Lemondrop

Randy Bresnik, 42, will not be around for the birth of his daughter. But at least he has a good excuse -- he's in space.

Bresnik is on the space team currently at the International Space Station, where he is hauling cargo from the ship to the station. His wife Rebecca is set to give birth to their second child today.

Luckily, ol' NASA has been kind enough to allow Bresnik to call and check in periodically on his wife. "I think like most parents, I would prefer to be there for the birth," Bresnik said in an interview with the space agency. "But you know, we don't pick this timing, so it's a bit disappointing not to see her in person right when she enters the world."

This little girl is actually a miracle, as ABC reports that the Bresnik's didn't think Rebecca could even get pregnant. They found out they were wrong right after adopting son Wyatt last year. "We're fortunate enough to witness the miracle of adoption as well as the miracle of childbirth all in one year," Bresnik said. "We're just amazingly blessed."

This is the first time in space for the former Marine Corps lieutenant colonel. Rebecca works at NASA as well -- at the Johnson Space Center.

Bresnik will do his first-ever spacewalk on Saturday. Hopefully the baby will come either today or Sunday so that he can be closer to the phone during or right after the birth. He is due back to Earth next Friday, the day after Thanksgiving.

"I'm just working with my doctors and working with Randy's schedule to make sure that, if possible, that we can do it on the day where he's not out doing [a spacewalk] and maybe have a little more communication," Rebecca said on Monday.

Bresnik isn't the first astronaut to be in space while his wife was back at home giving birth. In 2004, astronaut Mike Fincke's second child, a girl named Tarali, was born while he was at the International Space Station. He was able to speak with his wife on the phone during her delivery.

Let's cross our fingers the Bresniks have the same luck!