Waiting for and meeting Mason Joseph Radtke

Wow! What a wild couple of days. Sunday we were going to have a cookout at Kristen and Toby's. I had planned on taking what would probably be my last picture of Janelle pregnant since she was due on Monday. Mark called about 3 o'clock that afternoon to say that he wasn't sure if they were coming because Janelle was somewhat uncomfortable. She had been having contractions since about 11 o'clock in the morning. They decided they would give it a try though since they were both hungry. Poor Janelle, even though she was having contractions, she still posed for a picture for me.

After dinner we sat in the living room timing contractions all afternoon and evening.

By about 9 o'clock she was really becoming uncomfortable. The contractions had been about 5 minutes apart since they started but now they were much stronger. She called her nurse midwife who told her to come to the hospital and they would check her out. Kristen and I were so excited and knew we could never just go to bed that night, so we asked if we could come with them to the hospital. I think they were happy to oblige us. It was a long night, but at 9:08 the next morning it was all worth it. We actually heard him crying (quite loudly I might add) outside their room before we knew he was there. Labor, delivery, and recovery are all in one room now. After a little while we (Kristen, me, Stacia and Amy (Janelle's mother and sister arrived at the hospital about 5:00 a.m.) were allowed in the room. What an unbelievable experience, words don't do it justice. I loved him before I even saw him.

158/365 - Waiting

Waiting.

(This is posted by Paul on Tuesday - Debbie is sleeping - she missed a whole night's sleep.)

131/365 - Kris' knitted clothes for Baby Radtke

These are the sweaters and little fruit hats (blueberry and pumpkin) that Kristen knit for Janelle's baby shower. Aren't they cute?

130/365 - Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!

I asked Paul to take a picture of the "mothers" today. So...we were standing there waiting for him to adjust the camera (which I thought was taking him a long time), and then to tell us when he was ready. You know, one, two, three....Smile. Well, that never happened. All of a sudden he said he was done. This picture was about the best of the bunch. All we got was all three of us looking like we were hanging around waiting. Next time I'll use the timer :)

116/365 - Janelle's Baby Shower

Today was Janelle and Mark's baby shower. This picture is of Mark holding up a sweater that Kristen knit. Isn't it adorable? She actually made them two sweaters and two hats (not to mention the many started but not finished for one reason or another). It was a fun day. More pictures on Debbie's Blog.

Janelle's Baby Shower

Today was Janelle's (and Mark's) baby shower at the Crowne Plaza in Worcester, MA. It was such a fun time. Janelle knew she was having a baby shower that day but she didn't know where, and I don't think she thought there would be so many of her and Mark's friends there. There were 60 people in all, most of them their friends. Poor Mark; I'm sure he didn't know just how "involved" he would be in the shower. We thought it would be a good idea if he stayed and helped Janelle open the "mountain" of gifts. He was a little hesitant at first, but was a good sport about it and eventually really got into it. I think they got just about everything they will need for quite awhile. The food was basically the Crowne's Sunday Brunch and it was wonderful. All in all a memorable day!

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday! The weather was sunny but cool. The day started with Kris, Toby and Marley coming over before church for Marley's Easter basket and pictures. After church, they went to Uncle Eddie's for dinner with Toby's family (so sad, the first Easter without Auntie Sue). Present for dinner at my house - Fred, Dot, Mark and Janelle, Stacia and Amy. Kristen, Toby, and Marley came for dessert. I took pictures of Mark and Janelle for the baby shower, and we gave them the carriage that Kris and I bought for the shower. (It was easier to give it to them now than have to bring it to Worcester for the shower). These are some pictures from the day.