A Week of Firsts

I guess that when you're only 15 days old many things are firsts. Nonetheless, Molly had a big week last week with her list of new adventures. She had the following first time treats:
- Christmas
- Snowshoeing
- Interstate Travel
- Outlet Shopping

Here are some of the pictures from the week:

Dad and Molly are pretty excited by "the General's" gift this year.

Molly and Dad in their Christmas duds

Molly's cousin Megan enjoyed holding Molly and discussing their respective age and size differences.

Molly really enjoyed hearing the Night Before Christmas for the first time. Molly liked the pictures even if she didn't exactly understand the nuances of the story.

She also continued to get hugs and holdings from Grammy, Grampy, aunties, uncles, cousins, and even her great aunt and uncle. Uncle Greg found out that Molly is a little heater and he, shockingly, was finally warm and didn't need his 18th layer of outerwear when he was carrying Molly around.

We hope everyone had a very merry Christmas and look forward to catching up with those we didn't see over the holiday in the new year!

These Boot(ies) Were Made for Walking

Molly went for her first walk today. She is enjoying her expanding shoe collection and wore these great booties on her walk. They're almost as big as her head but they are so cute and stay on her quite well, which I like!

Let it Snow

Barbecue on the deck anyone? With our third snowstorm in a week, we're buried under two feet of snow, which is already more than we had last winter. Molly doesn't seem to mind, although she was a little less pleased with her first bath today.



She was much happier with her new bathrobe and wanted to say thanks to Phoebe for improving the whole cleaning experience.



The snow picked up again at the end of the day, so we had to give Molly a first quick taste of snowflakes.




We managed to catch up with close friends (and Newburyport neighbors) Katie and Davis last night, with Davis aiming to set a world record for sushi consumption. It didn't happen, but Melissa was visibly excited for the spicy yellowtail rolls - not being pregnant has a few advantages.

The Picture Post

No long-winded story telling today - just the pictures. Enjoy!

If you guessed "sleepy" in the Net Newborn Challenge, give yourself a high five.

Here's the classic new baby picture.

Grampy tells Molly how much he enjoys the hospital-issued rocking chairs.

Molly's cousin Erin and Erin's Auntie Melissa saying hi to Molly.

Uncle Greg ponders sage advice from Molly on how to conclude his thesis.

Molly gives Auntie Meg thumbs up on her thesis progress. She jokes to Auntie Meg that Uncle Greg can only wish his thesis was as good as hers will be.

Molly's cousin Megan says hi to Molly with Uncle Chris.

Molly shows Grandpa a few techniques for post-dinner snoozing.

Molly heads home on Sunday - looking fairly happy with the accommodations.

Molly comes home to another six inches of snow. Guess who shoveled this time? (Hint: Fortunately not pregnant mom or friendly neighbor Dave)

Molly saying hi to Auntie Holly and wearing her new sheep duds. Thanks for the duds Auntie Holly!

College roommates John and Wilson. Stick a fork in these guys; another diaper change for you fellas? (watch it, potential prom dates...)

Molly catching a snooze with Nana and Grammy.

Nap time with Harry the Cat in my comfy Christmas duds - thanks Aunt Kathy!


More to come soon....

The Net Newborn Challenge: Hungry, Sleepy, Grumpy

I'm 36 hours old and can't figure out if I'm hungry, sleepy, or grumpy. Any guesses?

Mom' s doing great - she needs to get some sleep tonight so I'll do my best to let her have some quiet time. I think she's been awake for 800 hours straight, so I'll probably just tap dad or the friendly nurses for a late night diaper change.

Tomorrow I'm heading home. Apparently I'll meet Uncle Harry the Cat (everyone who visits us calls him something like Uncle Scary the Claw); I think mom will also start putting me in some of my non-hospital duds. Unfortunately those won't include baby jeans yet; dad keeps saying something about having to pay for some college thing, although mom is just rolling her eyes, so I'll work on her a little more once dad is back at work.

Molly Arrives!

The guessing game is over - we're thrilled to report Pirate Pat's true identity was revealed this morning at 7:38 AM when 8 lbs 2 ozs, 21" long Molly Doyle joined us.

Melissa did an amazing job laboring with Molly and delivered her only 9 hours after we had finished a perfectly normal dinner in Newburyport with Katie and Davis.

More details to come, but for everyone who can't be here in person, we wanted to send along a few pictures of the newest Doyle/Gerbi family member. Mom is resting and doing very well, and we're both looking forward to slightly more than the 0 hours of sleep we got last night.

Maybe that shoveling paid off after all!

A Pregnancy Riddle...

Greetings from the blog founder a.k.a. the missing link. I've been away for a while, of course just spending much of my free time baby-proofing the house and working extra night jobs to begin saving for college.

Anyhow, given we just had the first snowstorm of the year, I figured nothing better to do than take a few pictures for a quick Q&A.

Q: Who shoveled most of this first snow of the year from this driveway?
A. The perfect gentleman, caring, hard-working husband
B. Dave and the Friendly Neighbors
C. The past-term pregnant wife
D. A couple of tough neighborhood kids who threatened to slash our tires if we did not accept their services

If you picked B or C, you're right (or if you picked A, you're probably wondering when the divorce papers are being served on said husband.)

Unfortunately, while John was stuck getting out of Boston, Muscles Melissa braved the weather and took "Post-Term Pat" out to shovel the snow. Can you believe that? 40+ weeks and she's shoveling the snow? Who is this guy? He's going to be a father? Seriously?

Fortunately, Melissa even managed to fend off the teenage tire-slashing shoveling racket here in Newburyport. You don't usually want to mess with organized elementary rackets up here in the mean streets of Newburyport, but I guess even the meanest of rackets has more sympathy for a pregnant woman.

Of course, friendly neighbor Dave and family quickly found themselves similarly amazed by what they were witnessing, and realizing Pat's deadbeat dad was not showing up, quickly came to the rescue. Eventually John got home and got a shot at shoveling the front sidewalk, but not before Dave and family took out a big chunk with Melissa. For that, Dave and family get a big, public thanks tonight on the Pat blog.

Anyhow, given it's the first storm of the year, always nice to share a picture of the New England snow scene for everyone who managed to leave town for warmer places. If nothing else, you can blow this up and hang it next to your tree for the White Christmas effect.

There was Dasher and Dancer and Prancer... and no Pat

Pirate Pat Watch 2007 continues. I'm 3 or 1 days past my due date(s)depending on whose calendar you're going by. Considering that "full term" is anywhere from 38 to 42 weeks, I'm obviously well within that time frame. Now that I'm not working, thus not commuting, I'm actually feeling pretty good. Car rides aren't so fun. So, John continues to work but with his cell phone fully charged, I'm doing little projects, going for walks, and visiting with people kind enough to come visit, and Harry is throwing up.

No interesting pictures today but here are some links to two interesting articles.

First is something that my mom sent about a piece on NPR this morning about the evolution of women's spines to carry babies. What our bodies do is rather amazing on many levels but I hadn't seen this aspect of the discussion.


http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=17196618

Secondly, my brother sent this yesterday and it could explain why the Pirate is choosing to stay inside. I won't turn this into a political rant but maybe Pat is a little disgusted with the pig-headedness of a certain vice president.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/11/AR2007121101836.html?hpid=opinionsbox1

Long Winter's Nap

Pat continues to settle in for his/her long winter's nap on the inside. Due date #2 is here today and it doesn't appear that Pat's going to make an appearance (although the day is young). Unfortunately, Harry thinks that perhaps the cradle is his since there doesn't appear to be anyone else lined up to use it. Luckily, I don't think he was particularly enamored by it.

Happy birthday to Uncle Chris! I think your birthday is safely yours to keep.

Plenty of Christmas Tunes... but no Pat

Thanks to everyone for their well wishes and inquiries. Thanks especially to all the moms (and dads) and babies who are encouraging Pat to come out because it's not so scary out here!

There's lots of activity, just not the kind which we like to call "labor". But there are lots of kicks and contractions so someone is getting warmed up in there. I think the Pirate will take after her/his dad -- sometimes a little late but when he/she decides he/she wants something, there's a force to be reckoned with.

So, no baby pics but here is a giant Christmas tree shot. It really doesn't do the tree justice but trust me, it's big (but lovely).

More storms this week so Pat may choose to make an appearance during one of them (or not)!

40 weeks

Sorry to disappoint... no tree pictures until tomorrow. Here's a 40 week belly picture instead. If you'll notice, Pat's still inside. Aunt Holly's birthday is still safe for her to have to herself. Next up, Pat will have the opportunity to share in Uncle Chris' birthday on 12/12.

Happy birthday Aunt Holly!

39 weeks + 6 days

It's Sunday and Pat remains internal. We had a very generous offer at a Christmas party last night to have the party accompany us to the hospital singing Christmas carols if Pat was so inclined to make a move. Sadly, that didn't occur, but thanks to Dr. Bob for that suggestion. Instead, we witnessed the changing tide where the children outnumbered the adults at the party and instead of running out of wine or beer, it was juice boxes that were in demand.

There are storms a-brewing this week so I'm hoping that the drop in barometric pressure combined with Pat being fully cooked and some aunt/uncle birthdays this week will induce the Pirate to show up.

I'll post some pictures of the oversized Christmas tree we picked out yesterday when it's all decorated. It's a pretty tree, just ENORMOUS.

Happy Sunday!

Friday and Saturday

I'm late... I didn't get a post up yesterday. Today, Pat is expecting to get his/her first Christmas tree, put up some Christmas lights, and participate in the online Red Sox ticket raffle.

Stay warm!

Pat's friends

Pat has had some fun visitors this week -- some of them mini sized and all of them cute. They are all anxiously awaiting Pat's arrival and nicely encouraged the Pirate to come on out and play. Little Hannah mostly smiled at Pat and explained that she still gets to sleep lots on the outside.





Ethan played with Pat's toys and generally hammed it up for the camera. This boy has no trouble posing and chasing the ladies.





Samuel toddled around, showing Pat how much fun it is to walk and use sign language and have his diaper changed (okay, the last part is a lie but Sammy had good intentions).



I think Pat's realized that it's winter now, though, and he/she's got a pretty good deal on the inside. I can't convince him/her that she's got a lot of very cute clothes out here that I would like to put on the little munchkin and those will also keep him/her warm.

Any suggestions? My midwife seems to think that I won't be pregnant forever but I'm beginning to think that Pat's paying her off to say that...

39 weeks + 3 days...

39 weeks +2 days

No scanned pictures of the ultrasound because Pat looks like a blob on the pictures and they really aren't that interesting. Instead, I'm posting a picture of Pat's dresser that Grammy painted for him/her. It's very cute. Overall, we've received such wonderful and thoughtful gifts from people, I can't begin to thank you all. They've been such a great combination of personal and thoughtful and necessary items. So many great books, outfits, sleeping stuff... I can't begin to catalog everything. Surprisingly, not many duplicates either so you all have been working hard to be creative.

Hope everyone got a little piece of sunshine today and enjoyed the slightly warmer temps. Pat is wishing Aunt Holly good luck in trial this week and rooting for her to finish up so that she can come visit when Pat's born.

Will continue to keep you posted on Pirate Pat Watch 2007.

Tuesday, 39 weeks +1 day

It's Tuesday evening, but I've squeaked in under the wire in getting today's post in. I'll try and get pictures scanned and up tomorrow but I had an ultrasound today and Pirate Pat is looking decidedly less Pirate-y these days. Plumper, bigger, and well, bigger is about all I could see. There is very little room inside there but Pat was happily sucking its thumb or hand. The sonographer's guess was about a 7 lb 14 oz little one so we'll see how accurate she is. She thinks he/she has a long head but not too wide (phew) and a beer gut, or a big belly anyway. She pointed out hair and eye lashes, which is really amazing. I don't think those will show up on anything that get scanned but it was pretty neat to see on the screen. Really, though, no one can tell anything until he/she is out in the breathing world. The good news is that she confirmed that Pat's locked and loaded and in a good position.

Hope everyone is keeping warm! It's chilly out there!

Challenge

My friend Phoebe issued me a challenge to post every day until Pirate Pat comes. Okay, I'll give it a shot but I can't promise terribly exciting posts. I'm officially on my first day of maternity leave from the hospital. It was terribly sad to leave last week but I have to admit that not getting up for work this morning was very, very nice. Yesterday, I got to bake and bake and bake cookies and not worry about the fact that I didn't finish until 1am!

John's not around (he's still doing that work thing -- and yes, I'm grateful) so here's my attempt at a self portrait for a 39 week belly. I'd be very happy if my next post could show the pirate extra-utero, but I'm not holding my breath.

Here's to 39 weeks!