Photo O’ the Day - Day 3

Photo O’ the Day - Going Home - Day 2

Photo O’ the Day: First Bath -Day 1

Baby and Family

Benjamin

Our little guy made his appearance at 7:50 this morning, weighing 7 lbs 1 ounce, and measuring 19.5 inches long. He is healthy and doing well. He was welcomed by two tired but ecstatically happy parents, three grandparents, an aunt, and a wonderful group of midwives and nurses at Group Health - Central. It was truly a team effort.



Love, Sonja and Chris

Peeps!

The baby poll is now closed. Thanks for participating. Results to be announced whenever Baby J makes his appearance!

(personally I'm hoping for sooner rather than later!).


In other news, we had one last ultrasound today...Baby J is definitely a boy. The confirmation is nice since our boy/girl determination was made by one technician...19 weeks ago. So a second opinion is always a good thing. It also means that we're not scrambling to think of lovely girl names on the fly.

Things were hopping at GH-Central; lots o people having babies today! So far we are loving both the midwifery and nursing staff there. They didn't even blink when the girl next to me had her water break. Whoosh!!! Time to get that lass into a delivery room!

Tired of Overcast

The beginning of this NYTimes article struck a chord with me as many of us up here in grey Seattle are definitely hunkered down for the winter.

Here’s the excerpt:

IN the cycle of the seasons, now is a time of longing — for backyard sunbathing, for cocktails on the patio, for puttering in the garden, and for the distant time when all those activities will be possible again.

And for those who live in climates where all that is still possible, it is high gloating season, a time to feel superior to those of us who have been slogging through slush, picking our way across the ice, heaving snow with our shovels, condemned to wait out the frigid months inside our four walls.

I’ll admit it: I’m in full-fledged longing mode. But not for backyard sunbathing, cocktails, or gardening. Even at 38.75 weeks pregnant (or maybe because of it), I’ve got a hankering for places like this:

Temple of Borobudur, Indonesia

Whitsunday Islands National Park, Australia

Greece

Or activities like these:

Diving in a Jellyfish Swarm, Palau

Elephant washing, Thailand

Such is the nature of longing, right? No where in the definition does it mention the words ‘logical’ or ‘feasible’. 

Read the rest of the NYT article (which has nothing to do with tropical locations) here. All photos: National Geographic. Click here to see more.

38 Weeks

Rants and Raves

This week's rants are as follows:

To our beleaguered city and the decimated operating budget: turning down the temperature of both the swimming pool and the showers in order to save on heating costs... Understandable and probably necessary. But damn it makes for a cold swim!

Wishing that this last month of pregnancy was a wee bit more comfortable. I'd also like to be able to see my toes again.



And the raves:

To my mom for informing me that the average American consumes 140 pounds of sugar on a yearly basis... And then promptly requesting a piece of my homemade apple pie. Yes, the stats might be appalling, but no mortal can deny the need for pie!!

For being 38.5 weeks pregnant. Baby J might make an appearance in the near future. Come on baby!

For the tradition that Chris and I started of going out to lunch after all of our midwife appointments. I look forward to our quiet little dates; I'm going to miss them once the (above-mentioned)squalling babe arrives.

Random Map

I just stole this from Liana.

What lovely things have you got going on in your home state?

FYI: Not to be taken seriously as the statistical sources seem a bit suspect. Also the title ‘worst’ doesn’t strike me as being entirely accurate. For example, the ‘nerdiest’ state definition is based on the number of times residents visit the library. That's a good thing, yes? Go Ohio. Source here.

Snuggle Bunny

I’ve mentioned previously that our dog is having a rough time adapting to all things baby-related here at the casa. This has become painfully obvious in several respects, the most pronounced being his new-found attachment issues. He has always been attached - following me from room to room - but he’s been taking this obsession to new extreme heights recently.

Instead of laying a typical three feet away (on his bed), he now selects a spot that is as close as possible, if not directly touching my person. 

Evidence:

Those are my black pants. That is the black dog in question, roughing it on the hard floor, reclined against the legs of my chair. And that is a nice comfy dog bed that is currently only serving as a pillow. 

This poor dog. He’s got a rough couple of months ahead of him. 

Finds: Paper Crafts

New paper animals are out! 

Including cute freebies from 3EyedBear:

I’m liking the blue owl. 

And MiboStudio now has an Etsy store:

Evolution of a Room

The Beast is supervising the construction of Baby J’s dresser

 Making sure Chris follows directions is difficult work

 Almost done

 Woot! Finished as last. 

 Chris’ sister Alex was in town for a day, which was awesome. 

 We promptly put her and Megan to work lugging up clothes from the living room and putting them in the dresser. 

 They were good sports about it. Again, Bailey is supervising the process.

 Wally, hanging out in the crib. 

 Clothes are in the dresser!

 Excellent progress. Thanks girls!

Getting Closer by the Day...

Baby J’s room needs doors and a light fixture…and then the construction is DONE. 

In other news, we are now officially at full term: we hit 38 weeks on Saturday.

The Baseboard is Up!

 Filling nail holes and caulking today.

Next step: curtains!

Are you sick of cute baby stuff yet?

How about cute stuff that comes in both adult and kids sizes?

 Like these awesome slippers (with non-skid soles) from the French company Collegien.

Pregnant Lady: You sleep here, on the floor

Peeps, 

Chris and I have been having a laugh over the fact that I’ve been sleeping on a little futon at the foot of our bed for the past week. Like I’ve been kicked out of the big bed. 

I’ve been in agony from nightly back pain and have spent a few sleepless nights sitting upright on the couch. No fun.

I commandeered this futon from my parent’s house last week and installed it in our bedroom. It’s hard as a rock and low to the ground. Perfect for the aching back. With the exception of several nightly bathroom trips, I’ve been able to sleep again.

Hallelujah.  

I might just set up camp down here permanently. 

Baby Chris

While we’re on the subject of baby clothing, take a peek at Chris’ coming home outfit (circa 1981). 

His mom brought it down while they were visiting over Christmas break. 

Cuteness! Love the white collar. And the duck. 

She also brought along a few additional outfits and his first blanket. I really should have a picture of Chris holding up this wee little onsie. 

Baby J Duds

My Dears, 

Throughout this entire pregnancy, I have been amazed and humbled by the generosity and compassion exhibited by our friends and family. 

It is so very touching and I am without the words to properly express our heartfelt thanks. 

This weekend, Chris’ cousin sent us home with bins of baby items that her sweet twins had outgrown. Along with other hand-me-down gifts and presents from the baby shower, I am fully convinced that we are set, clothes-wise, for the next year. 

Megan and I spent hours sorting and organizing wee little garments this weekend. It was so much fun! Tonight we’re going to set up the dresser so hopefully the bins won’t linger in our living room for much longer…

In other news, poor Bailey is having a rough time adjusting to the new items that have taken up residence in the house. Especially little teething items with an appealing squeak feature. 

Chew toys? Made of natural organic rubber? That squeak? FOR ME?

No, not for you. 

The Beast would like to express his extreme disappointment with all things baby-related. 

Drooling Over Exotic Locations

So: travel. Not going to happen for us, anytime soon, but I am still determined to live vicariously through you, dear readers, and spectacular photos from various news sources.

Here are National Geographic’s 20 Best Trips for 2011.

Take note Mom, Cherie, and Linds - Croatia is Number 1!

I don’t suppose there would be room for me in your luggage?

Click here for the entire list. Or here for a slightly more local (Pacific Northwest) list.

Baby Songs

Ok Mamas and Papas,

What were your favorite songs to sing to your wee little ones?

This gal can’t carry a tune in a bucket so we’re hoping for some easy-to-sing, easy-to-remember tunes!

-Sonja


I remember my dad putting this one on the record player pretty frequently. I loved it. Perhaps because I was always out mucking around in the yard? I was an expert mud-pie maker, thankyouverymuch!

A bold hippopotamus was standing one day

On the banks of the cool Shalimar

He gazed at the bottom as he peacefully lay

By the light of the evening star

Away on the hilltop sat combing her hair

His fair hippopotami maid

The hippopotamus was no ignoramus

And sang her this sweet serenade

Chorus:

Mud, mud, glorious mud

Nothing quite like it for cooling the blood

So follow me follow, down to the hollow

And there let me wallow in glorious mud

Awake

For the record, I would dearly love to be sleeping right now. An aching back is the culprit. But I have a mug of warm milk, a heat pad, and a snoring dog keeping my feet nice and warm so I suppose things could be worse...

Seattle Activities

My dears!

Any great plans for the weekend? We’ve got a few lots of house tasks, some apple-pie making, and dinner with friends on the agenda. 

Here’s a quick recap of some recent activities. 

We moseyed around the conservatory at Volunteer Park:

 It’s a great place to visit on chilly days

 I used to go here with my mom when I was a wee little one

We also climbed a few stairs at the water tower:

And enjoyed a splendid ‘big date’ in downtown seattle:

It was so much fun. I think we should make it an annual tradition.