Hello, World!

"Ibbie"
Elizabeth Kathleen Slaton

Born 1:31 am, September 18, 2013

8 pounds, 3 ounces

20 inches

40 Weeks

September 15, my due date, is here and we are still a family of three.

It is not what I expected, but I'm so grateful for the extra two-on-one time we've been able to spend with Cole. Our girl has received lots of extra attention from visitors lately with more visitors joining us tonight. Months ago when my mom was buying plane tickets, we told her to come on the baby's due date since sister would definitely be here by then. Ha! Oh, how the lessons in parenting two children have already begun. It seems the notions that every child is different does, in fact, extend into labor. Somehow I  think I worked it in my head to anticipate different children but similar births.

While we're living in a state of constant expectancy, I'm opting to keep on living. As I've been around town this week, people have been quick to comment on my belly. A typical exchange goes something like this:
     "Wow. That baby must be coming soon..."
     "Yep. I'm due on Sunday."
     "Whoa! And you're out and about? Are you okay? Do you need any help?" 

It's actually amusing to see how people shift when they realize how pregnant I am. I suppose there may be some deep underlying fear that I could break into spontaneous Stage 2 labor and require immediate help in delivery. But, really, am I just suppose to stay at home and wait?

We've been filling our time with all sorts of routine and special activities: washing cars, walking the dogs, attending a couple of parties for the Cooper-Young 4 Miler, treasure hunting at the Cooper-Young Festival, and visiting the farm for a Sunday School kick-off party. Until sister arrives, we don't really have any intention of abandoning our plans.  Since I'm already carrying an extra thirty-plus pounds around, I've been relying on my iPhone camera rather than my Nikon. Surely, you understand.

Friday night, we watched the start of the race before heading down the street to our friend's house for a yard party. Cole delighted in the glow sticks the hosts put out and tried to help her buddy H put one around his ankle.

 

Saturday we walked up to the Cooper-Young Fest where we found treasures for the girls, ourselves and my mom.  Two years ago, my mom mentioned a painting that was on display at Fino's and asked me to go back and get it. Unfortunately, by the time I made it over there the painting had sold. I familiarized myself with the artist and every time we've gone to a local festival I've kept an eye out. While I've perused the artist's booth at least three times since then, I've not seen any similar work. Until yesterday! It was a major score. We also bumped into the Moskes, whose daughter was one of Cole's first friends. The girls decided to stroll through a couple of booths together.

Cole & Sally (Thanks to Sarah for this picture)

 

After Cole's nap on Saturday, we headed to the farm for a Kick-Off Party for our Sunday School class. Other than an unexpected fear of horses that was exposed, Cole seemed to love everything about being in the country. Sure, it helped that there were a gazillion children for her to play with and more ride-on toys than I could count. Cole actually cried when we wouldn't let her drive the four-wheeler.

Sadly, Cole woke up with a stomach bug this morning. A 12-hour bug has been going around our church and our baby was not spared. She seems to be over the worst of it now so we're just soldiering on.

As for becoming a family of four: if sister hasn't made her debut by Tuesday, I'll be going back to the doctor for an ultrasound and to discuss an eviction plan.

A Pride Story

It's a big weekend for our neighborhood! The annual Cooper Young Festival is on Saturday and tonight there is a 4 Miler which will bring 2,500 people running right down our street. Unfortunately, early this week the residents of one home on our block were evicted. While they took many of their belongings with them, a heaping pile of goods was left on the side of the road. Almost immediately, there was a series of emails sent between the neighbors about what to do with the pile. Knowing the festival weekend and events would bring many visitors into our neighborhood, we all wanted to see the pile cleaned up.

Before any of the neighbors took actions, there were a number of street shoppers that rummaged through the pile looking for salvageable goods. It's pretty typical in midtown that if you put something with potential on the street it'll be picked up by street shoppers within a day. Peter and I have taken advantage of this norm multiple times when we have items to get rid of but not enough for a yard sale.

After the pile had been picked over, there was still a remarkable amount of furniture and trash that remained. One of neighbors was concerned that the pile would remain through festival weekend but then Thursday came. Thursday is trash day and our trash men are unbelievable! They took everything!

There were some crumbs, if you will, that remained after the trash men had hauled away the bulk of the goods. Before the trash men were off the street, our neighbor made his way to the now empty house to clean up the remaining trash, mow the yard, and weed whack. It's really cool to live in a neighborhood that is recognized as a great place to live where the neighbors look out for each other and work to maintain pride in the community.