Snow Day; Bath Day

Last Monday Maine had the first real snow storm of the season. School was canceled so I got to spend an extra day at home with the wife and kid. We were able to enjoy the picturesque scene, warm inside, the sound of the wood stove crackling, a fitting harmony to the blowing wind and slight patter against the windows. An occasional plow truck, with flashing light, diesel engine, and grinding metal, provided an industrial cacophony that reminded us that we are not as isolated as we sometimes lead on. The storm left us with over a foot of snow and the hopes of a white Christmas.

The rest of the week was a real transition. It was the first week that we were really alone with Aden. Ciara has been absorbing the bulk of the late night, early morning duty. Aden is generally awake, not crying, but up and investigating the world, at the time that we normally go to bed. He will drift off for a few hours after feedings, but wake up periodically. I try to get up to help, but inevitably I am not equipped with the plumbing to satisfy him. I feel guilty, but I roll over in hopes for a bit of shut eye before the blasted alarm goes off.

The folks at the school have been great. Everyday I have a new gift from staff or parent. As I walk through the hallways, there are shouts of congratulations and requests for pictures. In 6 years teaching at the school, I have never felt more a part of the community then now. Still, I am mentally at home with Ciara and Aden, and many of the daily problems seem insignificant.

Ciara had a home visit from with a nurse from Inland Hospital, where Aden was born, Aden was weighed and checked. He has gained a pound from his birth weight to put him at 7 pounds 9 ounces. His umbilical cord finished withering as well and we were given the go ahead to put him in the bath. A pretty happy baby, he did well transitioning back to an aqueous environment, of course having mommy there helped.

The cats have not been an issue. Evil has been the only one to really take notice, the rest just associate Aden as "not food" and therefore uninteresting. One night Wicket slept in the bed with us, but was careful not to sleep on top of Aden. It seems like overnight, we have become a family and what once was a house, is now a home.