More Lila Blue Photos

Lila Blue holds Daddy's hand as she nods off.

The new family went home on Monday and all is well. Lila Blue slept for five hours last night, so Mom is getting her rest and recovering quickly. Jeremy is home for a few weeks and is being his usual "princely" self in taking care of everyone. In case you'd like to see more photos of the birth days...there is a new photo album in the right hand column of this page.

Leaving Lila Blue

I really hated to leave Chico and that precious baby that gets cuter every day, but I'm planning to go back for a week when Jeremy has to return to work at the end of the month. In the meantime I've asked the kids to send me pictures as often as they can. It's amazing how quickly they grow and change and I don't want to miss a minute!

Lila Blue Has Arrived!

After 36 hours of valiant, hard labor, Mari gave birth to Lila Blue at 1:11 am on Friday, October 17. She had to have a C-section as the baby weighed 10 POUNDS and 9 OUNCES! She is almost 23 inches long and has a ton of dark hair, big cheeks and Mari's cupid's bow lips.

Jeremy was in the operating room with Mari and brought Lila back to the birthing room where the nurse weighed, measured and bathed her...and we all got to hold her and ooh and aah over her. Mari is recovering from the surgery and will go home in a few days with the baby. Jeremy is over the moon, as are the grandparents, of course!

We're off to the hospital to visit them now, but I wanted to let you know that the wait is over and all is well.

Monday Update

Mari and Eddie outside the motorhome on Sunday.

Mari’s stress test and exam this morning indicated that Lila Blue will come in the next day or so. Mama is uncomfortable, but the baby is doing just fine and there’s no need to induce labor yet.

Dad is also doing fine…though naturally a little anxious and eager to meet his daughter. In his blog he says, “Dearest daughter; I wrote yesterday that the eviction notice has been served, don't make us send the sheriff.”

Today I'm catching up on some work in my mobile office, and this afternoon I’ll make spicy enchiladas for the kids…maybe that will help get things going!

Thanks to all of you for your thoughts, prayers and encouragement for Mari, Jeremy and Lila Blue. We hope to deliver the good news soon!

It's A Beautiful Morning!

As I’ve mentioned before, one of the great things about RV travel is the people you meet. On our dog walk this morning we stopped to chat with a couple and their two Yellow Labs, and had a lovely encounter with Ellis and Anne Hunter Hamilton, grape growers from Calistoga. Anne’s a painter and she showed me a flyer from a recent show in San Francisco and gave me her business card. I looked for her galleries on the web and saw more of her gorgeous mixed-media, large format paintings. I want one!

They also gave us a bottle of wine from their grapes. Anne’s art graces the label of their Two Dog Vineyard Merlot, one of Richard Graeser’s dog-themed versions. We’ll be saving that bottle for a special occasion, and we’ll recall another friendly and generous encounter on the road.

Eddie made us a hearty country breakfast of bacon, eggs, and fried potatoes, accompanied by tunes from Chico’s oldie station. He was rockin’ out, the grease was flying and this crisp fall day got off to a beautiful start.

Discover The Hitters!

This morning Mari and Jeremy went for their bumpy ride on the ridge and then a long walk. When they returned she called to tell us that she was having some serious contractions and she thinks she’s really getting started!

We’re going for manis and pedis this afternoon and tomorrow morning she’ll get another exam to see where she’s at. So, once again, we’re still waiting!

A Testing Day

We spent Friday morning at The Birth Day Place where Mari had an ultrasound to measure the baby and take another look at her position and condition. Her head is down, she is eagerly sucking her thumb, and they estimate her weight at around NINE POUNDS!

Next they did a fetal heart monitor test to determine if she is under any stress. Apparently not, as she seemed to be napping the entire time. It seems she is still quite content IN THERE and not quite ready to join us OUT HERE.

The nurse midwife discussed inducing labor, but Mari and Jeremy are reluctant to mess with Mother Nature, and I think they've made the right decision. Instead, they plan to go on a bumpy truck ride in the hills tomorrow and see if that has any effect.

We made the kids some "comfort food" for dinner tonight...tuna noodle casserole with potato chip topping...and they are planning to get a good long night's sleep. Eddie and I are going to do some housekeeping and fuddy-duddying around the rig tomorrow. So...we are all still waiting, but life goes on!

Waiting for Lila Blue!

We arrived in Chico on Tuesday to await the birth of Mari and Jeremy's daughter, Lila Blue, who was due on October 4. She is now about 5 days late, but we're confident she'll come out and join us this weekend.

Her home and nursery are all set up, including the heirloom crib that Eddie built for her. Mari is uncomfortable and a little anxious, but nature has its own timetable, so we're just trying to live in joyful anticipation.

Today Ed is going to make some minor repairs around their house while Mari and I distract ourselves with a little "retail therapy". This evening we'll decorate the porch for Halloween, carve some pumpkins and enjoy the lovely fall weather.

We'll keep you posted!