Caleb arrived

Just came back from the hospital and thought I better start a blog!!!
After her due-date the REAL waiting began. On Friday Sarah had another routine doctors appointment. Wade had urgent work to do to get ready to be several days off so I went with her. The very nice Dr. C said several times that everything looked good. There was an ultrasound and Sarah got some photos. Cute little nose!

The weekend came and went and finally it was Tuesday morning when Sarah was scheduled for inducing at 9 am. She texted me after she was checked in, the water broken and the IV started. I asked how the father-to-be was and she sent this photo.

She had asked me to come at 10 am with playing cards and I also took the banana gram game. Well, we never used it today. Things went quicker then expected. As soon as the water was broken the contractions started. She got inducing med just for a few minutes but it was stopped soon because it seemed to interfere with the natural way of things.

Look at this labor and delivery room. See the little baby center in the closet? Warming light and everything.

Sarah was a trooper. So calm and relaxed. The nurses were excellent too. They told Wade at one point he should go and have some lunch while James and I were staying. When Wade came back we went. It was 1 pm by now.

Look at the nice paintings in the cafeteria. Poppies. When we were about to go back we got a text from Sarah that it was very close to pushing time and we should stay away until further notice (as it was discussed before). Also, Wade's parents were about to arrive after their 3 1/2 hour drive.

Wade's sister Katie had also arrived very early in the morning at their house and had worked there until "it got serious". So here we were all waiting now in the lobby.

Only 45 minutes later we got a text from Wade: "Mom and baby are healthy. Be out shortly"
What a relief. Yes, I had to cry.
Here is the new happy family.

Meet Caleb James Waller
Born November 19, 2013 at 14:38 hours
3525 grams or 7 lbs 12oz
20 1/2 inches
I love this picture!

Of course there are some videos! Caleb not even an hour old.
Here!
And here!

Sarah had brought a book for baby's first year with her. The nurse was very happy to put the footprints into it. He didn't like to be unwrapped. He has a very healthy set of lungs.

Then he was taken up to the postpartum department and we all followed. Behind the glass we could see what happened. Again, he does not like not being swaddled.

Back to Sarah's room where she just got something to eat ... no breakfast ... very late lunch.

After Sarah was transferred to the postpartum department too the baby was brought back to her. I stayed with Sarah while everybody else went to dinner. Wade's assignment: to bring dinner back for Sarah. The hospital food didn't sound appealing to her.
Caleb had successfully nursed right after birth but didn't seem keen now. He was tired. He was too snug and comfy. We unwrapped the cute little feet but that didn't help.

Then the nurse came and totally unwrapped him. See the video. Oh, did he complain!!! But he was awake and decided to have a meal. Ah, so cute.

And that is it about Calib for today. James and my day is not over yet. We have to go to the airport. Helen and William are arriving just before midnight.

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Waiting

Remember this blog? Well, now you know why the title.
The due-date is 11-12-13. This photo was taken 10-23.

Are they waiting too?

Sarah at work. This photo was taken 10-31. I think I embarrassed her. Sorry.

And this was today. Sarah was getting ready to go out with me. Getting her shoes on is not so easy any more. Does Schatzi want to help?

She showed me what she did yesterday. Cute!

Sarah just shared these photos with me. Edy is not any better then the dogs. Look at this cat. Is she listening to the baby?

What else is new? Ah yes, James' car. On October 25 he happened to go past the Honda dealer ... except he didn't go past but stopped, ha-ha. Well, his then present one was getting up in years. They had exactly what he liked. He came home, we talked and went out again and got it. On the way home we stopped at a Chinese restaurant for dinner. A family tradition every time there is a new car. Only once we didn't do it ... and had an accident right away. That was a lesson for us.

James' fortune cookie:

That night they forecasted the first frost and we had to cover up the hibiscus. Good thing we had done it. You can see it on the sheet.

The new CR-V at daylight. James is happy.

Ever since Nashville I was battling bronchitis. A bad case. Didn't feel much like doing anything but some things got done like this year's Chrismons for the children in the church.

And a new design: the dove of peace. Since I was pretty much a couch potato I worked a lot on the computer and managed to put all my designs (22?) on a special blog
http://passionate-about-chrismons.blogspot.com/
I thought sharing them was the right thing to do.

We have some lovely fall colors. This is our street.

And the place with the bench across the street I can see out of my kitchen window.

We also planted the winter flowers. This year we tried something new. We took out the two rose bushes which just didn't do well there and planted the pansies in a pot.

You bet we will let you know when the waiting is over!!!

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The British are coming!

Paul Revere didn't need to warn us. We were looking forward for Kate (James's sister) and David (her husband) to arrive. Thursday 9/12 at 5:30 pm at RIC on time. It was a HOT day and when we stepped out of the airport it seemed brutal for a moment. But perfect whether was arriving that evening after a thunderstorm.
The next day we could open windows and screened doors. Lovely. Friday is Sarah's day off and we had plans. We went to this place on McArthur Road. From Thu to Sun you can get wonderful crab cakes here ... to go. There is one table with 4 chairs were you can sit to wait.

Studying the menu and ordering. We wanted 6 but he only had enough to make 4. Since they are huge we asked him whether he could make 5 and I had something else.

We took it to Sarah's and we all, including Wade, had a picnic on her deck in the back. After that we (except Wade) went to Agecroft Hall and Gardens. This manor house was actually built in Lancashire, England in the late 15th Century, and in 1925 dissembled, transported and re-built in Richmond, Virginia. Well, a third of the original.

Moss on the roof ... this could be in England.

Those original windows - all original and none was broken! When we were inside you could see the unevenness of the glass.

Situated on the James River.

After the tour on the inside we had a walk around the gardens.

Wait for me!

The view to the River from the gazebo.

More gardens.

Those funny things growing in the middle in the picture above: hops, close-up in the picture below.

Back at Sarah's place: first thing we have to do is harvest.

Before bedtime I still had to wrap up the present for tomorrow's baby shower. She wanted this for the nursery but since we don't know the baby's name yet, this is only paper. To be made later!

Saturday morning. We (Kate and I) were on our way early to pick up mommy-to-be Sarah. James and David had to be at the first monthly St Martin men's breakfast at 8 am (and then they went for a 6 mile hike afterwards ... ending at the Legend Brewery for lunch)
Sarah, Kate and I had quite a drive to West Point. Jon (Wade's uncle), Carolyn and son Cooper have a lovely house where the Mattaponi and Pamunkey Rivers meet and form the York River.

Kate and I had to walk the few steps and have a look.

Soon we could see from the deck the husbands and Cooper leave to take the boat out and try to catch the fish for dinner.

We enjoyed the wonderful lunch Carolyn had prepared for us. We were 12 ladies altogether. After this blog I have to email to her and beg for the recipe for the crab muffins. Yummy!

The guest of honor is starting.

The weather could not have been any better. We so enjoyed sitting outside.

There was also a Yoghurt Bar. What a great idea!

And then the 'shower' part.

Carolyn loves crabs and has quite an amazing selection of plates, bowls, pictures etc. Guess who this gift for Baby Waller is from?

The husbands are returning. The news: dinner plans have to be changed. Only one little fish which might make an appetizer.

And after cake and more deliciousness Kate and I get on our way back. What a great time we had. It was lovely to have some time with Wade's mom, grand-mom, sister, the hostess and some of Sarah's friends. James and David are back too.
Dinner: After a high temperature of 93' F on Thursday it is down to 56' F tonight at 8 pm. It was too cold to eat outside but James grilled his delicious burgers which we enjoyed at the dining-room table. Soon we have to stage what will have to go into the car tomorrow morning to join Helen, Ben and William in Topsail Island, North Carolina. They arrived there just a little while ago and word has it that there is no tea pot and hot water kettle.

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If you want to go to "Day 1 on Topsail Island" click here.

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