the new 6-pack

Funny how life changes....

6-pack: beer, abs, formula?!

The hospital and pediatrician (Baby Caleb had his first check-up yesterday - gained 1. 4 oz already!) loaded us up with ready-to-go 2 oz. nursing bottles so we aren't feeling the sticker shock of formula yet. Caleb's Uncle George shared stories about "double-laning" it at Target for Jon and Jess when formula was on special - Auntie Kara in one lane with her 10 cans and he in another with his. He said I should work on my glare and get my defensive shopping-cart moves ready. New world!

(almost) home

Baby Caleb met his first relatives last night when we arrived home from the hospital. Cousins Jess and Jon were over the moon......kissing his little peanut head and tiny toes. We are completely exhausted from a grueling 3 days of drama and sadness with b-mom and her family. But now he is OURS :) We are a family at last! More pics to come....

a different kind of waiting

Baby q. just isn't ready for the world, so we are still waiting...but there is an end date in site: February 23rd. Our b-mom will be induced on that day if she has not gone into labor/delivered already. In a way it is a relief - some small sort of knowing. But it is still hard. You would think after a week plus of being in Florida I would be in a vacation mindset, but I am exhausted and stressed. In some ways I guess this is just preparation for the life-long job ahead - endless unknowns, sleepless nights, worries, fears, upsets, tears. I can't help but think, though, that once the final consent papers are signed and our beautiful baby boy is in our arms I will feel unparalleled amounts of joy and relief. I so look forward to that moment....

baby doc

Introducing Dr. Mohamed I. Abdel-Aziz, Baby Q's delivery doc.

He was soft-spoken, kind and had a good sense of humor. We think baby will be in good hands :)

As of Tuesday, b-mom had dilated 2 cm.

Yesterday she lost her "plug".

Today we are WAITING.

lasts (sans baby)

beer in the pub

sushi dinner

date night

afternoon nap

rock-star-worthy late night

book-reading session

lazy TV time

vomit-free clothing

cuddling & canoodling

shopping spree

....................................................... 

tick tock

I heard our baby's heart today, ker-thumping across the airwaves as I listened on my cell phone while standing in the slipper department at Sears. Who could have known how this would make me feel? How do I describe it now? It was as if he were saying, "hi, mumma - hi, mumma - hi, mumma - hi!" Oh, this is so scary and close and REAL. Rachel has dropped, had her first contractions yesterday, has her last day of work on Saturday...........Oh, baby, you're coming!

all in the numbers

8 days until I fly to Florida

73 degrees - forecasted temp when I arrive

18 degrees - current Maine temp

49 days until "spring"

9.5 hours of daylight today in Maine (1 hour more since the winter solstice!)

20 inches of snow on the ground

25 minutes that I forced myself to do the elliptical this morning

40 years old on my next birthday

2 hours until our friends arrive for brunch

XX days until our baby arrives in this world

0 seconds I can stand waiting anymore!!!