resolution) could never capture how adorable the little guy was when I saw him in person and held him. Needless to say, I'm elated to be an uncle again.

My brother Physicist has always been a rational, science-minded person, but superstitious about just one thing -- the pattern of sons in our family. Our great-grandfather, a Civil War veteran, had two sons. The older one had only a daughter, and the younger had two sons. Of those sons, the older had only daughters, and the younger had two sons (my brother and I).

For years, my brother (the older son) was always convinced that this pattern would continue, and his having two daughters only reinforced that idea. This despite the fact that I continually assured him that Mendelian genetics indicates a 50% chance of a boy each time, regardless of what came before.

Now along comes Jake, breaking the pattern. So I'm thrilled, not just because he's a wonderful, healthy baby with a bright future, but also because he takes the pressure off me to continue the family tradition and produce two sons. But not according to Physicist or our parents, however. :-)

[PatrickHenry]

To take this post into the stratosphere of vanity ...

The cause was sufficient to justify the post. More than sufficient. Congratulations!

[AppyPappy]

Attaboy Luther. God even heard the prayers of the Jews in captive when they didn't believe.

[Osinski]

It's a miracle. Great good health, wealth, happiness and love to Baby Jake and the Physicist clan. May he be blessed with a prosperous abundant world where he realizes his heart's true desires. Congratulations.