Adams Morgan's Newest Resident

[The pictures for this blog are from an even more ambitious outing we took a couple of days after the one I describe in the blog.  Here we are at the 14th and U Farmer's Market--admittedly just outside Adams Morgan.]

It's no secret that Josh and I love Adams Morgan and consider ourselves a real part of the community—both for better and for worse. In fact, back on October 30, after my water broke and as we went to catch a cab to Sibley Hospital, it felt somehow appropriate that Adams Morgan was in full swing (at 1:30AM).

As such, it seems exactly appropriate that we are introducing our little one to the neighborhood quite early in her life.  A couple of days back, I decided it was time that Amelia and I went out to say hello to Adams Morgan.  We started, as one might expect, at Tryst. I had a Dirty Chai (decaf) and Amelia slept. We sat at table, Amelia all snuggled in her sling and I enjoyed just being part of the neighborhood. Surprisingly, we didn't see anyone we knew (but I suppose it was 4pm..not high traffic time) and they were unusually speedy with their service.

[The arrival of Amelia has not diminished Josh's love of a tasty pastry.  Here he's enjoying his favorite part of the 14th and U market, the pumpkin whoopie pies.]

Afterwards, I was still feeling energetic and Amelia was still snoozing, so we ventured further. This time we went to Little Shop of Flowers to say hello to Shefika and thank her for the beautiful orchid that she had sent home with Josh when he very sweetly bought flowers from her last weekend. She was charmed by our little one and at first insisted that we take a flower (but I said we would come back another time).

Lastly, I decided we needed a few groceries. Our beloved Harris Teeter seemed just a little too far away, so we picked up a few essentials and even managed to avoid bad service. Finally, we walked back home down Columbia Road.

[The cider stand at the market was out of smaller bottles, so I made do.  Note at left, the cellophane from Josh's pumpkin whoopie pie (see earlier photo), still clutched in his photo-taking hand.]

It feels like a huge accomplishment to be out and about with Amelia. Who would have ever thought that a walk in our neighborhood would feel as exciting as a trip to the moon? I also loved that as we walked, I knew that within a few blocks there were lots of people who honestly care that we have a little one. Columbia Road, 18^th Street, Tryst, the Sitar Center, Jubilee Jumpstart (our future daycare), many restaurants, Harris Teeter, our gym…this is our little world and now Amelia is part of it;. We've also already expanded our Adams Morgan geography. We have already taken a few walks through the parks that are just beyond our door, but which we had mostly ignored until now.I can already imagine Amelia enjoying the swings and meeting other neighborhood kids.

I didn't really imagine what my life would be like when I had children, but I do know that this world isn't what I had in mind. Adams Morgan is mixed up, colorful, crazy and still…oddly enough…home.

I hope Amelia feels the same way.

[Amelia, zonked, after the market trip.]

Loving our mixed up Mayberry,

sPg

The Arrival

Today was supposed to be "Coco's" due date. Statistically, even still, she probably could have been a few days away from arriving. But she's here already and these last two weeks with her have left me thrilled, exhausted, content, in tears and profoundly grateful. Our little one arrived on her own schedule, after a rain front moved in and a few days before the full moon that I thought would bring about labor.

We really thought we had more time. In fact, the weekend our little one arrived is also the weekend we had jam packed with projects ranging from laundry (which my parents gratefully ended up doing the first night we were in the hospital) to a much needed haircut for me (which ended up happening two weeks later) to putting boxes of various electrical cords away (happened a week later) to getting that prenatal massage I had promised myself (still pending) to a birthday party for Josh (oh well, there's always 2010). But, proving that little ones don't care about our plans, she came early and we are thrilled.

 [Sara, as pregnant as she'd ever get, after her water broke and right before heading to the hospital.]

Labor started after a wonderful dinner with Josh on October 30 at Obelisk to celebrate his 37^th birthday. After returning home and falling asleep, my water broke just after midnight and I remember thinking "Is this really happening?" Before telling Josh that I thought our little one would be arriving in shorter order than we had thought, I remember going to the bathroom and taking a moment to take it all in, before telling Josh that we might need to head to the hospital soon.

[Josh, after Sara's water broke.]

Labor proceeded smoothly and sixteen and a half hours later, our little girl was born. Saying her name for the first time was a powerful moment, even if I think I was still in shock after the rigors of labor.

And now we're now firmly in the world of new parenthood. Sometimes I feel like I am just stuck in one giant (if pleasant) cliché. We don't get enough sleep, we are absolutely charmed by our little one, we keep saying "She's so cute", we worry needlessly if she is eating enough, we take a lot of photos of our sleeping girl, we talk a lot about diapers and we pretty much walk around with a happy if slightly dazed look. The new "normal" of sleep has been an adjustment, but  because the last weeks of pregnancy kept me up late and often, it has been reasonably acceptable.

She's only been with us two weeks, but she's already happily turned our world upside down. I've casually described this new life as one "where Tuesday night and Saturday night look basically the same".

So, where do we go from here? I guess we'll see. I have already learned that I can function well on much less sleep than I ever imagined. I can only guess what her lessons will be for me next week.

Off to spend another two hours just watching her sleep,

sPg

Tossing the Clock

[Please note: Sara wrote the blog below well before Amelia was born.  She told me on the 27th that it was set, and all I had to do was add the pictures and post it.  That didn't happen in the four days before Amelia showed up, or in the week since.  I guess we see which Gibson parent will be teaching the little one efficiency and time management.  - Josh]

I have gotten much better at waiting and patience, but I’ll admit, it’s never been my strong suit. I also have an incredibly short attention span for any physical ailments. I’m (in)famous for saying that after three days of any illness I am entirely bored. So, at this stage of pregnancy, the challenges are obvious.

I wonder when she is coming. I wonder when my body will return to even remotely recognizable proportions. I wonder when I will stop being driven slightly mad by a nonstop desire to scratch (the newest of pregnancy related surprises). I wonder what part of our To Do list will be left undone if she comes early. I wonder if any of the fun things I’ve scheduled for the next week (Josh’s birthday dinner, a massage, a haircut and book club) will come to pass. I wonder when turning over in bed will not feel like a feat that I feel I deserve applause for. I wonder when I will be able to go 37 minutes without thinking about the bathroom. I wonder if Josh’s prediction of November 19th or my prediction of November 4th will be accurate.

This weekend we put her room together. For the first time in my life, I enjoyed folding and putting away clothes (normally my least favorite task in all of chore-dom). I found myself relishing the big questions like “Is this a 0-3 or 3-6 month sleeper?” Josh put the crib together. I also started to get excited—like I can’t wait to meet her and want to meet her RIGHT NOW excited. Ironically, as I was thinking this, she was moving around so much that I literally could tell you her every move. The notion of “meeting” someone you’ve been this close to is fascinating.

This morning as I walked into work, one of Miriam’s guest said, “About time?” and I said, “Absolutely—anytime. I’m ready.”

In that moment I had a small realization. It isn’t about me. In fact, it will never really be about me again. This is just the beginning of it all. It isn’t about when I’m ready for her to be born, walk, talk, date, drive, graduate or do any other thing she will do. She is her own little person, with her own little clock.

So, I’ve recommitted to enjoying the ride. Its fun to know that people care so much that its rare that a phone call doesn’t get answered or returned. I appreciate how easily I can get a seat on even the most crowded of buses. I value the random conversations I get to have around children, parenting and even labor.

I also know that I will never have these moments with her again—where she is a part of me in such a delicate and miraculous way. To rush through this would be like wanting to rush through any other phase—and some of the best advice we’ve received has been to enjoy every minute for the unique minute that it is.

So, don’t mind my scratching and I apologize to anyone who is stuck behind me on a sidewalk or a stair case. I’m relishing this whole pregnancy thing…trust me.

Tossing away my clock,
sPg