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.

Still more baby pics

Welcome to the world, Andrea Jordan Hutchens.

I've been waiting for someone like you for quite a while - I'm your Great Uncle Merlin - and I'm also your Faery Grandparent - but you can call me Unca Merlin... or Grandpa Merlin.

I have great things in store for you, little one. Think of me as your "Auntie Mame", but male.

And just wait until you're a little older - your Great Uncle Merlin is gonna show you the Happiest Place on Earth - it's called Disney World. (Yes, Jess, you're coming too...although your father probably won't...he's such a wet blanket when it comes to theme parks.)

Time for me to head into work, more in a bit.

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 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 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 7th thoughts

Officially, (i.e. the Dr's due date) Andrea, you're due on the 18th.
I don't think you're going to make an appearance until around the 21st or 22nd, however we'll see. Grandpa Don says the 13th, and your mom wants you anytime now (I'm theorizing on that point, however I'm basing it on experience with women in the late stage of their pregnancy - so I'm pretty sure I'm right)
You're coming into a really strange family structure, kid.
Lets get that established right off the bat.
However, if you think of me as your faery grandparent, it begins to make sense.

Since I'll never have a grandchild of my own, you're the nearest thing.
I'm gonna spoil you so rotten they'll call DFACS on me.
And you provide me an excuse to be able to do Disney World, and Epcot, and all the amusement parks I never get to go to because noone ever wants to go.
You'll be going, trust me on this.

Second childhood, here I come.

Christmas 2007

Okay, it's time you were introduced to one of my favorite soapbox topics, Christmas.
I was raised Jewish, however since I consider myself neo-pagan, and I've never been Christian, I have a respect for Christmas as a holiday, but don't really go out of my way to celebrate it - there are exceptions such as this year, when I worked the day before and the day after, and everyone just happened to be staying in town, so I grabbed the opportunity to cook Christmas dinner.
Anyway, this isn't about that - this is about what happened at work today - I brought in presents for a couple of people - I created some gift bags with various "spa" products, and got a lap blanket for another person, my supervisor got a gift card.
I passed out cards to other people, and gave them a little beanie bear Santa -
I gave the presents, and each one of them said "oh now I have to get you something" - which drives me nuts.
I didn't give you something so that you would go out and buy me something - I gave you a gift because I wanted to. I gave you something because I think you need a smile. I gave you something because I love you. I gave you something for whatever reason it happened to be, but I didn't give you something so you'd give me something back other than a hug or a sincere thank you.
(Except in your case, when I expect a thank you letter or email or phone call)
Remember this when you're dealing with me, Andrea. I'll spoil you rotten, but don't ever expect it from me. I'm not a vending machine, after all.
But wait until you're walking. That's when the fun really begins - you see, your Mom made me promise that I wouldn't send up bears bigger than you until you could walk.
That's how you got a bear collection. The old one is named Pinky, btw. - I don't know what you'll end up calling him.
He was my special friend when I was growing up, and I hope he's yours too - he's from the Sears Roebuck on Ponce De Leon catalog center, circa 1962 - nowadays, that's City Hall here in Atlanta.
He travelled by my side until the 5th grade, when I "outgrew" him.
Well, I never lost him and now he's living with you. I hope you enjoy him as much as I did.
Anyway, I'm rambling now because it's late and I'm tired.
I love you, little darling.

This is Pinky - he's a little worn, but still filled with love.
I hope you love him as much as I did.

Miscellaneous chatter

Andrea, you're getting ready to make your appearance in a couple of weeks - your mom says January 18th, but I have a feeling you're holding out for a couple days later, around January 20th, 21st - we'll see.
Don't freak out too badly, you're in Missouri, and it's cold and snowing.
Welcome to the world.
Just so you know, the big fuzzy thing is called a teddy bear.
He's a present from me to you - I'll be seeing you in the spring/early summer, when life becomes somewhat regular there and the snow's melted.
I know you won't remember our first meeting, however I will.
Don't worry, there will be plenty of time for you to get to know me.
I'm looking forward to having a little girl to spoil rotten. I checked the Grandparent handbook, and I get to supply you with the fun stuff, like dolls and tea sets. Or trucks if that's your toy of choice.
I don't care, I just get to spoil you. And then send you back to your parents.
(note to Jessica: I still won't be doing diaper duty.)
(Further note to Jessica: This is why I kept telling you to read my blog - years from now you could be prepared for this.)
So, Andrea, if you're not a Diva, you could have been one. .
Regardless, I know you're a Lady.