Neither one like flash photos and tend to move around too much in low light to get good focus. They’re also cute, and they poop a lot. Fortunately, babies, unlike puppies, wear diapers, and eventually grow out of irresponsible pooping. Puppies, on the other hand, never wreck your car, steal knives from the post exchange or break overhead lamp fixtures with a yo yo.
At 6:18 this morning, after an astonishingly brief labor, Logan had had enough, and popped right out.
Say hi to the internet son.
Water broke at 5:35. Two midwives and a doula are on the scene an no one thinks the birth tub will be here in time.
At quarter to three this morning, Cameron woke me up to let me know that it seemed like her contractions were starting and that she had called Tiffani, our Doula. We spent another two hours charting contraction duration and separation before we called Tiffani again and she arrived on the scene about 15 minutes ago.
Cameron and I remarked that it seemed like the contractions were coming quickly, but we also admitted to each other that we really didn’t have much in the way of context other than TV and movies, which are notoriously over dramatic.
So, the Doula is here, the birth tub is on the way, the dog is kinda freaked out and there’s a lot of yelling every few minutes. Sounds to me like we’re gonna have a baby.
There are rituals and observations that every new parent must endure and observe. Certain tasks that must be performed in just the right way, so as to avoid ruining the life of the child and isolating and offending all of your closest family. Typically these are simple things, like, feeding your new infant and not leaving it on the roof of the car as you pull out of the driveway. Occaisionally they are dangerous things, like, fighting off a pack of hungry wolves with a burning table leg while fleeing Siberia during the October revolution, or registering your child with a desirable day care service.
Most often though, these things that we must do are easy, and even fun. Tasks like video taping the kid’s first steps, taking a nap with him laying on your chest, or teaching him how to design a defensive position with overlapping fields of fire that intersect predicted enemy approach angles and has adequate overhead cover to mitigate damage from incoming mortar fire, are all rewarding and enjoyable.
A limited few of these obligations are rife with potential obstacles and unforeseen complications, and must be performed regardless of need, lest you ostracize your closest friends and family. Such is the baby shower.
Don’t scoff. I can hear you scoffing! Baby showers are minefields of potential disaster with far reaching consequences. Did you forget to invite a rich Aunt? Does the cake include ingredients that will send any attendees into anaphylactic shock? Will the mother to be freak out about colors of the guest book? Did the invitations include the address? Will anyone guess the circumference of the mother’s belly? Did we buy enough beer?
Despite all the risk, we elected to go ahead with the baby shower. Lot’s of people showed up, including my sister who flew in from Texas. Close to 50 people (including toddlers and infants) sat around eating, talking, drinking and giving us gifts. The number of attendees seemed to surprise Cameron who evidently believes we are social pariahs living on a secluded island in the Baltic Sea, with no friends or contact with civilized company. It did not surprise me, because I know we aren’t lepers; and the invitations said we’d be serving food. People are suckers for free food.
If you attended, thank you. Your generosity and friendship are appreciated. It’s nice to have such good friends. If you didn’t attend, man you missed out. I cooked Kahlua Pork. My grind pretty ono for haole. There were also giraffe cookies, a Jedi cake, and plenty of beer. Click through for the rest of the pictures.
Here’s the new ultrasound pics that I promised yesterday. Although we’re both pretty excited about the pics, Cameron is of the opinion that they’re super cute, and I maintain a slightly different position. I think the ultrasound’s “4D” tendency to gloss over some details, combine some features and add a plastic glossy texture to everything makes the pictures a little creepy looking. Especially around the eyes.
I’ve been told that the picture of the foot is the cutest of them all. Since it’s the least creepy looking, I’d have to agree.
Names are still being hotly debated. The Naming Committee has informed me that all Star Wars names will be summarily rejected. Names that had previously been approved, but have been revealed to have a Star Wars connection, should now be considered Unapproved. I guess this means Death Star Hawkins is right out. Another popular suggestion, Danger Dog Hawkins, has also fallen out of favor with the Naming Committee. When less practical suggestions started arriving via Twitter, Cameron noted that “the internet can shove it.”
Despite the Naming Committee’s displeasure with “The Internet” your suggestions are still welcome.
