Awwwwwwwwww!
By Mitch Berg
The first MOB baby is here!
“Mall Diva” and “Ben” from Night Writer announce…well, actually, no – they’re busy. Grandpa Night Writer does the announcing:
Finally, at 5:58 [Sunday afternoon] my youngest daughter, Tiger Lilly, hollered downstairs, “Daddy, come see your new grandson!” As I thundered up the stairs I heard a brand new voice — crying at the top of his new but strong lungs — and that’s when my head nearly spun off of my body at the enormity of what had actually happened, right here in my own home, to my own daughter. Just moments ago the only thing we could hear of him was the heatbeat on the monitor, and now — a voice! I’d already well-imagined a face, hair, little fists and feet — but never thought about hearing him for the first time! The stairway seemed to contract on me for a moment as if I were making my own way out into a new world and then I joined the crowd in the bedroom, shouldering my place into line to wait, with arms wide-open, for my turn to hold him.
Little Ben is so far so good.
Congrats to Ben and the Diva and – since being an aunt seems to agree with her – Tiger Lily…
July 27th, 2010 at 12:51 pm
Thank goodness! 🙂
July 27th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
The first MOB baby, indeed. Ben (erstwhile Hammerswing 78) and I first met at keegan’s for trivia in the summer of 2005. He struck me as kind of a long-haired, underemployed slacker-type, but man he knew his geography and historical trivia! Meanwhile, the Mall Diva was posting and growing up in the MOB family with “big brothers” Kevin and AAA, the “Voluntary Maternal Protector” Cathy in the Wright (who bestowed the “Mall Diva” moniker) and “weird uncle” Strommy. Inevitably Faith and Ben met, became friends and over the course of three years eventually married. And now – a baby! (A little slice of history here: http://thenightwriterblog.com/2006/10/17/alert-the-media/)
We’re getting a lot of questions on the baby’s nomme de blogger and when his first post will appear. I expect that it won’t be long for either. The little guy’s face already resembles his father’s when they read the lefty blogs (though it could just be that he’s filling his diaper).
Right now, however, we’re anticipating he’ll make his physical debut at the summer MOB event at – appropriately enough – Keegan’s on August 14. Dedicated Mall Diva readers will also know that that is just a few days before her birthday (here’s another blast from the past for the MOB family – http://thenightwriterblog.com/2006/08/18/golden-birthday-festivities-first-stop-keegans/). Hope to see you all there!
July 27th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
Congrats! Now, the work begins!
July 27th, 2010 at 2:35 pm
“big brothers” Kevin and AAA
IIRC, big brother Kevie’s engagement gift to the couple was a harpoon.
July 27th, 2010 at 3:12 pm
Yep, my engagement gift was a harpoon. It’s true I looked upon Mall Diva as a little sister. But once she landed a good guy like Ben, there was no longer any need for me to “protect” her with my trusty harpoon, that was Ben’s job now…so I gave it to him.
The harpoon was in reference to a time her “weird uncle” was being especially “weird” and I threatened to harpoon him if he didn’t back down.
Congrats Faith and Ben! As my baby gift to you, I promise to wait at least 14 years before trying to buy little Ben a drink.
July 27th, 2010 at 3:25 pm
Wonderful news.
Don’t forget the cigars, Ben!
July 27th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
The harpoon is still handy. It will likely go above the mantle of a future Ben & Mall Diva abode. And the “weird uncle” didn’t get too far out of line.
As I recall, Strommie was playfully advocating to receive a kiss from the Mall Diva at one of the trivia nights. She refused, so he tried to negotiate the possibility of receiving one before she left for the evening. She said, “you’d better check with my dad.” I said, “We’ll see.” Later, as we were leaving, Strom said, “So, how about my kiss?” I said, “Well, all right” — and I kissed him. I think he would have preferred the harpoon.
Who knows what mayhem and frivolity may transpire at the upcoming MOB party? People will just have to come and find out for themselves. Perhaps Ben and I will see if cigar czar Strom can get us a good deal on some celebratory cheroots to pass out.
July 27th, 2010 at 6:23 pm
Thank you Mitch. God has been very good to us.
July 27th, 2010 at 7:16 pm
Hilarious, NW. Nicely played!