Max is an eating machine! This kid seems to be hungry all the time, except when he is sleeping or making messes in his diapers. I suppose that’s normal, though. ;)

We’ve got to hurry and decide what kind of digital camera we want– we’re missing so many photo ops. He is soooooo cute, and has already changed quite a bit since we brought him home. His cheeks are getting chubbier already.

Max hasn’t settled into a routine yet– he’s still up much of the night (hence, so am I). I finally ordered a breast pump, though, and it should be here this week. That will at least allow Josh and I to trade off for the nighttime feedings.

This is such a full-time job. How am I going to juggle this with work????

…and here is baby’s first picture with Grandpa Jim.

Here’s Aunt Rachel holding Baby Max on the day after he was born. I think we are just going to have to bite the bullet and buy another digital camera to replace the stolen one. The stills we pull from the videocamera look horrible, and I’ve already taken 2 rolls of pics on my 35mm–this could get expensive!

Max is such a good baby! He doesn’t fuss much, and although he has his days and nights mixed up, he still lets us sleep quite a bit. He is just the most wonderful and beautiful little thing– just pure love.

Max, in the nursery.

Caelon Max is finally here! He was born on Saturday, July 7, at 12:21pm. He weighed in at 8lbs 9oz, and is 22 inches long. Max has a head full of thick, dark hair, and is a beautiful and healthy baby… we feel so lucky! Words just can’t describe what this is like–it’s amazing. Pictures will be coming soon!

Still waiting. The contractions are still very mild and irregular– not even worth keeping track of, IMO. I’ve done quite a bit of housework this afternoon; trying to keep active and such. I’m just too impatient!

Would like to go get a pedicure now (I can’t get in the right position to take the polish off of my toenails!), but it’s sooooo hot. I’m just not sure if I’m up to venturing outdoors. Maybe if baby *still* hasn’t come by tomorrow, I’ll do that before it gets too hot.

I need some raspberry-leaf tea– it is supposed to cause contractions. :)

At the doctor’s yesterday, I found out that Max is on his way– and will be here this week! As of yesterday, I was already 4cm dilated and 90% effaced. That’s kind of shocking to me– I mean, I’ve been in pain, but nothing completely excruciating. They allow women to have epidurals at 4cm; hopefully this means that I’m in for an easy delivery. Anyway, if I don’t go into labor before Saturday, we are scheduled to be induced Saturday morning at 6am.

Avoiding induction would be good… so last night we went for a walk, and this morning I got up and mowed the lawn. I’ll go for another walk as soon as things cool down– it’s WAY too hot now. I didn’t sleep much again; partly from just being in pain/uncomfortable/huge, and partly because Josh is on pager duty– I swear I’m going to flush that pager down the toilet! He’s had like a dozen calls since last night.

I feel strange. I feel very alone, and every time I get a cramp or a bad pain, I get a little twinge of fear. It must just be not knowing what’s going to happen, exactly. This feels like severe PMS, with the back cramps and an overall subdued emotional palette. Weird. I feel like I should be elated, instead. Mostly I just want to be held and reassured that things are going to be all right. That seems so weak of me. I hate being weak.

I’m going to go clean the kitchen now… distraction is good, and who knows– maybe that will finally make me go into labor.

Just two hours left, and I get to leave…. okay, it’s only for an appointment with my doctor, but at least I’m not stuck at work. I have determined that part of the reason why I’m so impatient for the baby to come is that I’m so bored at work right now– childbirth is a mighty fine excuse for getting rid of that problem!

Sleep was not a problem last night, and I’m in a MUCH better mood. Amazing how that works, ja?

Our building management is having a cookout today, so I once again had free lunch. The hot dogs were perfectly grilled– slightly blistered, but not blackened. MmMmMM.