SHE is here!

We welcomed Baby Girl Madea into the world at 7:25 pm on 6/6/11. The labor was very hard but not too long thankfully, the delivery pretty wild and the product just beautiful :) Feeling good and resting now. Daddy was not able to Skype due to technical/connection problems, but he was on the phone in minutes and was able to hear his little girl's lungs at work! We're still unsure of a name... but we can share she's 8 lb 15.4 oz and 21 inches long. (I guess that makes her Big'r M!) We're very eager to introduce big sister Cora today. Stay tuned for many, many more pictures, I'm sure!

during her first bath

Ready for Lil'r M

Well, it's been decided to augment my labor and get this not-so-lil one born! Planning for a 6-6-2011 birthday with Daddy there virtually via Skype :) We promise to share the news when it comes...

At his destination!

Greg called me today from his office (!) and, after a whole week of transit, he's made it to Camp Eggers, which is located in Kabul, Afghanistan. He sounded good and relieved to be "there." Apparently the weather is much more pleasant there than Kuwait. He already enjoyed an Afghani meal and has met many of his colleagues.

About an hour before this phone call I started to feel regular contractions. This baby knew to hold on for daddy! Of course, no arrival yet, but I think we're getting closer. After my regular doctor's appointment, I joined Cora at the park for a swing and even took the dogs for a nice vigorous walk. Here's hoping for natural labor this weekend when Greg can be there via Skype and no induction for me!

Promise to keep everyone posted!

Cora and Sofu plant a garden

What an experiment this will be! Cora helped dad (kinda) section off a portion of yard to grow a garden this summer. This is aside from the adults' heirloom tomatoes and red and yellow peppers and herbs. They will be trying to grow lettuce, green beans, watermelon and pumpkins from seed. Thus far, Cora most loves the water (either from hose or her watering can) and stomping the dirt. You can imagine the need for more regular baths! Thankfully she never goes out without her rainboots on :) We'll see if she keeps up with the daily watering regimen needed!?!

scoping out the spot

Sofu discussing the importance of proper spacing and depth for optimal bean growth...

trying to get some of the water from her can on the newly planted seeds

ooh the big watering can is MUCH more fun!

naw, playing with the shovel in the dirt is WAYYY better than planting seeds!

Finn happily supervising from the patio

another day in Kuwait

I was able to talk with Greg a bit this afternoon. He's 7 hours ahead of us, by the way. Seems to be doing okay, albeit a bit bored. It's still HOT and when the wind blows he says you can't breathe. The facilities at base are nice and our phone connection is pretty remarkable - sounds like he's just next door. He's using a VOIP to call, similar to Vonage (which was the phone service we had and loved in Japan).

So far the best thing is the food there -- it makes him not want to leave for Afghanistan! He's had Starbucks daily (and although the shop looks like a trailer from the outside, the inside is the same as any Starbucks in the states.... but everyone's sitting around with their guns, kinda weird). He's also been able to enjoy Baskin Robbins ice cream (actually chocolate shakes are his fav from there) and he just missed out on Krispy Kreme, but plans to get one soon! Who knew there'd be such comfort food in the middle of a desert?

With tomorrow being Memorial Day, they have the day off and Greg promises to try and take some pictures to post. Otherwise, perhaps see a movie or two.

Will post more news when I have it!

Lil'r M's last picture inside?

Here's an ultrasound done yesterday at 38 weeks 5 days... baby is looking up; cute nose, eh?

Safe in Kuwait...

I just heard from Greg and after about a day of travel, he's arrived in Kuwait for "inprocessing." He sounds good and his typical upbeat self ... "they say it's 105, but it doesn't feel a degree over 104" and was enjoying an iced Starbucks coffee. He said that it's like no place he's ever been before, and feels like being in the middle of the sea (i.e. nothing around), yet he's surrounded by desert. HOT, DRY desert. He reiterated the description of sticking your head in a hot oven and said he misses humidity, hmmmmm. Interesting!?!

They are sleeping in tents with air conditioning and their schedule doesn't seem too demanding, which may lead to some boredom. He certainly was excited to get a good night's sleep before tomorrow's day of briefs.

Hopefully he'll be able to figure out the best way to call home and use the internet in some of his downtime. I've shared with him the many kind words you've shared and he's grateful for your thoughts and prayers.

We're hoping Lil'r M continues to enjoy her "tank" until Greg settles in Afghanistan as now it may be tricky to communicate with him!

Will continue to update as I learn more...