[X] My Assistant

[elakdawalla]

Well, I don't want to make a fuss, but if I were interacting with a community in any public forum other than on the Internet it would be blatantly obvious to everyone by now that I'm expecting a baby (I'm due August 10, so I'm just a little past five months). I'm determined not to be boring and talk about this (much) in my blog or elsewhere but every once in a while I'm finding that not mentioning it is like not mentioning the thousand-pound gorilla in the room! So I thought I'd get the announcement out there. I'm feeling great, having no complications other than being generally scatterbrained and distracted and mood-swingy and finding myself literally staring at my belly button (watching for those kicks and punches to poke out of my abdomen like the Alien) instead of working. Which is not meant to excuse my occasionally not being in top form, but which hopefully might explain it...

--Emily

[djellison]

Panic not people, I've already advised against a Planetary Society naming competition

I think I speak for everyone here in wishing you and D all the very best - you'll be missed, but I don't think anyone can feel anything but happy for you - we'll survive!

Now - does Cafe Press do baby wear

Doug

[mhoward]

Congratulations! I hope it's just a baby, not a thousand-pound gorilla Seriously, we wish you all the best.

Are you going to keep working then, or take an extended time off? Doug's message kind of suggests the latter. Or do they just drum you out of the Planetary Society service if you have a baby?

Mike

[elakdawalla]

Thanks guys! I will be taking a 12-week leave, though I will probably be unable to keep away from this board from time to time. We've been talking about what to do with the blog. We've decided that just stopping it for 12 weeks is bad, but also that picking one substitute would be risky. So instead we're looking at a string of guest bloggers for one-week stints. I'll post more about that on the blog when we get it more organized.

And here's a bit of trivia for you, in the last several years The Planetary Society has many times been awarded "most family friendly office" by the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce. There's always kids underfoot and I've gotten quite an education from the babies I've watched growing up here! So as soon as I feel like I can get my train of thought back on track I'll be back to work with the baby on my lap. Should be interesting

--Emily

[Guest_Richard Trigaux_*]

I wish you much happiness, you and the baby, elakdawalla. Having babies and little children is a great thing.

Hope he will see a better world, and especially many discoveries in astronomy and space exploration.

[ljk4-1]

As the old US Army ads used to say, having a raising a child will be
"The toughest job you'll ever love."

Congratulations and good luck, Emily.

Don't think about this too much, but do you realize by the time New Horizons
reaches Pluto he or she will be in the fourth grade!

Yes, it goes faster than it will seem especially at first. So make the
most of every moment.

[odave]

Fantastic news, Emily! Best wishes for the rest of your ATLO, a smooth launch, and a healthy little package ready for exploration

[helvick]

Let me add my own congratulations. As has been said it's lots of work but time flies and its all very much worth it. I've just come back from a week in Paris with my two teenage girls which was loadsa fun that on it's own very much made up for the intermindable sleepless nights of their youth.

[ElkGroveDan]

Congrats Emily. I remember the arrival of my first like it was yesterday. It was the highlight of my life. (In fact we delivered her just over the hill from you at Glendale-Verdugo). Take your time, take care of yourself and enjoy every minute. Write everything down, how you feel, what you think, the kid will love it when he/she is older. We've now been through it five times and each time it was amazing as the first.

[djellison]

Well while we're comparing notes, Helen and I had our first last summer - a bit nervous at first but you get used to things very quickly, gives you a new perspective on things and we've even thought about having another at some point.






We're talking about cat's right?

[chris]

Emily,

Congratulations! You'll have to post some imaging products for us

Chris

[mhoward]

We have five ourselves, seperated by about a year each except for the twins. One day I came home and there were two more that I didn't even know about. It's a nightmare, especially doing the vacuuming and cleaning the litter boxes... Oh wait, I guess I thought we were talking about cats too.

[Bob Shaw]

Emily:

You're having a sub-satellite! No, you're not, it's *you* that'll be in orbit around the new arrival, I think...

(end of astronomical jokes, none of which are *that* funny)

Remember to put all your best toys up high now, not later!

Bob Shaw

[elakdawalla]

Congratulations! You'll have to post some imaging products for us

You joke but it's amazing what those ultrasound machines can do these days. I'd have a 3D picture to post already except at the first opportunity she was determinedly facing backwards with her hands in front of her face -- hopefully next time! I'll bet that not many expectant moms compare their ultrasound experiences to SAR imaging

--Emily

[Bill Thompson]

Well, I don't want to make a fuss, but if I were interacting with a community in any public forum other than on the Internet it would be blatantly obvious to everyone by now that I'm expecting a baby (I'm due August 10, so I'm just a little past five months). I'm determined not to be boring and talk about this (much) in my blog or elsewhere but every once in a while I'm finding that not mentioning it is like not mentioning the thousand-pound gorilla in the room! So I thought I'd get the announcement out there. I'm feeling great, having no complications other than being generally scatterbrained and distracted and mood-swingy and finding myself literally staring at my belly button (watching for those kicks and punches to poke out of my abdomen like the Alien) instead of working. Which is not meant to excuse my occasionally not being in top form, but which hopefully might explain it...

--Emily

Congrats!!

See my son at www.gelsana.com

He is photographed and quoted here as well:
http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2006/0219sciencefun.shtml

[Bjorn Jonsson]

Congratulations, wish you all the best.

I assume everyone here is familiar with SAR images of several solar system objects with Venus being the most familiar example but there are some very small asteroids as well .

[dvandorn]

...I'll bet that not many expectant moms compare their ultrasound experiences to SAR imaging

Never fear, Emily, that was only the results from the F1 encounter. There are several more RADAR passes scheduled before the birth, right?



Congrats -- I wish you luck, patience, and foresight. In that order.

-the other Doug

[lyford]

Fantastic News! O Joy Unconfined! O Daipers To Be Changed!

Here's hoping for a smooth EDL...

..I'll bet that not many expectant moms compare their ultrasound experiences to SAR imaging

Panic not people, I've already advised against a Planetary Society naming competition

Just when I think I have seen the funniest post on this board, this thread hits me with a double whammy - I literally did a spit take on this one!

[mchan]

Congratulation! Best wishes for a smooth, nominal trajectory.

[tasp]

Fission?

Budding?

Spores?

Oocyte?

Fruiting body?

{I am being informed the poster is most likely a human being}

Oh! My mistake!

Congratulations and please don't post any pics of the




um . . . . .




er . . . . .




ah . . . . .



you know, when it appears.

I'm sqeamish enough as it is.

[Nix]

woaw - missed this one yesterday..

Congratulations !!! You're in for one of the best things in life -not considering sleep though

But really, there's so much more to life with kids..one of my daughters likes to talk about colors, and why Mars has two moons and we only have one!

We wish you all the very best,

Marie-Hailie, Louise-Billie, Anne, Nico

[Tesheiner]

Great news, congrats Emily!

Enjoy this time 'till the birth, and enjoy her (*) growing. It's a wonderful experience.

(*) If I understood correctly your previous post.

[ynyralmaen]

Emily,

I'm mostly a lurker around here, but thought I'd pop out of the shadows to wish you big congratulations and very best wishes.

The extra fun of having these little noisy offspring things far outweighs the hassle!

Prepare yourself for a wonderful time.
Geraint
(currently with three young daughters, including one Los Angelena! )

[Toma B]

Best wishes Emily!!!

P.S.
Sleep whenever you can, because you will not have the chance to sleep more than few hours at the time for at least 100 sols...You will see for yourself...
This was actually advice from my wife...
And advice from my son would be:

[MahFL]

Congradualtions Emily.

[helvick]

B)-->

P.S.
Sleep whenever you can, because you will not have the chance to sleep more than few hours at the time for at least 100 sols...
[/quote]
My kids were obviously built by the same team as the MER's then - I didn't get more than 2 hours contiguous sleep for the first 2486 Sols.

[chris]

If you stop cleaning them, they may slow down when the dirt has accumulated enough. Or not...

Chris

[helvick]

If you stop cleaning them, they may slow down when the dirt has accumulated enough. Or not...

I just knew we were doing something wrong. Now why couldn't I have had this discussion 15 years ago...

[elakdawalla]

Thanks everybody! Yes, the doctor seemed pretty sure it's a she, but I think the readers of this board know very well how facts can change when new data are received. I'll have to wait for, umm, a closer flyby for me to be totally confident.

Edit: chris: that joke was priceless.

[Rakhir]

Congratulations Emily !
I wish you all the best.

We had twins two years and a half ago so I completely agree with Toma B's advice "Sleep whenever you can".
BTW, I should perhaps try to experiment with the dirt accumulation process suggested by Chris.

[dilo]

Congrats Emily !

[Bob Shaw]

Thanks everybody! Yes, the doctor seemed pretty sure it's a she, but I think the readers of this board know very well how facts can change when new data are received. I'll have to wait for, umm, a closer flyby for me to be totally confident.

Emily:

You need a flyby round the backside for that!

(ducks and runs)

Bob Shaw

[tedstryk]

Congratulations! Somehow I missed this thread until now.

[jamescanvin]

Congrats Emily!

And congrats to everyone for making this another classic thread. UMSF humor, you've gotta love it!

James

[slinted]

Congratulations Emily!

It's hard to imagine the wonders of exploration she will witness of the course of her lifetime.

[tasp]

More inappropriate humor warning:

If delivery drags on several hours longer than you like, PM me for an interesting solution involving shock paddles . . . .






Seriously, best of luck, best wishes, and hopefully a little humor will make everything go a little better.

[Stu]

Congratulations Emily, that's great news! Somehow missed this thread until now, too.

No JPL "Naming Competition" for the little 'un, I hope...

Seriously, my brain whirls at the thought of the things she will see when she grows up. People exploring Mars will be - hopefully - an everyday occurrence for her, and she'll be checking websites for the latest news on NASA's plans to send people to Europa.

Just think, for your daughter, the Mars Rovers' mision will be history...

[djellison]

Just think, for your daughter, the Mars Rovers' mision will be history...

Hopefully there will be a bit of overlap

Doug

[Stu]

Hopefully there will be a bit of overlap

Yeah... I meant when she was grown up!

[chris]

Edit: chris: that joke was priceless.

We aim to please

[stevo]

Congratulations Emily !
And pay no attention to these old nanny's worrying about lack of sleep. It's amazing how little sleep your body really needs to function well.

Now, where did I put my glasses ...

[remcook]

congratulations emily!

[djellison]

Congratulations Emily !
Now, where did I put my glasses ...

Under your pillow, but they're broken from when your head hit the pillow

Doug

[stevo]

Under your pillow, but they're broken from when your head hit the pillow

Doug

Not again

[Marcel]

..gives you a new perspective on things and we've even thought about having another at some point...

We got two at the time. They (twingirls) became 3 today ! They're aboard NH as well and they already know the planets by name just by looking at an image. It's far more beautifull to experience than anything else....together. Seriously. It's love at first sight that will never fade.....congratulations, take lot's of rest and enjoy every moment of the young life. He/she will be 3 before you know....time flies.

[ElkGroveDan]

We got two at the time. They (twingirls) became 3 today ! They're aboard NH as well

Well that explains the excess launch weight...

[Guest_PhilCo126_*]

Congrats Emily ... Having a child is a great feeling !
All the best !

[climber]

Now, where did I put my glasses ...

Believe it or not, I was walking yesterday at work holding a sheet of paper... and my eyes get to the right low corner to check... what the time was!
Congratulations Emily and stay away from computers... but not from UMSF.

[paxdan]

Believe it or not, I was walking yesterday at work holding a sheet of paper... and my eyes get to the right low corner to check... what the time was!

Ha ha ha. I do exactly the same thing all the time!

Congratulations Emily, all the best. I hope everything goes smoothly.

[mars loon]

Congratulations Emily,

Another Cosmic Miracle

made from "Stardust"

ken

[hendric]

I think "Spirit Cassini Opportunity Lakdawalla" has a certain kind of ring to it...

Good luck and best wishes!

[ustrax]

Missed this for too long...

Overwhelming to know that, in spite of the titanic forces that generated the Universe we are capable to witness Nature in it's full tenderness watching a mother and her newborn child.

I'm very happy for you Emily, and your companion, for the most incredible adventure humans can experience.

[elakdawalla]

Thank you all very much! Anyone interested in seeing the results of the first six months of the mission can check out cool 3D ultrasound photos here. It's pretty amazing what those crafty engineers can do with imaging technology these days...

--Emily

[remcook]

that's scary...amazing though

[ustrax]

Thank you all very much! Anyone interested in seeing the results of the first six months of the mission can check out cool 3D ultrasound photos here. It's pretty amazing what those crafty engineers can do with imaging technology these days...

--Emily

That is TRULY a work of art...and science...and love...The fragile and epic nature of humanity gathered in such a small new being...Makes us think, makes me get emotional...Makes me wanna HUG someone!!!


Emily...Can you detect already any resemblances with you or the father?...

[Bill Harris]

Emily, I wonder if she dreams...

--Bill

[ljk4-1]

Emily, I have noticed a resemblance between your child and this fellow:

http://www.palantir.net/2001/tma1/pics/infinite10.jpg

http://www.palantir.net/2001/tma1/pics/infinite12.jpg

http://www.lynchposters.com/images/2001-R74-Starchild.jpg

Is there something you'd like to tell us?

[chris]

Amazing

[climber]

[quote name='ljk4-1' date='May 23 2006, 05:54 PM' post='55429']
Emily, I have noticed a resemblance between your child and this fellow:
Is there something you'd like to tell us?


I think it has been "2004 a Space Odyssey" (Stardust, Rovers, Moon-Mars & Beyond, Huygens (well,nearly)..)

[elakdawalla]

I've just released a new set of remote sensing data acquired Monday...
ultrasound photos

And I can report that I am beginning to acquire a spherical shape due, of course, to self-gravity acting upon my increasing mass! As for the baby, I can report that she is very pointy. And active.

By the way, Doug, I checked, and cafepress does do baby wear...I think the kid definitely needs a UMSF "creeper." Hook that up on the UMSF store and I'll buy one.

--Emily

[Nix]

Those images are stunning!! I have seen some of those images but this is quite detailed!

I think she looks pretty and intelligent too.
Thanks for sharing Emily.

Wishing you all the best, looking forward to EDL

Nico

[ustrax]

[Guest_AlexBlackwell_*]

I've just released a new set of remote sensing data acquired Monday...
ultrasound photos

Very nice, Emily And here's to your and your baby's continued good health.

Of course, you should realize that us spoiled UMSFers expect your OB/GYN to set up an automatic mechanism to post the raw images online in JPEG format as soon as they are available, don't you?

And I can report that I am beginning to acquire a spherical shape due, of course, to self-gravity acting upon my increasing mass! As for the baby, I can report that she is very pointy. And active.

In that case, we'll have to calculate your Love number (no pun intended) as well as go after your 12th degree or higher global gravity field solutions, determination of principal axes, bulk density, etc., thereby placing constraints on your internal structures.

[Bjorn Jonsson]

Assuming a sufficient number of images is available, there are also some people here who love using images to make texture maps and shape models/triangle meshes that can then be used as input to 3D rendering programs. To do this photometric parameters usually have to be determined .

Very impressive images.

[volcanopele]

Emily, you note that the girl is still on the small side. Could be worse. My newborn nephew weighed in at 10.5 lbs. at birth

[dvandorn]

...I can report that I am beginning to acquire a spherical shape due, of course, to self-gravity acting upon my increasing mass!

You realize that by meeting two different criteria -- assuming a spherical shape due to self-gravitation and orbiting around the Sun but not orbiting another body -- you qualify under Alan Stern's definition of a planet.

I'm looking forward to seeing Steve Albers' map of planet Lakdawalla... assuming he can put together a shape model onto which he can project topographic and albedo features.



Once again, good luck and happy life, Emily!

-the other Doug

[hendric]

Next time ask the dr to take two 3d images a few cm apart and someone here can turn them into an anaglyph!

[MizarKey]

I've just released a new set of remote sensing data acquired Monday...
ultrasound photos

--Emily

Emily, congratulations! Those 3-d ultrasound images are amazing!

We didn't have that back in '89, though the technician was nice enough to tells us to bring a vhs tape ahead of the appointment, we got several minutes of ultrasound showing our twins...still the most priceless tape I own. I remember just watching it over and over the day we got it (my wife was 4 months along at the time and we didn't know we were going to have twins until that ultrasound).

Best wishes to you and your husband and new memeber.

[ustrax]

Emily...
Should it be now -40 counting for 'Elizabeth'?

[elakdawalla]

-41, technically, though I'm constantly being reminded that she'll arrive when she's ready, which could be early or late... I hope she doesn't take too long

[Bob Shaw]

-41, technically, though I'm constantly being reminded that she'll arrive when she's ready, which could be early or late... I hope she doesn't take too long

Emily:

How will we define 'arrival' - or will we have to ask Doug?

(ducks and runs)

Bob Shaw

[paxdan]

.....the ward and bed number on the day the first image of the baby....

[edstrick]

By one definition, arrival is formally and LOUDLY announced by a flurry of Squalls.

[climber]

.....the ward and bed number on the day the first image of the baby....

Do you mean that the pictures we've already seen came from MGS ?

[Bill Harris]

I wonder if we should start a pool on who will arrive first: Elizabeth or Oppy at Vicky...

--Bill

[climber]

I wonder if we should start a pool on who will arrive first: Elizabeth or Oppy at Vicky...
--Bill

Well, unless Emily delivers in a pool (wonder if it's commun in US?)

[Bob Shaw]

'Victoria' - now there's a good name for a female child...

Bob Shaw

[DFinfrock]

'Victoria' - now there's a good name for a female child...

Bob Shaw

Or, considering Emily's thesis... Venus might be appropriate. I know, I know. Doug said there's not to be a UMSF naming contest.

Congratulations Emily. Enjoy every moment.

David

[djellison]

Doug said there's not to be a UMSF naming contest.

Ahh - no - I said no TPS naming contest ( or the poor thing would be called Pixel or Hephaestus or something )

Doug

[Bill Harris]

I dunno, "Elizabeth Cynthia" has rather a ring to it.

--Bill

[edstrick]

As the phrase goes: "Call me anything, but don't call me "late for dinner"."

[dvandorn]

Speaking of naming things, I heard a guy yesterday who said he wanted to open a restaurant and call it "Thanks for Calling, How May I Help You." That way, anytime anyone called the restaurant, the poor person answering the phone would have to say "Hi, thanks for calling 'Thanks for Calling, How May I Help You,' how may I help you?"



Of course, if you were to play such a trick on your child, Emily, I wouldn't blame the kid for planning matricide...

-the other Doug

[Bill Harris]

Of course, the ultimate trick would be to drop in a Parsi family name, too.

--Bill

[Bob Shaw]

Of course, the ultimate trick would be to drop in a Parsi family name, too.

--Bill

Bill:

MERwatchawalla?

Bob Shaw

[CosmicRocker]

...
Wishing you all the best, looking forward to EDL

I'm returning to this discussion somewhat lately, but I see it has livened up with much humor and good intentions for Emily. I also wish her the best, as parenting is one of the most rewarding and challenging of human occupations.

I couldn't find a mention elsewhere (other than her blog) that Doug has taken on a week-long stint as a pinch hitter on Emily's TPS blog. I look forward to that.

[djellison]

I couldn't find a mention elsewhere (other than her blog) that Doug has taken on a week-long stint as a pinch hitter on Emily's TPS blog. I look forward to that.

Yup - huge privelage, and even more so given the company I've just found I'll be keeping. Jim and I had a chat about it before the last PCU and we're both excited, but nervous.

The plan is for me to blog from here - http://www.iac2006.com - I'm just waiting for press accreditation to come through!

Looking at the list, I'm quite looking forward to reading what my fellow gloggers ( guest bloggers ) have to say, but like when you have a long holiday..you enjoyed being away..but it's nice to get home so I'll be looking forward to 'THE RETURN' at the end of October as well

Doug

[ustrax]

I couldn't find a mention elsewhere (other than her blog) that Doug has taken on a week-long stint as a pinch hitter on Emily's TPS blog. I look forward to that.

And in what a GREAT team you are Doug!

Looking forward for that!

EDITED: 'and there's one empty slot that should be filled shortly...'
Emily...ME! ME!
I could write about... ...well...you know...

[ngunn]

Nice one, Doug. But it's still THAT photo, I see . .

[djellison]

Well heck - it's different to the one on the BBQ pic

Doug

[stevo]

we didn't know we were going to have twins until that ultrasound).

Sorry for the digression, but I can't resist. We had exactly the same experience.
Technician: "You know you're having twins, right ?"
Me: "Uh ........ what ?"
It was the biggest surprise of my life. The best too.

Congratulations Emily, she looks adorable.

Stephen

[hendric]

Nice one, Doug. But it's still THAT photo, I see . .

Note that after significant scientific analysis, Doug is the only left-leaning glogger! What does it mean? Is he a closet commie? I think we need a poll on Doug's political proclivities, based on his left-lean and finger-pointing! My gut feel is a liberal...

[djellison]

I can actually explain a route cause for that photo My uncle took the photo, and is deaf in one ear, so he always stands with his good ear to the side of the person he's talking to....which was my mum (his sister) to his right. I was talking to someone 'off shot' about my uncles camera and the sod shot a picture off before I could say "Cheese"

Doug

[The Messenger]

I'm curious about both Huygens and SMART-1 image archiving plans too. That's definitely on my list to ask. I hate to admit it but though I've heretofore been an early riser, I haven't yet managed to pull my carcass out of bed in time (before 7 am my time) to become sentient in time to call Noordwijk.

Since Emily's announcement, I've felt more like a spoiled and overly jealous husband than a godparent: Happy for her, but unwilling to share the time of our ace reporter with anyone. (I have even joked with my wife, the quintessential grandmother, about shipping her to Pasadena to nanny so that Emily can resume her globetrotting asap;)

[ustrax]

-41, technically, though I'm constantly being reminded that she'll arrive when she's ready, which could be early or late... I hope she doesn't take too long

-18 and counting...

[belleraphon1]

Yes indeed Emily..... I am not much of a chit-chatterer so am late in finding this thread.

congrats....... what a joy is ahead for you!

My daughter Rachel is expecting twins about the same time as your child's launch.... my first grandchildren.
Rachel was born the same month Voyager 2 flew by Saturn (conceived not long after Voyager 1 flew by Titan and confirmed the thick hazy air of that magnificant world). Now Rachel will be the parent, and I wonder what my grandsons will see in 25 years, what a universe they will know then.

We spacers have patience...... 25 years to see Titan revealing herself finally. 25 years of seeing my daughter grow into a woman and finding her own way.........................

I fully expect my grandsons to take me on a retirement trip (permanently) to the Moon.

Best wishes and joy for you....... but PLEASE come back to us soon, we need your reporting!!!!!!! (Selfish)

Craig

[djellison]

Tomorrow will be EL's last day in work before Maternity leave, so with AstroO's help I prepared a little good luck message....I emailed a slightly larger version to Emily, but here's a smaller version..

I think I speak for everyone here in wishing Emily and Darius the best of luck and a healthy happy arrival before too long!

I think, finally, we've used up every possible Space related anaolgy/pun!

Doug

Attached thumbnail(s)

 

[Bill Harris]

Darius Lakdawalla? JOOC, I did a google on that name and he appears to be a well-published economist. Could it be the same person?

As I said, just curious...

At any rate, good luck Emily & Darius & Elizabeth and g*d bless!

--Bill

[elakdawalla]

Tomorrow will be EL's last day in work before Maternity leave, so with AstroO's help I prepared a little good luck message....I emailed a slightly larger version to Emily, but here's a smaller version..

Aww...thanks guys, that's going in the blog for sure. Think I'll do one final farewell entry tomorrow morning. I'm sure I won't be able to stay completely away from UMSF, once things settle down -- whenever that happens -- so don't be surprised if I pop in from time to time. It's been great to find this community of like-minded people, I couldn't give it up! Thank you all for all your wishes. Right now my biggest wish is for the kid to show up sooner rather than later!

Bill, yes, my husband is Darius the RAND economist.

--Emily

[chris]

Best of luck Emily. We'll miss you. Come back soon!

Chris

[Guest_AlexBlackwell_*]

Best wishes, Emily