Duly Noted

What a whirlwind! Misha firsts... - 1st visit from the Gran McCarthy's!  Misha and I came along with Mike to surprise Granmary at the airport early in the week.  She is keeping the Vasich clan company for 2 weeks.  It's been wonderful to share these early experiences with motherhood with her. Pops joined Granmary for the weekend!!!  Dad picked out Misha's hip outfit.  Socks are from Great Gran Marge.  Clearly, Misha's already dreaming of running on trails with his mom. - Hammock time!  We finally hit 70 degrees in the Twin Cities.  Mike and I had been dreaming of laying in our hammock on summer afternoons with our babe.  Finally, the dream came true and Misha loved it.  Shady and cozy beneath our maple tree. -1st contribution to his college account!   In true form, the grans helped us get Misha's college account started.  Second generation Macalester grad??!! Misha likes... -Books:  On The Night You Were Born.    My friend Steph gave this to

"Sheep Under The Moon," by Mike Vasich

Yup, I am that mom.  I hope to post regular updates of Misha's growth and experiences for faraway friends and family who aren't witness to our daily gushing. Baby's Firsts (Highlights Edition)   As this is Misha's first week of life, everything is a first! -1st pediatrician appointment: regained birth weight + 5% of birth weight.  Some kind of record according to our pediatrician who swears that she "doesn't sugar coat." -1st visit from family: Uncle Chris and his superhero girlfriend, Kali flew in Monday night.  As he laid eyes on two day old Misha, Chris's face was priceless.  Over the course of their visit, Misha watched carefully as we played many rounds of 7 Wonders .  He has developed his own strategy and plans to beat everyone as soon as he can talk. -1st sponge bath.  We used the tub and accessories that Baka, Mike's grandma, sent us.  Apparently, she is the true master of bath time.  I look forward to watching her bathe Misha o

So here we are- four days on the other side of April 1st.  I have yet to start a conversation without the confirmation, "No baby."  It is understandably challenging to think about anything else. That said, I no longer support the issuing of a "due date."  It is widely reported that first time mothers typically go at least a week over the "due date."  But still, that due date lingers like light at the end of a 40 week tunnel.  When an expectant mom is turned away at the gate (I'm picturing that cranky guard in Wizard of Oz- "Who's knocking on that door?"), a new kind of waiting game begins.  I wholly recommend an institutionalized shift to the term "guess date." It's a little ridiculous to think I am edgy over a few extra days.  Soon our little one will be with us for good, for forever.  Mike reminds me that this "late" arrival is a blessing; this week is our spring break so we have been able to relax and en

 It's certainly beginning to feel like springtime here.  Although the temperatures remain blustery, the brilliant sun is melting the snow and if one really looks closely, you can find a few green buds poking up beneath the dead leaves. Today is Misha's "expected" due date, but we are waiting and wondering patiently over here.  Both Mike and I are officially on "spring break" from school so it is actually pretty nice to spend time relaxing together and enjoying ourselves before Misha decides to kick it into high gear and make an appearance. That said, our friends are keeping us busy with dinner gatherings, brunch outings, walks, and holiday festivities.  I am grateful for this as a totally empty calendar always makes me a little antsy. Soon, we will join a handful of close friends on the parenthood train.  It's been helpful to observe them in action as we prepare for Misha.  We can begin to imagine ourselves as parents!  It's exciting to have