picnics and gorgeous weather

i do believe i shall complain about the weather less often - the weekend weather was perfection and i enjoyed it. (i guess SADs might not apply to me after all.) we went to a picnic hosted by Birthworks - the organization that provided our childbirth classes and who we found our doula/midwife through. it was very, very fun to see all the slings (well, and the babies in them of course). The above picture of Linda, a natural birth mama whose story inspired me when she came to share it with our class, and her little one Sebastian. (happiest. baby. ever.) she had a looooong labor and an OP baby (baby facing abdomen - some call it sunny side up and it's painful!) and delivered naturally with an awesome support team. it is nice to connect with couples at the same or similar place we are. it is also nice to try and not sound like a desperate stalker - WANT TO HANG OUT??!?! HERE'S MY EMAIL! we don't have a large # of friends with kiddos at the moment and we are looking forward to making some! :)

speaking of childbirth, this article (shared by Maria) caught my attention. how true it is. mostly, it's about the importance of being prepared. (god, i am such a good little boy scout sometimes it makes me sick.)

and, for the record, you do forget the pain! i am already like, 'it didn't hurt that bad.' (and sometimes i am seriously amazed (still!) that he just exploded out of me.)

today i took darth nater (that is what Karl wants him to be for Halloween by the way. light saber and all. yucko. my vote is a giraffe. please note: we are open to suggestions.) for a walk in his sling. we have been slinging him A LOT in preparation for travel - just to make sure he is super comfy in there. i am getting a leeeetle (read: LOT) nervous about the airplane. say a little prayer for me. and nate's ears with the popping. and the other passengers ears if there is screaming! and that the car seat gets there. and, um, whatever other oh-so-dramatic scenario i have envisioned. deep breathes for me - i know if i remain calm, he will remain calm. right? RIGHT! (ready? o-k.)

oh, and nate's shots were okay. the pedi helped me calm some of my vaccine fears. (read: SOME. still nervous.) nate was pissed - his first shots EVER - but he got over it pretty quick.... has been a little cranky/sleepy all weekend and into today....

and now for some stats: nate's officially weigh in was 12 pounds, 10.5 ounces and 23.5 inches long (isn't it weird how we say long until they can stand and then we say tall? strange, right?)

t-minus two weeks until i return to the 'real world.'

10 weeks, 4 days