A trip to Tilden

Katie, Taras and Lucy visit

meet Zoe, give us even MORE cool stuff, and try out the climbing wall

Thanks guys!

more baby pics

Death valley

an article on Death Valley in todays sfgate.

climbing wall complete

Finally! I had wanted to put a dead vertical section on the right hand side of the wall (just to cap the structure), but chloe convinced me to try out an idea I had drawn up for a full extra 4 foot section which makes a 30-45 degree angle with the 50 degree overhang. The advantage of this vs. and end cap is more climbing area and a very cool overhanging blunt arete. The disadvantage is that it requires a lot of careful measurements and cutting (for me, at least), so I drew up plans on google sketchup to avoid calculating angles and where to cut the plywood. After getting my next door neighbor tom to put a 30 degree bevel on two 2x6s, measuring everything three times and finally cutting the plywood it came time to get the damn sheet up into the overhang. Tom was sick and unable to assist or lend me his clamps, so I attached it with a rope and Christa and Stephanie's help. The end result was well worth the effort, so now it's route setting time!






The framework is actually kind of cool to play around with behind the wall -- I guess we could use it for storage or something.



a Sketchup file of the wall (without a lot of the framing) can be downloaded here

halloween

The realization that it was Halloween barely registered in our sleep deprived zombie brains today. I'm sure the parents out there can understand how low on the list of priorities finding a costume for a six day old baby who sleeps during the day and parties all night is. Nevertheless, it seemed a shame to let the opportunity go to waste, so without further ado, I give you ... FUTURE ZOE

Christa and Stephanie coming to help!

And to continue the much appreciated work of bringing us food (oh and to play with snd coo over the baby of course). I actually hadn't anticipated how helpful it is to have people (friends, family) bring meals by .. it really helps a lot, especially with chloe out of commission and requiring upped caloric intake. I'm definitely going to do that for any friends who have babies in the future.

Doctors appointment

Zoe is gaining weight after losing a bit in the first few days (normal) and she is back up to 8 lbs, 8 oz. Here's some pictures of the little butter ball from today

Zoe's first earthquake

and she maintained admirable sangfroid

ergh

first night alone with the baby, and the little thing is still apparently on a nocturnal schedule.

Just got back home

We got kicked out of the hospital this afternoon, laden with diapers, ointments and a lot of frequently contradictory advice. We got home to discover that the grandparents had put up balloons and welcome posters at out place, and our neighbor had even built us a table and left me a couple of beers! I've been running around trying to find places for all of the little baby-related things.

Also, I'm not sure if this is normal, but I'm feeling a tad sleepy now.

some photos

OK, I promise this won't become the Zoeblog, but here are a few more pictures:

More zoe

Zoe

ZZN!

zoe, 8 lbs, 12 oz (yes, you read that right) was born at 16:06 by C section. The mother and daughter are both doing great. Thanks for everyones support!

c section scheduled

thanks everyone! Chloe is doing a lot better now and pushing like a champ!

the epidural

after 57 hours of labor, Chloe was just in too much pain to continue without an epidural. They put it in a little while ago and Chloe is sleeping now. Wish us luck!