I've just got back from the RVI where Mrs Softie was having her mid-term scan. The sex of spawn-of-Softie has been resolved. The offical odds were 50:50, but I never had the slightest doubt with the power of the kicks keeping Mrs S awake half the night and stumbling to the loo at all hours.

NUFC get that Academy ready for a future legend, and failing that, Strawberry get ready for a new frequent bar propper-upper. Little Bobby is on his way!

Actually, judging by what I saw on the ultrasound, 'little' boy isn't the order of the day. He didn't get that enormous plunger from me, must have been the milkman. Happy as Larry I am. Reckon there's just enough room on a Toon babygrow to fit 'BOB' in.

No sleepless nights waiting for a lass to come home from a party...if you're lucky, no having to grit your teeth while Daddy's little girl goes out with some herbert you recognise too much of yourself in and no being wrapped round her little finger for life. Still, I do still get to be the bad guy when the Oedipus Complex kicks in, have to take the blame for the vomit all over the bathroom when he has his first crafty drink, have to stand back with white knuckles when he first learns to cope with bullying, get accused of being a boring old fart with terrible taste in music (mind you, I'm used to that aleady) and have to watch him make all the same mistakes I did without ever saying 'I told you so!' (except the football of course).

Hell's teeth, it's a daunting prospect, but I can't wait. Virtual cigars being puffed around 31 August.

Softie

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2000

Answers

Congratulations. Wonderful news, Softie. I'm delighted for you. Can't wait to see you - as you'll have seen I can't go tomorrow but I'll buy you some fizz at the Leeds game! Big love and big loveXX

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2000

Shouldn't that be a future Warren Barton on the way. ;)

Congrats Softie.

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2000

Congrats!
May your first child not have the head of a sheep.
(Old gypsy folk saying) I read this in a book about a spy hiding from the Ruskies. The spy was hansom and daring and if he didn't get the microfilm to MI6. . .

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2000

Yup, amazing isn't it - the first sighting, and in glorious black and white. We never got the sex identified (hospital policy due to the asian community pressures on having boys), but obviously was looking inquiringly at the scan. Since I couldn't see anything, I was rather glad it was a girl, in the end.

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2000

Well, congratulations and best wishes to both you and Mrs. Softie. I can just see it, 2019 F.A. Cup Final, Toon v Manure, tied 1-1 with 9 minutes to go, on comes Softie Jr. Has a blistering last nine minutes and makes Jap Spam Jr look like the fool he is, a real quick and perfect hat - trick by the Softie lad and we win our seventh cup final in a row.

Well done.

Pete

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2000

3 Warren Bartons, there's only 3 Warren Bartons!

Congratulations Softie and Mrs Softie!! Fantastic news!! :-D

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2000

Congratulations Softie and Mrs Softie. Brilliant news!

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2000

Good first half you two, keep it nice and tight into the second, let the others do the worrying, I expect you both to finish strongly, Softie try to stay on your feet , Mrs Softie no subs in this game, no worries on that score , Lets end the season on a high, Take Care Buff

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2000

Excellent news softie, and if your predictions come true about playing for the toon. Bagsie a cup final ticket for the year 2021 or whichever we get to:)

BTW I am not suggesting that that will be our next visit to Wembley...

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2000

wettin' the babbies heed end of Aug then?

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2000

Excellent news Softie! And "kali elefteria" to Mrs. Softie, I don't know of an english equivalent but in Greece they say this to expecting mothers, literally "good freedom" it means "have a good delivery".

Another thing little Bobby will appreciate when he grows up and has his own kids- it's better being the father in these situations!

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2000

I made it - jet-lagged and all.
Little Bobby Softie avec le grand toggle, eh? Great stuff Softie. Memorable experiences for to savour old son.
Couldn't be happier for you and Mrs S., although my second grandbairn is due is 5 weeks and with an 11 month grand- daughter already in tow, my fingers are crossed this time for a central midfield partner for your Bobby at the Toon Academy.

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2000

Congratulations

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2000

The highlight of Saturday, the 15th of March was undoubtedly being lucky enough to be in the Strawberry (pre-match) and seeing the scan photo of Softie jnr !!

I know I keep saying this 'ad nauseam' (along with only one other item !) but you two Softies are going to be SO happy. New babies are like waking up on Christmas Day - even though you'll be dragging yourselves out of bed at 3.22am occasionally - somewhat lacking in the festive spirit /-{.....zzzzzzzzzz

This feels family-like, doesn't it. Look back at the postings. I'm so glad we all made it back onboard (thanx to the swift and hard work of Dunx who we met at Wembley and who is smashing).

Could be more happy for The Softie Family. Wottaway to kick off the new footie year, eh ? And I just have a feeling that Bobby and The Lads could do us proud next season:-D

Congrats again. Keep us up to date. xxx

-- Anonymous, April 16, 2000

Hearty congrats to you and to the missus, Softie, on the health and impressive measurements of young todger.

PS. Quite an impressive chest-waxing shot there in Steph's Trafalgar Square piccies !! ;o)))

-- Anonymous, April 16, 2000

Felicitations, congratulations, and all other ations to you and Mrs Softie. Start crossing off the days until you stop sleeping nights!!!!!

-- Anonymous, April 17, 2000