lazy saturday.

This is a perfect saturday afternoon- lazing about at the dining room table with the french doors open; no agenda except for a dinner invite later tonight. Henry is up all night and sleeps most of the day, so this is exactly what I can handle at the moment. He is a real party animal in the wee hours- I'm wondering when he will rearrange his day/night routine. He is like Johnny Depp in a hotel room- peeing on the blinds, spitting up as soon as he gets a clean onesie on, projectile pooping, going wild for some boobies... Well I don't know if Depp has a penchant for wearing onesies or pooping with abandon, but you catch my drift. Henry is like a little rock star. It is amazing how our bodies are able to adjust to lack of sleep- and the things one can do while half asleep. I can change a diaper with my eyes closed and nurse while lucidly dreaming. Talent! I knew I had it lurking somewhere in me.

crack t.v.

Being home and taking care of bebe means catching snippets of crazy daytime t.v. All of a sudden there is a plethora of new talk shows hosted by 'quirky' brunettes. One such show is the Rachael Ray show. I have seen her cooking show- It is okay. She has nice colorful appliances and gadgets. But I cringe and feel a tinge of nausea coming on every time she proclaims "E V O O" (extra virgin olive oil). I much prefer Giada, the sultry Italian; and the ultimate woman- the Barefoot Contessa.

So my husband and I are sitting here with Henry watching Rachael Ray. And we both kind of look at each other funny about ten minutes into the show. Is Rachael Ray hitting the speed? Is she drunk? I think she loves the cocaine. Mike thinks she is just a loud spaz. But he finds her completely entertaining. I find her more entertaining now that it is more about my new personal game of "let's guess the drug she's on" instead of "please, please don't say e v o o". Maybe that doesn't mean extra virgin olive oil, maybe it is code to the producer "get me some more crack."

Well to wrap this up: she was reminding me of someone and I couldn't quite put my finger on it. But then it came to me: Pee Wee Herman!!!! Rachael Ray is the female version of Pee Wee, or she is Pee Wee in a wrap-around dress. Watch the show and tell me you don't see it. Impossible.

i just looked at her site and they actually make shirts and infant clothing that bares phrases such as "yum-o" and "got e v oo?"
argghhh!!

happy anniversary

Today is our three year wedding anniversary! Tonight we will feast on sushi- yum!!
time flies...

growing, growing, every day growing...

I haven't posted in awhile because I've been busy being Henry's mum. I have never been so sleep deprived in all my life; nor have I ever felt happier or more complete. The feeling of holding this little being that is part Michael and part me is just completely indescribable. Simply put, Henry is the epitome of all that is good and beautiful in the world.

I labored for two days so that Henry could be born. Post due date by eleven days, the little guy was just a little too comfortable in there. The delivery was unbelievable- I felt like Wonder Woman when he popped out. Mike was by my side the entire time I labored; he even cut the cord, which he had sworn from the beginning he wouldn't be able to do.

The hospital was going to discharge us early on Friday because Henry and I received the go-ahead from our doctors. About twenty minutes after they told us about our early discharge, Henry's pediatrician called. The nursery had discovered that Henry's temperature spiked to 102.7. The pediatrician explained that they had to move him into the newborn intensive care unit, and that they had to run a battery of tests, including a spinal tap. This was one of the scariest moments of my life. Mike and I felt so completely helpless. I felt like I would lose my mind. I think perhaps that I did, a bit.

To make a long story short, he was in the nicu from Friday until Sunday. All of the tests came back negative. The only thing that explains the temperature spike is possible dehydration. I could not have made it through that weekend had it not been for Michael- every three hours he ran my milk to the hospital; if I couldn't make it downtown with him, he sat with Henry and fed him by bottle. It is crazy how we bonded so strongly as a family, the three of us, there in the middle of the nicu; amongst premature babies in warming machines, with all of the strange monitors and beeping sounds, there in the dim light of a hospital, instead of by the warmth in our home. I will never forget these moments as long as I live.

Henry had his two week check up today and got a clean bill of health. He has grown an inch and a quarter, and now weighs eight pounds eleven ounces. Every day I feel luckier that all is well and happier that he is finally home.

At Last.

Henry Cooper D. was born on September 13, 2006 at 2:30 p.m.
Michael and I are just in love with our little boy.

Just waiting around....






yesterday was my due date. I told Henry that he has passed his curfew and will be on restriction if he is any later!
going to go out for a walk with nico; and then on to Yorgo's for a bagel; and then out for shopping. It always seems that's what couples do when they've passed their due date- they go out shopping/ walking... I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

the tide came in to our backyard to beckon Henry's arrival!

the marsh is usually not this full

lovely!

My husband and I like to execute major plans made around Christmas time during the height of hurricane season!
Mike proposed Christmas, 12/2002; we were married exactly one week after Hurricane Isabel, 09/2003;
we found out on Christmas Eve 12/2005 that we were expecting Henry; and now we are about to give birth during Hurricane Ernesto, 9/2006. odd.

I am really hoping today is the magic day...

Thursday. Official due date is two days away. Went to the doctor yesterday; and she said I am still not quite ready, that I could have him any moment, or it could be next week, that there is no reason to induce me, as we are both as healthy as healthy could be. From a philosophical standpoint I understand and concur, no need to rush. But from a physical standpoint- well...
get the baby out of me! No one really talks about this stage of pregnancy. I am just going to focus on how lucky we are to be having Henry, and concentrate on resting- mentally and physically. She ordered an ultrasound to make sure he was doing well, and that fluid levels were healthy, etc. That was a treat. He is BEAUTIFUL!!!! I didn't think it was possible to be cute through translation of an ultrasound, but it is. The sonographer was very charmed by Henry- she took a milllion photos of his face- he was making these sucking motions with his mouth (ready for the breast!!!). She asked permission to keep his image as the screen saver for the day in the ultrasound lab, because his face is so irresistable! Already charming the ladies, and not born yet! He is huge though, and I am a bit worried. That is why I am so uncomfortable. I have gained a mere 20 lbs, but he weighs probably close to eight. There is no cushion between my skin and his. You could see him opening and closing his eyes... He has these adorable fat cheeks. I think it looks like he got my lips, but Mike's chin. I love my husbands chin... sigh. I can't wait to really see Henry!!!!

On to other things- Project Runway. As irritating and tacky as I found Angela to be, I could not help but feel bad for her. "You are not a jetsetter..." Oh, I love the people of France and their gift for tactfulness... Actually I really do adore the french. They couldn't have possibly sent her back home right away? And Michael- I told my husband that I hope our Henry is like Michael. He is a sweet boy. What he said about Angela was endearing. His outfit was great. I'm a sucker for seersucker too, Michael Kors!! Speaking of Kors, he loves him some Michael!! I really think Michael will go very far in the world of fashion. Jeffrey is a real shit. But I thought he nailed it with his outfit. Except the rhinestones on the crotch were a bit disconcerting. Laura- people don't like her, but I think she's great. Blunt, but a keen observer- I agree with much of what she says. She is so elegant and fabulous. And she is an architect, and I have a soft spot in my heart for architects. I loved her dress. Unbelievable that she has popped five bebes out of that body. (Did you notice how in the scenes from next week she is already showing a bump!!!) Uli- haven't we seen her wear that dress a million times already? I love her gift of matching fabrics/patterns, but come on!!!! Boring. Kaine: I don't even think I need to say anything. The french woman already said it perfectly: you look ridiculous. Vincent- I can't believe he has lasted this far. Still riding the crazy train. He is a wackjob and I find him to be DISTURBING.

It was such a treat to get that sweeping glimpse of Paris. I have had the great fortune to have visited that city numerous times, and, well, I just adore that city. Paris and NYC are my two all time favorites; they make me swoon. How I would love to jump on a plane, meander down the Left Bank. Paris is a lover I never stopped loving. The feeling of that city can never be duplicated. It is like- swimming in a jar full of honey. Paris is so sweet and so perfect. ahhh.

Tuesday A.M.

Had to take the walk of shame this past weekend. I was having labor pains in my back. My husband Michael made me call the doctor, who instructed me to go to the hospital. Of course the contractions slowed down once I was in gown with monitors all hooked up. Oh well. Henry just wasn't ready. If anything we got to do a 'dress rehearsal' of the actual event, and are all signed in for when the time comes. Also, I got to listen to Henry's heart beat for an hour and a half. A lovely sound. we kept the graph that charted our vital signs together. An interesting memento. As we were leaving the hospital, another couple was walking out who had done the same thing. I guess it is a common thing, and I shouldn't feel bad. I was just following doctors orders.

Last night I watched a documentary looking back at hurricane Katrina- a year later and I am still shocked and horrified. I just can't fathom how something like that could happen- how these people were just left to suffer. It makes me want to throw up. All over Washington. I can't believe it has been a year since all of that went down. If you are poor, you are screwed. If you are poor and you are black, you are totally screwed. I could rant on and on about this, but given my condition I shouldn't stress myself out. Besides, I just got off of the phone with my mom and already ranted with her about this for an hour. Whew.

Today I am going to paint four small canvases for Henry's room. There is a bare wall above the crib that needs some color/interest. When I figure out how to upload pictures (our iphoto library is a dreadful mess) I will share some images...

With all of the hurricane stuff in the news today, it is a good time to reflect on what REALLY matters; and to reflect on how to make what really matters, MATTER more. n'est-ce pas? n'est-ce pas.

Still pregnant.

Friday, and no baby yet! I was having some major contractions yesterday evening, however they diminished as the night wore on. I woke up this morning and rubbed my tummy: still in there. As I sat at the table this morning looking out at my garden, listening to music, and enjoying my daily glass of o.j., I had the sense that maybe Henry was looking out for me. Perhaps I'd rather be here than in the hospital... The golden solitude of a Friday morning at home, just waiting for wonderful things to come. This solitude was briefly interrupted by a throwing up fit by my cat Hugo. He stood atop his table where he gets fed, trying to dislodge a hairball. He always makes this crazy call before one of these sessions- a lonnnnggg moan; starting deep and low and then becoming more desperate and more high-pitched as it rises from his throat. And then he lets loose. I like that he gives me warning though. You know, so I can watch! He's quite dramatic about the whole thing. As the hairball was ejected he shook his head around, to make sure his mess got spread as far around the kitchen as possible. Isn't that nice? Mommy-training? I see many more disgusting messes in my future. But then I caught up on my daily blog reading and took some pictures. I'm getting used to this maternity leave.