This is the choice McCain made for veep? For real?
Does this remind you anything?
Like...
Does this remind you anything?
Like...
Monday, September 29, 2008
Fantastic news!!!
I just had the chance to catch up with an old friend and the photographer from our wedding. Jeremy and Scott were recently engaged (done on a bridge in Paris) and will be getting married next year!
I'm afraid words cannot express how happy this makes me but Hope, Emi and I are planning on being there in Brooklyn to help them celebrate.
I'm afraid words cannot express how happy this makes me but Hope, Emi and I are planning on being there in Brooklyn to help them celebrate.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
One more day
I have but one more day left to be at home with the family full time. It is hard to fathom leaving this little child, this wonderful wife and heading back to work. It has been such a pleasure, such a blast and such an experience learning what little I know about parenthood over the past two weeks.
We've had the pleasure of company. So many of our friends have stopped by to look in on us, to meet Emiko, to share in our joy. And we appreciate all of them. It has been quite the experience. Two friends have done more than their fair share of looking after us. Cheryl has stopped by to help out and look after us. Molly has been here since before day one, looking after the house and Gibson. I can only hope that they both realize our eternal gratitude for all their help. I hope they know that we love them both dearly. As I write this, I think of Molly kicking us out of our living room last night and sending Mom and Dad to bed as she looked after Emi. True friendship.
Which makes me think about family. We live many miles and hours from our parents and siblings. Our aunts and uncles, cousins, everyone, they are all so far away. We rely heavily on the help of our friends, who have in their own right, become our family. Surrogate aunties and uncles all. But it makes me sad to think that our family is so far away that they will only be afforded a few weeks of visits in the months and years to come.
This is something I'd love to change. I'd love to have both our parents living close by where they could feel free to stop in and visit any time they would like to. The only way that I see this happening is for us to move back to Maine. And as nice as that would be, I can see right now that it won't happen. We have come to love Colorado. We have come to see it as home. Everything about this state suits us and we hope now that we can pass this "joie de vivre" along to our distant family and hope that they come home to us.
And now I find I have strayed far from my original topic. One more day. I question how to fill it up and make it special as our last day together. I can cook dinner. I can do a little more work around the house. I can make sure mother and daughter are comfortable and prepared for my absence. We can visit with our friends, unencumbered by the need to focus on work.
But you know what I really want? Just to hold Emi while I sit next to Hope with Gibson at our feet and pretend that the day will not end. We can all take a nap together. We can all take a walk together. We can just be. And we can hope that we will all have one more day.
We've had the pleasure of company. So many of our friends have stopped by to look in on us, to meet Emiko, to share in our joy. And we appreciate all of them. It has been quite the experience. Two friends have done more than their fair share of looking after us. Cheryl has stopped by to help out and look after us. Molly has been here since before day one, looking after the house and Gibson. I can only hope that they both realize our eternal gratitude for all their help. I hope they know that we love them both dearly. As I write this, I think of Molly kicking us out of our living room last night and sending Mom and Dad to bed as she looked after Emi. True friendship.
Which makes me think about family. We live many miles and hours from our parents and siblings. Our aunts and uncles, cousins, everyone, they are all so far away. We rely heavily on the help of our friends, who have in their own right, become our family. Surrogate aunties and uncles all. But it makes me sad to think that our family is so far away that they will only be afforded a few weeks of visits in the months and years to come.
This is something I'd love to change. I'd love to have both our parents living close by where they could feel free to stop in and visit any time they would like to. The only way that I see this happening is for us to move back to Maine. And as nice as that would be, I can see right now that it won't happen. We have come to love Colorado. We have come to see it as home. Everything about this state suits us and we hope now that we can pass this "joie de vivre" along to our distant family and hope that they come home to us.
And now I find I have strayed far from my original topic. One more day. I question how to fill it up and make it special as our last day together. I can cook dinner. I can do a little more work around the house. I can make sure mother and daughter are comfortable and prepared for my absence. We can visit with our friends, unencumbered by the need to focus on work.
But you know what I really want? Just to hold Emi while I sit next to Hope with Gibson at our feet and pretend that the day will not end. We can all take a nap together. We can all take a walk together. We can just be. And we can hope that we will all have one more day.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Hope's Perspective
After reading Seth's most recent entry on the events of Emi's birth I have to say that my perspective is a little different from his. My thoughts:
My contractions, while definitely painful, were unlike any pain I've ever felt. My body was completely at their mercy... but it wasn't like I was being ripped apart or anything. I just moaned my way through them. (See, I don't know what Seth's talking about peeling me off the ceiling - I wasn't screaming or anything - I just said things like, "Oh my goodness" or "Oh my god, you guys, this hurts!" a lot). What was rough was that I didn't get a break. They started off at 9:15pm being about 8 minutes apart. Then 5, then 3 within an hour and a half. Interestingly, it never registered for me that I was in active labor. I just knew I was in pain. Hence the driving to get Seth, etc. By the time we were at the hospital they were literally one minute apart (even the nurse couldn't believe it). This just meant no break, no time to try different positions, just time to survive until the next one.
I finally got an epidural when I was 9 1/2 cm dilated. It took the doctor 3 contractions to get it in and set up - by the time he was done I had dilated to 10cm. Thanks to our doula and Seth's support I had made it all the way to push time without pain medication! Go team! We were proud. After the intense total-body itching sensation subsided (I mention this side effect of the epidural because nobody ever mentioned it to me and it took me by surprise) we did 45 minutes of "passive descent" - letting the baby come down into the birth canal on it's own since I was finally able to relax my body. It worked - and I pushed for only an hour in the quiet peace of the darkened room before Emi's time to come had arrived. The whole experience felt so fast for me - I could hardly believe it when I saw Emiko's head begin to make it's way into the world - 3 more pushes and she was in my arms. My world had changed forever in that moment - the emotions I felt are indescribable. Amazing.
So regardless of what our birth plan had laid out or what our expectations were, I feel that Emi's birth was just perfect. I was strong, Seth was strong and we supported each other tremendously. I wouldn't have changed a thing. Except maybe I would have asked Seth to stay home from hockey that night... but that wouldn't have made for such a good story.
My contractions, while definitely painful, were unlike any pain I've ever felt. My body was completely at their mercy... but it wasn't like I was being ripped apart or anything. I just moaned my way through them. (See, I don't know what Seth's talking about peeling me off the ceiling - I wasn't screaming or anything - I just said things like, "Oh my goodness" or "Oh my god, you guys, this hurts!" a lot). What was rough was that I didn't get a break. They started off at 9:15pm being about 8 minutes apart. Then 5, then 3 within an hour and a half. Interestingly, it never registered for me that I was in active labor. I just knew I was in pain. Hence the driving to get Seth, etc. By the time we were at the hospital they were literally one minute apart (even the nurse couldn't believe it). This just meant no break, no time to try different positions, just time to survive until the next one.
I finally got an epidural when I was 9 1/2 cm dilated. It took the doctor 3 contractions to get it in and set up - by the time he was done I had dilated to 10cm. Thanks to our doula and Seth's support I had made it all the way to push time without pain medication! Go team! We were proud. After the intense total-body itching sensation subsided (I mention this side effect of the epidural because nobody ever mentioned it to me and it took me by surprise) we did 45 minutes of "passive descent" - letting the baby come down into the birth canal on it's own since I was finally able to relax my body. It worked - and I pushed for only an hour in the quiet peace of the darkened room before Emi's time to come had arrived. The whole experience felt so fast for me - I could hardly believe it when I saw Emiko's head begin to make it's way into the world - 3 more pushes and she was in my arms. My world had changed forever in that moment - the emotions I felt are indescribable. Amazing.
So regardless of what our birth plan had laid out or what our expectations were, I feel that Emi's birth was just perfect. I was strong, Seth was strong and we supported each other tremendously. I wouldn't have changed a thing. Except maybe I would have asked Seth to stay home from hockey that night... but that wouldn't have made for such a good story.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Wish List - Birth
We are putting together papers and whatnot for Emi's file and baby book. And I was looking at our birth plan.
Support Persons Present for Labor: Partner, Doula, friends
Let's see...our labor was through the wee hours of the morning. I was there. Our doula and a nurse were there. Friends? Yeah right...though I think a few of you were awake and thinking of us during some of those wee hours.
Support Present During Medication Administration: Partner, Doula
This was right on. Though I couldn't bear to look at the needle. On top of that, I was trying to help Hope hold still during the administration. But I totally appreciate the suggestion from our instructor to stay on the front side of Hope to make sure I didn't have to watch the needle....
Support Present During Cesarean: Partner, Doula
Thankfully, it didn't come to this. My fingers were crossed that Hope wouldn't have to get sliced. As it turns out, she was born to bear babies! At least this time around....
Positions for Labor: Walking, Birth Ball, Swaying, Squatting, Hands and Knees
Ha ha (in my best Cosby impersonation). Let's see...walking? Yeah, right. It was all Hope could do to stay upright during a contraction. This was when she wasn't being suspended in our arms from the bed. Though I will say she tried to walk on a few occasions but I always felt like she was going to collapse onto the floor when a contraction hit.
The birth ball. Yeah, right (again, with the Cosby). She tried this a few times at home. Every time she lowered (no, collapsed) onto the ball, I thought she was going to roll right off. As I was running around the house, trying to grab the last few things and time her contractions, I'd see Hope getting ready to settle onto the ball. I'd have to go diving back into the room to try and steady the ball just to make sure we didn't have a mama mess splayed across the bedroom floor.
Swaying. I'm not totally sure if it was me or Hope swaying the entire time. But I'm pretty sure the room was spinning the entire time too.
Squatting. This never even came close to happening. Not once. If Hope was in any position to move when a contraction started, I had to first pry her off the ceiling (once the contraction hit) and then try to fold her into a position that she found comfortable. Inevitably, those positions were never comfortable for me. But if they worked for her....
Hands and knees. Right. No really, right! This was the one thing Hope found comfortable during early labor. For the short amount of time that we spent at home, this was generally what she felt was the best. But only if I could put a knee right against her tail bone. While I was running around the house grabbing things. And timing the contractions. And prying her from the ceiling. And trying to keep her from falling off the balance ball. And drive too the hospital. Our doula was concerned that I was losing my cool. Nope, I was just trying to multi-task. (I should have tried responding to emails and blogging about my experience all while doing the aforementioned tasks)
Rupture of Membranes (Bag of Water):
Whatever necessary. In fact, the nurse tried to break the bag but it was too tough. My daughter, the tough girl! It was broken until it finally protruded enough for the nurse to really get after it. With her teeth! (no, not really)
Comfort Measures: Heat or Cold Therapy, Massage, Jacuzzi or Shower, Music, Aromatherapy, Visualization
Right! Did I mention before that there was no time? None! We tried the jacuzzi but that just intensified Hope's contractions. She ended up turning off the jets. We then dragged a bedraggled mummy out of the tub because the was not happy being in there. Think wet cat! Aromatherapy? It went too fast. Visualization, well...we had a mirror. And as far as the music is concerned...we had picked out some fantastic music for labor and birth. When I went to flash it onto my iPod (whilst multi-tasking), Hope pitched a conniption. There was no music to be had.
Monitoring: Intermittent External, Internal if necessary
This was pretty cool. Hearing the heartbeat. Knowing it was all going well. Watching Hope squirm for twenty minutes while they established a baseline was brutal.
Food and Hydration: Ice Chips, Water, Light Snacks, IV, Popsicles
Nothing out of the ordinary here. Though there were a few moments when I thought about trying to drop a few ice chips down the front of Hope's sports bra. Keep in mind, I love doing this on a regular basis. But something told me it wouldn't be appropriate during those hours.
Medications: Prefer to Ask for Medications
Yup. If there was ever a time I was going to start drugs, labor and birth was it. But they kept saying no, despite the number of times I asked.
Positions for Pushing or Delivery: Sitting, Squatting, Side-lying, Hands and Knees
Once the epidural was in, there was only one position...on her back. But this, at least, meant that I no longer had to peel her off the ceiling after the start of each contraction. In fact, I took a nap. On my back!
Birth Options: Prefer a Tear to an Episiotomy, Perineal Massage, Warm Compresses
Too fast. It all went too fast. Hope did get to tear instead of getting cut. As far as the massage is concerned. Maybe it happened. Maybe it didn't. I wasn't about to watch anything like that!
Welcoming Baby: Immediate Contact with Baby, Cord cut by: Seth
This may be the one thing on our list that went as planned. Perfection!
Additional Desires: Photograph the birth, Lights Dimmed at Birth, Music at Birth
The lights were dimmed. I tried taking pictures with my fifth hand but I'm just not that ambidextrous. Music...yeah, we talked about music!
Postpartum: Rooming-in of Baby, Circumcison
The baby stayed with us the entire time. Which made us quite happy as we became accustomed to being parents. We got used to the diaper changes (it really is black right off the bat). And we are not about to circumcise our daughter. Not going to do it....
Feeding: Breastfeeding, Pacifier
Here too, we have been successful. Hope's milk came in fairly quickly. And Emi doesn't seem to want to go for the pacifier all that often.
So...our birth plan. It was fun writing it. We didn't even come close to really following it. But good fun looking back at what we wanted and expected for our labor and delivery.
Support Persons Present for Labor: Partner, Doula, friends
Let's see...our labor was through the wee hours of the morning. I was there. Our doula and a nurse were there. Friends? Yeah right...though I think a few of you were awake and thinking of us during some of those wee hours.
Support Present During Medication Administration: Partner, Doula
This was right on. Though I couldn't bear to look at the needle. On top of that, I was trying to help Hope hold still during the administration. But I totally appreciate the suggestion from our instructor to stay on the front side of Hope to make sure I didn't have to watch the needle....
Support Present During Cesarean: Partner, Doula
Thankfully, it didn't come to this. My fingers were crossed that Hope wouldn't have to get sliced. As it turns out, she was born to bear babies! At least this time around....
Positions for Labor: Walking, Birth Ball, Swaying, Squatting, Hands and Knees
Ha ha (in my best Cosby impersonation). Let's see...walking? Yeah, right. It was all Hope could do to stay upright during a contraction. This was when she wasn't being suspended in our arms from the bed. Though I will say she tried to walk on a few occasions but I always felt like she was going to collapse onto the floor when a contraction hit.
The birth ball. Yeah, right (again, with the Cosby). She tried this a few times at home. Every time she lowered (no, collapsed) onto the ball, I thought she was going to roll right off. As I was running around the house, trying to grab the last few things and time her contractions, I'd see Hope getting ready to settle onto the ball. I'd have to go diving back into the room to try and steady the ball just to make sure we didn't have a mama mess splayed across the bedroom floor.
Swaying. I'm not totally sure if it was me or Hope swaying the entire time. But I'm pretty sure the room was spinning the entire time too.
Squatting. This never even came close to happening. Not once. If Hope was in any position to move when a contraction started, I had to first pry her off the ceiling (once the contraction hit) and then try to fold her into a position that she found comfortable. Inevitably, those positions were never comfortable for me. But if they worked for her....
Hands and knees. Right. No really, right! This was the one thing Hope found comfortable during early labor. For the short amount of time that we spent at home, this was generally what she felt was the best. But only if I could put a knee right against her tail bone. While I was running around the house grabbing things. And timing the contractions. And prying her from the ceiling. And trying to keep her from falling off the balance ball. And drive too the hospital. Our doula was concerned that I was losing my cool. Nope, I was just trying to multi-task. (I should have tried responding to emails and blogging about my experience all while doing the aforementioned tasks)
Rupture of Membranes (Bag of Water):
Whatever necessary. In fact, the nurse tried to break the bag but it was too tough. My daughter, the tough girl! It was broken until it finally protruded enough for the nurse to really get after it. With her teeth! (no, not really)
Comfort Measures: Heat or Cold Therapy, Massage, Jacuzzi or Shower, Music, Aromatherapy, Visualization
Right! Did I mention before that there was no time? None! We tried the jacuzzi but that just intensified Hope's contractions. She ended up turning off the jets. We then dragged a bedraggled mummy out of the tub because the was not happy being in there. Think wet cat! Aromatherapy? It went too fast. Visualization, well...we had a mirror. And as far as the music is concerned...we had picked out some fantastic music for labor and birth. When I went to flash it onto my iPod (whilst multi-tasking), Hope pitched a conniption. There was no music to be had.
Monitoring: Intermittent External, Internal if necessary
This was pretty cool. Hearing the heartbeat. Knowing it was all going well. Watching Hope squirm for twenty minutes while they established a baseline was brutal.
Food and Hydration: Ice Chips, Water, Light Snacks, IV, Popsicles
Nothing out of the ordinary here. Though there were a few moments when I thought about trying to drop a few ice chips down the front of Hope's sports bra. Keep in mind, I love doing this on a regular basis. But something told me it wouldn't be appropriate during those hours.
Medications: Prefer to Ask for Medications
Yup. If there was ever a time I was going to start drugs, labor and birth was it. But they kept saying no, despite the number of times I asked.
Positions for Pushing or Delivery: Sitting, Squatting, Side-lying, Hands and Knees
Once the epidural was in, there was only one position...on her back. But this, at least, meant that I no longer had to peel her off the ceiling after the start of each contraction. In fact, I took a nap. On my back!
Birth Options: Prefer a Tear to an Episiotomy, Perineal Massage, Warm Compresses
Too fast. It all went too fast. Hope did get to tear instead of getting cut. As far as the massage is concerned. Maybe it happened. Maybe it didn't. I wasn't about to watch anything like that!
Welcoming Baby: Immediate Contact with Baby, Cord cut by: Seth
This may be the one thing on our list that went as planned. Perfection!
Additional Desires: Photograph the birth, Lights Dimmed at Birth, Music at Birth
The lights were dimmed. I tried taking pictures with my fifth hand but I'm just not that ambidextrous. Music...yeah, we talked about music!
Postpartum: Rooming-in of Baby, Circumcison
The baby stayed with us the entire time. Which made us quite happy as we became accustomed to being parents. We got used to the diaper changes (it really is black right off the bat). And we are not about to circumcise our daughter. Not going to do it....
Feeding: Breastfeeding, Pacifier
Here too, we have been successful. Hope's milk came in fairly quickly. And Emi doesn't seem to want to go for the pacifier all that often.
So...our birth plan. It was fun writing it. We didn't even come close to really following it. But good fun looking back at what we wanted and expected for our labor and delivery.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Words
I received some wonderful messages from incredible friends regarding Emiko. Thanks to all.
This one message touched many chords, from the same man who told me to "soak it all in" while I can.
This one message touched many chords, from the same man who told me to "soak it all in" while I can.
I have to say, those pictures brought back some great memories when my wife and I brought home our first bundle of joy. There are no words that can describe the feeling.
You can expect to face many challenges over the years ahead. That is certain. Just make sure to keep these pictures handy when those challenges seem to get overwhelming, and remember that feeling of love that is written all over your faces. Remember, you and Hope have already started to shape precious Emiko Rose Mukai’s life and you too will be responsible for who she grows up to become, which I have no doubt will be a proud member of our community.
As a father who has come to the reality that our kids will soon be off to College, moving out of the house, and spending more time with friends, truly experience everything there is with a newborn and take nothing for granted. Every minute is a grain of sand slipping through our finger.
Congrats and I hope to see you and your family soon.
Atlantic Hockey Association
I received my schedule for the first half of the NCAA season. No complaints but I'm going to busy. This will certainly be a test for Hope and me as we adjust to life as working parents. But all good assignments and I am very pleased to see that I will be working the Air Force v CC game in December. What fun!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
It's not the same, right?
A quick run to the supermarket this evening to pick up dinner stuff, snack stuff, yada yada yada.
When I arrived at the checkout line, I exchanged pleasantries with the checker and the bagger. Then the bagger sneezed, right as the food was traveling down the little belt to her. She covered her mouth and had a quick one. Then she started bagging.
I was shocked. I asked, as politely as I could, "did you just sneeze into your hand?"
She replied that she had and then said that she should probably go wash her hands.
She walked away and I began bagging. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her use a little hand sanitizer and then she walked back over and took over bagging.
Now, I kept my mouth shut. But it isn't the same, right? If you sneeze, you wash your hands. With soap and water. A little hand sanitizer does not do the same thing, right?
Tell me I'm wrong....
When I arrived at the checkout line, I exchanged pleasantries with the checker and the bagger. Then the bagger sneezed, right as the food was traveling down the little belt to her. She covered her mouth and had a quick one. Then she started bagging.
I was shocked. I asked, as politely as I could, "did you just sneeze into your hand?"
She replied that she had and then said that she should probably go wash her hands.
She walked away and I began bagging. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her use a little hand sanitizer and then she walked back over and took over bagging.
Now, I kept my mouth shut. But it isn't the same, right? If you sneeze, you wash your hands. With soap and water. A little hand sanitizer does not do the same thing, right?
Tell me I'm wrong....
One week of life with Emiko
Emi has been with us...well, on this plane of existence, for one week. It's been a pretty incredible ride so far.
We've been learning new methods of sleep and naps. Hope has become a breast feeding pro. I have gone from never having changed a diaper to being able to do it in my sleep.
I've started cooking again (albeit, we've had a few guests so it makes cooking for the group easier than just for two of us). I've become the leftover king (just as in childhood). I've learned where the King Sooper's is and how to push a grocery cart.
Hope is quickly becoming the mother extraordinaire. I'm not sure where she finds the energy. I'm not sure how she rouses herself from bed in the middle of the night (this is the same woman who used to spit venom at me if I woke her when I came home from hockey). She looks gorgeous and is only a week out from dropping the kid into our hands. Her milk came in fairly early so Emi's weight was right back to birth weight 5 days after her birth.
What else?
Oh, apparently, I've been nesting. Cleaning the kitchen and making it mine again. Hope is blown away and Molly supposedly whispered to her this weekend, "Who is this guy who has moved into the house with you?"
All good stuff. I'm off to change another diaper, clean the house, do the laundry and make lunch. All in the next five minutes.....
We've been learning new methods of sleep and naps. Hope has become a breast feeding pro. I have gone from never having changed a diaper to being able to do it in my sleep.
I've started cooking again (albeit, we've had a few guests so it makes cooking for the group easier than just for two of us). I've become the leftover king (just as in childhood). I've learned where the King Sooper's is and how to push a grocery cart.
Hope is quickly becoming the mother extraordinaire. I'm not sure where she finds the energy. I'm not sure how she rouses herself from bed in the middle of the night (this is the same woman who used to spit venom at me if I woke her when I came home from hockey). She looks gorgeous and is only a week out from dropping the kid into our hands. Her milk came in fairly early so Emi's weight was right back to birth weight 5 days after her birth.
What else?
Oh, apparently, I've been nesting. Cleaning the kitchen and making it mine again. Hope is blown away and Molly supposedly whispered to her this weekend, "Who is this guy who has moved into the house with you?"
All good stuff. I'm off to change another diaper, clean the house, do the laundry and make lunch. All in the next five minutes.....
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Sleep
Oh sleep...sleep is so good.
Problem is, I'm so tired, I can't even seem to find it.
Me so sleepy.....
Problem is, I'm so tired, I can't even seem to find it.
Me so sleepy.....
Sunday, September 14, 2008
The first skate after Emi's birth
I left this evening for a quick skate. At Apex which is where I was last week when Hope came stumbling through the rink door.
I'm now realizing that I need to get back in shape for the upcoming season...I know I will have a lot of big games right off the bat so I need to get on the ice and move.
It was tough leaving Emi and Hope at home but Auntie Molly was here helping out Hope so I know there were plenty of capable hands in the house. The skate was perfect. I was not really reffing so no one was yelling or complaining, I could just focus on form and vision. I skated a modified 4-man system (I was the ref...skating from goal line to far blue line and back). A lot of backwards skating and every now and then I would skate goal line to goal line with each rush, just to get my heart rate up.
My foot speed is there. My heart rate never really exploded. I barely broke a sweat for the first fifteen minutes. But it felt good. There was one thing that felt better, though.
Coming home and seeing Emi asleep in Molly's arms. That was the best!
I'm now realizing that I need to get back in shape for the upcoming season...I know I will have a lot of big games right off the bat so I need to get on the ice and move.
It was tough leaving Emi and Hope at home but Auntie Molly was here helping out Hope so I know there were plenty of capable hands in the house. The skate was perfect. I was not really reffing so no one was yelling or complaining, I could just focus on form and vision. I skated a modified 4-man system (I was the ref...skating from goal line to far blue line and back). A lot of backwards skating and every now and then I would skate goal line to goal line with each rush, just to get my heart rate up.
My foot speed is there. My heart rate never really exploded. I barely broke a sweat for the first fifteen minutes. But it felt good. There was one thing that felt better, though.
Coming home and seeing Emi asleep in Molly's arms. That was the best!
Nesting
This is Hope writing - my first time entering in Seth's blog - but I thought it appropriate to comment on his amazing transformation into Daddy since he's done such a wonderful job keeping everyone posted on our growing family.
When we talked throughout the pregnancy about this child entering into our lives, we discussed beliefs, morals and values. We talked about our dreams for the child and how we wanted to be as parents. And we talked about how we would love this child more than we loved each other - that it was going to happen and we had to adjust to this new and all-consuming love in our lives.
Well I have to say that while indeed, my love for Emiko is boundless, my love for Seth has reached a height that I never thought possible. I clung to him for support while I labored to bring Emiko into the world, and he never wavered, not even when I bit him! I looked into my daughter's eyes for the first time and saw his looking back at me with a depth that I cannot describe. He helped me during our first night together as I struggled to remember how to latch our baby to my breast. He held me during our second night together when I felt for sure that I could never do this enormous job that I had signed on for... being a mother. He woke with Emi and I for every night feeding to change her diaper and hold her as she settled back into sleep. He went grocery shopping (if you know Seth you know it's been years since he's set foot in a King Soopers) and fixed lovely dinners for us each night that we've been home. He cleaned out our freezer and every cupboard in our kitchen to organize and prepare for times when he will not be home each day with me. He reads to Emi daily, and she just loves it. He sings to her and plays his guitar - it's enough to rouse her and she just stares at him with so much love...
I have been so amazed and elated to watch my husband become so much more... he is my support and my best friend... he is Emi's Daddy. And still absolutely and unconditionally the love of my life.
Thank you Seth.
When we talked throughout the pregnancy about this child entering into our lives, we discussed beliefs, morals and values. We talked about our dreams for the child and how we wanted to be as parents. And we talked about how we would love this child more than we loved each other - that it was going to happen and we had to adjust to this new and all-consuming love in our lives.
Well I have to say that while indeed, my love for Emiko is boundless, my love for Seth has reached a height that I never thought possible. I clung to him for support while I labored to bring Emiko into the world, and he never wavered, not even when I bit him! I looked into my daughter's eyes for the first time and saw his looking back at me with a depth that I cannot describe. He helped me during our first night together as I struggled to remember how to latch our baby to my breast. He held me during our second night together when I felt for sure that I could never do this enormous job that I had signed on for... being a mother. He woke with Emi and I for every night feeding to change her diaper and hold her as she settled back into sleep. He went grocery shopping (if you know Seth you know it's been years since he's set foot in a King Soopers) and fixed lovely dinners for us each night that we've been home. He cleaned out our freezer and every cupboard in our kitchen to organize and prepare for times when he will not be home each day with me. He reads to Emi daily, and she just loves it. He sings to her and plays his guitar - it's enough to rouse her and she just stares at him with so much love...
I have been so amazed and elated to watch my husband become so much more... he is my support and my best friend... he is Emi's Daddy. And still absolutely and unconditionally the love of my life.
Thank you Seth.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
A quick thought on hockey...
It's starting soon. Youth hockey is already up and running. I've been assigned a training camp scrimmage for the Avalanche in a couple of weeks. I've been assigned a handful of CHL games.
Hockey starts. It makes me excited to really be lacing the skates up again. But it saddens me that I will have to leave Emiko at home. We'll just have to work it out so she can come to the games some time soon.
She makes me so proud
She handled a sudden and quick labor with aplomb...she drove to get me at the rink when her efforts to dry her cell phone were unsuccessful. She labored with no complaint, she never said that she couldn't do it, she just did what she needed to do and got herself through it. She has picked up nursing Emiko like she has been doing it every day of her life, like it just comes to her naturally. She handles dinner tonight with our friend Molly like it was just another evening in, forget about having given birth only 3 days prior. She walks about our home in an unfamiliar body with a grace, beauty and poise becoming of someone whose pregnancy was assisted by personal trainers, personal chefs and personal assistants, not of someone who recently gave birth, nursed, helped clean up the kitchen and changed a diaper.
I am so proud of her, the love of my life. I am constantly amazed, the love of my life. I am so in love with the love of my life.
I am so proud of her, the love of my life. I am constantly amazed, the love of my life. I am so in love with the love of my life.
September 13th
I just noticed the date. This was to be Emi's due date! Funny to think that we were expecting this child to be late and here we are at home cuddled up as a family!
Happiness all around!
Arriving home with Emi
We were able to bring Emiko home from the hospital on Friday in the early afternoon.
Driving takes on a whole new meaning when you have a little one secured in the backseat. I'm so much more nervous, scared of other drivers but feel that our little family is comfortably ensconced in the safety of our Volvo (thanks so much to Robbie!).
As we rolled up to our house, we noticed pink balloons tied to our mailbox and more balloons as well as streamers as we pulled into the garage. Molly had decorated our house as our welcome home (thanks to YOU Molly, for decorations and taking care of Gibs while we were out and about).
Gibson was excited to see me as I walked through the door but he was looking expectantly at Hope as she climbed out of the car. A quick hi to her and then he completely melted when I carried Emiko into the house. It is almost like he looked at us and said, "Finally. I've been wondering when you would figure it out and bring home a kid to complete this family!"
Gibson won't leave her side. Where he once slept by himself in the kitchen or living room at night, he now sleeps by the bassinet. When Hope gets up in the middle of the night to feed Emi, Gibs will go with them and sit by them as Hope nurses. If I am changing a diaper, he stands by my side as I clean Emi and get her dressed again.
We continue to be so impressed by this dog.
And now it is time for another nap. We hope to see you all soon here in Colorado.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Let's not forget our country is still at war...Part Trois
I've been a bit remiss in keeping up to date with this story. The happy dance is on. Steve is at home in Alaska with his wife and two daughters. He is now trying to figure out what to do with the rest of his life since he knows it is highly unlikely the Army will come knocking.
We are so happy for Steve and his family. We hope to see them here in Colorado some day soon.
We are so happy for Steve and his family. We hope to see them here in Colorado some day soon.
Taking Emiko home
Just a quick hello from Denver this morning!
We are preparing to leave Rose Medical and head home to Golden. Taking the baby home.
And first introduction to Gibson...we'll let you know how it goes.
As an aside to taking Emi home for the first time. I drove home quickly on Wednesday night with a swaddling blanket. As I walked into the kitchen, Gibs was very excited to see me. But he was also super intrigued by the smell of the blanket in my hand. He turned circles in front of me, letting me know how happy he was to have me home. But he kept trying to smell the blanket that I had set on the kitchen table.
We played outside for a while and when we came back in, I took him upstairs into the nursery. He again sniffed at the blanket in my hand and he watched as I put the blanket into the crib. He seemed satisfied with that as an explanation. He spent the rest of our time together that night just watching me.
He will be a fantastic bigger brother for Emi, we are so happy he is so laid back and accepting.
We are preparing to leave Rose Medical and head home to Golden. Taking the baby home.
And first introduction to Gibson...we'll let you know how it goes.
As an aside to taking Emi home for the first time. I drove home quickly on Wednesday night with a swaddling blanket. As I walked into the kitchen, Gibs was very excited to see me. But he was also super intrigued by the smell of the blanket in my hand. He turned circles in front of me, letting me know how happy he was to have me home. But he kept trying to smell the blanket that I had set on the kitchen table.
We played outside for a while and when we came back in, I took him upstairs into the nursery. He again sniffed at the blanket in my hand and he watched as I put the blanket into the crib. He seemed satisfied with that as an explanation. He spent the rest of our time together that night just watching me.
He will be a fantastic bigger brother for Emi, we are so happy he is so laid back and accepting.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Hello for the first time...
Anniversary night, 9/9/2008, 6:00 - 9:30 PM
What we wanted: a nice evening to ourselves, good food, good fun
Hope and I had a wonderful anniversary dinner on the night on 9/9. We went out and ate dinner at our favorite Indian restaurant, enjoyed a quick dinner and headed home. We lay around the house, cuddling and talking about the future and, around 9:30, I stood up to head out to put on my hockey instructor hat. Right as I stood up, Hope got up and leaned against the wall as her first "real" contraction hit her. And then promptly ran to the bathroom saying she had just peed her pants.
Hockey night: 9/9/2008, 9:30-10:30 (11:30) PM
What I wanted: a quick trip to the rink to instruct some adult hockey players...money!
I was flummoxed. Hope kept saying how it was ok, I should head out to the rink. She was convinced that it could be another two weeks before the baby popped out. I finally headed out to the rink and called her before I stepped on the ice. She said everything was still ok...a few more contractions but nothing big.
At 10:00, the adult hockey clinic began. I was helping run the skating drills and around 10:30, I glanced over my shoulder (good ice awareness) and noticed Hope walking through the door to the rink. She was grimacing but smiling and laughing...all at the same time. I skated off the ice immediately and she was laughing and apologizing at the same time.
"I'm so sorry, I dropped my phone in the toilet!"
Her contractions had progressed and become more painful. During an especially hard contraction, she managed to sweep the phone off the sink counter top into the toilet. She fished it out immediately, and like any woman who comes from a long line of frontiersmen, natives, farmers and all around tough-guys, she began drying out the phone between contractions! To no avail. So she climbed into her car and drove to the rink to notify me that things had changed.
Is this how it worked before the cell phone age?
Labor at home: 9/9/2008 - 9/10/2008, 10:30 PM - 12:00 AM
What we wanted: our Doula, our home (until it was time), the presence of a few of our friends if they were so inclined, snacks and water, a hot bath at the hospital, multiple positions for comfort, music from our "Birth" playlist
I suggested that she could labor right there in the rink. She gave me a laugh and pointed me to the locker room. I followed her back to the house. For the first time in my life, the red lights were perfect. Every red light we hit, she had a contraction. By the time it turned green, she was ready to drive again!
At home, we called our doula and doc and were eventually instructed to head into the hospital. I was trying to time contractions, grab the last remaining things on our birth day list, pack the car and support Hope each time a new contraction hit her. Needless to say, I wasn't doing well. I felt like I was spinning my wheels.
Gibson, on the other hand, was lying there watching our antics with a look on his face as if to say, "I've seen this all before. It is nothing new, it will all be fine." No concern, no excited anticipation, just the calm dog we have come to know and love. Come to find out later the next morning, he had laid by her upstairs the entire time I was gone as she went through her early contractions. He never got excited, he was just there for her. What an incredible dog!
I went to grab and reload the Ipod. Hope took one look at what I was doing and announced that it was time to go. She clambered into the back seat, got as comfortable as she could be and we were off. I called Molly as we left the house and she said she would head over to look after Gibson.
Labor in the car: 9/10/2008, 12:00 AM - 12:30 AM
What we wanted: non-rush hour drive to our hospital, no road side delivery, green lights, no puking in the car
Well, it wasn't rush hour! I drove as quickly as I could without being stupid or putting Hope into the side doors of the car in corners. When we got off I-70 and onto Colorado Boulevard, we hit every red light on the road (all I could think about was this clip). All I wanted was a police escort to get me there before Hope blew up the back of the car.
We met our doula in the parking lot and went in through the E.R. Hope was progressing so fast that she was skipped past the other two laboring mothers who were there waiting to be admitted.
Labor...for real: 9/10/2008, 12:30 - 5:00 AM
What we wanted: natural as can be
Hope was taken straight past the Triage area of Labor and Delivery. There was no doubt that she was out of pre-labor. Straight to room 3. She was set in a bed and the baby was monitored externally for twenty minutes. She then labored in bed in various comfortable positions. We drew a bath so she could spend some time laboring in a jetted tub.
At this point, I went outside to move the car from the E.R. parking lot and to grab our bags of snacks, clothing, books and other goofy things. When I came back, her labor had intesified and she was struggling to recover between contractions. We moved Hope out of the tub and back to the bed. By this time, the contractions were so intense that it was all we (our doula, our nurse and myself) could do to hold her in a slightly suspended position. Contractions were every two minutes and Hope was gasping trying to rest for the minute in between.
Incredibly, all the time she was undergoing this incredible test and during her contractions, she was cognizant enough to exscuse herself when she burped. And to "God Bless" our doula when she sneezed. To apologize for making too much noise. Each time, it made the rest of us laugh and it allowed me a reminder to know that Hope was doing ok...she was still the same woman under the sheet of pain that was wrapping her up.
At 7.5 cm dilated, she finally said she couldn't take it anymore, she wanted an epidural. To my relief! She was exhausted and in a great deal of pain each time. However, the anesthesiologist was backed up by three other pregnancies and was not able to come in for about forty minutes. By the time he had arrived and applied the epidural, Hope was at 9.5 cm. She had gotten through the hardest part all on her own.
I was so proud.
This afforded us a moment for every one to rest. Hope could still feel the pressure from the contractions but even she was able to nap for about 45 minutes until it was time to push. I passed out on a sofa. Our doula watched the contractions on the little machine (that went boing!). Our nurse disappeared for the first time, likely to rest and check on her other patients.
Delivery: 9/10/2008 5:00 - 6:40 AM
What we wanted: a healthy baby, no C-section, no episiotomy
Hope woke at about 5 and announced that it was time...something had changed. The nurse arrived and pulled back Hope's blankets. The amniotic sack, which had yet to break, had appeared. It was pushing out just enough for us to see...almost like a little water balloon. The nurse popped the sack and Hope could immediately feel a relief in pressure.
The nurse began having Hope push with each contraction. Hope could tell each time a contraction started, even through the epidural, and eventually the nurse pulled the little stress sensor off and let Hope tell us when it was time to push. Things progressed quickly and we could soon see a little head and hair appear just inside. The nurse went and got Hope a mirror so she could see what was going on. At first, Hope seemed a little scared to look but her eyes went wide as she watched the baby's head get closer and closer with each push.
As an aside, I wasn't sure if I would be able to look at Hope's vagina during birth. It seemed strange to me that I would be able to watch our baby pop out. I glanced at the amniotic sack but once we could see the baby's hair, it was like I couldn't look away. I was so ready with anticipation that I couldn't look anywhere but at this new child we were bringing into the world together.
The nurse asked Hope to stop pushing around 6:15 as the baby was so close, it could pop out at any moment. We waited for another (seemingly interminable) 20 or so minutes until the doc arrived (our doc was not on that day). When she arrived, Hope pushed maybe three or four contractions worth and a new child was brought into our world. The doc immediately moved Baby Mukai onto Hope's belly and invited me to check the sex. I had to look twice just to verify that she was a girl. Between tears and laughter, I told Hope. The doc then invited me to come cut the baby's umbilical cord. The baby was swaddled and moved closer to Hope.
Hello for the first time, our precious little child.
The baby looked around, waved her fingers and outstretched hands about, cried momentarily and made us fall in love.
8 pounds. 20.5". A lovely little girl!
What we wanted: a nice evening to ourselves, good food, good fun
Hope and I had a wonderful anniversary dinner on the night on 9/9. We went out and ate dinner at our favorite Indian restaurant, enjoyed a quick dinner and headed home. We lay around the house, cuddling and talking about the future and, around 9:30, I stood up to head out to put on my hockey instructor hat. Right as I stood up, Hope got up and leaned against the wall as her first "real" contraction hit her. And then promptly ran to the bathroom saying she had just peed her pants.
Hockey night: 9/9/2008, 9:30-10:30 (11:30) PM
What I wanted: a quick trip to the rink to instruct some adult hockey players...money!
I was flummoxed. Hope kept saying how it was ok, I should head out to the rink. She was convinced that it could be another two weeks before the baby popped out. I finally headed out to the rink and called her before I stepped on the ice. She said everything was still ok...a few more contractions but nothing big.
At 10:00, the adult hockey clinic began. I was helping run the skating drills and around 10:30, I glanced over my shoulder (good ice awareness) and noticed Hope walking through the door to the rink. She was grimacing but smiling and laughing...all at the same time. I skated off the ice immediately and she was laughing and apologizing at the same time.
"I'm so sorry, I dropped my phone in the toilet!"
Her contractions had progressed and become more painful. During an especially hard contraction, she managed to sweep the phone off the sink counter top into the toilet. She fished it out immediately, and like any woman who comes from a long line of frontiersmen, natives, farmers and all around tough-guys, she began drying out the phone between contractions! To no avail. So she climbed into her car and drove to the rink to notify me that things had changed.
Is this how it worked before the cell phone age?
Labor at home: 9/9/2008 - 9/10/2008, 10:30 PM - 12:00 AM
What we wanted: our Doula, our home (until it was time), the presence of a few of our friends if they were so inclined, snacks and water, a hot bath at the hospital, multiple positions for comfort, music from our "Birth" playlist
I suggested that she could labor right there in the rink. She gave me a laugh and pointed me to the locker room. I followed her back to the house. For the first time in my life, the red lights were perfect. Every red light we hit, she had a contraction. By the time it turned green, she was ready to drive again!
At home, we called our doula and doc and were eventually instructed to head into the hospital. I was trying to time contractions, grab the last remaining things on our birth day list, pack the car and support Hope each time a new contraction hit her. Needless to say, I wasn't doing well. I felt like I was spinning my wheels.
Gibson, on the other hand, was lying there watching our antics with a look on his face as if to say, "I've seen this all before. It is nothing new, it will all be fine." No concern, no excited anticipation, just the calm dog we have come to know and love. Come to find out later the next morning, he had laid by her upstairs the entire time I was gone as she went through her early contractions. He never got excited, he was just there for her. What an incredible dog!
I went to grab and reload the Ipod. Hope took one look at what I was doing and announced that it was time to go. She clambered into the back seat, got as comfortable as she could be and we were off. I called Molly as we left the house and she said she would head over to look after Gibson.
Labor in the car: 9/10/2008, 12:00 AM - 12:30 AM
What we wanted: non-rush hour drive to our hospital, no road side delivery, green lights, no puking in the car
Well, it wasn't rush hour! I drove as quickly as I could without being stupid or putting Hope into the side doors of the car in corners. When we got off I-70 and onto Colorado Boulevard, we hit every red light on the road (all I could think about was this clip). All I wanted was a police escort to get me there before Hope blew up the back of the car.
We met our doula in the parking lot and went in through the E.R. Hope was progressing so fast that she was skipped past the other two laboring mothers who were there waiting to be admitted.
Labor...for real: 9/10/2008, 12:30 - 5:00 AM
What we wanted: natural as can be
Hope was taken straight past the Triage area of Labor and Delivery. There was no doubt that she was out of pre-labor. Straight to room 3. She was set in a bed and the baby was monitored externally for twenty minutes. She then labored in bed in various comfortable positions. We drew a bath so she could spend some time laboring in a jetted tub.
At this point, I went outside to move the car from the E.R. parking lot and to grab our bags of snacks, clothing, books and other goofy things. When I came back, her labor had intesified and she was struggling to recover between contractions. We moved Hope out of the tub and back to the bed. By this time, the contractions were so intense that it was all we (our doula, our nurse and myself) could do to hold her in a slightly suspended position. Contractions were every two minutes and Hope was gasping trying to rest for the minute in between.
Incredibly, all the time she was undergoing this incredible test and during her contractions, she was cognizant enough to exscuse herself when she burped. And to "God Bless" our doula when she sneezed. To apologize for making too much noise. Each time, it made the rest of us laugh and it allowed me a reminder to know that Hope was doing ok...she was still the same woman under the sheet of pain that was wrapping her up.
At 7.5 cm dilated, she finally said she couldn't take it anymore, she wanted an epidural. To my relief! She was exhausted and in a great deal of pain each time. However, the anesthesiologist was backed up by three other pregnancies and was not able to come in for about forty minutes. By the time he had arrived and applied the epidural, Hope was at 9.5 cm. She had gotten through the hardest part all on her own.
I was so proud.
This afforded us a moment for every one to rest. Hope could still feel the pressure from the contractions but even she was able to nap for about 45 minutes until it was time to push. I passed out on a sofa. Our doula watched the contractions on the little machine (that went boing!). Our nurse disappeared for the first time, likely to rest and check on her other patients.
Delivery: 9/10/2008 5:00 - 6:40 AM
What we wanted: a healthy baby, no C-section, no episiotomy
Hope woke at about 5 and announced that it was time...something had changed. The nurse arrived and pulled back Hope's blankets. The amniotic sack, which had yet to break, had appeared. It was pushing out just enough for us to see...almost like a little water balloon. The nurse popped the sack and Hope could immediately feel a relief in pressure.
The nurse began having Hope push with each contraction. Hope could tell each time a contraction started, even through the epidural, and eventually the nurse pulled the little stress sensor off and let Hope tell us when it was time to push. Things progressed quickly and we could soon see a little head and hair appear just inside. The nurse went and got Hope a mirror so she could see what was going on. At first, Hope seemed a little scared to look but her eyes went wide as she watched the baby's head get closer and closer with each push.
As an aside, I wasn't sure if I would be able to look at Hope's vagina during birth. It seemed strange to me that I would be able to watch our baby pop out. I glanced at the amniotic sack but once we could see the baby's hair, it was like I couldn't look away. I was so ready with anticipation that I couldn't look anywhere but at this new child we were bringing into the world together.
The nurse asked Hope to stop pushing around 6:15 as the baby was so close, it could pop out at any moment. We waited for another (seemingly interminable) 20 or so minutes until the doc arrived (our doc was not on that day). When she arrived, Hope pushed maybe three or four contractions worth and a new child was brought into our world. The doc immediately moved Baby Mukai onto Hope's belly and invited me to check the sex. I had to look twice just to verify that she was a girl. Between tears and laughter, I told Hope. The doc then invited me to come cut the baby's umbilical cord. The baby was swaddled and moved closer to Hope.
Hello for the first time, our precious little child.
The baby looked around, waved her fingers and outstretched hands about, cried momentarily and made us fall in love.
8 pounds. 20.5". A lovely little girl!
Friday, September 5, 2008
Thanks Mom
This truly is a sincere thank you, Mom.
I was driving home tonight, from the rink of course, and I was listening to the BBC's coverage of the Republican National Convention. And I was thinking about how all of McCain's speeches lacked in substance, seemed very empty and were largely just him talking about...himself. He just sounds small when you listen to only his voice.
And I thought of all I heard during the DNC. The Clinton's pledging their very existence to Obama's canidacy. And how Obabama seems larger than life. And then I thought of this comic that I saw in Newsweek earlier tonight during dinner.
It brought a tear to my eye. I was simultaneously reminded of how we, as a family, celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King every year. Mom has always been fastidious in her yearly reminder to her sons to reflect on who MLK was, what he meant to our country and our society, what he had started but had been unable to finish.
Recent years have driven that home even more. NPR's yearly memorial to MLK have been fantastic. They have delved into MLK as a human, a man, a father, a friend. They have picked apart his words to prove that we are all his children, we are all part of his dream.
So with that, thank you Mom. MLK's dream lives on in all of us. His dream will be passed to your grandchildren as I expect you to pick up where you left off with us, celebrating his life every year.
And I hope and dream that a change will happen shortly. Imagine an African American man serving the highest post offered in the US. If only our dreams and reality are able to intertwine, the very fabric of our society will be rewoven again as we move forward. Our country can be such an amazing place....
I was driving home tonight, from the rink of course, and I was listening to the BBC's coverage of the Republican National Convention. And I was thinking about how all of McCain's speeches lacked in substance, seemed very empty and were largely just him talking about...himself. He just sounds small when you listen to only his voice.
And I thought of all I heard during the DNC. The Clinton's pledging their very existence to Obama's canidacy. And how Obabama seems larger than life. And then I thought of this comic that I saw in Newsweek earlier tonight during dinner.
It brought a tear to my eye. I was simultaneously reminded of how we, as a family, celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King every year. Mom has always been fastidious in her yearly reminder to her sons to reflect on who MLK was, what he meant to our country and our society, what he had started but had been unable to finish.
Recent years have driven that home even more. NPR's yearly memorial to MLK have been fantastic. They have delved into MLK as a human, a man, a father, a friend. They have picked apart his words to prove that we are all his children, we are all part of his dream.
So with that, thank you Mom. MLK's dream lives on in all of us. His dream will be passed to your grandchildren as I expect you to pick up where you left off with us, celebrating his life every year.
And I hope and dream that a change will happen shortly. Imagine an African American man serving the highest post offered in the US. If only our dreams and reality are able to intertwine, the very fabric of our society will be rewoven again as we move forward. Our country can be such an amazing place....
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Let's not forget that our country is still at war...Part Deux
The current word on Steve is that he is in outprocessing. The Army has seen fit to deem him medically unacceptable for deployment. His 500 day tour in Iraq is coming to a close before it even starts. Everyone is ready to do their little happy dance but we are trying to hold off until he is actually out and home with his family.
Cross your fingers...
Cross your fingers...
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
A final relaxing weekend
We enjoyed a quick sojourn away from the hustle and bustle of city life this last weekend.
We were able to escape for Saturday afternoon and Sunday to visit Casa Veitch in Eagle (but not before I had to attend breast feeding class with Hope...it sucked). Gibson got to play with Talisker and I got to play with Shaw. Hope got to relax. And we all got a chance to catch up.
Rob and Kelly cooked up a veritable feast on BOTH evenings. We got in a little hockey, a little play time with their son and Gibson was completely worn out.
Two friends we don't get to see often enough. They are just a little ahead of where we are parenthood wise and they have been a fantastic source of info for us. We hope hockey will bring them down to town more this winter.
We were able to escape for Saturday afternoon and Sunday to visit Casa Veitch in Eagle (but not before I had to attend breast feeding class with Hope...it sucked). Gibson got to play with Talisker and I got to play with Shaw. Hope got to relax. And we all got a chance to catch up.
Rob and Kelly cooked up a veritable feast on BOTH evenings. We got in a little hockey, a little play time with their son and Gibson was completely worn out.
Two friends we don't get to see often enough. They are just a little ahead of where we are parenthood wise and they have been a fantastic source of info for us. We hope hockey will bring them down to town more this winter.
The makings for a lovely evening...
One pregnant wife.
One old college friend.
2 of said college friend's family from Finland.
2 new friends met through said college friend.
1 expectant husband going out of his mind.
1 rather large dog who is quite confused by the pregnant wife and crazed husband.
What a fantastic night. Hope was in rare form, super talkative and super awake. Our friends (old and new) arrived later in the evening and we grilled burgers, brats, salmon burgers and corn.
We chatted late into the evening about family, cultural differences, politics (luckily, all of the same bent...even the Texan), the war and dogs. By then end of the night, we had only scratched the surface of solving the world's problems. Luckily, I think we will likely all meet up again to continue finding solutions.
What a fantastic night. Even the baby was in rare form, punching and kicking and putting on a show for us all to watch through Hope's belly.
My one regret? I fear that this is the last summer bbq we will get to host. Once the child is here, I sense a change in our household...one that requires a little more quiet and calm.
What a great summer!
One old college friend.
2 of said college friend's family from Finland.
2 new friends met through said college friend.
1 expectant husband going out of his mind.
1 rather large dog who is quite confused by the pregnant wife and crazed husband.
What a fantastic night. Hope was in rare form, super talkative and super awake. Our friends (old and new) arrived later in the evening and we grilled burgers, brats, salmon burgers and corn.
We chatted late into the evening about family, cultural differences, politics (luckily, all of the same bent...even the Texan), the war and dogs. By then end of the night, we had only scratched the surface of solving the world's problems. Luckily, I think we will likely all meet up again to continue finding solutions.
What a fantastic night. Even the baby was in rare form, punching and kicking and putting on a show for us all to watch through Hope's belly.
My one regret? I fear that this is the last summer bbq we will get to host. Once the child is here, I sense a change in our household...one that requires a little more quiet and calm.
What a great summer!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Let's not forget that our country is still at war...
There is nothing else I can say here...this says it all. A message from my brother-in-law's wife Amy...my heart goes out to them as I'm sure yours will in a moment.
Here's a short email from Steve (below). He arrived in Columbus, Georgia on Sunday night only to find that his bags were lost. He went to some barracks (that he said look like they've never been cleaned) and wasn't able to wash up or change his clothes. He said, "Welcome back to the Army!"
Out of 230 or 250 Reservist who were called up, only about 79 showed up for role call (1/3). Steve said that they were VERY appreciative to those who showed up. It sounds like those who didn't report get a dishonorable discharge sent to them. Steve was able to get a cell phone before he left and calls at night when he's done for the day. He met 6 other officers who are in the same boat, so they're going through inprocessing together and eating together. Steve said two of them are pretty nice guys.
Steve will be at Fort Benning for about 2 weeks and then head to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri for about 10 days before heading to Iraq.
As for the girls and I, we are taking one day at a time. We had a Bye, Bye Daddy Party the night before Steve left with cake, ice cream and Steve got the girls some presents. We also camped out in the living room (well, tried to anyway. Aurora would not stop jumping around and eventually asked to sleep in her own bed). I'll try to send some pictures today. I can't find my camera cord. I know it's here somewhere, but I swear my mind is going in a million directions right now. Steve and I told Aurora for two weeks that he was leaving for a long time to go help people, but her poor little mind just doesn't understand. Steve said good bye to her at about 4:00 in the morning before he left and she said, "Daddy, when I wake up we can play with my new toys." When she did wake up later, she was looking for daddy. It just breaks my heart. I'm trying to do some fun things with her as the days pass, things that bring up daddy and are something for Aurora to look forward to like: Crossing off each day on the calendar, I made a "Daddy Day Countdown" and filled up a jar with M&M's. Each day Aurora gets to eat one M&M so she can see how many days daddy will be gone. The first time we started this she of course said, "Mommy, mmmm these are yummy! I like M&M's. I want lots of M&M's." :-)
I recorded Steve reading some stories on video. The first day I played it Aurora thought daddy was reading on the webcam so she started talking to him and got upset when he didn't talk to her. Both girls were touching the television screen while he was reading and thought daddy was really there. Now I play two stories during dinner time.
I also made an "Aurora's Message in a Bottle." Each night she tells me one thing she wants to tell daddy. I write the message on a piece of paper and she places it in the bottle. When it fills up we will send all of the messages to Steve. The first time we did it I said, "Aurora, what do you want to tell daddy today? Do you want to tell him you love him or tell him something fun you did today?" She said in her pouty voice, "No, I want to tell daddy that I broke the door on my little blue house!" I couldn't help but laugh. Of all the things, she wanted that for her message.
When Steve was home he put Aurora down for the night and I took care of Cadi. Putting both girls to bed was definetly my biggest challenge. Aurora kept on waking Cadi up and coming out of her room (she was supposed to sit in bed and read books until mommy was finished). When I finally got Cadi down, I went to Aurora's room and we spoke in to a tape recorder that we will send Steve when it's filled up. Poor Aurora didn't like that. She said, Daddy, daddy, when are you coming home? Mommy, I can't hear daddy!" (putting her ear up to the speaker) I said, "Aurora, we can talk to daddy, but he can't hear us right now. He will listen to the tape when we send it to him in a letter." She Started crying for Steve and said, "I want to talk to daddy, I want to talk to daddy!" Then said, "I want to talk to Daddy on one phone and Jessica on another phone!" So, I called Jessica and she told Aurora that if she will go to bed for mommy later, she and the kids will come over to visit. I'm so greatful to have such good friends. Jessica, Aiden and Terralyn came over for about an hour and a half.
The bedtime routine was much easier last night. I had both girls in bed by 7:30!
I'll do my best to keep everyone updated. The girls keep me very busy. Aurora is ready for breakfast so I better go.
Thank you for the caring and thoughtful emails and phone calls.
Here's a short email from Steve (below). He arrived in Columbus, Georgia on Sunday night only to find that his bags were lost. He went to some barracks (that he said look like they've never been cleaned) and wasn't able to wash up or change his clothes. He said, "Welcome back to the Army!"
Out of 230 or 250 Reservist who were called up, only about 79 showed up for role call (1/3). Steve said that they were VERY appreciative to those who showed up. It sounds like those who didn't report get a dishonorable discharge sent to them. Steve was able to get a cell phone before he left and calls at night when he's done for the day. He met 6 other officers who are in the same boat, so they're going through inprocessing together and eating together. Steve said two of them are pretty nice guys.
Steve will be at Fort Benning for about 2 weeks and then head to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri for about 10 days before heading to Iraq.
As for the girls and I, we are taking one day at a time. We had a Bye, Bye Daddy Party the night before Steve left with cake, ice cream and Steve got the girls some presents. We also camped out in the living room (well, tried to anyway. Aurora would not stop jumping around and eventually asked to sleep in her own bed). I'll try to send some pictures today. I can't find my camera cord. I know it's here somewhere, but I swear my mind is going in a million directions right now. Steve and I told Aurora for two weeks that he was leaving for a long time to go help people, but her poor little mind just doesn't understand. Steve said good bye to her at about 4:00 in the morning before he left and she said, "Daddy, when I wake up we can play with my new toys." When she did wake up later, she was looking for daddy. It just breaks my heart. I'm trying to do some fun things with her as the days pass, things that bring up daddy and are something for Aurora to look forward to like: Crossing off each day on the calendar, I made a "Daddy Day Countdown" and filled up a jar with M&M's. Each day Aurora gets to eat one M&M so she can see how many days daddy will be gone. The first time we started this she of course said, "Mommy, mmmm these are yummy! I like M&M's. I want lots of M&M's." :-)
I recorded Steve reading some stories on video. The first day I played it Aurora thought daddy was reading on the webcam so she started talking to him and got upset when he didn't talk to her. Both girls were touching the television screen while he was reading and thought daddy was really there. Now I play two stories during dinner time.
I also made an "Aurora's Message in a Bottle." Each night she tells me one thing she wants to tell daddy. I write the message on a piece of paper and she places it in the bottle. When it fills up we will send all of the messages to Steve. The first time we did it I said, "Aurora, what do you want to tell daddy today? Do you want to tell him you love him or tell him something fun you did today?" She said in her pouty voice, "No, I want to tell daddy that I broke the door on my little blue house!" I couldn't help but laugh. Of all the things, she wanted that for her message.
When Steve was home he put Aurora down for the night and I took care of Cadi. Putting both girls to bed was definetly my biggest challenge. Aurora kept on waking Cadi up and coming out of her room (she was supposed to sit in bed and read books until mommy was finished). When I finally got Cadi down, I went to Aurora's room and we spoke in to a tape recorder that we will send Steve when it's filled up. Poor Aurora didn't like that. She said, Daddy, daddy, when are you coming home? Mommy, I can't hear daddy!" (putting her ear up to the speaker) I said, "Aurora, we can talk to daddy, but he can't hear us right now. He will listen to the tape when we send it to him in a letter." She Started crying for Steve and said, "I want to talk to daddy, I want to talk to daddy!" Then said, "I want to talk to Daddy on one phone and Jessica on another phone!" So, I called Jessica and she told Aurora that if she will go to bed for mommy later, she and the kids will come over to visit. I'm so greatful to have such good friends. Jessica, Aiden and Terralyn came over for about an hour and a half.
The bedtime routine was much easier last night. I had both girls in bed by 7:30!
I'll do my best to keep everyone updated. The girls keep me very busy. Aurora is ready for breakfast so I better go.
Thank you for the caring and thoughtful emails and phone calls.
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