Carrig's First Milestone!!

Ready!!

Set.........

:) SMILE :)

All my sleepless nights and endless diaper changes have been well rewarded!! Look at that ear to ear grin.

The new toy...for Grandma and grandpa.

Checking out carrig's new puppy dog sweater. The matching hat, unfortunately, goes all the way to his chin.
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Helping dad set at the gym.

I guess I need to get used to hanging sometime. (Thanks for the pictures Sarah!)
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New photos

Not much happening here in Boston right now. The weather is dry and cold meaning that we don't get out much. I am working a lot and have some deadlines looming so again, not too much non-essential traveling at the moment. But, most importantly Carrig is doing well. He is probably about 12lbs now and sleeps in about 6hr chunks at night. Despite this hiatus we have managed to snap some more good photos. I added them to Picassa earlier this morning. Take a look if you have a moment.

Ox - just ten days short of being a Tiger

I just stumbled upon a link to the animals associated with the Chinese calendar and learned that Carrig is an Ox.

People born in the Year of the Ox are patient, speak little, and inspire confidence in others. They tend, however, to be eccentric, and bigoted, and they anger easily. They have fierce tempers and although they speak little, when they do they are quite eloquent. Ox people are mentally and physically alert. Generally easy-going, they can be remarkably stubborn, and they hate to fail or be opposed. They are most compatible with Snake, Rooster, and Rat people.

Now understand that I don't really care about astrology, whether Chinese or any other kind, but it would have been a lot cooler to have a tiger in the family. Now, can someone please explain how my easy going son will also be stubborn? I am having some trouble reconciling these qualities.

Come on dad...

I can only sit this patiently for so long.
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Hanging out with dad at work.

Dad! I am clearly too small for a p1000. Give me the p2.

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The epiphany

Yup. That's right. Sucking on the thumb...or at least the portion of his hand that holds his thumb.
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What a sweet ride!

And he isn't referring to the babybjorn!
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Dog free zone.

Anna does not like the dog-free zone.
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What are...

What are these things called "blocks?" I am unsure about them.
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Holding out...

Just for the record, we are holding out for a photo of Carrig sucking his fingers or thumb. Those are the current money shots. All else is pale in comparison.

The blog version of a review article.

(all photos posted herein have been used with the express verbal permission of Kristin)

(some took more prodding than others)

What a long strange trip its been.This week marks the one month for Carrig. Lets take this opportunity to review how we got here....um, not quite from the very beginning, but close.

Kristin's pregnancy started out strong. The first few weeks were a little rough but in general all went well for the first several months as Carrig began to take shape.

Week 20 - just starting to show





Mid-20's, still truckin' atop Mt. Moosilauke







Sometime in the 30's: Look at the energy! Still enjoying pregnancy.










But this marks a memorable turning point in this process. Late in the seventh month marked the end to climbing, it was getting too cold to comfortably enjoy the outdoors, and the belly was clearly starting to become an obstacle. The final weeks looked something like this.

Finally, the big day came. And came it did! Six hrs of labor with just enough warning to get to the hospital before Kristin became very uncomfortable.








And here's Chubs. Just look at those cheeks!









Soon thereafter Carrig came home to meet the rest of the family. Here started the never ending competition for the best sunning spots in the house. I am a little ashamed to say that Carrig has lost these battles several times.














Now I apologize in advance if any of this sounds a little sappy, but I am a very proud dad and Kristin a proud, loving mom. We both agree daily that it is pretty damn awesome to watch this little guy develop his personality. He is a chill little guy that rarely gets upset, sleeps well, eats well...he's a Sanger, what can I say! =)

I will honestly say that I could not relate with the people who said my perspective on life would change once the Carrig was born. I jusr didn't get how this could happen. Was I really going to change my entire view of life? Now, after meeting him, I embrace this wholeheartedly. But don't get me wrong. I still want to ice climb, collect lizards in random locations, climb big mountains, drive fast, etc. But now I am fine top-roping an ice climb, collecting lizards in places that Kristin and Carrig can visit, and taking a slightly easier path up the mountain than before. My priorities are just a little re-ordered. Most importantly, I want this guy to get bigger so that he can enjoy all of this with me. (Perhaps to even push an old guy to stay in shape!)

But a month has gone by and a lot has changed. I am still struggling to find a balance between my work and the family. Kristin struggles to find time for herself, partially because of me. But in reality, all is well and life is good.


Raising a kid is exhausting...for everyone.


















Still a little bobble-headed. But getting better everyday.

And while most women look forward to the day that they can fit into their pre-pregnancy jeans, this was not nearly as momentous as the day Kristin could fit into her pre-pregnancy harness.










Here we are, ten pounds and one ounce after one month. Can you tell the difference?

One week

One month

And for a kid that watches tv, carrig is sleeping through his first super bowl.

Bad habits...

Kristin and I watch a lot of tv. We're not proud of it. But it is sort of our comfortable norm. So be it.

Well it appears that carrig does as well. His bouncy chair does not face the tv but as you can see by this photo he goes out of his way to watch the bright shiny glowing box about three feet from his chair. So avoid the creation of a monster I think we need to move him.

Greetings from sugarloaf.
Th
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Grandma Thomas comes for a visit.

Last weekend I went to Shawn's Scully's wedding in Portland, OR. It was a great time but it pulled me away from Carrig and Kristin for a few days. (Traveling between left and right coasts over four days is no laughing matter!)

While away, Grandma Thomas came to town to help Kristin with the dogs and to meet Carrig. She was excited to meet him and Carrig seemed psyched to meet her as well.


Their first meeting and Carrig seems happy.

Carrig meets the Metrorock

So I am a little behind. I am trying to find a new balance between work, exercise, family, and travel. I have always tried to keep the four of these on equal ground but now family takes a much more focal role. Figuring out how all the rest fit together just isn't that easy.

One way to make this happen is to immediately integrate Carrig into our typical week. Last week we brought Carrig to meet the typical Wednesday night Metrorok community. While many people still need to meet him, he is well on his way to acceptance.




Carrig and Kristin with Andy.







The girls, Rori, Gillers, and Kristin, with our boy











Of course I named a route after him: The Rock Carrier 5.8 (the + is a lie)

















The new gear of fatherhood.