Welcome to Friday! Did anybody sleep after that first NBA finals game on Canadian soil last night? History!
 
I don’t think you had to be Jessica Fletcher or Nancy Drew to figure out our happy news today based on yesterday’s hint. A few thought that perhaps we were getting a puppy when I said “tickled pink.” Um, no. I don’t think that’s in our future. And sweet Molly is puppy enough, even at 14-and-a-half!
 
No, we’re going to be…well, what are we going to be? The point is, Brooke and Phil are welcoming a new baby GIRL into their home in the fall. And we couldn’t be happier for them and for a boy who is sure to be the best big brother ever, our sweet Colin.
 

 
Last summer, we all wished Phil and Brooke well as they formalized their union at Ottawa City Hall. And now, the next big step in their little family: a baby girl is due in early October, just a few days before Colin’s fifth birthday. And everyone is just delighted.
 
Brooke’s had a queasy pregnancy and is feeling the wearying effects of carrying a new little person inside her as she continues her daily job in retail. But she’s tough, strong and smart and got a lot of practice with mothering and all of the wonderfully messy details that entails with Colin, having been in his life for about as much of it as he can remember. We’re all so grateful to her for giving up her carefree single life to take on a ready-made family with Phil and Colin; now she’ll be adding a baby girl to the joyous, boisterous mix and we know she’ll be as terrific a mother to Baby Shirakawa as she has been to Colin. 
 
And so…as it does…life goes on. As we said to Phil very publicly four years ago this week, “You’ve got this.” And we can say it to Brooke, too. Our job will just be to add to the love and support and, perhaps, if we’re lucky, we’ll be Grama and Grandad Banana to yet another sweet little person. 
 
Congratulations, Brooke, Phil and Colin. And as for that T-shirt? You bet he will be. Colin’s caring and sensitive, has been asking for a sibling for a little bit now and will be helping out his Mama every way he can. As will we.
 
I’ll talk to you Monday from the road (flying into YYZ on Sunday night and appearing with Michelle Butterly at 7 pm Monday at Mississauga’s Chapters Indigo at Square One). The journal may be a little different next week, as my IT guy is at home while I travel, but come along for the ride, won’t you? My pal Lisa Brandt writes about our exploits today; here’s a link.
 
And one more thing as we head into June: this piece I posted for Walmart Ideas this week. Hope you enjoy it – and keep your cool.