Serendipity

Here are some serendipitous facts about baby Maeve:

1) Maeve and Jackson were both born on the 14th day of the month.

2) Around 2 a.m. one night at the hospital a very sweet, Irish midwife came in to care for Maeve so Drew and I could get some rest (I could have taken her home!). She told us she also had a daughter named Maeve, but hadn't heard it used since she named her daughter that 15 years ago. She said our daughter would be strong. The name comes from Irish and Gaelic origin, and the original form is Meadhbh, name of the legendary warrior queen of pre-Christian Ireland. Apparently, this Meadhbh was some woman and ended up slaying a warrior hero. The meaning of the name is "intoxicating." Because I had this name in mind since college, we had never bothered looking up the meaning, etc., but now find ourselves with a warrior queen. Yikes!

3) A side note to that: You know how sometimes the last song you hear on the radio in the car is the one that stays in your head all day? Well, the last song I listened to on my iPod at the hospital while we were waiting for things to get going was "Maneater" by Nelly Furtado, a remake of the 80's song by Hall & Oates (who happens to be a Schupp family favorite). And it has been in my head every since. So here are the a few lyrics, which I think, add more meaning to side note number two . . . She's a maneater. Make you work hard. Make you spend hard. Make you want all of her love. She's a maneater. Make you buy cars. Make you cut cards. Wish you never ever met her at all!

So yes, we might just have a little warrior queen after all.

4) Heather, the midwife on first shift during delivery (I have yet to deliver a baby during just one nurse's shift) shares a birthday with Jackson, November 14th.

5) Maeve was born at 5:16 p.m. My birthday is May 16th, or 5/16.

The setup

Last night, Jackson had a little box of milk he was drinking in his room before bed. I could hear him slurping as I was reading to him -- he was getting toward the end of the box. So he hands me the box and says, "Drink, mommy." And I pretend like I am taking a drink and hand it back to him. Then he looks at me with big, serious eyes and says, "Uh oh. New one. Mommy drink. New one."

Very clever, Jackson, but unfortunately for you, even in mommy's sleep deprived state, your attempted setup did not work.

Homecoming

Ready to go?

Dressed and ready!

Escaping the hospital.

Up the elevator.

Safely home.

Settling in.

Keeping an eye on baby.

Kicking back.
(Note: Enlarge this image to check out some major feet and toes! Can you believe it?!)

Birth Day!

Maeve Elizabeth was born on 4/14/2008 at 5:16 p.m. She weighed 6 pounds exactly and was 19 inches long. She has lots of dark hair, no match for Jackson's outrageous newborn do though! We are loving every minute of her.

Drew

Countdown

OK, family. Here is your requested photo taken T minus 48 hours. To give everyone the update, our doctors are recommending an induction because of some various concerns with the baby's size, so we will be going to the hospital on the morning of April 14th. Personally, I think we will shock them with a nice, healthy nine-pound baby girl, in true Schupp style. (But hopefully not baby boy Schupp style! Love you, Bri.)

Saturday was a very exciting day as Grandma Parker -- our reinforcement -- arrived safely after an uneventful flight. And, more importantly, an uneventful trip through customs, which we were all anticipating due to the huge wishlist the three of us had put together. As you can see from the photos, it was like another little Christmas for all of us. A huge thanks to all of our parents for our special treats! We love you! As Grandma Parker pointed out, for Jackson when it rains grandparents, it pours. In the next two weeks, he will be very excited to go pick up his Grandma Schupp and Grandpa Parker. And then in June Grandpa Schupp. He will be in heaven.

Jackson was as usual a very good helper, carrying Grandma's suitcase all the way to the car. It was cute to watch him change hands as it got heavy for him. He had lots of fun telling grandma about Brisbane as we drove through the city. When we passed the Marriott Brisbane hotel, I was thinking back to our what seemed like our forever week-long stay there. I saw the lobby and thought of all the apples Jackson ate that week as the hotel had them out in the lobbies. Of course, our little memory man said, "apple." He remembered too. Thinking back to those first days -- no home, no car, no clue -- I couldn't help being proud of how far the three of us have come in the last two months. In some ways, it seems like it has been longer than that. Hopefully, we are now ready for the next big change in our lives, bringing home our new baby girl.

What's for dessert . . . playdough!

The other day while I was talking with my sister on the phone Jackson let me know he wanted my attention by eating his playdough. Delicious. Fotunately for him, his Auntie Meg is a step ahead of the game and took the initiative to find us some recipes for edible playdough. (It always pays to have teachers in the family!)

Now, I don't know the exact ingredients of playdough, but I was guessing the recipe we choose from the ones Meg sent would taste better to Jackson. Peanut butter, honey and powdered sugar. Like peanut butter taffy, right?! Well, apparently Jackson has a much more advanced palate than I do because he did not prefer this recipe. (I on the other hand rather liked it, which shouldn't surprise anyone.) The kid still got his share of sugar (never a problem) as he munched on the mini M&M's I gave him to use for decorating his playdough creations.

Thanks, Auntie Meg, for our fun experiment!

Here is the recipe we used (for anyone hungry enough):

2 Cups powdered sugar (plus maybe a little extra so it isn't sticky)

1 Cup smooth peanut butter

1/2 Cup honey

Bon appetit!

Milestone Birthdays

Drew's party

Belly dancer

Friday night a group of about 30 of Drew's co-workers and their families helped us celebrate Drew's milestone 30th birthday at Earth 'n' Sea Pizza & Pasta in Bulimba. We were so appreciative of this awesome group of people who made this a very special ocassion for Drew. There was plenty of laughs, pizza, beer and cake -- a great night and memorable birthday for Drew. Don't know if it will rank up there with his 21st, which he will tell you he spent with his great grandma, but it will be close for sure.

Jackson spent most of the night next door at the Turkish restaurant, which featured a talented belly dancer. Drew would say, "that's my boy," but what he doesn't realize is Jackson desperately wanted to join the belly dancer in chasseing around the restaurant. See picture -- for the record those are his dad's moves.

Sunday we had the honor of celebrating another birthday milestone -- the first birthday of Jackson's new buddy, Charlie. It was a great, funfilled party, complete with lots of kids and lots of cake. Charlie was quite a bit more impressive digging into his cake then Drew on Friday night. We need to keep a better eye on Jackson, however, as he took the liberty of opening two of Charlie's presents. Just wait, Jackson.

Drew Parker is 30

April 4th Drew enters his third decade. Don't let him tell you differently. This means I have been dating or married to him for half his life. So, I'd like to think I know everything there is to know, but I am guessing there are a few stories out there I haven't heard yet.

In celebration of his birthday, please post your favorite "Drew" story. We all know he likes to tell a good story, so he should enjoy listening to yours.

MAN!

Here are (just) three examples.

#1 Toy store
Spotting a very attractive castle set, complete with knights and horses, and all too reminiscent of Shrek, Jackson adeptly, with intense focus, makes his way through a maze of toys, climbs through a bookshelf opening and positions himself perfectly in the front window display of the store, thinking, I am sure, "I made it. Let's play!" The clerk says to Drew sternly, "There are very breakable things in there," referring to a porcelain chess set. Right.

After a little struggle, they come to collect me. (I am taking my turn waiting for our check from breakfast. A half-hour exercise in Australian service I will go on about some other time.) Together, we admire the castle from outside. "Castle. Papa. Nope," Jackson keeps repeating.

Then suddenly he is off, making a beeline for the counter where the clerk is standing safely. In his loudest voice he insists, "MAN. MAN. HELP. CASTLE. MAN. MAN!!" Luckily for Drew and I, the clerk completely ignores him.

#2 Subway
Jackson (happily eating his 100th Subway kids pack): "Toy?"

Drew and I: "No. You didn't get a toy this time. Maybe they are out."

Jackson (as if a light bulb suddenly went off): "ASK. MAN. ASK. HELP. TOY. MAN!"

Now he is tracking down the poor teenager who is restocking the drinks. This time, Jackson's efforts are more acceptably rewarded with not one, but two toys.

#3 Baskin Robbins
Drew: "What color ice cream do you want, Jackson?" (Yes, it's not a flavor. It's a color.)

Jackson: "Green." Then very quickly, "Yeahm. MAN. MAN. GREEN. ICE CREAM. GREEN."

The youngster behind the counter is thankfully not offended and promptly serves Jackson with a laugh.

Bottom line:
We are obviously working on replacing the 'MAN' with a quieter 'sir' but until that takes Brissie service workers beware.