I get to meet Uncle Ross tomorrow???

I am so pumped! Bring on Thanksmas/Chrisgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Graham's first Thanksgiving ended up being totally awesome.  Katie's parents were in town for the weekend but not flying in until Thursday and my parents were in Baltimore...which meant we were hosting our first holiday (GULP).  Yes, I cooked my first turkey.  Nerves were high.  Katie took care of the rest - so basically everything.  And after a sleepless night on Weds (okay, that was on account of Graham not turkey-burning nightmares) we got down to it and I couldn't be happier with how it all turned out.  The timing magically fell into place, the food tasted delicious...and the turkey was edible!  Big thanks to my brother for talking me through it and educating me.  And thanks to Dave and Wendy for some gentle hints and assists.  Katie's grandmother joined us as well...Graham has been quite spoiled, meeting three of his great-grandparents already.  On his first trip to Baltimore he will get to meet the other two that we are blessed enough to still have with us.

I wish I had pictures of all the food but a picture of the beautiful table that Katie set will have to do...

And what would a blog post be without pictures of the little stud:

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!  We are thankful for our family and friends and hope to see all of you soon. 

Double digit weight!

After his most recent growth spurt/feeding frenzy, Graham has finally crossed the 10 pound barrier.  He was an absolute animal for about three days this past week, eating every 90 minutes or so.  Katie hung in there like Rocky against Ivan Drago and somehow managed to keep him fed and growing throughout.  They say that babies "hibernate" after a growth spurt and yesterday Graham showed some signs of a long winter nap, sleeping the most during the day yet! 

He has also gotten much more responsive and playful...and even better, smiley! 

I wouldn't say that we are in a routine yet, but hopefully we are headed in the right direction.  It seems like only yesterday I was driving around at midnight in my boxers trying to get him to sleep...

It will come as less than a shock to everyone, but Katie is an absolute natural.  She has done a fantastic job with him and we - both Graham and I - are so lucky to have her!  It's a cliche, but there really is nothing you can do to truly prepare for this experience and yet somehow she has it all figured out.  Yes, there are less than ideal days (diaper overflow, projectile spit-up, crying just for the heck of it, sleep strikes, and on and on) but she is such a great Mom.  I have to say, I also completely took for granted how difficult, challenging, and exhausting breast-feeding would be...and I'm not the one doing it!  Women deserve medals.  Period.

And now for the moment you've all been waiting for while reading my drivel: PICTURES.

Car seat time...aka nap time

With his buddy the giraffe blanket

In his awesome new handknit (with love) hat from Ricki Dugan

Sleeping through his first date with Avery Norton

Just like his old man...

The kid likes being in front of a mirror!

Happy Halloween!

The Elephant Chair

Is there milk in this elephant's trunk?

Nope, no milk in there.

Welcome to the world, Graham David Hays!

Four days before his due date and 15 hours of labor later , Wes and I welcomed a healthy baby boy into the world on September 26th at 4:18 in the afternoon. Graham David Hays weighed in at 6 lbs 12 oz and was 20.5 inches long. We are overjoyed to have this perfect little peanut join our family. He grows every day and continues to amaze us with everything he does. We love him infinitely already!

I uploaded a bunch of pictures of his first few weeks. Once I can process thoughts beyond when the last time I fed him was (or when the last time I ate was) - I will be sure to start blogging again!

Looking at Dad for the first time!

Tiny Feet!

Hanging out with Grandpa

Clearly not one of those people who puts make up on or tries to look nice after they have a baby.

After his traumatizing man surgery - the scratch on his face sent my for a serious hormonal crying session...

With the Walker Greatgrandparents

On my way home from the hospital!

Leaving the hospital!

Welcome home Graham! Thanks to mom who decorated with blue balloons & bows!

Going to the pediatrician on Saturday.

Awake and ready to hang out!

Graham's first walk in the neighborhood

He didn't love it so much - but thankfully this was a one time boycott of a walk!

My first "bath". He's not really into the whole sponge bath thing...

Much better to be dry and warm!

Can you see my mullet? It's like Dad's from the mid-90's.

Hanging out with Aunt Annie & Grandma

Grandma singing me some songs!

Checking out the presidential debate - Graham's wearing his DU gear!

Just a million more pictures of the little man from his first 2 weeks:

Attempting to get a family photo when you are going off a few hours of sleep is tough!

I need to also extend a massive THANK YOU to all of our friends and family for your support. It has definitely been a crazy 3 weeks - but we not only feel blessed with our wonderful baby boy - but to have such thoughtful friends and family. Between visits, care packages, gifts for Graham, meals delivered - we feel royally spoiled! Graham is very appreciative of all the love and support he has received in his first few days here (though you can't tell by the last picture!)

 

More to come in the following weeks as I figure out the secret to long baby naps during the day!!

One Month to Go!

Holy. Cow.

Today is August 30th.  The baby boy is due September 30th.  WHICH MEANS ONE MONTH TO GO!  Pardon the caps, but we are so excited.  I can't wait to hold the little bugger...and Katie can't wait for him to stop breakdancing in the womb all hours of the night!  Katie has been so amazing throughout this whole experience; I seriously couldn't be more impressed or in awe of how she has handled it with such grace.  Let's be honest, if I had to pee six times a night I would be one unpleasant SOB every day...

Not to mention she continues to be productive and somehow manages to get so much done.  One would think that working 12 hours a day with a 25 pound medicine ball glued to your stomach would be enough, but no.  Why not refinish some furniture for fun?

Mask? Check. Glasses? Check. Sander? Check. Pregnant belly? Double check. 

Hopefully she will take it a wee bit easier this coming weekend as I am off to Des Moines, Iowa for my last race of the year.  Luckily, Katie's parents are coming to town so that should distract her enough that I don't have to worry about the power tools getting a good workout.  It is probably pushing it slightly for me to travel this weekend but Des Moines is a direct flight from Denver and I won't even be gone for a full 48 hours.  Basically, fly -> build bike -> check in -> sleep -> race -> repack bike -> EAT ICE CREAM SUNDAES -> sleep -> fly home.  Easy.

Katie has been amazingly supportive of me doing this race as I qualified for nationals at the NYC Tri and earned a free spot at this race.  It is an iconic race called the HyVee Triathlon and I'm hoping to throw down in a major way.  But the pressure is largely internal this weekend as the best of the best will be there so I can't worry about where I place...it's all about how I perform relative to my own expectations.  Here's to hoping that a rising tide floats all boats.  It has been a great season for me (knock on wood) and I'd like to finish it on a positive note.

Hopefully my standard race week issue/dilemma/concern has already occurred as I got stung by a bee on a ride last weekend.  It flew into my helmet and I couldn't get it out before it got me.  Direct shot to the forehead.  No big deal, right?  True, except that the swelling got slightly out of control, eventually inflating my forehead and then draining between my eyes.  Katie was calling me a "cute caveman"...some other comparisons mentioned:

Luckily, the swelling is completely gone now...fingers crossed that will be it for this pre-race week.  

Knowing that I have such a supportive wife and a life-changing experience awaiting me when I get back certainly provides the best perspective and inspiration.