He's here!!

Maxwell Curtis was born on February 12, 2011 at close to 7 in the morning. He was 6 lbs, 4 oz, and measured in at just under 16 inches. What a perfect little boy. He looks like his Dad, but I can see a lot of Emily in him as well--particularly the shape of his ears and the shape of his eyes, which I am positive will crinkle every time he smiles just like his Mom's. It was such a thrill to hold him for the first time. I could have sat there for hours, just cuddling this precious addition to our family and memorizing every expression, yawn and sneeze. We can already see his wonderful little personality emerging...the nurses nicknamed him Mad Max, since he doesn't like to take no for an answer. Sometimes even a baby just can't wait for others to make things happen.

Countdown to baby...

Emily and Mark's due date is just about a month away, and I still have trouble grasping that there will be a new baby in our family is just a few short weeks. I've been thinking about how this new little life will change everything. For one thing, it expands our family and I am thrilled about that. It also expands our love. Just as we embraced Mark when he and Emily decided to get married, so too will we love this baby. And I really think he/she already feels our affection. When I hear Em and Mark talk to her, there's no way that he doesn't already know what's in store.

I found myself getting teary earlier today. There was a story about premature twins who were having difficulty after they were born, but began to recover as soon as they were snuggled together in the same crib. Life outside the womb is a scary place, and we all need and deserve as much cuddling as we can get--whether one is two days old or several decades. Nana's here with open arms.

Celebrations come in clumps

My husband, Curt, turned 64 today, and tomorrow we will celebrate our 36th wedding anniversary. I think it's kind of wonderful that our grandchild will be celebrating a birthday so close to these other annual January celebrations, which also include the birthdays of other friends and family members. Our godson, Dave, celebrates his birthday on February 22, and the baby is due on February 20th. I like February, too.

Daddy's little girl

Em, like me, appreciates her Dad's insights and wisdom. One recent night they had a discussion about a father's feelings when a new baby is brought home. I learned something I'd never really acknowledged...fathers feel a little left out--displaced, I guess--when a newborn enters the picture. I can't remember much about it, but I hope I was sensitive to this when we brought Em home many years ago. I can't be sure. Mostly I just remember feeling dependent on him--for food, shelter and comfort--and this took a little getting used to for me since I've never liked that feeling. But in hindsight (and many years of it), I realize that life only works when we depend on each other, not in a stranglehold, but in an egalitarian way. "I need you," doesn't make me needy. It just makes me human.

When the student is ready...

Husband: I'm going to teach my grandchild to fish.
Me: I didn't know you knew how to fish.
Husband: I don't.
Me: So how's that gonna work?
Husband: Well, I guess he or she can teach me.

What's that color?

There's discussion about the color of the nursery. Em likes orange. Mark doesn't. I suggested flying "orange" under the radar as "melon." My son-in-law is smart.