Hugo Owen Brown

Finally--introducing Hugo Owen Brown! Born 12/31/08 at 3:25 pm - 8lbs 11oz (and 22 inches long)

Good morning--it would seem our

Good morning--it would seem our wee baby is punctual--we're heading to the hospital right now-on the actual due date-

Now...the hard part (or so it seems)

As of 11pm last night, Jen started up the early phases of her labor and has been progressing...SLOWLY...ever since (certainly seems slow for her and for me). 

Christmas Eve with BL and C

As we were drifting off to sleep on Christmas Eve, Jennifer mentioned that she loves experiencing other people’s holiday traditions. So true. And this CE was no exception as we spent the evening with our friends Colin and Barbara Lynn. First we attended a wonderful CE service at this cool historic church in our old neighborhood (John Street United Methodist Church, near Wall Street, the oldest Methodist congregation in America - 1766!). We then took a brisk walk through the South Street Seaport to see the big tree (which are a dime a dozen in NYC as there are big Christmas trees everywhere, but festive nonetheless).
Then back to Astoria where we enjoyed the company of our friends, who made their Xmas tradition…delightful huevos rancheros a la Colin--pictured here in the kitchen. And of course there was also a delicious ginger beverage a la Barbara Lynn for Jennifer, and delicious bock beer a la Shiner for me. We had a great time.

The birthday of the baby Jesus...

Christmas was spent with the Besch-Turner Family.
And yes we all drink the same water.





Natasha is due the first week of February.  I'm still waiting for my cue.



Did I mention the James Brown of Santas also paid a visit?
Here he explains where Mrs. Claus is.

Santa holding his "special gift" to me.  It was funny for a second.

Earlier in the day...
Evan and I followed one of his family traditions in the morning, opening gifts in our PJs. Let me apologize now to my mother for my hair.

My sister Joanna in Australia sent a Christmas package including this adorable Santa suit.
As for noisy baby toys, FRIDA is all about 'em!

Jen's Last Day of Work - Christmas Eve Day

A kiss goodbye, a step out the door, and a near fall on the bum. New York weather, like a lot of other places in the country is lousy. Looks like Santa left a sheet of ice outside our door. Oh sure I tried to inch my way down the sidewalk. I made it about 20 steps. No getting on the subway for me today. Ecua Car Service it is. . .

This is me not happy about not being able to walk my usual trek along 57th street to the CBS Broadcast Center. My calf muscles are super tight and need the stretch. My extra 30 pounds wanted the fresh air. But hey, right after I took this pic (nifty camera phone) I saw 2 hottie EMTs pulling a stretcher from an ambulance. And now I sit at work safe and sound, on my LAST DAY!!!

For Friends and Family

Hello! Since we have a wee Brownie on the way, we decided to fire up a blog so friends and family can check out what's happening in our world. This, I hope, will be the first of many postings to come.

The news so far:
Where Jen was told she was "nowhere near" last week, come to find out at her latest appointment that the baby has started to descend! And could come any time now. WOW! In fact, last night just before bed Jen noticed that she felt the absence of the tiny toes that have been incessantly pushing into her rib cage (for the past couple months): this experience she likened to having a continuous stitch in her side, the kind one gets from running on a full stomach. So it would seem that the baby has dropped some. The doctor also noted the following: "big baby." Eeek! Hopefully not too big. We shall see. Anyway, Jen was given the sense that the baby is coming "soon." Perhaps a Christmas baby? Who knows...could be tomorrow, could be January. Anyway, as is the purpose of this blog, we will keep you all posted. -e-