Newborn Photos

Maggie is 5 weeks old today! She likes to hear Mommy sing, listen to cool music with Dad, stare at the bannister on our stairs, and hold up her head. She's generally a very happy and good baby, we are very blessed.
Here are some pictures the ladies at Your Still Life Photography took when she was 18 days old.

Separated at birth?

No, literally...

Maggie's first gameday

Maggie got all decked out with Dad and sister for the Hokie's Thursday night game against Maryland. She's a good luck charm as the Hokies won 23-13 and Darren Evans ran for a school record 253 yards and a TD. The Hokies are now 1-0 during Maggie's 10 days of life.

Nana and Grandaddy Visit

On Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning, Nana and Grandaddy came to visit from the RIC. Aunt Dawn (who had visited in the hospital) came Monday afternoon as well.









Nana meets Maggie










Maggie and Aunt Dawn









Grandma, Maggie, and Nana









Nan, Daddy, Maggie, Grandaddy, Mommy

Welcome Maggie

Margaret Ione McDowell was born 3:57 pm on Wednesday, October 29. She weighed 7 lbs 7 inches and was 2o inches long. Mom and Maggie are doing well and Dad is very proud of both of them.

Baby's First Playlist

I've been meaning to do this for months, following Justin's lead. As with our entire respective pregnancies, Justin has been a much more prepared Dad than I, so his playlist came out 4 months ahead of time, and mine comes 12 days. His suggestions were, to summarize: 3 songs, classic band, suitable subject matter, good rhythm.

Badfinger: No Matter What
Great, underrated band that sums up all that Dad loves about pop-rock: three chords, great melody, catchy rhythm. And something I want her to know: "No matter what you are, I will always be with you" Also considered Baby Blue by the same band

Van Morrison: Jackie Wilson Said
I had to check Wikipedia, but evidently "Reet Petite" is a suitable lyric for children. "I'm in Heaven when you smile."

Talking Heads: Stay up Late Well, it's about a baby boy, but it's a hilarious song with a great beat. If any of you try this with my daughter, there will be heck to pay. "Cute, cute. Little Baby. Little feet-feet. Little Toes."

First Brush with Greatness

Baby McDowell (and Baby Holmes) meets Coach Greenberg

More on the tailgate

Nursery before and after

Before....









After painting.....









Almost ready....

Mommie at 35 weeks

Washington Baby Shower

Debbie's mom and her friend Maria threw a Baby Shower while we were visiting in Washington. I wasn't there, but I bet everyone had a good time. Here are a few pictures, including the first online photos of the belly.

First Childbirth Class

Well, no new posts for awhile, but there has been some activity on the baby front. We bought some furniture for the nursery on craigslist a few weeks ago, I'll post pictures after we get the nursery painted and the furniture moved in. Tonight we started our childbirth classes at Rex Hospital (week one of five). Nothing we hadn't read already in our books, but it was good to hear it from the teacher. Next week we get a tour.

Sonogram 18 weeks

It's a girl!

Heartbeat

We heard the heartbeat on Friday. It sounded to me a bit like the monster on Lost, but the doctor said it was entirely normal.
As a Dad, it doesn't seem very real so far. One of my friends at work, a man in his 50's with 2 grown kids talked to me this week about how special parenthood is. He said "You love your nieces and nephews, don't you? This won't even compare." I didn't get to meet Anna right away, and Debbie's nephews weren't mine when they were born, but I did get to hold Charlie when he came home from the hospital 14 years ago. I knew that moment exactly who he was, and loved him right away. I guess that memory puts what Carlton said in perspective and helps me look forward to October.

9th week Sonogram

Here is the first sonogram, from about 3 weeks ago (week 9). Baby is about 2 cm long and we could see "cardiac activity" (i.e. the still developing heart beating). Our next doctor's appointment is May 9.