The Bottle

When I got home from work tonight Katie had a bottle of the fresh squeezed goodness ready to go so that I could see how well Kai and I interface for eating time. Good tidings. The kid is an eater. He looked me square in the eyes and start siphoning the content of the bottle like it was going out of style. Kai is on the bottle and I am so proud. What a great kid.

Crib

Kai is not afraid of a little alone time. We are so proud of him. He spent last night in his room. His crib seems so gigantic when he is laid out in the middle of it. He is cool with it, though. He's been sleeping the same room as Katie and/or I since coming home. Last night we set up the monitor and put him down in his room to see how he would do. Didn't phase him. He did his four hour pushes, woke up for some boob action, then right back down. Amazing.

This morning we had him come spend some quality time in bed with us. We did a little "tummy time" and he flipped himself onto his back in about two seconds. He was karate chopping and high kicking like a maniac. Good fun.

Tomorrow it is back to work. Preparing for the season, understanding I will be away from Kai for a couple days at a time, and knowing I am going to miss him is requiring some patience and understanding. I love my job and know that we are fortunate to have a steady income. I feel conflicted in that I don't want to miss Kai growing up and I know that I will be out chasing kids around the mountains on snowboards while he is home with Katie. The reality, for me, is that this is a compromise, but it is benign compared to what many families have to deal with. Lucky that I don't have to go do a tour in Afganistan or go out to sea for a month to catch fish.

5

Getting to know Kai is such a treat. He is a nice little fella, but we had our toughest night last night. Katie was really tired and Kai just wouldn't settle down. I did my first graveyard shift last night to try and buy her some time to sleep. Kai and I paced around the guest room in the dark, trying to find a calm place for him to shift gears. I got him asleep three times in an hour and a half, but struggled with a fussy little guy the rest of the time. He was persistant, but I tried to match his intensity with calm. It was a test I know every young parent goes through. Eventually I got him settled into a sound sleep and I feel no small amount of pride in that feat. It was a beautiful father and son time. We talked about all kinds of stuff, but when I started talking about our old dog, Bailey, he really stopped to listen. I brought Kai to bed at 3 am and he stayed asleep until about 5:30 am. I was very grateful that Katie let me sleep in a bit this morning.

We had our first follow-up with the doctor this morning and everything looks good. Kai decided to show off for the nurse by peeing all over himself and the scale. Then mom and dad looked really bad because we forgot his diaper bag and had to use the clinic's stuff.

The community of friends we have here have been absolutely unbelievable. Katie and I have both felt waves of isolation and lonliness here, but those feelings passed quickly and the response from our local friends has shown us the love we have here. So many kind words, offers for help, bringing us meals and sweet gifts. It is a blessing above and beyond anything we ever expected. Ad the phone calls and e-mails from friends and families around the country and it is just...I don't know, beautiful - the word I have used most over the past five days.

Kai Benjamin

He is beautiful. Long and lean. Strong. We can't decide who he looks like. I see a little of my father and brother. Katie sees my sister and niece from the side. But he is all Kai. His own man. He is suckling as I type. Mom is fine, but very sore. She was a champion. It was a relatively easy delivery. We had Katie's water broken and delivered the baby in two hours. It was a moving experience and the pride coursing through my veins is intense.

In case you are wondering, Kai is Hawaiian for the sea. Benjamin is from Katie's brother Ben, who we find very agreeable.

+10

Everyone is still fine, we are just waiting for the package to be delivered. Katie is healthy and happy, albeit ready to get on with it. The baby is doing fine. We had a non-stress test yesterday and the little fella is doing very well. I love to watch her belly jiggle when we are laughing and imagine him laughing with us. It has to be fun, like wiping out in gentle surf. I told Katie to stop pampering him so he'll get out of there. She has had a lot of contractions, just none that have been in a measurable series or intense enough to warrant a trip to the delivery room.

If he decides to stay put, we will induce labor on Monday. Its nice to know we will have a baby by then. Matt and CC had Lily Catherine on 10/10/06. A beautiful baby girl. Mom and baby are doing well. Matt and I have been furiously texting each other for updates and we had a good phone conversation. It was very moving to hear his account of a difficult delivery. This is a very exciting time for both our young families.

By the way, thanks for all the nice phone calls, e-mails, and kind wishes. It is nice to be loved.

Due

Well, today was the forcast date for our baby to arrive. No such luck. All is well, though. Katie is healthy. The baby is healthy - he was grooving to the radio show we had on during dinner. And I am ok, too. We are very happy to have all the phone calls and e-mails from loving friends and family. It is a blessing to know we are loved and our people are thinking about us.

The weather is beautiful. The foliage is passed its peak up here at the north end of the valley, but on our drive to the doctor's today we drove back into peak colors in the valley basin. A lone bald eagle sat in a bare tree watching the Kokanee salmon run below in the East River. Winter is close, but Autumn is in full control right now.