Yes, technically, he's Jewish (Kofi, not the Santa). But, who could resist the first Santa photo op? As you can tell, it didn't go all that well.

And, yes, I've missed blogging about his first birthday which was great. We had a lovely party which doubled as a holiday party (meaning we could serve both cupcakes AND cocktails) (and, yes, I made the cupcakes from scratch, and the frosting too) (and will probably use a mix from now on, because, let's face it, do kids really care??).

So, a year ago, I barely had a child and now a year later, I have a whole family. Rob moved in a few months ago and it's as though he was here all along (at least, all along the Kofi adventure) and it seems as hard to imagine my life without him as it does imagining it without Kofi. We make a good team, relieving each other of the Kofi-burdens when they (rarely) occur, and sharing in the Kofi-joys (of which there are many). He is both patient and firm (good traits in a co-parent and a principal, which is his day job). But most of all, Kofi adores him and he's great with Kofi. And he's great with me too.

So, I know I keep threatening to end this blog... we'll see where it goes from here.

Happy Holidays, Happy New Year to all!

Adoption Day: October 29, 2009

Should I stop the blog?

The adoption is final. Actually, final and irrevocable according to Judge Armstrong. It feels great. Kofi had a mild diaper disaster (up most of his back, if you must know) just before we went into the courtroom, so he wasn't wearing the very cute outfit I had picked out for him when we finally went before the judge. She (the judge) was terrific, clearly happy to being partaking in a joyous occasion. Even let me sit in her chair with Kofi. [I told her that it was every doctor's fantasy to sit in the judge's chair; she laughed.]

But I'm ready for another. I called my social worker this afternoon to set up an appointment to start the process for Kofi's little brother/sister (or maybe older brother/sister??). I think I'd like another baby, as hard as that was. Rob being with me during this has been such a godsend. I'm not sure how I could have done it alone (what was I thinking???).

Anyway, thanks to EVERYONE who has been supporting me during this and helping me out in countless ways from last minute babysitting to generously supplying me with car seats and swings to throwing showers to countless books, outfits, CDs and stuffed animals to all the moral support of even attempting this to all the love extended to my little bundle of Houston-born joy. You know who you are.

And, again, thanks to Marsha and Josh who were there in Houston at the beginning, well before Kofi's insane growth spurt, before he could do anything other than sleep and eat, pee and poop, before I realized how quick and deep love for a child can grow, before his first fall, before his first tooth, his first fever, and the pain he had teething that made me think I would do anything to take the pain away and made me so grateful for baby Tylenol and Motrin and perhaps gave me an inkling of another reason (other than the obvious) that parents try to protect their kids: it's horrible to see them in pain.

And a special thanks to my family who have been supportive in countless ways.

I should be studying for an exam tomorrow... but I couldn't resist posting this. We're off to court tomorrow (Kofi, Rob, and I). Unfortunately, the little one is sick... fever and diarrhea... and teething too. We'll have to pump him full of Tylenol and Motrin and maybe a dab of Anbesol for good measure, but we're quite excited. Still haven't picked out an outfit (for either of us).

OK. Three gates down, one, maybe two to go. Let's just say, it's been educational. Each one is easier and looks better than the last; I would post pictures, but I'm a bit embarrassed by some of the results. My tool hand (the right one) has suffered minor injuries only (one blister, one abrasion, and one bruise) and my left hand had a splinter a few weeks ago. Which reminded me of the times my mother used to take splinters out with a straight pin that had been passed through a burning match to sterilized it. It made me wonder when Kofi would get his first splinter and the tools I would use to remove it (I'm envisioning supplies stolen from the hospital: a packaged sterile needle, an alcohol swab, and of course some topical anesthetic cream probably left over from a circumcision).

The adoption becomes final in 5 days. I'm so excited, much more than I thought I would be. I guess I feel that Kofi is already my son, that the legal event sealing him to me and me to him should not seem that important, but I guess it is. Anyway, I've taken most of the day off for the event and will celebrate in the evening with friends...

Let the countdown begin: I have my court date for the adoption finalization on Oct 29, that's exactly 4 weeks from today. It's not like I don't feel like he's my son, or that I'm his father... but it will be nice to have it all be official so I don't feel like I'm a criminal every time I cross state borders and forget to inform my social worker!

In the meantime, our little guy is crawling, necessitating a trip to Babies 'R' Us and Home Depot to begin The Great South End Brownstone Gate Adventure. It was fun seeing other couples at the store with babies at the exact same developmental age (i.e. about to become dangerously mobile) and their recognizable looks of joy, confusion and near-panic.

The gates are slightly troublesome in our house because the staircases all have a curved banister on one side with a lovely veneer and balusters that I don't want to drill holes into... So I thought it required some woodworking creativity and I scavenged in the basement, found some lumber (mostly extra molding) from the renovations, and at Home Depot I planned on buying a simple hacksaw to cut the pieces down to size...but in the end I decided to by a low end TABLE SAW!! (see above) Next stop: You Tube to watch as many Table Saw Safety videos as possible. Then I read the instruction manual (which, I NEVER do). And voila! I was an amateur carpenter, still with 10 fingers, with a slightly shaken-up baby (the saw was VERY loud when I turned it on and it startled everyone) and a lovely gate between the kitchen foyer and the basement.

Unfortunately, I realized as soon as I closed it for the first time, that it would prevent the cats from reaching their litter closet... Back to the drawing-board...

Kofi on the Web

Yes, I know, I know. I haven't blogged in a while. I saw "Julie and Julia" the other night (yes, I still see movies... occasionally) and I don't know how she found time to work, cook, and blog every day.

Anyway, Kofi is now 8 months old and is so much fun: babbling, sitting, turning over, standing up (with the help of another human being or a stable piece of furniture). Today I bought those little plastic things that you put in the electrical outlets to keep your children from electrocuting themselves. They even have fancy ones now with buttons that are easier to remove so you can "save your nails" which is a bit sexist, but whatever: I bought the cheap ones and will deal with the ungual problems as they arise. Not sure how we're going to deal with the gating issue. The problem is that the banister is curved and elegant and I don't think I want to put nails or screws into the banister or the newels (if that is the right word) or the other things (I just googled it: they're called balusters) (http://www.stairpartsusa.com/Stair_Builders_Resources_s/192.htm for those of you who want to name parts of your staircases correctly). Someone on my new moms listserv (yes, also sexist) suggested I get a carpenter to make custom gates... I'm thinking some strategically-placed cushions and a helmet for Kofi might be cheaper.

Anyway, if you want to see more of the Kofster, the Kofiman, the Kofinator... please tune into YouTube and search under sjralston and Kofi and you'll find an assortment. My favorite so far is this one:

Yes, it's been a while.

Here are the vitals: 6 months, 21lb (on the bathroom scale... pediatrician's scale next month), cuter by the minute. Eating solid (well, pureed) foods with appropriate changes in his poops (yes, I'm one of those parents that thinks everyone wants to know about his kid's excretory achievements). Sitting-up well, great hand coordination, not really interested in rolling (yes, too heavy, I think). Babbling, babbling, babbling.

And he loves it when I sing especially "The Kofi-man Song":

Who can be born in Texas,

In 2008,

At 9:42 in the morning,

December 19th was the date?

The Kofi-man!

Yes, the Kofi-man can!

The Kofi-man can 

'Cause he fills your heart with love;

He's a perfect kinda guy.

Who can sleep for hours,

Wake up with a scream,

Suck down all his formula,

And be his father's dream?

The Kofi-man!

Yes, the Kofi-man can!

The Kofi-man can 

'Cause he fills your heart with love;

He's a perfect kinda guy.

His weight is off the graph,

I love to hear him laugh:

It's satisfying and delicious.

Oh, well talk about your fatherhood wishes:

Can't wait 'til he can do the dishes!

Little Kofi Benjamin

Came as a surprise.

But, who could put such joyful tears

Into his father's eyes?

The Kofi-man!

Yes, the Kofi-man can!

The Kofi-man can 

'Cause he fills your heart with love;

He's a perfect kinda guy.