05.29.06
Posted in Life at 9:08 am by Aaron
Ethan has now been out in the world for three days (Laura corrects me when I say he’s four days old…he’s in his fourth day) and thus far I have learned that he is a pretty calm character. He’s a deep thinker, who just happens to pee his own pants now and again.
Such was the fate of this cute outfit, which lasted all of about half an hour before I had to change him out of it. You’ll notice Ethan is cast in that soft, soothing light that you can only get at five in the morning.
He woke up, wanted some food and some styling clothes…then decided to combine the two. The clothes weren’t so styling after that. But Ethan was amused.
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05.28.06
Posted in Life at 5:53 pm by Aaron
Good news; I’ve figured out how to hold Ethan and use my computer at the same time, which bodes well for me being able to continue putting up pictures!
Ethan woke up this morning with his Mum and Dad looking out over his birthplace; Greenwich Street at 7th Avenue, right in West Village.
It was such a beautiful day here in New York – with temperatures up in the 80’s – that we decided to walk home from the hospital. Laura has recovered beautifully, and was feeling that the chance to stretch her legs would do her a world of good.
We strolled along 7th Avenue, then down Hudson, stopping for a coffee before we reached the park. The sun was shining, people were hanging out and Ethan suggested that we stop for a bit.
Yup, Memorial Day Weekend, a perfect time to hang out for a little while and soak in the scenery.
Little joker that he is, Ethan suggested that since I could hold him like a football, why not play a game or two? Intrigued though I was, I thought perhaps his idea was flawed by the naivete of youth…poor kid’s never heard of an incomplete pass. That’s when Ethan deadpanned the perfect line; “Don’t worry, just get me a leather onesy.”
Funny kid. He may have Laura’s eyes, but he’s definitely got my sense of humour.
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05.26.06
Posted in Life at 10:54 pm by Aaron
Thursday we went in to the hospital for another test. We brought our overnight bag, just in case. I felt a little foolish, showing up for an ultrasound with a giant bag full of – well – the kind of geeky things a nerd thinks will be needed for labour (stereo, laptop, lots of playlists).
Well, they decided to induce, which for the first 12 hours meant nothing. Actually, it just meant Laura and I could hang out in a pretty nice delivery room. It was not until 11:30 at night, when I finally decided to step out for food, that Laura decided to start having contractions.
Ethan may have exerted his influence in making us wait for so long, but once labour was on, it was all Laura, who we all know is not one to daudle. When the doctor came in first thing in the morning to administer the next dose of hormones to induce labour, he was a little surprised to realize that Laura was fully dilated and ready to rock. She pushed Ethan out so fast, he almost caught air…in all seriousness, I was absolutely amazed.
When at last Ethan came out, at 8:17am on May 26, 2006, it was hard to tell, between him and me, who was crying more.
Eight pounds even…a healthy, beautiful baby boy. Ethan Alexander Williamson.
Sweet.
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05.25.06
Posted in Photos at 9:04 am by Aaron
Here’s what I woke up to this morning. It’s the first time I’ve had to choose between grabbing my pants and grabbing my camera. I think I chose wisely.
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05.24.06
Posted in Life, Photos at 10:36 pm by Aaron
Laura and I were talking today, sharing thoughts and feelings on impending parenthood and how things are going. Laura is feeling pretty ready to have Ethan, and she just feels that…
…holy crap! A navy ship! Oh, yeah, feelings…what were we saying? Oh yes, the baby. Well, what I was saying was…
…was there’s a fricken aircraft carrier behind you! Can you believe this? What’s going on? What do you mean I keep talking about what’s going on outside? Don’t you see the…
…the sailors? Look how many there are! Man, New York’s gonna be crazy tonight when those guys hit the town. Although these days, they probably won’t even dock these ships here what with terrorists and all…why are you looking at me like that?
Yes, it’s true. As Laura and I had a heart to heart, half the US Navy went by our window. It became almost comical. At one point, I joked to Laura that she better hurry up and tell me how she felt before the fighter jets came.
And then they did. Group after group, flying in formation. F-16s, F-14s, AWACS, Ospreys…all about 500 meters from our window at eye level.
I’m sure Laura’s fine.
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05.23.06
Posted in Photos at 4:52 pm by Aaron
It seems that the new World Trade Center 7 building has finally opened, and with it they have unveiled a very funky sculpture in the middle of the fountain in front of the building. My first reaction was to laugh and question what on earth they could have been smoking when they ok’d the design. After all, the giant, mirrored, cherry-red sculpture resembles a horribly deformed balloon animal.
As Laura and I approached it and I opened my mouth to begin ridiculing it, a funny thing happened; I realized that the sculpture was pretty cool, even if it did seem completely out of place in its drab surroundings, tucked behind the post office beside a giant, gaping hole in the ground. We sat down, and then I noticed that not a single person could walk by without staring at it. Not looking, but a neck-cranking stare. That’s not an easy thing to get in New York City.
So I pulled out my camera, starting clicking a few shots, and abruptly found myself really liking the thing…whatever it is.
~-~
Pretty nifty all around, I thinks. But I know, the only reason anyone is checking this site right now is to see if Ethan’s born yet. No. Why the hell else would I be out photographing deformed balloon animals?
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05.22.06
Posted in Life at 5:41 pm by Aaron
Laura and I had another appointment today, this time for a “non-stress” test to see if everything is still okay with Ethan. He’s now a week and a day late, and though all the tests came back showing him happy and healthy, we were a little surprised to find out his weight; after taking some measurements with the ultrasound and doing some calculations, they figure he’s already about 8 pounds 13 ounces…and gaining about 3 ounces a day. That means that by tomorrow, we’re talking nine pounds.
Yowza.
The way things are looking, if labour doesn’t start by the end of the week, Laura will be induced on Thursday or Friday. Next weekend is memorial day long weekend, so if it’s not done by the end of this week, we’d have to wait till next Tuesday, by which time Ethan will be about 185 pounds and six feet tall.
Our bet is on Thursday.
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05.17.06
Posted in Life at 8:23 am by Aaron
Well, as people might have known, Laura’s due date was on Sunday the 14th, meaning that – from here on out – Ethan is officially on island time. Right now it’s just a waiting game, though on Monday we go into the hospital for a “non-stress test”, in which they check to see if everything is still okay with the little guy.
St. Vincent’s policy is to not let a pregnancy go beyond 42 weeks, so if Ethan is still not interested in joining us out here, they’ll probably motivate him around the 26th.
My hunch has been that he will make his grand entrance late this week…but this week is rapidly passing us by. Really, the best I can do is a totally uneducated guess.
Laura is well, though, which is the important thing. She’s moving a lot more slowly than before, but she’s happy and healthy.
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05.16.06
Posted in Photos at 10:10 pm by Aaron
Walking home from dropping Laura off at class, I took a few shots around town. This one is the doorway to the NYPD’s mounted police headquarters on Varrick Street.
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Posted in Photos at 10:08 pm by Aaron
I’ve been taking some really cool pictures the last couple of days, experimenting with reflections on buildings. This was one of my favourites today…
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Posted in Photos at 9:43 am by Aaron
Not much to explain, really…I just liked this shot.
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05.15.06
Posted in Photos at 10:36 pm by Aaron
All I have to say is this; Digital. SLR. Sweet. After a very calculated bout of “Do we have everything for the baby?” we (read: I) managed to decide that what we really needed was a new camera. You know, to capture all Ethan’s moments. And stuff.
Well, Ethan hasn’t exactly shown up yet, so I had to test the camera out using this lousy city instead.
Suffice it to say that the image quality on this thing is obscenely good, and I’m happy because it is compatible with all my other camera equipment. I am filled with geeky delight.
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05.14.06
Posted in Life at 10:21 pm by Aaron
Today, as we all know, was mother’s day. All we need now is the kid.
As we can see, Ethan is still firmly in place, and as yet showing no signs of wanting to come out. I have suggested that Laura try jumping jacks, but she doesn’t see this as being as clever a suggestion as I think it is. Call it mother’s intuition.
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05.10.06
Posted in Life at 8:41 am by Aaron
Anxious as I may be, Ethan has decided to take his time before emerging into the world. I shouldn’t be surprised; the actual due date is this weekend (on Sunday). Laura and I are both so excited, though, that it’s hard to wait, but have no fear; I’ll post news as soon as I can when he’s born.
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