And so it begins...

We think that tonight is finally the night. Linda has had slight labor pains since about 3 PM, and they have become more intense in the last few hours. As her labor gets more intense, I get more anxious and excited.

We just got off the phone with our parents and siblings, so everyone has been notified. We spoke with Summer (one of our Bradley instructors) earlier in the night, and she re-assured us that everything is progressing as expected.

We will likely be leaving for the hospital soon. I'll do my best to keep you posted!!

Baby's first ski trip...

Here's a video from the King family ski trip this winter. It's kind of a baby-related post because Linda was 3 months pregnant at the time. It also includes baby's first wipeout - although not that spectacular of a wipeout.

Anyway, check it out if you've got 5 minutes to burn.

Thai Food and Yarn

I went to the Studio Yarn Shop today to buy some yarn to complete my baby sweater vest (actually to exchange some yarn, but that's a long story involving my inability to coordinate colors), and the woman working there advised me to "eat out as often as possible before the baby arrives", adding "at places that don't serve chicken nuggets".

That got me thinking...Scott and I are basically on borrowed (baby-free) time. What would you do with a limited number of days before your life changed dramatically? We've been going on walks and enjoying some quiet evenings alone. What else should we enjoy now (while we can)?

My prediction...

I'm betting on him (eventually) having blond, curly hair and being 7'ish pounds.

There's a part of me that hopes for Napoleon Dynamite crazy-curly, red hair...but that's probably a long shot. Linda doesn't like me mentioning the Napoleon Dynamite hair...I think it freaks her out a bit.

Baby? What Baby?

I've had a little chat with the baby, and he's already proving to be a stubborn little guy. Apparently he's refusing to arrive until mommy agrees to a post-natal trip to the day spa. I really don't think we should refuse his request...

Have you all decided what he'll look like when he arrives? I predict blond hair and (when they finally change color) light brown eyes. I haven't decided if he'll have curly hair like me, though. While you're predicting his good looks, don't forget to take a guess at his birth weight - will he be smaller like Scott (around 6 pounds) or bigger like me (over 8 pounds)?

Place your bets...Who's the baby going to look like?

Here are pictures of Linda and me as babies. We're wondering will he have Linda's rosy cheeks and red hair, or will he have my rugged good looks and charm?

T+2 Days

We're at "Time + 2 Days" now, and no baby yet. We've been using this extra time to finish some house projects and enjoy some "couple time", which I assume will be in short supply once baby King makes his entrance. I've been drinking some rasberry leaf tea to help things along, but if baby King is anything like his parents he'll arrive only when he's fully prepared.

As for my arts and crafts,I started knitting Scott a scarf but realized I don't have enough yarn - so I took it apart and am now half done with a baby sweater vest that (hopefully) will fit our mini-man around Christmastime. Poor Scott, that's the second scarf that I've started and not completed for him.

Due date update...

Well, we're back from a regularly scheduled doctor's appointment...and we have no news. Linda is still pregnant and will be having the baby sometime...that's all we know.

Due Date

Well, today is my actual due date and Baby King is still sitting snug as a bug in a rug. Both my sister and Scott's brother are having in-laws come visit this weekend, so if the little guy decides to make an appearance this weekend we'll have quite the little crowd!

Calling folks on the phone has become quite the adventure these past few days...people are assuming that we're calling because "it's time". Even Scott has requested that I not call him at work. So...if you want to chat with Scott or myself, it's probably best if you call us!!

The last week...(fingers crossed)

Since Linda's due date is this Friday (6/23), I thought it's a perfect time for a beginning-to-end look at Linda and her changes.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

We hope you had a great day. We'll be seeing you soon...hopefully.

5 More Days

Only five more days (until I'm past due, at least). I'm still going in to school every day and getting a little reading done. Right now I'm reading "Economics as if People Mattered". It's somewhat outdated (1973), but the arguments the author makes about development and economics are still relevant today.

The photo is the bear and hat I made. The bear is a little mis-proportioned since I didn't follow the pattern exactly, but I loved the wool/cashmere blend yarn I used (it's Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Chunky). The hat is 100% cotton (Tahki Lovely).

Happy Father's Day, Mike and John!

We made it through the weekend...

Since Linda's doctor was out of town this weekend, we were hoping that the baby wouldn't decide to come. Well, he didn't, so now we're ready whenever he is.

P.S. I switched to a new comments system for the blog. To the three of you that had left comments...they're gone forever, but feel free to leave new ones.

One more week!!

As of today, we officially have one more week until my due date. Wow!! My doctor had to go out of town this weekend unexpectedly, so I really hope I don't go into labor before Monday (not that I think I will - I know first-time moms are usually late). Luckily the doctor's office has only two OB doctors, and we've met Dr. Fischer ("Dr. Sarah") and really wouldn't mind if she delivered the baby...but Dr. Fisher ("Dr. Laurie") has been my doctor for a couple years and I'd feel bad if she missed out on the birth. I guess it's all up to Baby King, though.

What's happened to Buddy?

Buddy (Linda's parent's cat) got a haircut recently, and now he just looks so cute...or is that uncomfortable...or maybe emasculated. Anyway, I thought it was a picture worthy of posting. Thanks to John and Pat for the picture.

Linda's First Post

Here's my very first post on the blog. As you've seen from the photos, there's a bit more to me than there used to be. I'm very excited (and nervous) about meeting the little guy that's been sharing my body for the past 9 months. What will he look like? What will be his temperment?

We're about as prepared as we can be, although I know that nothing really prepares you for having an infant to take care of. The crib is ready (with a newly installed mobile) and we have a supply of diapers waiting. I've been satisfying my "nesting" instinct with a couple of craft projects: I just finished knitting a cotton beanie and a cashmere teddy bear, and I've sewn a reasonable facsimile to the maya wrap (you can see a real Maya Wrap here.) I'll try to get Scott to post a photo of the teddy bear so you can see what happens when you don't do a gauge swatch in knitting...

That time again...

The first official game of the 2006 Kansas City Ultimate Summer League kicks off this week. I'm looking forward to another fun summer. I'll keep you posted on how the team is doing.

3 weeks to go...

Stephen Colbert profiles Nebraska's 2nd District...

Here's a direct link.

Relaxing...

Everyone has their own way of relaxing. This guy's happens to be resting under a wagon at Linda's Grandpa's estate auction.

Linda's new look...

I'm back...

I'm resurrecting my blog. Linda and I are planning to use it to send updates about the baby. We'll see how long that lasts.