THEO HAS ARRIVED

Theodore Andrew Hall
8 lbs, 6 oz; 20 in.
Born June 21, 2010 at 5:57 am


YES, THAT I HAIR! That didn't come from our side of the family.

Oh, Theo!

It's been a week, and I'm still amazed at all that has happened. Mal called us at 6am-ish on Sunday, June 20st,telling us she was having contractions. I had everything ready to go, so Kirt packed my car while I got ready and drove to Portland. I arrived about 4pm, and it was a long night. Theo didn't arrive til 5:57am June 21st. She had asked me to be with her and Jon, and it was a privilege to be there. Malorie and Jon were absolutely astounding. Mal was strong, and breathed through the contractions. Jon was patient and attending. (I just stood in the background, ready if they needed anything, and taking a few pictures.) Here we are at OHSU, in a delivery room. Mal opted for a natural water birth, and here Theo is just moments after his arrival. After the birth, one of the nurses told me that she would remember this night for a long time. Malorie was in control, and was amazingly strong and courageous. She moaned a few times, but no screaming or yelling!

Theo is the cutest thing. We came home on Tuesday, and it's just been fun to hang out and watch him. I've been sleeping in Theo's room, and to help Mal and Jon get a little more sleep, (Jon was in the MIDDLE of FINALS this week), so I get Theo up when he's hungry, get Mal, and we meet in the living room. After he eats, I take him back to his room and get him settled. No matter what time I go in to get her, (and one night it was every two hours) Malorie always greets me with a smile.

Theo is alert and strong, and the most adorable face!

The best way to spend a Sunday afternoon, (or any time, really!) is with Theo on your shoulder!

Cutest little feet and legs! His feet are a little flaky, still, but they're darling!

We know his eyes will be blue, but will they be Mal's dark blue, or Jon's lighter blue? Maybe somewhere in between!

I could sit and look at him all day!

It's 11 in the morning, but he's tuckered out for now! Tomorrow's another day!

When the Cat is away, the Mouse. . . WORKS!

My lovely bride is visiting our first grandson in Portland. That is another story, but I'll let her tell that one. I couldn't join her yet, as I am just finishing a nearly 4 week jury trial. Let me tell you how much I love my wife: I don't love raspberry jam, but she does, and I love her. This is the time when the raspberries are coming on strong, and she worried that I would ignore them while she was away, playing with little Theo. I've now picked them twice. I admit I do love the strawberry jam, so picking strawberries wouldn't normally be an effort. . . .



However, the strawberries right now are about the size of raspberries. (See the comparison below. The strawberry is on the left, and the raspberry is on the right.) Not much difference!

I picked, washed, cut off all those little stems, smashed the strawberries for jam, and still had time to weed, mow the lawn and fix the sprinklers. I'm ready for a vacation . . . . and to come see the grandson!!!!

Blogworthy!

My strawberry girl is in Wisconsin for a bit. Without her to eat the berry-berries, I have enough to make jam! This is the first time I've made jam from my own berries! And my new favorite pectin? Ball's instant fruit pectin! It has a 4 cups berries to 1 1/2 cups sugar ratio, which I really like, and it's seriously the easiest jam I've ever made. And it sets up with no problem!

Peonies! I have a friend that hates to cut hers for a bouquet, but I have no problem doing that. This is my second bouquet, in fact. BUT for M's sake, I will tell you that I have 4 plants, and all the blooms from this bouquet comes from one that is pretty much hidden behind Jake the Tree. They are lovely, aren't they?

Roses are next, and I never have a problem making a bouquet from them--the more you deadhead, the more you get!

strawberry girl

Did you ever read the Newbery Award Novel Strawberry Girl? I have my own little Strawberry Girl! (In case you're wondering, this IS a different day than last time I posted, she's just wearing the same shirt!) And instead of just picking one, we got a whole bowlful!

Tastes great!

That is one big berry! Usually, she eats a strawberry in one bite, but this time, it's taking her a few bites!

I love the book. Maybe I just loved Dad reading it aloud to the kids with all the funny accents and words. My favorite word from the whole book? Chapter 4--first line--"Hogses!"