Almost our first Christmas

The boy isn't here yet, but I feel like it is our first Christmas anyhow. Alex and I have been together for more than 5 years now, and we are our own family. But knowing that we have a new addition - a really new addition! -on the way is something so amazing to think about.

This Christmas I won't be at home, again, but that will hopefully be the last time I will be absent for this holiday, or any other for that matter. Seeing my boy grow up, the wonder and amazement of experiencing Christmas, Easter, St. Paddys, and Mardi Gras, among other classic American holidays will be great!

We will get one more peek at Finn next month for the 20 week ultrasound. I anticipate long legs and a big nose, combined with active kicking and flipping! And the next time we see the little man it will be an amazing relief and blessing beyond anything we can imagine now. Our lives will be changed forever, but I am convinced that it will be on a path to somewhere better and more full than we can understand now, and I can't wait!

While our Virginia family is buried in snow back thata way, we are here in Colorado and loving it! A weekend at Vail and down in Denver, a fun night with some of my Netjets family, and now home again for some time with the ladies, life is good. Back to work tomorrow and the reality that I still have an amazing opportunity to do what I love and get paid well for the privilege! I do what I do not just because I love it, but also to take care of my family and give them what they need and appreciate. We are so lucky and blessed to have what we have and live as we live. And I know Finn will be so welcome here as well, so come on and meet us boy!

Eric, Alex, Molly and Finn!

cool pictures

15 weeks

Hi guys, Alex here. I just reconnected with an old friend who is expecting her first baby in a few weeks. She inspired me to spread the news a little wider. So I am posting the baby news on my Facebook page. Now 428 of my closest friends can join in the fun! So yes indeed, there appears to be another boy Walden on the way.... That's what ultrasound tech lady said last week anyway. Now it could turn out its a girl after all on future ultrasounds examinations, but for now lets just go with Finn.

The baby experts say: Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). He's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. His legs are growing longer than his arms now, and he can move all of his joints and limbs. Although his eyelids are still fused shut, he can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, he's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but he is forming taste buds. Finally, if you have an ultrasound this week, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl! (Don't be too disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down your baby's sex depends on the clarity of the picture and on your baby's position. He or she may be modestly curled up or turned in such a way as to "hide the goods.")

Sorry no belly pics yet, as there is no belly to be seen. But you can see Finn's first pics in the link in post below. It was 10 degrees today for a high. After 30 mins outside with my little foal, my toes could stand no more. Hope you are all staying toasty! Merry Christmas, enjoy the season!

Meet Finn Walden!

http://picasaweb.google.com/flywaldo/WeaselAkaFinnWalden#

Here are the new pictures from yesterday's ultrasound! He is an amazing, active, and perfect little boy - and getting less and less little every day!

It was so amazing to see his face, hands, legs, feet, spine, everything - and alive! I'm trying to post the video as well, but Picasa is being a pain, so standby....

We are doing great, after a visit home for Thanksgiving - an early one for me - and we are both back here in Colorado for a while now.

More to come soon!

Hello from mom

So I thought should add my 2 cents here, in all my infinite wisdom with 11 weeks of experience. The last few months has felt much like being hung over all the time. But fortunately, I no longer find eating repulsive! Still sleep 12 hours a day, and if you know me at all, this is just delightful! The weasel is a lime in size this week, 2 inches long! This is a fun site with food visuals about baby size:

http://community.thebump.com/cs/ks/blogs/nb_checklists/pages/how-big-is-baby.aspx?r=0

To think it was just a poppy seed not too long ago. Apparently growing double in next 3 weeks. whew. Nothing otherwise has changed terribly much. I'm still able to do everything activity wise and will continue as long as I can. I eat most of what I like too, I don't believe in all the rules, but in common sense. I have a 12 week checkup next week. Yes, we will find out gender. That's probably at 18 weeks. Looking forward to family time in VA next week, Thanksgiving dinners galore!
So far I think pregnancy is weird. I think it will get weirder. Thanks for all the well wishes and blessings, you all are wonderful:) I'm grateful for your support and really thankful for such an amazing partner and dad-to-be!
~ACW

The Weasel is REAL!

Well everyone, today was a very big day for Alex and I! We went in for her first checkup at 8 weeks, and everything looks great!

And when I say 'looks' I mean it: http://picasaweb.google.com/flywaldo/Weasel#5395129671231479266

Not much to look at right now, but we could see the heart beating away in there - looks strong!

Seeing this little life growing inside of Alex has confirmed all of the hopes and speculation that we have had together. Theory has been transformed into a real, moving image on a screen. But more than that, it has been transformed into a life! A life that Alex and I have made together, and will be a part of us forever.

We look forward to sharing with you this amazing process every step of the way. Not much to report now and probably for a while yet, so don't get too anxious. But just you wait, there will be plenty of excitement to come!

Eric, Alex, and The Weasel

The Beginning

So it was a surprise. Not planned, not prepared for, not anticipated in any way. So when we were faced with the reality of our future, it was justifiably shocking and took some time to process and accept for what it was.

But when we were able to see that what we had been given was not just a surprise, but an amazing opportunity for us to become who we really were meant to be, the way forward was clear. Not easy or simple at all, but the realization that we have the chance to take part in our greatest adventure was an amazing event!

Alex is only in her 6th week now, so we have a ways to go yet, but so far things are going as well as could be expected, and being the eternal optimist I am sure that we will both move through this process in a way that makes us both stronger and happier than we have ever been!

We'll try to keep this updated along the way, with impressions, experiences, and progress as the event continues to evolve, so stay tuned!

Right now, the baby is about the size of a Lentil bean, and has started the formation of eyes, nose and limbs, as well as the basic organs the start of the neural network that will evolve into the brain. The next couple weeks will see amazing progress both physically and behaviorally. The development of all of the physical aspects that we are familiar with will be accompanied by changes for Alex that will be both dramatic and affirming that the process is moving along as it should.

We met with a Dula group again tonight, and it is great to know that we have the resources locally to help the progression and evolution of our experience as it moves forward. The emotional and personal support they can offer will help both of us prepare for what is to come.

That's all for now, more to come!

Eric and Alex