Finally

I don't know what I can say about Coleton John Swegle being born, that Tony and Marie haven't already shared with their friends and family.  Maybe they haven't specified that he is the first of the next generation of Swegles, so the name will live on....or, maybe they haven't told you about how Marie fought through hours of pain, no--days of pain, but held firm that this child would be born naturally.   But, I wanted to tell you about the other people waiting for Coleton to be born.  It was truly an adventure. 

Marie was being induced,  so Tony and I and Marie's mother, Mona, planned to be in Charlotte on Friday (July 27) for the birth of "our" baby.  We all arrived on Friday around 11:00 a.m. and went straight to the hospital--a beautiful facility filled with wonderful staff. 

We sat with Marie and Tony in the birthing room while the "hurry up" drugs dripped into her system.   We could tell that she was experiencing more pain as the hours dragged by and finally went to the waiting room so she could rest and concentrate on having the baby. 

Tony and I were up by 6:00 a.m. on Friday so as the hours wore on, we were getting more and more tired.  I found myself thinking of songs and snippets of lyrics while we were waiting.  I couldn't figure out if I was really, really tired, or if I was just marvelling at the amount of time it took for our baby to come out. 

I have put my "songs" to the pictures and hope you enjoy our story:

"As Time Goes By"  we watched this sign for hours.

"Cats in the Cradle"  A child was born just the other day; he came to the world in the usual way, but there were planes to catch and bills to pay--he learned to walk while I was away....

"Call Me..Don't Be Afraid to Just Call Me..."   Tony teaching Mona how to use her phone.

And also, as we waited.....

"Baby, Baby, Don't Get Hooked On Me...." (Mac Davis)  Is this what was taking so long?

"Dream Baby"  Born Saturday, July 28, at 12:51 a.m.; 7 pounds, 13 ounces, 21 inches long.

"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"   I knew the sun rose in his eyes.  

"Oh My Pa-Pa"...I knew he was so wonderful.  (Eddie Fischer)

"Show Me The Way To Go Home"....I'm tired and I want to go to bed (check out the time on the clock--THAT'S AM!!

"It's My Party And I'll Cry If I Want To..."   Getting his first picture!!

You might also enjoy:

Tony, Mona and Tony...um, Daddy!

"Dad, I have a son...."

"A woman draws her life from man and gives it back again--there is love."

Who needs London when they have Coleton?

Wear the name proudly, son of my son.

Almost Time

As you are all probably aware, Marie is being admitted on Thursday evening, so we are heading to Charlotte on Friday.  We are both so excited to finally see "our" baby....oh, sorry, Tyson, "our" other baby!  It's seems like a long time ago that we got our announcement in the form of a lime at Christmas time (the baby was as big as a lime, so that's how they told us!)  But it's almost time for the Swegle family to grow again.  I am still thinking pink but hey, whatever we get will be a blessing and a joy. 

Things are also progressing on the job front.  Tony and I went to Strickland's Windows yesterday and participated in a video and still shots.  We were the customers!  I was supposed to talk to Fred (the President of Strickland's) after the shoot, but it became apparent that things were running behind schedule and we would have to reschedule.  I did meet some of the staff and really hope I get to work with them.    I am sitting here staring at my phone, waiting for Fred to call today and "take things to the next level," which I am hoping is a job offer.  It's not definite, but it is still a candle in the wind.

So, we are in for many changes in the next week (I hope) and I can't wait to get started on this chapter of our lives.

I know that Tony and Marie will be great parents--just look at how well they have raised Tyson!  Stay tuned to the blog for pictures of "our" baby...oh wow, I can't wait.

The Countdown

Well, we are officially in "Baby Month!!!"   Marie's due date is July 10, but babies have a mind of their own when it comes to wanting to be born, so it could be any day.  We are excited and have started to pack for when we get "the call" and head over to Charlotte. 

I'm glad the baby is due in early July because it's been really hot here.  It was 103 yesterday and 93 when Tony was coming back from chuch (around 10:30 a.m.)  I can't imagine how Jenna did a late August and two October pregnancies. 

I will be so glad to finally know the sex of the baby so I can go shopping again.  And the name...well, I can't wait to find out about that, but Marie did tell me that I can be 100% sure if it's a girl it won't be Maude Marie--go figure.  (Yes, Jenna and Jon, I was "name" obnoxious to Tony and Marie too!!)

We are also counting down the days until we see Jenna, Jon and the kids in September. Oh boy, toy shopping!!

Hey, maybe we should have a date, time and weight contest....like we did for Cornhole.  The closest to the actual event gets to take the baby home for a week and then passes it to the next closest. (OK, insert "obnoxious" groan here!!)

Anyway, we are thrilled to see the family grow again!

Will Tyson figure out he's being replaced as "the baby?"

 HOT...HOT, HOT, HOT......HOT!!!!

Grandpa packing for our Baby Event.