at first I thought I should write something witty or magical... but any words that I might choose would surely come up short. thankfully this photo speaks volumes.

travis mack keller was welcomed into the world at roughly 6:00pm PST wednesday the 8th of june 2005. he weighs in at a respectable 8 pounds, 6 ounces and happily squeaks for his lucky parents.

love to the keller three, travis most of all on this special day,

- uncle Mike -

(also posting in the bob section of james' blog for good measure)

yesterday i was blessed with the opportunity to meet two lovely, smart, bespectacled women (sarah and larissa) and their ever-so-cute gaggle (truman, everett, and baz)!

let me start by saying that i hate meeting new people. with people i know, i am a relatively self-assured, confident, outspoken individual. with new folks, i turn into babbling mush who cannot remember someone's name within mere seconds of meeting them. (it's a miracle i ever make new friends)

luckily - meeting web friends is somewhat different. i have been following the stories of these women for awhile now, and they, mine.... so meeting them was a bit different. it wasn't quite like meeting an old friend, but i was meeting two people who make up part of a very real community in my life... and they could not have been more welcoming.

it was so exciting to see truman bleat like a little lamb, and to see baz in the cutest little hat i've ever seen. i had the rare pleasure of sharing my potato chips with everett - who had the loveliest head of blond curls that i have ever seen. i saw two mothers nurse as if it was the most natural thing in the world. i was able to ask a few baby-novice questions without embarrassment, and both women were incredibly open about sharing their experiences with me.

and of course, being surrounded by yarn set the perfect scene for the afternoon. both babies had hand-knit treasures in their carseats. and everett seemed to have a fetish for bringing his mama bright white yarn, and was really excited that he may get to see someone wind a skein using the swift. they also, kindly encouraged me to start my dream knitting project (for which i cast on yesterday), and they both knitted and juggled small children with such grace that i was in awe.

it was a great afternoon, and i cannot thank each of them enough. i don't know that it will cause me to spontaneously go into labor as originally hoped, but it gave me a warm and fuzzy glimpse into the month or so that will follow.

once upon a time i made this wish.....

and this afternoon, it will come true! maybe baz and truman can coax little travis to come out and play!

all of this birth stuff is total voodoo magic. i am eating spicy foods. i walked on the treadmill yesterday. i am taking my primrose oil. and these are just a few examples of the lengths i am going to to get the birthing ball rolling.

sure, i've had some contractions today. but it seems that they are really nothing to get excited about. in fact - i am really curious at this point what it will take to alert me that i am REALLY in labor? I think I will believe i am in false labor until the kid crowns.

perhaps when the heat subsides over the weekend, i will be less impatient.

several wonderful people in my life have contacted me to share their labor-inducing anecdotes and other well wishes.... and i truly do appreciate it! you all alternately make me laugh and give me hope. so thank you.

it's still looking like we will be heading up to mt. hood for the afternoon, and possibly even the evening - so if i don't post for 24 hours - please don't worry. i'm likely just staring at the trees and sipping cold water in the shade. perhaps waddling amongst the wildflowers.

early in the pregnancy i had picked today as THE DAY. 38 weeks. a birthday that has been shared by several of my dear friends. the book i am currently reading mentions a baby born on may 27th. i thought it was an omen, to be sure. i was hoping to come through for my friend who picked today in the baby-pool at work. sorry kelly!

but c'est la vie. it doesn't look like today is THE DAY. so instead, i will sit here in a pool of my own sweat.

today we are supposed to see 90 degrees. i don't love the heat, but usually i can cope. but being pregnant and hot really, truly does suck. i was hoping to avoid temperatures like this.

last night i awoke at 4, warm and sweaty and cramping. the cramps felt like menstrual cramps, and it took me a sleepy minute to realize that the super-down low crampy feelings were also in conjuction with full uterus contractions.... somehow the discomfort down low, combined with the heat, distracted from what was a total body experience.

if you had asked me at 5am, i would've told you that today was gonna be THE DAY.

these achy, hugely uncomfortable contractions lasted for a few hours before i managed to pass out on the couch for a little bit more sleep.

today the contractions are continuing - but not in any sort of rhythm, although they are much more disconcerting than any contractions i've had in the past. they do hurt. quite a bit. combine that with my complete and utter lack of 90-degree appropriate maternity clothes and a lack of sleep - and i'm a touch cranky.

tomorrow - assuming we have no major developments - jaimie and i will be heading to mount hood for a brief getaway and cooler temperatures. i can't wait.