Best Life

 Charlotte arrived last night at 9:46 pm after a measly 16 minutes of labor with 8 pushes.  My overachieving daughter seems to have passed that trait to her daughter.  Though more than 3 weeks early she weighed 6 pounds, 7 ounces and is 18 inches long.  Perfect in every way, we are all excited to finally get to know her! The team at Women and Infants Hospital made the journey pretty amazing.  Dr McCleary and her team (most from Memorial Hospital) were engaging, comforting, encouraging, calm and confident.  Everything a mom in labor needs.   Thank you Lisa for the awesome room assignments (all private in the quietest parts of each unit) and for the late night snacks!  Also thank you for the ride home at 5:30 am.  Always good to laugh before heading to sleep! Today Charlotte has met and was held by Grandpa.  She has had her first bath, passed her hearing test and expected to pass her car seat challenge.   After enjoying lunc...

 Today was not anything like how I thought it would turn out.  With an early phone call that Megan's water had broke, everything shifted.  Thank you Don for taking Paul to his appointment while I headed to Women and Infants Hospital with Megan and TJ.  The staff, alerted by Lisa and Donna, were waiting for us.                                                              Part of the hallways we walked on ACU. A quick admission to ACU where progress started slow until I pulled out a puzzle and ordered dinner. Thank you Katie for being a part of our adventure!                         I chose the smallest one and still we only managed a dozen pieces before leaving. Then we were hurried to the labor room where Megan found...

 Maddie continues to be a huge part of the fence installation.  Since we use the tractor to help pull the chain link tight, Paul moves it around the yard.  Maddie needs to check it out every step of the way! Despite a later than usual start, we managed to complete the entire left side.  We have become experts at piecing together chain link and twisting links in or out depending on the space. Word of the day - lulliloo.  Meaning to shout joyously in the manner of various African peoples.             October 7, 2016:                                                                                                                        ...

 Maddy made herself very comfortable while watching us install fencing today.  She is going to love the completed fence!  Watching her have her "zoomies" while attached to a tire (and rim) and drag in around the yard - too funny.  I am excited to see her run in large circles free from a tether!                                             We started in the front left corner and worked towards the back.                                             The gate is hung and ready for use.                                            We made it almost to the back corner before running out of supp...

 A successful day!  With a lot of help from Kevin, we managed another two sections of chain link.  The back fence line is complete.  Only three more sides to go!  The weather was perfect for working - warm in the sun and cool in the shade.  Fall has arrived in RI!                                            Maddie watching the entire process making sure we made no errors.                                                   With Kevin helping, motorized "tools" were "required".                                                      ...