One Step Ahead of the Chaos

Hospital Visitors

>> Saturday, February 28, 2009

This is a little bit delayed, but we thought we would put up the pictures of the people who came to visit us in the hospital.

A.T. Johnston was Caroline's very first visitor. And, it was particularly special because A.T. and Caroline have the same birthday. (Happy Birthday A.T. !!)

Aunt Liz was the next visitor. She brought good tidings from the entire Adams family. (Sadly Caroline's cousins weren't allowed on the wing for visiting hours, but she is really looking forward to meeting Ruth, Katelyn and Noah).

Aunt Clare and Uncle Peter came next. Uncle Peter took lots of great pictures of his newest niece. Caroline was a bit sneezy when they came, but very glad to meet her Aunt and Uncle.

First "Bath"

>> Friday, February 27, 2009

Well, Caroline is still too little for a real bath, given that she still has her umbilical cord. But, we decided that three days was really the limits of good hygiene...even for our cute baby. So, we filled the sink with water and broke out the rubber duckies. (O.k. those were for my benefit).

After a little water, Johnsons & Johnsons and crying we got our little girl relatively clean. (Thank you Juanita Klavon for the worlds softest washcloths!) When it was all said and done, we're pretty sure that Caroline was happier being clean.

Home Sweet Home

>> Thursday, February 26, 2009

The staff, nurses and doctors at Fairfax Inova hospital were great. But, we are really glad to be home! Caroline and Mom were discharged early afternoon yesterday. Everyone is doing really well.

Though Mom and Dad have begun the requisite period of parental sleep deprivation, we are all happy to be home were it is quiet and it is just the three of us.

We came home to an adorable welcome home sign from a little elf (a.k.a. our next door neighbor).

We have more pictures that we will post in the near future. But, here are a few from the hospital for now.

Here is Caroline sporting her hospital hat. She, like many babies, has big blue eyes. We may be biased, but we think hers are particularly cute.

Caroline's first bed...the hospital bassinet. She was all comfy in her blanket expertly swaddled by Dad.

Cute Pictures

Caroline sporting her hospital hat and snuggling with Mom. Her eyes, like most babies, are big and blue. (We may be biased, but we think hers are particularly cute)

Here is Caroline in her first bed...the hospital bassinet, expertly swaddled by Dad.

Our Little Gift

>> Monday, February 23, 2009

That's little Caroline and today is February 23rd, when she came into the world. At 7 pounds 6 ounces, she is a great joy Julie and I! We are amazed!

A Glipse of the City of Lights

>> Sunday, February 22, 2009

While it wasn’t Paris, nor the famous hill north of the City of Lights in the 18th arrondissement (try to pronounce that) which takes its name, last nights visit to Montmartre restaurant on Capital Hill was a fun time that capped of our last night before we head to the hospital and bring a new addition to our family. Montmartre is a wonderful, solid eatery that reminds us of the little culinary gems that we found on simple streets when we were in France last year. A half bottle of Bordeaux, salads, servings of meat capped with tarts and coffee made for a fun time together….now the journey begins.

Presidents' Day in Pompeii

>> Monday, February 16, 2009

With a week to go before the end of "Just the Two of Us", Julie and I headed across the Potomac today, into the District, for an afternoon at the National Gallery. Planning to head to the Pompeii exhibit, or what remained after the volcano, we stopped off in the West Wing to a) see the Lincoln Memorial Exhibit (it is Presidents' Day!) and b) see the historical landmark where we got engaged. The Pompeii exhibit, despite celebrating artwork older than our Republic, is located in the modern East Wing of the National Gallery. The two wings are connected underground by a very fun tunnel, illuminated with 41K LED lights sequenced by a Mac Mini. (Shot at left). An artist named Leo Villareal made it happen. Those who have traveled from Terminal A to B at DTW will find a similar experience, sans sound. We saw parts of Pompeii before the big explosion-Julie enjoyed the artwork; Jack was mesmerized by the sculpture. We topped off the day, and our stomachs, with coffee and gelato and headed back to the Commonwealth for another night in anticipation of the Cheez-it. (more pictures of today's mini-expedition are below.)

The central area of the West Wing of the National Gallery always has fresh flowers surrounding the fountain. Today there were these beautiful pink orchids.