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January 30, 2008
Wondering
Increasingly of late I have been wondering what this child of ours will look like. In most ways, Robbi and I look nothing alike, and yet we share certain similarities. Neither of us is seven feet tall, for example, and both of us have roundish faces.
Three of this baby's four grandparents were born with hair as fair as corn silk. The fourth had hair as black as coal. Robbi is firmly opposed to the idea of a blond child, and threatens to love it less if it comes out towheaded. Given the genetic likelihood of this result, however, I do hope that she summons the generosity of spirit to change her mind.
When I was home for Christmas this year, I rooted through some old pictures, looking for clues. I scanned a few favorites.
Here's the classic. Dad and me enjoying a relaxing morning in bed.
And here I am on the occasion of my first kindergarten graduation.
There was a second kindergarten graduation because, upon completing my first year of kindergarten, I was deemed not to be emotionally ready for the hard-hitting rigors of first grade. I was allowed to don the cap and gown so as not to feel excluded from the fun when all of my classmates actually graduated. I don't think I was emotionally astute enough to notice when I showed up in kindergarten again the next fall.
The second graduation did the trick, and I eventually did reach first grade.
The operative point remains, however. I was a very blond little sucker. Robbi beware.
Posted by bogenamp at January 30, 2008 11:14 PM
Comments
you were mighty cute as a youngster, matthew swanson. what happened? hahaha.
actually, i think odds are still in robbi's favor. dark hair and eyes are dominant... unless robbi has a recessive blonde gene lurking, baby behr-swanson may in all likelihood be a brunette like his/her lovely mom. i bet you didn't know i was a biology major in college, did you? probably because i wasn't. but i did do a report on genetics in 10th grade.
how 'bout posting some of robbi's baby pics??
Posted by: dunkyB at January 31, 2008 10:57 AM
First of all, those are spectacular photos. I love that lampshade!
Secondly, I say, "ha HA!" on the previous comment. In fact, make that, "ha HA HAAA!!!" I thought the same thing until I popped out Mr. Aryan Nation.
I'm afraid that my white baby is a major cause of Robbi's distress. It probably wouldn't even be a concern if you'd never seen my genetic freak. And, not to make it worse, but you guys are probably even MORE likely to have a blond because Huck only has one blond grandparent--the rest of us (Daddy included) have brown or black hair. Even all of the great-grandparents were brunettes!
But, you know, in spite of the genetic anomalies, the kid is still majorly cute. And I attribute that to his 1/4 Asian-ness. Like Keanu, you know? In fact, I think you should name the baby Keanu.
Posted by: Marigold at January 31, 2008 12:16 PM
My first had a full head of jet black hair when he was born - which my grandmother attributed to my spicy diet.
My second child had sparse white hair and remained platinum blonde for the first years of his life.
We now all share the same dark brown hair color - so keep in mind that what you see when the kid is born may not be what you get for a lifetime.
Maybe this knowledge will help Robbi cope better.
Posted by: Ming at February 1, 2008 11:12 AM