Watching Sullivan and Calliope

408On Monday we gathered together with several of the formerly expectant parents from our birthing class for a reunion. Our numbers had increased…
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We felt somewhat guilty when we heard about the difficult labors and breastfeeding trials of our classmates. Sullivan really has been good to us.

We hope that this isn’t the only reunion that we will have.

398On Sunday morning we got up early to see Nana and Grampa off. It was a tearful goodbye, but the good news is that we’ll see them in just a few weeks in Calgary. The Canadian flag came down that afternoon, though it may reappear for Canada Day this weekend!

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We returned to Mercy Hospital for the first time since we brought Sullivan home. It was strange to think that the last time we made the trip was when t was in labor!

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But today we were headed in to meet Madeline Anne Long, not quite 48 hours old. Maddie’s parents have a lot to be proud of–she’s a total cutie. We traded birthing stories as only recent parents can. One of the most incredible sensations was holding tiny Madeline. It is impossible to believe that Sullivan was that small only 5 weeks earlier.
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Next we headed off to Bugsie and Pops’ to see Auntie Liz before she left for Switzerland where she is a camp counselor for the summer. We miss her already!

364We’ve been slow to update this week because we have been visiting with Nana and Grampa (aka: Burck and Barb) from Calgary.

378In addition to lots of cuddle time, Nana transformed our gardens by planting flowers, transplanting others, and edging the beds, and for an encore revitalized our garage.

376Grampa fixed all kinds of things in our house and installed shelves in Sullivan’s closet, lights along the walkway, a ceiling fan in the bedroom, and taught me to make gourmet breads.

366Our house looks fantastic–something we never expected with a newborn!

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On Saturday we tried to beat the heat by heading to Fort Williams Park for a picnic by the ocean followed by ice cream.

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386Sullivan rolled over from his stomach to back for his second time.

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Canasta score:
Las Chicas – 1, Los Hombres – 1
The series heads to Calgary for its conclusion.

368And congratulations to Meg and Shane who welcomed Madeline Anne into the world!

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(As always, there are extra photos in the Second Month album, accessible from the right. And don’t forget you can click on thumbnails to make them bigger!)

Sullivan, having slept much of Sunday, spent much of Sunday night and Monday morning AWAKE and playful.
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Dad worked and everyone else had a quiet day at home. That evening we all went for a walk to Willard beach and enjoyed a yummy soba noodle salad.

Check the portraits (see the menu on the right) for this week’s installment!

Sullivan celebrated Marsh’s first Father’s Day today. 353
Nana and Grampa pulled a weed whacker out of the trunk of their car! What more fatherly thing is there? Mowing and whacking was the first leg of the Father Triathlon.
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Leg two involved the three dads, a bannister, and power tools.

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Leg three was grilling on the deck.

Happy 4 weeks old! Cape Elizabeth threw a parade for Sullivan this morning. Actually, it was Family Fun Day, but we told SMG it was for him. (We also told Burck and Barb that it was for them!)
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Also, in the excitement of Burck and Barb’s arrival, we forgot to add that yesterday at Sullivan’s 4 week checkup he weighed 9 pounds and has grown an inch longer.

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Sullivan is looking forward to meeting “Baby Long” who is expected to arrive soon. Good luck Meg and Shane!

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Sullivan’s Mom’s parents arrived today from Calgary just in time for dinner. We grilled scallops on the deck (technically on the grill on the deck) and had a pitcher of margaritas.
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Sullivan slept most of the evening, which meant that Mom and Dad stayed up late…
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Burck says, “future draft pick!”

We’ve discovered a basic equation of parenthood. Baby = Laundry

Sorry there are no photos today… we were busy folding! We”ll make up for it tomorrow (these two photos come from the future). 315317

Sullivan’s Aunt Liz and Grandma Bugsie swooped in for a quick visit this afternoon, which gave Mom and Dad a chance to get some things done around the house. 313

Sullivan cooled down, and so did his appetite. He slept a lot through the day, making up a bit for last night. In the afternoon Auntie Liz came to visit, enjoyed Sullivan’s bathtime, and stayed for dinner. She was impressed by the size of his baby hands.
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Ooops: forgot to mention in day 24 that Sullivan received his birth certificate! Now he can travel to Calgary. FYI, he already has his social security card (like social security will still exist by the time he qualifies).

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We wanted to bathe Sullivan before his Sunday portrait, but the bath didn’t happen until today, so this week’s Sunday portrait is really a Tuesday portrait.