Meet Eloise

I haven't blogged in almost a week. Here's why: Wendy and I had our first baby on Sunday, February 10 at 12:20. After only 35 weeks and 2 days in the womb, Eloise Alice weighed 6 pounds, 1 ounce and measured 18 inches.

Everything happened really fast. Wendy woke up around 2:30, informing me that she couldn't sleep and was going to read. Fifteen minutes later, she felt a pop in her stomach. We paged one of the doctors at he OB's practice, who said it was probably nothing but to come in anyway.


When we arrived it was about 4:10. Wendy was already at 3 cm. Not more than 8 hours later, Eloise was out. I shot this pic right after the little one was measured, bathed, and tagged--maybe 30 minutes after the event itself. Wendy looked pretty good and so did Eloise. Some newborns look like pruny old men.


Here's the Lojack that our hospital puts on every baby. Wendy and I got tags that matched her ID ankle bracelet. I hope she doesn't become a henna-fied hippy after wearing it for so long.


Our room was nice but claustrophobic. Sometimes we went for walks around the floor. Wendy was pretty mobile for someone who just got worked.


We had some visitors! Although Eric could probably run for office some day, he is not a baby-holding guy. Nonetheless, he made the effort for Eloise and I think she appreciated it.


Here she is with my brother-in-law/GR softball slugger Carlos, his daughter Lucia, my brother/GR contributor Greg, and his daughter Saoirse. (Look for Greg and Saoirse in GR52's article about shave ice...)


Wendy's mom and dad were pretty stoked about their first grandkid, even if she was a girl.


Wendy's family friend/current GR softball co-skipper Chi made the trip, too. He's going to be her bodyguard/our enforcer.


GR editorial/production assistant Brian brought lemon meringue pie from MC (pie month!). Ken helped me shampoo the carpet/move furniture the day before Eloise was born. Perfect timing for both.

GR contributor/Zurik Robot artist/long-suffering L.A. Kings hockey fan Martin Cendreda.


A rat and a monkey. Who looks more tired?