our healthy wee specimen
So, Graeme is now a week old. The midwife has been coming every other day or so to check up on us, and today she said, in her charming Scottish accent, that he looked to be “a healthy specimen.”
And he is quite a darling! He’s eating well and sleeping a lot, as newborns do. We’re enjoying getting to know and love him!
You can see pictures at our new flickr site: www.flickr.com/photos/joyfulstones
graeme brian stone
Our baby boy, Graeme Brian Stone, made his appearance yesterday–Sunday, April 20, at 4:30 p.m., at Forth Park Hospital. He weighs 7lb.9oz., and measures 19.5 inches. He is happy and healthy, and we came home last night just 6 hours after his birth, having arrived at the hospital an hour and a half before Graeme appeared. We’re thankful for a peaceful and (relatively) easy labor and delivery and are glad to be home with Aidan as a family of four!
summing up my feelings right about now
Just now, as I was heating water in the kettle, Aidan said to me, “You need tea, Mom, because you’re GRUMPY.” And then he laughed.
It’s my due date. And I’m still pregnant. Well, wouldn’t you be a little grumpy, too?
happy birthday mom!
It’s my mom’s birthday today! I’d hoped the baby would be born on her birthday, since she’d get a kick out of that. Plus Tim was born on his maternal grandma’s birthday, so that would be nice, too. And I would not complain if I got to deliver almost a week early! But alas, it’s 10 to 5 in the afternoon and no labor pains. At least if the baby comes tomorrow, his birthday would be 4/4. That also would be pleasing…but still we wait…oh, well, happy birthday, mom!
two weeks to go
So, it’s just about two weeks until Baby Boy Stone is due to make his appearance, and I think we’re all ready. It’s been a flurry of nesting activity around here lately–we’ve reorganized all the drawers and cabinets, I’ve laundered everything that can be laundered, and we’ve reserved the DIY carpet cleaning machine for this weekend. Meanwhile, Aidan has developed clean freak tendencies of his own: the other day, he found some dirt on the floor, headed for the broom closet, retrieved the dustpan and mini broom, and cleaned up the mess all on his own. This morning, he “I take care of mom and the baby.” So that settles it–we’re all ready. But for now we wait…javascript:void(0)
America, America
We are planning to come back to the States for Christmas–we’ll be on the East Coast from December 20th until the second week of January. Aidan has been told about this trip, and is really looking forward to it. Every time he hears or sees an airplane, which is often, because we live near an RAF base, he says, “They’re going to MARE-ica!” Today, I asked him what the airplanes were going to do in America, and, as usual, he had several things to say:
“A-goin’ a see GRAMma and GRANpa!”
“‘Ehre’s PRESENTS in Mare-ica”
“‘Ehre’s lots a TOYS in Mare-ica”
“‘Ehre’s Krimmis trees in Mare-ica”
I’d say he’s pretty much got consumerism down, oh dear.
first impressions of basketball
Last night Aidan and I went up to the Athletic Centre to watch Tim play for the St Andrews Saints against another unspellable, unpronounceable Scottish university club team. It was a lot of fun, and Tim played well (even though he claims to be out of shape). However, Aidan found it a bit overwhelming; we retreated from our courtside bench to an upper room in the sports centre that had some windows overlooking the court. Aidan felt much safer there and was also delighted by an ugly potted fake tree surrounded by wonderful, diggable gravel.
This morning, in response to our asking what he thought of the game, he had a few comments:
(and I quote…)
– “guys fall down” (accompanied by emphatic hand gestures)
– “guys tryin’ a get the ball”
– “guys hit”
– “people yelling”
– “scary”
That just about sums it up, I think.
vacation photos are up.
If you like, you may view them at the flickr site (see link on the right).
Flickr
To the right you will notice that under “blogroll” there is a link to my Flickr page. This is where I will post most photos. But the disclaimers are two: 1. my Flickr page is disorganized and out of order, because I have a terrible time figuring out how to organize it, and 2. I tend to be horrible about updating my photo page because that involves multiple wires and electronic devices and voltage adapters, and it can be overwhelming. But don’t worry, Mom, I’ll do it eventually–if only for you. =)
warmth!
After a very wintery summer season, we are enjoying a rare Scottish heat wave! Well, it’s not what most Americans would consider a heat wave, but it is warm enough to wear shorts and sandals and feel quite comfortable doing so. Amazing, as there were plenty of days in July and August when I was wore wool sweaters and shearling slippers in the house. (You are reading that correctly.) Today Aidan and I celebrated by going for a run (wearing shorts!) in the morning and taking a walk in the afternoon. It is glorious, and something to hold in mind during the short, dark, chilly days of winter. Scotland can be beautiful!
