Welcome, Aiden Kelly

You'll have to forgive me for not getting this done sooner, Aiden.
I'm personally putting it down to "second child syndrome"... the fact of the matter is that I had Andrea's pictures within minutes of her birth.
Your pictures? I finally got some today.  Two weeks after your arrival.
Regardless, here you are! 


Aiden, Chris and Jessica




Mr. Aiden Christopher




Andrea, Jessica and Aiden



Aiden & Daddy



Aiden Christopher




Daddy, Andrea, Mommy & Aiden  



Aiden Christopher

Aiden & Chris (aka Daddy)  

Mommy & Daddy

Aiden

Gramma Lisa

Picture update on Aiden

Wow.  That's all I can say. Wow.
You've been here almost 24 hours, and I have a total of TWO pictures of you.
Actually, let me rephrase that.  I personally have ONE picture of you, Grandpa Don has two.
He sent me the one of you and your mom and sister, and he's got your closeup picture, which I'm supposed to be receiving shortly. 
Regardless, only TWO pictures? 
C'mon, Jessica, Chris, Lisa, and Joe!  TWO pictures? 
Jess, you're excused because you just produced Aiden. 
But the rest of you?  Get serious! 
Just because I couldn't make it up there for the birth doesn't mean I should get shut out of the picture sharing!
So SHARE already!!
It's not like you're using actual film, ferchrissakes... it's DIGITAL!
I WANT MY PICTURES!!!

Welcome to the world, Aiden Christopher Kelly, born today

Well, your mom's relieved, you finally decided to make your appearance.
Don't know many details at the moment, my phone's kinda screwed up and has no sound.
So when your Grandpa Don texted me that you were on the way, of course I didn't get the message until 6 hours later. 
However, he did tell me you were 9 lbs - you'll discover this over the course of time, however best you also learn it from the beginning. Grandpa Don doesn't do details well.  If I'd gotten Grandma Lisa on the phone, I coulda found out your birth weight, your size, and your birth time.
So your birth chart will have to wait until I talk to her.

Regardless, welcome to the world, kid. And Jess, if you're reading this, WHERE ARE MY PICTURES?????  

I'm the crazy Unca Merlin your big sister Andrea's gonna warn you about.
Proof I'm crazy?  Your baby pictures are going up just as soon as I get them.
Ask Andrea. I did it to her too.

Relationships

While I'm on my soapbox, let me address something that you'll realize over time, but lets just get it out of the way now.
I'm not really your Great Uncle, except by love. You see, your Grandpa Don is my very best friend in the world, and I love him like my brother. Since Grandpa Don is my "brother", I get to be your Great Uncle.
And I've known and loved your mother for years, although we got closer after you were born.
Since I'm never going to have a grandchild of my own, I'm pretending with you - but that doesn't make me love you any less because you don't have my DNA.
So, I'm gonna be your Unca Merlin, your personal faery grandparent.
Wishes granted whenever possible. As long as you're housebroken.

Adoption information summary

Well, it arrived - the summary of the non-identifying information about my adoption.
And, as it turns out, the majority of my theories about the circumstances surrounding my adoption were correct, however as it turns out, my biological father isn't listed in the case record, and there is little to no further information about my birth mother's family either.

However, to quote: "According to the case record, the attorney who handled your adoption had handled several legal matters for your adoptive mother's family for years. <side note, this I already knew from Blake, who referred to him as "a crook" - coming from another lawyer, hard to tell if that's praise or judgement> He was aware of your adoptive parents' desire for a child and their inability to conceive children of their own. A few weeks prior to your birth, the attorney notified your adoptive parents of your birth mother's plan of adoption for you. Your birth mother 'was not able to provide a suitable home' for you. Shortly after your birth, the attorney took you to meet your adoptive parents and you were lovingly welcomed into their home. < I love how they editorialize and use "lovingly welcomed"... > Your adoptive parents paid the hospital bills and possibly for some of your birth mother's expenses. "
I was right. I was paid for.
Seems the Department of Public Welfare attempted to interview her, however she wasn't at the address listed in the case record. She signed me over to Sam & Faye on February 18, 1961, with the adoption finalized on August 3rd 1962.
There has been no contact with Georgia Adoption Registry from any member of my birth family since then.

Well, where do I go now? I'm wondering about paying the $300 to try and find her.
I wonder what I'll get with the $300?
What if they find her and she says "no" ? That's always a possibility.
Wow. This even overshadows your birth, Andrea. Sorry about that, I'm still thrilled beyond mortal comprehension that you're here and safe and healthy, but right now I've got this thrown on my plate, all about my birth and my adoption, and the potential for finding my birth mother.
And it's going to be an interesting next couple of months, lemme tell you.
Enough for now, I posted what I needed to, i.e. the verification of my theories surrounding my adoption.
I was right. Hell yeah, that does feel good.

And even more baby pics - this time with family

Your Uncle John

Grandma Lisa

This is Grandpa Joe -

This is your mom, shortly after you arrived

This is your Dad, Andrea - don't know him yet, so have nothing to add. Ask Grandma Lisa.

Presenting Ms. Andrea Jordan, Diva-In-Training

Presenting Ms. Andrea Jordan Hutchens.

Born January 24th, 2008, weighing 8 lbs, 3 oz and measuring 20 inches in length.

Ain't she something else? See that little finger? It's already got me wrapped around it.

January 26th

It's Saturday, and I'm at work.
On the bright side, it's a typical Saturday, meaning no fires to put out - I'm just sitting here updating the Windows software on my workstation, updating various spyware programs and in general just sitting here waiting for my relief to get in.
It's also only 20 days until my birthday - I'll be 47 this year. I know that sounds like an eternity to you, but believe me, it really does go a lot faster than you think. Especially when you get older.

I'm on the phone now with Grandpa Don, and he's just told me that your first pictures have arrived.
According to Grandma Lisa, they took tons and tons and they're just waiting to get to a computer to upload them from the camera.
Grandpa Don said that he sent copies to me, but they haven't shown up in my inbox yet. I can wait, I've waited 7 months for you to arrive, I'm going to have to wait for a few more months before I can actually meet you and hold you, so a few more hours or days for pictures won't matter much... (who am I kidding, I want those pictures **NOW**)

You can probably tell by now that patience is not one of my stronger attributes.

January 24th 20:00 Update - WELCOME ANDREA!

You did it! You're here! You arrived at 5:53 pm today, you weighed 8 lbs 3oz, and you measured 20 inches long.
Grandpa Don called me with the news shortly after 7:30 pm today.
Now I just have to find out where you were born so I can run your Natal Chart. I already know you're an Aquarian (believe me, Grandpa Don's going to have a field day with that one...or more accurately, you'll have a field day with that at Grandpa Don's expense...I'll help you make sure of that, believe me)
So you're now here...this means I need to get off my ass and start figuring out what to send up for you - Diapers are high on the list I know, but I'm also going to be sending up more bears and clothes - I just hope you don't grow out of them too quickly.
I think that means I have to buy bigger and hope you grow into 'em long enough to at least enjoy them before you grow out of 'em. I'm going to check with a couple of people who've had babies and see what the best option is. Always best to reference these things with people who have experience.

January 24th 16:00 Update

I got a call on the way into work from your Grandma Lisa, who said that you were on your way - your mom has dilated to 5cm, and they've given her the epidural and something to strengthen the contractions, so you'll be here any time now.
YAY!! Welcome to the world, Andrea!
I'm stuck at work and number 3 or 4 on the phone lists, but I don't care ... you couldn't wipe this smile off my face with steel wool. You're finally on your way! HOORAY!!
More in a bit.

January 24 - no word 13:00

It's Thursday January 24th, and I haven't heard anything yet.
I'll call Grandpa Don for an update shortly, but I'm not expecting to hear anything new - of course, I could be wrong and you've arrived, but we'll have to see about that.
More in a little while

January 23rd part 2

At last report (via Grandpa Don) your mom was still in active labor but still at home, not at the hospital delivering you. You are one stubborn little girl!
Currently, that's all the information I have, aside from a re-estimation of when the Dr is willing to induce, that originally coming from your mother as Monday/Tuesday but when Grandpa Don told me, it had been reduced to Friday.
Personally, I think you'll arrive just fine by yourself.
You're just being a Diva, and building up the anticipation factor before you make your appearance.

January 23rd - Active labor

Well, your mom's in active labor now and has been since 3 pm yesterday. Two hospital visits, and sent home both times because she's not dilated enough, although contractions are 5 minutes apart.
You really are a stubborn one, aren't you?
At least I was partially right, labor started on the 22nd.
Whether you make an appearance now or in a day or two remains to be seen, however.
More later.

January 22nd - still no word

Still nothing. Young lady, you make a Missouri mule look like a straw in the wind.
I know it's cold outside, but you can't hold out forever - and it's a little late to make your mother move to a warmer climate so you're not inconvenienced. If you don't decide to do this on your own, they're gonna come get you...and you won't be pleased.
I think you've still got a couple of days before that happens, but just take the easy way out... you just have to wait until the most inconvenient moment possible (the middle of the night is the usual choice) and then decide to make your appearance.
That's it. Easy as all get out (at least from your perspective) - your mom's going to have a completely different perspective on the process however - but the result is you finally making your appearance and making a bunch of people very very happy.

SO HURRY UP!!

Jan 22nd - Waiting on you

Okay kid, enough's enough and you need to make your appearance.
Your mom's waiting on you, I'm waiting on you, your Grandpa Don's waiting on you, your Grandma Lisa, and Great Grandma Susan are all waiting on you.
So come on already.
Besides, you don't want to make a liar out of me, do you? I'm the one who said today originally - your mom insisted on the 18th, Grandpa Don said the 13th.
C'mon... there's a lotta fun waiting for you, but you gotta show up for it. So c'mon and get born!

January 21st - MLK Day

Well, it's a little past 7:30 pm, and I'm at work.
It's also a Federal Holiday, Martin Luther King Day, celebrating the birthday of Dr. King.
This means I get paid at the holiday rate for working today (yaaaaaaaaay), and because it's at the beginning of my 10 day stretch, I'll get OT for Saturday too. (double yaaaaaaaaaay).
I have the diabetes class pre-screen tomorrow at 9:30 am at Dekalb Med, and the Diabetes class next week on Monday and Tuesday.
I'm really hoping you're here by then, or else your mom's gonna be bald. She's really over anxious about getting you to decide to be born, young lady. Personally, I think it's a genetic thing. You're all stubborn - your mom, your Grandpa Don, your Grandma Lisa... so I honestly don't know why she expected anything different with you.
I keep telling her I'm seeing your arrival on the 22nd. Don't make a liar out of me, okay?
Hurry up and arrive healthy... I'm waiting to see you!

Jan 20 continued

False alarm, wasn't "the call".
Still watching "F word". I can't wait to hear you're here.
Last word from your mom via her MySpace page was that you were being stubborn, and she was ready for you to be born. I'm thinking you're going to be born on the full moon or the 22nd, whichever comes first.
I lean towards the 22nd myself.
Still doing Chantix, I project my quit date as tomorrow. We'll have to see.
Aside from laundry, I have nothing going on today, so til next time, bye.

Sunday Jan 20

So, I'm sitting here on pins and needles, waiting to hear you've finally decided to make an appearance, Andrea.
I'm going to try and write something every day now, so you learn what's happened every day of your life from my perspective.
Probably nothing you'll ever use, but an entry nonetheless.
I'm watching one of my favorite shows, Gordon Ramsey's "The F Word" ...
I think the phone rang, I'm going to check it.

Snowed In - Atlanta style so to speak

Today, the Atlanta area got hit with what passes here for a blizzard. 3-5 inches of snow.
Thankfully, the temperature hovered around 34 so it didn't stick on the roads.
However, the overnight temperature is expected to be in the lower 20's, meaning that it's gonna freeze over - should be beautiful in the morning, all frozen and crystalline. Because it's gonna freeze, I see no need to be out in it, so I'm "snowed in" Atlanta style.

Additionally, I'm fully expecting to hear any time now that you're here, Andrea.
I'm just worndering how much labor you put your mom through, and whether or not you come C-Section due to your mother's heart condition. Either way, you're an Aquarius, so that's all that really matters.
As soon as i get the birth time and location from either your mom, dad, or Grandma Lisa, I'm going to run what's known as a natal chart on you. I'm looking forward to seeing what your chart says.

I'll add more later...

Winter Storm Jan 16 2008

It's January 16th, I'm at work, and we're under a Winter Storm Warning.
What, precisely, does this mean? Here's a direct quote from the National Weather Service:
A BAND OF MODERATE SNOW AND SLEET IS FORECAST TO MOVE NORTH OVER THE INTERSTATE 85 CORRIDOR FROM NORTHEAST GEORGIA ACROSS THE UPSTATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA BY MIDNIGHT. THIS BAND OF SNOW AND SLEET IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE A QUICK 2 TO 4 INCHES OF SNOW. A RAPID TRANSITION TO SLEET AND FREEZING RAIN WILL THEN FOLLOW DURING THE EARLY MORNING HOURS THURSDAY. ICE MAY ACCUMULATE TO AROUND A TENTH OF AN INCH UNTIL TEMPERATURES RISE ABOVE FREEZING AROUND NOON. A COLD RAIN AND PERIODS OF SLEET WILL PERSIST INTO EARLY AFTERNOON.
THE TIMING OF THE WINTRY PRECIPITATION WILL LIKELY LEAD TO SIGNIFICANT TRAVEL PROBLEMS ACROSS THE WARNED AREA THURSDAY MORNING. WET SNOW AND ICE ACCUMULATIONS AROUND A TENTH OF AN INCH MAY RESULT IN SOME TREES AND POWER LINES TO FALL...BLOCKING ROADS AND LEADING TO SCATTERED POWER OUTAGES.
A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW... SLEET... AND ICE ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

What does this mean to me? One, that everyone in the building who can possibly get the hell out of Dodge has left and will be leaving ASAP. Two, that if there's any sort of accumulation or driving hazard, I can expect to be here all night because the Graveyard shift will call in, and because my department is 24x7, I'll have to stay. Three, this serves to emphasize my point that I absolutely, positively, beyond any shadow of a doubt, **HATE** snow.
The only potential bright side to this is that work compensates for what are called Snow Days by paying time and a half to those unfortunate enough to get stuck here. Yay.
The downside to this situation is the insanity that infects Atlanta drivers at the mere mention of the "S" word as I call it, by any news media. Doesn't matter whether or not there's accumulation, if the news media uses the word in a sentence, such as "there is a threat of snow to the Atlanta metropolitan area", you can guarantee 2 things. A traffic nightmare that makes the normal rush hour look like a holiday, and a run at the grocery store on bread and milk.
Yeah, we're idiots. However in our defense, we so rarely get snow that things like traffic nightmares and grocery runs on bread and milk are to be expected.
I'll write more as this develops.
It's currently 17:45 -

By the way, I've also checked the Doppler Radar for the Midwest, and it's really coming down out there too - which of course means that you're going to probably be born today or tonight in the middle of it, Andrea. Never fails, babies always pick the most inconvenient moment to make their appearance. I love you, little darling!