Drumroll, please ...

Folks, I have an announcement! And yes, it has to do with the pitter patter of little feet.

It looks like there's going to be an addition to the family in early January 2006.

How did this happen? Don't ask me! I'm as surprised as you are. Who knew these people were going in for a hat trick?

I guess the first order of business would be to buy a larger bed. It's going to get a little crowded and rough with two adults and three kids trying to get through a night on one bed. The crib is practically brand new since the other kids never used it, so there's no good reason why the new baby would take to it, either. (My advice to future parents would be to bypass that darling crib with the ruffled bedskirt and matching canopy at Babies 'R' Us and wisely invest that money in a college fund.)

If it's a boy, I'm predicting the kids will call him Shahrukh, after their current idol. If it's a girl, Aishwarya, Rani, Kareena or Kajol.

So, join me, won't you, in wishing Sangita* & Bala (surely you didn't think it was my humans, did you?) the very best. With baby names like the ones above, they're going to need it.

*Sangita is everybody's favorite aunt on the east coast. If anyone deserves to have more children, that would be her. A mountain of patience, she can deal with temper tantrums, constant whining and general bratty behavior with amazing grace and equanimity. She has enough self-control to deal with an entire minivan of kids high on sugar and caffeine on a never-ending road trip. As if that's not enough, she's a big hit with the adults too for her unaffected charm and general bonhomie.

Hmmm ... maybe I should move in with her.