Meeting and Greeting

We've had such fun over the past few days introducing Eliot to friends and family members. He met his Godparents on Friday evening; then, yesterday he met his Grandpa and Great-Grandma. Grandma and Grandpa Smith arrive tomorrow! A huge thank you to all our friends who have stopped by with food, gifts and offer to babysit.

Meeting Great-Grandma Nin

An adorable hat from Tia (won't fit his big head much longer!)

Settling In

I can't believe Eliot is a week old today! This is what parents mean when they say there's nothing like having children to make time pass even faster...

The past couple days have included the first bath at home, the first loads of laundry and even the first projectile poop! A right of passage to be sure ;)

First bath at home

A sweet whale onesie

Happy post-feeding

Coming home

It was so great to welcome Jean and Eliot home yesterday! Even Holly enjoyed the introductions though she's not so sure about the crying. Then again, neither am I ;)

First car seat ride

Introductions

So peaceful

Proud Mom

Introducing...

Jean and I are thrilled to announce the birth of our son, Eliot Andrew Smith, who was born Friday, Oct 22 at 00:20. He weighed 8 lbs 10 oz so kudos to Jean for bravely pushing him out! We just got home from the hospital yesterday and both mom and babe are doing amazing. It's still hard to believe we didn't just have a pregnancy; we actually got a baby out of it!

A few minutes old

Eliot's first swaddle

The cuddly wrap

Definitely a thumb sucker!

Happy Thanksgiving!

For abundant food in a world where many go hungry

For family when many are alone

For health when many are suffering

For peace when much of the world is at war

I am truly blessed and boundlessly thankful.

More Bookish Thoughts...

After reading a synopsis of Annabel, I seriously wondered if Kathleen Winter had violated Jeffrey Eugenides' copyright on Middlesex! Winter chronicles the compelling life of a hermaphrodite born in rural Labrador; as a child, "Wayne" was never informed about his condition at the insistence of his father but, of course, Wayne's feminine side does not remain latent.

While not exactly a page turner, Annabel thoughtfully portrays a tortured but courageous protagonist who learns that life contains no easy answers. The novel dwells in uncertainty but highlights the human capacity for both ignorance and tolerance. As Wayne's friend Tomasina puts it, "Everyone is a snake shedding its skin. We are different people through all our lives."