BABBY FORMED BY METAFILTER

September 5, 2012 11:09 AM

BABBY FORMED BY METAFILTER

It all started with an innocuous comment on MetaChat almost six years ago.

One thing led to another, and now I'm very pleased at announce there is a whole other person on the planet!

This is Henry, the first baby (I think) born to folks who met on MetaChat. More pics here. He was born via a dramatic emergency c-section on August 24th at 3.11 PM, 6 lbs 5 oz.

If there was no MetaFilter there would be no MetaChat, so thank you, MetaFilter, from proud parents Specklet and TheDonF!

posted by Specklet to MetaFilter-Related at 11:09 AM (104 comments total)

Welcome babby! Welcome to the longboat!
posted by Mister_A at 11:13 AM on September 5, 2012 [5 favorites]

Yay congrats!
posted by dabug at 11:13 AM on September 5, 2012

So, so beautiful. Big congratulations to all of you and I'm so glad all the drama had a happy ending!
posted by SweetTeaAndABiscuit at 11:14 AM on September 5, 2012

What a cool story, and he is absolutely beautiful. Welcome, Henry! May his birth be as much emergency drama that your family has to experience together.
posted by lakersfan1222 at 11:20 AM on September 5, 2012

I now have an idea for a book: Baby's First Plate of Beans
posted by Egg Shen at 11:22 AM on September 5, 2012 [26 favorites]

Congratulations! Henry is super-cute. I hope the birthing process wasn't too prickly! ;)
posted by grouse at 11:23 AM on September 5, 2012 [3 favorites]

Congratulations!
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:25 AM on September 5, 2012

Hey iconomy, have you seen my sugar gliders?




Well it was worth a shot. . .
posted by Danf at 11:26 AM on September 5, 2012 [9 favorites]

Yay! Congratulations!!!! :) :)
posted by zarq at 11:28 AM on September 5, 2012

Happy new baby! Welcome to the world, Henry!
posted by rmd1023 at 11:29 AM on September 5, 2012

Congratulations! I remember that MetaChat thread, it's wonderful that it led to such great things.
posted by greycap at 11:45 AM on September 5, 2012

This is so exciting. Mazel tov, and thank you for making a new person.
posted by Sidhedevil at 11:45 AM on September 5, 2012

Congratulations!

All babies are beautiful. And I know you're supposed to say that all babies are cute. But, objectively, that's not always true, even if it's not polite to say so.

But gosh darn that is one cute freakin' baby!* Like "makes me ignore my 'babies for you = none' wiring for a surprising number of seconds" cute. I keep wanting to link to my favorite picture but I love them all.

* language cleaned up because swearing about babies seems weird
posted by MCMikeNamara at 11:48 AM on September 5, 2012

You guys took 6 years to make babby and it's only 6 pounds?!!?!??!
posted by Mister_A at 11:52 AM on September 5, 2012 [7 favorites]

Cute burrito babby! Congratulations guys!
posted by arcticseal at 11:59 AM on September 5, 2012

My boyfriend is a mefite, and we met at a metafilter meetup. And I believe the Chicago crowd has at least one more mefimance aside from us.

How many formed-by-metafilter couples are there? This is a statistic I'd like to know.
posted by phunniemee at 12:04 PM on September 5, 2012

Should this go into the "projects" section?



The whole idea of a group weblog eventually leading to procreation (dating sites aside) is sort of amazing, really.
posted by mecran01 at 12:09 PM on September 5, 2012 [5 favorites]

Congratulations! Cute looking kid!
posted by carter at 12:09 PM on September 5, 2012

Hey Don, have you seen my sugar gliders? They're a lot of work, but otherwise fit your bill.

Is that what the kids are calling it these days?
posted by shothotbot at 12:09 PM on September 5, 2012 [16 favorites]

Yay! Happiness! Babby! Sweet!

Have you "seen my sugar gliders", indeed.
posted by dirtdirt at 12:14 PM on September 5, 2012 [2 favorites]

Oh my gosh! Those are really some of the most adorable baby photos I have ever seen! So much expression in one little face!

Congratulations on your wonderful baby and all the best for Your new parental adventure! (fwiw, NortonDC and I met at a MeFi meetup, got married, had a baby, and just today took our girl, now 3.5 years old, to her first day of preschool. It goes by so fast! All that sweetness and cuddling ahead of you! I wish you the best!)
posted by onlyconnect at 12:24 PM on September 5, 2012 [2 favorites]

Babby is beautifully formed! Congratulations!
posted by bedhead at 12:25 PM on September 5, 2012 [1 favorite]

Should have named him MetaHenry, in honour of the place his parents met.

Seriously, though, this is a pretty cool story. Congrats on the new addition!
posted by asnider at 12:41 PM on September 5, 2012

Hey Don, have you seen my sugar gliders? They're a lot of work, but otherwise fit your bill.

Is that what the kids are calling it these days?


God dammit, I was gonna make that joke!
posted by Think_Long at 12:47 PM on September 5, 2012

phunniemee: "How many formed-by-metafilter couples are there? This is a statistic I'd like to know."

I think NortonDC (of "we have cameras" fame) met his wife at a meetup here in DC several years back. She has an account but I don't recall her username.
posted by exogenous at 12:56 PM on September 5, 2012 [1 favorite]

How many formed-by-metafilter couples are there? This is a statistic I'd like to know.

When you consider the number of MeFi widows (my wife) and the people that have been DTMFA'd by AskMe the net impact of Metafilter on couplings is an extremely negative number, Baby Specklet notwithstanding.

Mefites, it's up to you to restore the balance and get couplin' up. I'll count you off: 1,2,1,2,1,2...
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 1:02 PM on September 5, 2012

Welcome to Earth, little Henry!

Congrats, Specklet & TheDonF!

Glad you made it through the hard transition, all!
posted by batmonkey at 1:02 PM on September 5, 2012

Congratulations to the meta-couple and welcome to Henry. Does Henry have a screen name yet?
posted by Cranberry at 1:09 PM on September 5, 2012 [1 favorite]

Hey, that's great. Congratulations, you guys.

I like TheDonF's comment that prompted the sugar gliders response:

I need a pet, something small and cute to play with and that would be good company.
posted by TheDonF 13 November | 17:47

So, mission accomplished, then.
posted by maqsarian at 1:24 PM on September 5, 2012 [13 favorites]

My boyfriend is a mefite, and we met at a metafilter meetup. And I believe the Chicago crowd has at least one more mefimance aside from us. How many formed-by-metafilter couples are there? This is a statistic I'd like to know.

A goodly number. And many on MetaChat as well - maybe even a higher proportion, given the smaller size of that site - some that have lasted, some that have not. I met my partner on MetaChat but so far we have produced no babbies.

Speck's lil child is indeed a nubbinly one. Congrats again!
posted by Miko at 1:31 PM on September 5, 2012

Hurray! Congrats, Specklet! Mini-Specklet has awesome parents indeed.
posted by Phire at 1:34 PM on September 5, 2012

Internet-assisted reproduction! Truly, we are in the future!

Congratulations, and hello, babby! Make your folks get you an account ASAP.
posted by rtha at 1:47 PM on September 5, 2012 [1 favorite]

Hooray! Congratulations!
posted by jessypie at 1:48 PM on September 5, 2012

I like the look of that kid. He's already got character.
posted by pracowity at 2:06 PM on September 5, 2012

Mazel tov!
posted by trip and a half at 2:14 PM on September 5, 2012

It is depressing how pleased I would be if I could just find a mate via Metafilter.
posted by maryr at 2:19 PM on September 5, 2012 [1 favorite]

MateFilter?
posted by maryr at 2:19 PM on September 5, 2012 [4 favorites]

Oh, hi, baby!

Welcome to this great big wide awesome world!
posted by zizzle at 2:20 PM on September 5, 2012

Hurrah, Henry!

He's a handsome fellow. Takes after Spcklet's side of the family, i see.

MetaChat is a groovy place to meet hot chicks and/or righteous dudes, IMO.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 2:33 PM on September 5, 2012

Happy Belated birthday, Baby Henry! Your Mom and Dad will have a really cool story to tell you one day about how they met each other!

Emergency C sections are not the most fun happy way to have babby, though. Hope you are doing well, Mama! If you ever want to vent about it, or if you are concerned about anything during your recovery, feel free to Mefimail me!

I had two C-sections, and one was an OMG,YOU ARE EIGHT CENTIMETERS AND THE BABY IS FOOTLING BREECH WE HAVE TO DO THIS NOWNOWNOW! emergency.*

*That baby is 6'4" tall now. So, fair warning!
posted by misha at 2:37 PM on September 5, 2012

Congrats!
posted by darth_tedious at 2:47 PM on September 5, 2012

NOW BEGINS THE SELECTIVE BREEDING PROGRAM
posted by The Whelk at 2:57 PM on September 5, 2012 [3 favorites]

THIS IS NOT A BOOB WHO DO YOU THINK YOU'RE TRYING TO FOOL HERE?
posted by Dasein at 3:11 PM on September 5, 2012 [9 favorites]

Congrats! This was obviously destined to happen, given that you also laid down some solid child-rearing advice in that same original MetaChat:

They eat a special mixture consisting of honey, various kinds of baby food, instant rice cereal, wheat germ, vitamins, etc, as well as a daily serving of fresh veggies, fresh fruit, and live meal worms.

They need quite a lot of attention, and quite a lot of patience. They are wild animals, and although they will bond with a human very strongly, it takes time and diligence. I've had mine for two months now, and we're only getting to the point where I can pick them up without them getting defensive/nippy.

They're adorable, though, and once bonded to you will climb all over you, play with your hair, and sleep in your shirt.

posted by Panjandrum at 3:22 PM on September 5, 2012 [10 favorites]

Oh noway!! Wow!! I didn't know there was a babby on the way!! Congrats sweetie! He's a cutie!
posted by ramix at 3:22 PM on September 5, 2012

My favorite is the yawn. Adorable!
posted by Houstonian at 3:22 PM on September 5, 2012

Congratulations on your additional Netizen!
posted by Smart Dalek at 3:25 PM on September 5, 2012

*big wide grin*

*nods and smiles and grins goofily at it all*

*hands over flowers and candy*
posted by infini at 3:33 PM on September 5, 2012

Congratulations on the birth of your adorable little MeChazen, Specklet and TheDonF.

Ten years as a MeFite, and [sniffle] no one has ever invited me to see his sugar glider.
posted by orange swan at 3:36 PM on September 5, 2012

Beautiful!
posted by MT at 3:44 PM on September 5, 2012

This is lovely and your baby is lovely and you guys are lovely.
posted by sweetkid at 3:45 PM on September 5, 2012

Welcome to the world, young sir!
posted by SuperSquirrel at 3:52 PM on September 5, 2012

Even though I'm in my 30's and in pretty much the apex of happy/healthy/worthwhile relationships - indeed, the best in my life (for 3 years to a stunningly beautiful gal who'd no doubt produce stunningly beautiful kids - and is a Mefite to boot) - babies still freak me right out. Eep. It'll happen someday, though so I suppose all I can do is enjoy it while I can.

I do remember y'all getting together back in my Mecha days, Speck, and damn that's one fine little booger. I wish the tyke all the happiness that somehow missed me as a youngin'. God I'm such a downer.
posted by item at 4:14 PM on September 5, 2012

Congrats!
posted by Renoroc at 4:25 PM on September 5, 2012

1. You are a very cute family.
2. I must immediately figure out how to 'MetaChat'.
posted by bquarters at 4:29 PM on September 5, 2012 [1 favorite]

Yay, congrats! He's gorgeous!
posted by rabbitrabbit at 4:30 PM on September 5, 2012

They need to do a way instain mother. \o/
posted by Jofus at 4:32 PM on September 5, 2012 [2 favorites]

Huzzah! I'm so happy for the three of you!
posted by safetyfork at 4:41 PM on September 5, 2012

Wow that is one seriously perfect and gorgeous baby. Hopefully your Exciting Drama with him will all be front-loaded. Congratulations to you both!
posted by KathrynT at 4:44 PM on September 5, 2012

My goodness this is exciting news! Congratulations to specklet and TheDonF on your beautiful babby boi!
posted by Lynsey at 4:55 PM on September 5, 2012

Awwwww. Congratulations! The hair! Those cute cheeks! Welcome, Henry!
posted by MonkeyToes at 5:47 PM on September 5, 2012

But who was phone?
posted by Sidhedevil at 5:54 PM on September 5, 2012

Yay Henry! Yay Specklet & theDonF! Now go sleep while the baby sleeps.
posted by mygothlaundry at 6:14 PM on September 5, 2012

We're ignoring the most important question: what happened to the sugar gliders?!
posted by mckenney at 6:30 PM on September 5, 2012 [4 favorites]

Aaaw, congrats! He's a gorgeous little guy!
posted by triggerfinger at 6:44 PM on September 5, 2012

Congrats parents and welcome to the light, Henry!!

I met my husband on Metafilter and we have a very promising young spawn.
posted by thirteenkiller at 6:53 PM on September 5, 2012

Congratulations!
posted by box at 6:57 PM on September 5, 2012

These sugar gliders, are they hard or soft core?
posted by not_on_display at 6:57 PM on September 5, 2012

[and congrats!]
posted by not_on_display at 6:58 PM on September 5, 2012

beautiful baby! Congratulations.
posted by ambrosia at 7:23 PM on September 5, 2012

Huzzah!
posted by jquinby at 7:44 PM on September 5, 2012

Woohoo! Congratulations!
posted by smirkette at 8:01 PM on September 5, 2012

Henry is gorgeous. He is a handsome little man.

I both do and do not envy you the next three months of your lives. Congratulations on having made something so wonderful.
posted by middleclasstool at 8:36 PM on September 5, 2012

Yippee for the new family! That rocks.
posted by 26.2 at 8:52 PM on September 5, 2012

Yay for Specklet and theDonF and Henry! Yay for sugar gliders!

It is with some sadness that I say this though, as I will miss the hilarious Twitter adventures of #PREGLOR.
posted by cmyk at 8:58 PM on September 5, 2012

^

Sorry. I've been writing lots of regular expressions today...
posted by schmod at 9:08 PM on September 5, 2012

Congratulations! What a handsome little guy.
posted by the young rope-rider at 9:22 PM on September 5, 2012

Henry is so very adorable! Congratulations!!
posted by amanda at 9:47 PM on September 5, 2012

Congrats, Speck and TheDonF!
posted by daniel_charms at 9:54 PM on September 5, 2012

Welcome, Henry! Welcome from the Blue Nowhere!
posted by TangerineGurl at 10:17 PM on September 5, 2012

That photo of the upside down Specklet with Dad and Henry is the sweetest new babby photo I've ever seen. Much happiness MetaFamily!
posted by a humble nudibranch at 11:12 PM on September 5, 2012

AWWW. Babby is instainly adorable!! And I'm internet godmother, right?

Hugs and congratulations, you two, you make such beautiful things.

*´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•` ¤ Welcome, Henry!*´¨)
posted by taz (staff) at 12:12 AM on September 6, 2012 [3 favorites]

Such a cutie. Congratulations!
posted by Defying Gravity at 12:22 AM on September 6, 2012

So cute. Congratulations!

Metafilter: best (babbies) of the web.
posted by undue influence at 3:06 AM on September 6, 2012

Congrats you crazy kids!

I think NortonDC (of "we have cameras" fame) met his wife at a meetup here in DC several years back. She has an account but I don't recall her username.

Her username is onlyconnect.
posted by terrapin at 5:03 AM on September 6, 2012

I met my SO via MeFi, too. Over four years ago! Best. meetup. ever. (I was such a newb.)
posted by not_on_display at 5:18 AM on September 6, 2012

Yeah, and I nearly called the police on not_on_display when he popped into an IRC chat, asked me if I knew jessamyn, and then said "I like jessamyn" :P
posted by terrapin at 5:54 AM on September 6, 2012 [1 favorite]

Hurrah! Late to this party but thrilled to welcome a new baby Mefite into the world.
posted by gauche at 8:09 AM on September 6, 2012

Yay! Thanks for all the wonderful comments :) Although we met on MetaChat, we almost certainly wouldn't have been on that site if it wasn't for Metafilter. Strangely, we signed up for accounts here within three days of each other back in 2004. I'm sure Specklet will comment in here later, but she and Henry are fast asleep at the moment. I wish I was as well, but work—augmented by large amounts of caffiene—is calling.

And, taz: yes, internet godmother :)
posted by TheDonF at 8:56 AM on September 6, 2012

Congrats and all, but the kid pays $5, same as in town.
posted by jourman2 at 9:04 AM on September 6, 2012

Thanks everyone! You are all sweet and amusing!

And taz, YES, you are totally Henry's internet godmother!
posted by Specklet at 10:17 AM on September 6, 2012

Yay! Congrats to you all! That's a lucky babby, to have y'all as parents.
posted by chowflap at 11:14 AM on September 6, 2012

Congratulations!
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 11:47 AM on September 6, 2012

Strangely, we signed up for accounts here within three days of each other back in 2004.

Well, that was when the doors were opened for $5 noobs, so it's not that surprising. But now look what happens. You should make Matt his godfather! Or is a new term required - webfather?

(eep. i just realised that would make lil ubu's webfather Mark Zuckerberg. cancel that)

Cute babby, by the way - congrats & enjoy the ride!
posted by UbuRoivas at 1:11 PM on September 6, 2012

Hooray for all three!
posted by Anything at 4:58 PM on September 6, 2012

Awesome and congrats! I really feel like MeFi helped put me in a good place when our wee man was born 21 months ago! (wow it goes fast...savor it.)

Hopefully none of the super cheery folk from this thread decide to poop on your party.
posted by TomMelee at 5:25 PM on September 6, 2012

Hooray for babby!!
posted by epj at 6:32 AM on September 7, 2012

late to the party but delighted for you guys, he looks sooo cute!
posted by Wilder at 9:11 AM on September 7, 2012

What a darling! congrats! And heal fast - emergency c-sections are way too exciting.
posted by leslies at 1:25 PM on September 7, 2012

congrats!
posted by juv3nal at 2:23 PM on September 7, 2012

Congratulations to all! Welcome, Henry!
posted by Fuzzy Monster at 5:35 PM on September 8, 2012

I am very happy for you guys and your family.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 7:45 PM on September 8, 2012

Thanks again, everyone!
posted by Specklet at 8:10 AM on September 9, 2012

Neat story!
Congratulations.
Henry's a charmer.



I met my husband on Metafilter and we have a very promising young spawn.
posted by thirteenkiller

Ah ha! There's another tale.
posted by BlueHorse at 2:49 PM on September 9, 2012