Paul's Update - 06/11/07

Dear Friends:

Wow ... what a weekend. Paul got up early on Sunday so we could go to breakfast. We had Max during breakfast. He had some scrambled eggs while we ate. After breakfast we went home for a little while before it was time for me to go and pick up the ladies at the nursing home for church. Dad, Paul, Gradis & Max walked to church. Carolyn and Alysa stayed home. Carolyn has been pretty tired and achy in the mornings. Paul carried Max in his lap all the way home after church while Dad pushed him in the wheelchair. He really holds onto him good. When we got home from church we started preparing for the family to arrive for a BBQ. My mother & sister Ann arrived around 3pm from South Carolina. Cathy (my other sister who lives in Woodbridge) came over around 4:30pm. Alicia & Damian arrived with a cake for Max's birthday about 3pm. Everyone else ... Bill, Ronda, Lou & Vicky, Mike & Nadia, Carolyn, Billy & Alysa, Bobby & Jen and Tabby arrived soon after. We ate hot dogs, burgers and Bratwurst that Dad cooked on the grill while we visited. It was a pretty enough day to sit outside so some of us did. Max was in a great mood and he made a wonderful mess with his own cake!! He didn't really care much about opening presents but he was enjoying the new toys! We had a wonderful day and Paul was ready for bed about 10:30.

Monday morning Ann & I were up early to head towards the hospital. Paul sat out on the deck for a little while in the morning with Dad. It was an overcast but nice day to be outside. Carolyn was scheduled to be induced at 6am but they actually didn't go until 7:15am. At 9:30 the doctor came in and gave her the medicines to start labor. Ann & I got to be in the labor room with Carolyn & Billy. Bobby also came to the hospital and sat with us. She had labor for about 7 hours before Christopher William Hartman finally made his appearance. What a miracle to see a new life come into the world! He is 7 pounds 3 ounces and is 19 inches long. He has blond hair and although he had his eyes open we couldn't really tell what color the eyes are. He had a nice healthy cry. Paul & Dad were at home on phone duty waiting for the call. Dad had gone out for a bit to go to his doctor appointment and stopped by the hospital but only stayed for a short while so he wasn't there when Chris was born. Paul now has a new nephew and we have a beautiful new grandson! Mommy & Daddy were pretty tired this evening. Sister, Alysa came to the hospital to see her new baby brother. She was very proud! Carolyn will stay in the hospital for probably the next two days. She may get to go home either Wednesday or Thursday. Jen came to visit Carolyn and was able to hold Chris before she graciously took me home. Paul got to see the pictures on my computer once I was home. He seemed to enjoy them. The evening was very quiet. Dad & Paul watched Star Trek most of the evening. Aunt Ann Z went to Lizzie's graduation along with Sarah, Nana and Lizzie's family. The last few days have been so busy ... dinner out on Friday night, we met Jen's family, went to Alysa's dance recital and had a BBQ on Saturday, we had Max's birthday and a graduation celebration for Lizzie at our house along with another BBQ, and we had a new baby on Monday!! Does it get better than that?? We are certainly well blessed!!

Have a great day, Lynne & Carl