[Chris]

Hello you lot!

Remember me? I know it has been forever and a day since I've signed in and checked in on you lot! I have truly missed you all SO VERY MUCH. But, the past 14 months, Michael and I have been awfully busy in a good way, and we both have new names. My new name is Mumum, and Michael's is Dada. YES, we are now the parents of a beautiful baby boy. Tristan was born on 2/9/09 weighing in at 7 lbs.9 oz. Michael and I were both there when he was born, we cut his umbilical cord together, and then spent the next 2 hours with him all alone in one of the breastfeeding rooms in the nursery at the hospital once he was cleared by the resuscitation team at the hospital. He was born with light brown hair which has since turned a shade of strawberry blond, and the biggest blue eyes you've ever seen.

He's been a perfect baby. We were able to bring him home on 2/11/09 to a beautifully decorated room, and a house full of family and friends who had been anxiously awaiting his arrival. Both Michael and I took Family leave (Michael for 2 weeks, and myself for 3 months). If you haven't figured it out now, Tristan is adopted from a wonderful young lady. Her only request was that this be an open adoption and she wanted to see him every month for the 1st year of his life. She is a beautiful, bright, young woman who became pregnant while attending University here. She knew that she didn't have the means nor time to raise a child on her own, and wanted the best for Tristan.

As predicted, I have been enjoying motherhood so much that I never went back to work and am more than happy with my new career as "Mum". Tristan has been a wonderful, very easy-going baby since the day he came home. He eats well, he started walking 3 weeks before his 1st birthday, and even though "I" am with him 24/7 his first words were "Dada" and "go", shortly followed by his favorite word "no". He's already a world traveler, and we spent 3 weeks in the UK this past summer visiting my family. Everyone is quite confused by this odd family who has a Dada with a Northern accent (although he was raised in Fla.), Mum with her British accent, and Tristan who we are convinced has a slight southern drawl.

Michael is coming home with him tomorrow. They were down in Fla. this weekend visiting his family, and spending time playing in the sand and the waves. I stayed home for a sleep catch-up weekend which has been wonderful! I didn't even get out of my pajamas yesterday, and just watched chick-flicks and napped in between-pure Heaven, but I am so lonely without my favourite men!

I have promised Tristan's Mum that I would not put up any pictures of him on the internet without her permission or give out any other information that could possibly identify her. Since it is an open adoption Tristan will know "both his Mums" which we are all comfortable with. I miss all of you and just wanted you to know how wonderful and rich our lives have become. Being a family is unlike anything else. Physically, I'm doing fairly well. When I'm not having good days, Michael has been able to stay home for me and/or have a friend spend the day with us so I don't overdo.

I miss all of you tremendously, and I apologise that I have not had the time to keep up with anyone. I am now SO inspired by all of you who raise children! It is the best, and hardest job in the world. I'm still learning, and will probably still be learning on his wedding day (YIKES). The days just fly by, and with each new day there is something new that Tristan entertains us with. ALL IS GOOD!

How is everyone doing? Well, I hope. I do hope the year has been good to all my old cronies from here. Please just say a quick "Hello", so I know you've left your footprint on Tristan's first post.

Many hugs, kisses, and baby rasberries,

Michael, Chris, and Tristan

[AfterMyNap]

CHRIS! Look, you guys, it's our prodigal little English Muffin!

Congratulations, Mum!!!! You came on a few months ago and hinted about this— well, we ALL guessed right! *neener neener neener*

Welcome to the world, young Tristan!!!! mwa. mwa.

Back off, Sally, I had him first and you have grandkids! *smack*

How fun, I was literally thinking about you while driving south on this very day!

[PolarExpress]

How lost am I? When you said you and Michael were both in the room when he was born, I thought, yeah, that's usually how it works..?
LOL...Congratulations! Kids are a lot of work & worry, it's true, but I wouldn't trade a moment of it, and I'm sure you won't either.
Tristan sounds like a beautiful little boy!

[Kitty]

Congratulations!! What wonderful news!!

Like Cindy, I had thought of you, too, and hoped that things were going well for you. Sounds like they're going better than well......they sound wonderful!

I'm so happy for you and your DH. Thanks for the update and for sharing your good news with all of us. Don't stay away so long!!

[doydie]

Congratulations!!!!! You sound like an absolute wonderful family, including biological Mum. You are both so giving! We 60 year old grandparents took care of our grand daughters for their spring break. It was a delite!

[SallyC]

((((((Chris, Michael & Tristan))))))

[Lady]

Welcome back Chris.

Congratulations to Mumum and Dada. Enjoy your baby boy Tristan. Everyday is special and memories are made. Take lots of pictures, they grow up fast.

[Twinkletoes]

Congratulations, Mummy!!! How wonderful for you and your husband!!!

Glad to see you back -- hope you stick around -- we've missed you, too!

[TwoKidsTwoCats]

Well how cool is that!? Congrats on the expanded family. I just love the name Tristan! Ya'll will have fun with the accents... you should hear my two little neighbors who are being reared in Alabama by mom from New Zealand and dad from Boston!

[Riverwild]

Awww...seeee..we are so smarrrrrt! We KNEW it was a baby!
Congrats to you both on your new son! He sounds delightful. God bless his birth mother, she must be a very special woman.

We've missed you, ya ol' battleax!! So happy to hear this is why you were among the missing!