ARLINGTON, Va. - The Space Shuttle Atlantis is now in orbit. The six-person crew took off Monday afternoon from Florida. Their mission will take them to the International Space Station to deliver parts to keep the station running for years to come.

One of the astronauts, mission specialist Randy Bresnick, and his wife Rebecca are expecting their first biological child. It's something doctors said they'd never be able to do and it's a delivery that will now take place with the two parents worlds apart.

The Bresnicks have wanted a baby for years but were told it just wasn't possible. They adopted a son and became a happy family. But then came the news that sent them swinging among the stars: they would soon have a daughter, too.

"After being told for five years that we'd never have a biological child, I can't squabble about a delivery date," said Rebecca Bresnick.

It turns out this isn't the first time the Bresnicks have had a scheduling conflict for major life events. The mission specialist was absent from the group photo on the day he became an astronaut because it was his wedding day.

While he won't be in the delivery room, he's anxiously awaiting his daughters arrival from a world away.

"It's a miracle that's been growing in her womb...I don't think I'll be able to contain my grin," said Bresnick.

Shuttle Atlantis is on an 11-day mission, which means all of the astronauts will also miss Thanksgiving with their families.They'll instead have to settle for Tturkey tetrazzini in a rehydratable pouch.

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