New Addition!!!

The Huff Family would like to welcome our new addition...Isaac Martin Huff! This adorable bundle of fun was born early Thursday morning 7/22/2010. The previous 36 hours were spent going to and from the hospital deciding whether or not I was really in labor. After discovering kinds of pain I never knew existed, being amazed by the epidural, and then having the epidural go away, Isaac made his entrance. He was very vocal and loud, like his mom, but most people think he looks like his dad. The past week has been spent feeding, wiping, and diaper changing. We have been getting some sleep, but not a lot. Luckily, we are a nap friendly family. Isaac is a great snuggler and a hearty eater. We are amazed everyday by him and his little movements and noises. To quote Matt..."I can't believe we made him!"

The Last Suppers

Summer is officially here; long days, the heat, and of course outdoor cooking! Although most of my stomach is taken up by baby, I still have a great love for cooking and EATING! In the past 9 months I have not really been cooking due to the side effects of pregnancy; nausea and fatigue. But, now that I am not working and have a patio for cooking and eating on hot nights I have rediscovered how much fun cooking yummy meals can be.

Another factor to this rediscovery is the eminent arrival of baby. Once he is here, I do not envision planning out menus for the week...unless they consist of microwaving or reheating casseroles (which Matt hates). So, I am trying to get in a few last minute last suppers for Matt and I to enjoy together.

Here is a sampling of some of our last suppers- all on the grill: carne asada tacos, bulgogi with cucumber salad, grilled chicken sandwiches, BBQ chicken, and

fish tacos with mango salsa. Last night's meal was one of my favorites, grilled lamb with mashed potatoes (Matt's favorite side). I feel lucky to have had this time to enjoy cooking and eating outside with Matt. Soon, we will be sharing out meals with a little one...but I don't think he will be eating BBQ any time soon.

Gettin' ready...

My belly is huge, my back hurts, sleeping is becoming difficult, and this is still the easy part!?! Matt and I are less than 10 days away from the due date of our first child. We are happy, excited, nervous, and anxious about his approaching arrival. We have the nursery almost complete; crib, changing table, blankets, diapers, wipes, etc. We have the bags packed for the hospital, although we have repacked them several times already. A contacts list has been made for sending out news and pictures of the little guy. We have bottles, formula, breast pump, and all kinds of feeding accessories ready for use. And we have the Pack N Play with bassinet ready for the first few weeks. All of these things make us feel prepared for bringing a newborn into our home. However, the getting ready does not stop there. Now that we have all the stuff we have to read up on how to use it, what it does, and what we are supposed to do with our new baby once he is home. We have been reading books on eating, sleeping, pooping, and common baby ailments. These books, written by parents and doctors, help us feel even more prepared for baby Huff's arrival. In spite of all of this preparation we still feel a sense of unknown and at times I am filled with anxiety. I have come to the conclusion this is what being a parent is all about. I can "prepare" all I want, but there is no way to be 100% ready for the wonderful change that is about the happen to our family. All we can do from now on is be 100% ready to face the change, and together we will handle all the joys, challenges, excitement, and struggles that this big change brings.

So, I am sure we will repack the bags again, read more books, and do more online research, but I feel better knowing that even though I am still scared and anxious, I have a partner here to help and support our family, and we are "ready" to meet our baby boy.