Dear Santa...

I think we are ready for you. It sure looks a lot like Christmas around here. All the snow included... ... And Parker is trying really hard to be really good. He has taken a real liking to Ruby. Infact he likes her too much. As he was mauling her I ran to get the camera for some proof. Anyway, we can't wait for Christmas.

Love, the Connors

10 songs.

There is nothing objective about this list. These are 10 of the new songs I enjoyed most this year, in no particular order. They, along with 15 other 2008 favorites, can be found on the imix to the right. I thought it was a pretty fun year for music. Lots of new bands, lots of throwback sounds. A couple big names came up short in my mind (yes, I'm looking at you My Morning Jacket, but not just you.)
This list is not comprehensive. I'm sure there are notable exceptions. I hope you will direct me towards them. I will turn them on and see if Sophie dances. If she does, they goes on the list.

On with the list.

1. Kids- MGMT. Sophie has done some of her best living room dancing to this song. One of three MGMT songs that should be on this list.

2. Skinny Love- Bon Iver. February's album of the month. "come on skinny love just last the year."

3. Slapped Actress- The Hold Steady. Solid rock anthem.

4. The Re-Arranger- Mates of State. My second favorite indie rock husband/wife band singing about trying to make it work. "Love loud. don't lose loud." Great pop music.

5. White Winter Hymnal- Fleet Foxes. Classic folk harmonies, great building arrangement. Awesome beards.

6. Ashley- The Dodos. After years of waiting, my wife can put away the jealous rage she's been hiding when she meets people named Julia, Martha, or Gloria.

7. L.E.S. Artistes- Santogold. Tegan and Sara comparisons are appropriate for this song. So good.

8. Here's Looking At You, Kid- Gaslight Anthem. If the lyrics of Bob Dylan's "If You See Her Say Hello" and the music of Bruce Springsteen's "I'm on Fire" had a child.

9. I Don't Want to Grow Up- Hayes Carll. Great cover of Tom Waits classic. Singer's significantly less attractive than Scarlett Johansson though.

10. At That Day- Paul Jacobsen. Hope breaking through apocalyptic destruction. "under tables, under door frames, we'll find what we're looking for, at that day."

There may be an album of the year list coming up. I apologize. I can't help myself.

ruby

Ruby Louise Connors

She is here. All 6 pounds 11 ounces of her came face up into the world at 7:18 pm. She seems to be healthy. She has eaten and been washed and is now, I imagine, resting peacefully in the nursery. Ashley was a champ. Due to some thoughtless planning on the part of the Dodo (who closed today in order to host a company party) Ash did not eat the traditional turkey sandwich post delivery. Cafe Rio rose to the occasion. I don't know how it is for other women, but "first food eaten after delivery" is information only slightly less important to Ashley than weight of the newborn. So, with no further ado, our announcement reads as follows:

Ruby Louise Connors

Dec. 8, 2008

6 lbs 11.4 oz

20 inches

Cafe Rio Chicken Burrito

I left Ashley asleep at the hospital. I am home, looking after the two that came first. They are asleep and I am up too late, thinking of this same night nearly 3 and 5 years ago. Thinking of those first breaths and tears; all that pain and hope wrapped up in those little blankets. Child birth refined my definition of beauty a bit. Often, I say something is "beautiful" when I mean to say it is "tidy." It is clean, well put together, and easy to understand.

But that first breath is not tidy.

It's a tiny scream from a shaking little baby. A baby that looks nearly nothing like the cute clean child she will turn into over the next few hours and days. It's the conclusion to hours of watching this woman I want to protect get the life beat out of her. It is painful to watch, and I am assured by Ashley, more painful to take full part in. As a whole, it's pretty gnarly.

Still, it's beautiful. Completely beautiful. And not in spite of it all.

Thank you to all of you who care to meet this little girl. We want her to meet you too.

More pictures later.

Baby update

update from adrianne:4 pm. no baby yet.  ash is hungry.  trying to survive on grape Popsicles alone.  john is not hungry, having eaten many treats.  baby is taking her sweet time. more later.

yippee...

going to the hospital right now to have a baby.

yippee indeed.

so the stars have not aligned... just yet.

Well, it is 11:05am on December 2nd (happy birthday ava hyde and britney spears) and I am sitting here typing at my house. No baby today... no baby this week. I had an amnio test yesterday to test the baby's lung development and the little one's lungs just aren't ready for this world yet. It is hard to argue with modern medicine. I had a really good cry last night, a semi-short pity party, and then I got a grip. So it is all okay. I am fine. I just ate french toast with my kids, I am getting my hair done today, and tonight my mom and sisters ( including Lauren who has missed school for the past two days to be here) and Adrienne who made her Thanksgiving trip extra long to see the baby.. we are all going out tonight. Dinner, movie, whatever. It should be fun. A little girls party.
The plus side of acting like a crazy woman for the past little while is that my Christmas shopping is done, the house is almost all decorated, Parker has a new room downstairs and has been sleeping like a champ through the night and my week is clear. So for a whole week I am going to enjoy my two little kids, do Christmas things with them, go out to dinner, and John can wrap up the huge work project that is finishing this week.
The down side... I hate all of my maternity clothes. I plan on wearing the same thing everyday. Just washing it and putting it back on. So if you see me, pretend not to notice. And the sleep. The couch and I are the best of friends lately. I can actually sleep out there.
Yesterday at the hospital I couldn't help but think about when I had Sophie and Parks. Soph's delivery was tramatic for me and my doctor. He still ranks it as his #2 worst delivery. That being said, I am sure it could have been a lot worse. I still walked (or hobbled) away with a a healthy baby. I am super grateful for that. The plan with Parks was to induce me early ( hence the amnio) to avoid him getting stuck like Sophie. I had two amnio's with him and when he was ready the delivery was smooth. So I am hopeful that all will work out like it is supposed to. Another amnio next Monday, and hopefully if her lungs are ready then, I will be induced on Tuesday December 9th.
To top it all off, I am always amazed by my family and friends. They have been super sweet and supportive, more than I deserve that is for sure. It is humbling to be surrounded by such giving, kind, and wonderful people. Thanks for all of your help, gifts and love. I love you.
Here's to a great week full of Christmas spirit, and lung developing.