Living in the moment

That's the only way to describe the last few days. What will get us through the next 10 minutes...the next half hour...the next hour? We are now starting to settle in at home. It's been a whirlwind to say the least. Wilder's birth was a beautiful, though extreme experience. Angie is stronger than I could have possibly imagined. Starting around 4:00PM christmas day with the Schmidt's and Fauld's over for the holiday, the labor would include a late night drive to the hospital in driving snow; hours of transition/back labor that drove Angie to the edge; and a stressed baby. In the end Wilder came naturally and we were grateful. The following days saw new challenges. Difficulty with Wilder getting enough food, which included a few more trips back to hospital. I think though we're turning a corner, to every one's relief. Well, it's time for the next feeding. Happy new year's to you and yours!


Here a few pics from the hospital.

sleepy Wilder

sleepy Wilder and Mom

kick is up...and it's good

who's tired?

1st bath


Going home!

It's a Boxing Day Miracle!

And introducing Wilder David Bourdaghs


Arriving at 6:42 AM, December 26th.

Details to follow!

ROCK HARD ABS!

Well there's not a lot of room left in there. Kicks have been reduced to pushes. Lower organs, no matter how important, are entirely in the way. The message from mission control is "Baby Dash, you're at 39 weeks and are clear for lift off. Do you copy?"

It must be winter because shower season is over

Last sunday we had friends over for the last of the baby showers. Thanks so much for all gifts! Angie, myself, and baby dash in particular really appreciate everything! Big kudos to organizers Anne Gelbman, Sally Peterson, Laura Millberg, Jan Schmidt, Mandi Lighthizer-Schmidt, and Amy Kay Kerber Sagor for putting all the showers together! At the onset of this whole process my worries included the acquisition of all the necessary baby gear. I quickly realized that there would be no problems. There are a lot of people out there that want to see baby dash succeed. We just happen to know and be related to a lot of them.

On a related note, Angie is at 34 weeks. Naps are more frequent, the walks aren't as vigorous, and dash's actions cause more short breaths and 'oohs'. Though she doesn't admit it, I think Angie is about ready to get her body back. She responds well to positive encouragement.



Work shower at Laura's



Schmidt shower in Willmar




The mighty scary hunter, scared by the fact he may
have to be at the shower



Friend shower



34 Weeks!

A Little Halloween Fun

At the last minute we decided to hand out candy. We went to Target but they were sold out! Menard's to the rescue, they have everything. It was a little slower than expected (only about 15 kids) but we got our pumpkin carve on so it was worth it.

Meanwhile, Angie's humming along at almost 8 months. Dash is a super action kicker now. I wake up every morning to some thumps.

Step Into My Crib

Baby Dash's room has made great progress of late. New paint, new light fixture (thank you Bryan Faulds! assisted by Dave Schmidt), and crib/changing table assembled. Next up is the mattress and bedding.



Crib view


Spare bed view


Betty likes it and Angie likes Betty



Baby room done? You bet!

6 months complete and all systems go!

I know, I know. It's been a long time since the last post. We have no excuse other than we've been busy-busy with stuff. Always stuff. What kind of stuff you might ask? Well we've been fortunate enough to spend a weekend golfing with the Schmidts in Austin, MN; see big bro Dan; I went to Kansas City, MO for a few days; Ang went to Grand Rapids for a few days; we spent a weekend at the cabin where we ran into cousin Lisa; planted some new cedars in the area that got wiped out from the tree fall; had a wonderfully appreciated work baby shower and saw LCD Soundsystem and the Arcade Fire at Roy Wilkins. All the while Angie started her new job, she's been working on her yoga and checking out the local doulas, we've been exploring the public transportation options around here, and the house, car, and our pets are constantly demanding attention. Welcome to adulthood huh?

So, anyway, everything baby wise is 'right down broadway'. All signs are average all the way. Over the cabin weekend I was able to feel a 'kick' for the first time. All I can say is freaking incredible! Baby Dash is definitely rocking out in there. Particularly during the concert. Dance-Baby-Dash-Dance! Angie just rounded the 2nd trimester and is heading for home (or is that the 3rd tri?). Anyway, the 3rd base coach is most certainly waving for home. So, take heart loyal readers. Everything is great and there's more to come.

I leave you with a pic of our current children, who sense their waining days of attention and are trying to be cute.

Boundary Waters Trip

I know this is a little late coming, but here's our BWCA trip post. I'll keep it short and sweet. We put in at Wood Lake (east of Ely by about 10 miles) on August 23. We took it pretty easy. Spent some time fishing and exploring. This was probably our last trip before baby dash arrives, so focusing on each other was our primary goal. The weather was mostly favorable with a 'perfect MN summer day' on Saturday as we made our way up to Basswood Lake and did a nice loop. We took out on the 26th. Anyway, to get a more blow by blow account, checkout the Picasa site (listed in our links). Meanwhile, enjoy my Al Linder impersonation (though without the over the top intensity).

Just seeing if the video feature works

Neil Young via Bangkok.

Exclusive Behind the Scenes Footage

Only B3 can bring this exclusive footage for the upcoming Bourdaghs miracle of life! Our hidden cameras reveal truly a wonder of nature is growing from within. An anonymous source with knowledge of such things reports that the child is happily standing on his/her head, enjoys moving their arms about in crazy ways, and is well within normal growth ranges.

Tree Down!

Well, we've had our first drama as homeowners. A short, isolated, but powerfull little storm swept through Mahtomedi on July 27th and claimed one of our trees. The tree was a not particularly tall but very full Norway Maple. The branches all emerged from the same spot and were beginning to rot at the groins. Put water on all those leaves and add a 50mph wind and we have a mini natural disaster on our hands (did I mention this was dramatic). The main force of the tree missed the deck by a foot or two. It did, however, take out a 15' cedar (or arbor vitae) and the nieghbors fence on the way down. We're lucky it did no worse.

John Biedrzycki, Eli Sagor, and neighbor John helped with the initial cleanup on that very wet evening. Thanks again guys. I was hoping that the mayor would show up with a camera crew and look noble. Maybe make some defiant claims about rebuilding, etc. I'm still working on removing the wood. I figure I've hauled 10 cubic yards (of about 16) of branches to the compost site.

All jokes aside, we're very sad that this happened (particularly Angie). This tree shaded our entire south facing deck all day, making it a very delightfull, pleasant grove indeed.

Check out the pictures at our Picasa photo website: http://picasaweb.google.com/larix37/TreeDown. As with the blog, I'm just starting to figure this stuff out so I'll work on some sort of permanent link in the future.

What is B3 and why is it the ****** blog on the web?

Well folks, Ang and I didn't want to be left out in the cold so we decided to start blogging like all hip parents and parents to-be. That's right. If you haven't heard the news (and I definately know some of you haven't) we're expecting!









Here are your two burning questions:

• Due date?-January 1, 2008
  
• Sex?-Not yet decided whether we'll find out
  

Hence the name of the blog (Bourdaghs + Bourdaghs + baby dash = B3). I was thinking cubed, but I couldn't figure out the superscript (NERD ALERT!). Just think of this as the official site for the baby to be; the trials and tribulations of 2 young proffesionals as they weave their way to being parents; and the pets that will fight against all odds to leave the spotlight.

Anyway, on to door number 2 (i.e., lamest blog). This is my first stab at bloging. It will take me awhile to get my chops down, as well as the editor (Angie) to start clamping down. So maybe we could think of it as the little blog that could. All it will take is some focused digital images, some snappy prose, and a loyal readership. Cheers!