Cue The Harps And The Singing Angels... Now with Updates from "Oprah"
Before you all decide to leave me for my BFF, here's a picture of my brand new yummy baby. Much more to follow, including "the birth story." I'm just sort of waiting until I can lighten my load again *ahem*.
In the meantime, here are a few morsels for thought:
1) The "dry run" to the hospital = highly underrated.
2) Tiny balls + meconium + mom without glasses + weird wet-your-own baby wipes = very precarious situation.
3) Favorite line from the event: Nurse: "What was your pre-pregnancy weight?" Me: "Um, 150. On a very good day."
4) Do not ask a Philadelphia Cabbie for directions anywhere (see #1).
5) Pushing STILL does not feel good.
Now back to the "Girl Next Door" Marathon and googling "newborn baby poop colors."
--
I'm writing a love note here.
Since it's my 'time to shine' (read: before Kristen gets home and changes all the passwords), I wanted to take a moment and write a little tribute to my BFF on this momentous occasion in her life. It's early and I have to get to a meeting, so forgive the lack of stylistic flair, I'm just coming straight from the heart.
My husband turned to me a while back and said, "You know you're Gail, right?" I cocked my head to one side, as if to say, 'What the hell are you rambling about now?' He explained, "You. You're Gail. And Kristen is Oprah." I was still laughing as I dialed her number to tell her that I will be getting a wing in every mansion that she buys. Every one.
Being the BFF, I do have some very choice bits of info that I guess aren't available to the general reading public (and for a small fee...)
In all honesty, though, to do a tribute I don't have to tell you anything about her. Because you already know her. The things that you read here, that you laugh at, cry about and get pissed over--they are the very same things that we've laughed at, cried about and have gotten pissed over, just days before. She's really real. What you see is what you get.
For the last 12 or 13 years, our friendship has been one of the most important relationships in my life. Beyond being super talented, super driven, super successful, super funny, super beautiful and all of that, Kristen is just plain super. She is warm, she is loving, she is thoughtful. She is smart and quick witted and insanely fun to be around. She is one of a very few people who can make me laugh so hard that I want to stop but can't. She is sensitive and deep and minimizes even her worst pain... finding funny in dark, scary places. She has been through a lot. She is an honest-to-God-survivor of some really fucked up shit.
And she's a kick ass mother. Kick. Ass.
Don't ever let her tell you any different.
**Kristen and baby Chalk (as we're all still calling him, BTW) will be home sometime today. I'm sure she'll be back to the blogiverse soon. I know that she misses all of you and appreciates your comments and well wishes. Look for me as the future Editor-At-Large of Kristen's magazine, 'Special K.'
Oh he is really beautiful. And nice job, Gail. :)
Posted by: Gretta | January 26, 2007 at 11:14 PM
Just got back from my short vacation to hear the fabulous news! Congratulations K! Oh, and this post is beautiful! Great big hugs!!!
Posted by: katie | January 26, 2007 at 02:08 PM
Congratulations on the beautiful baby!
Posted by: Glennia | January 23, 2007 at 08:21 PM
Yay! Congratulations, Kristen!!!
Posted by: Jayne | January 22, 2007 at 09:35 PM
Congratulations Kristin, good work!
And how nice to have such a wonderful friend to write something like that - nice to come home to.
Posted by: nonlineargirl | January 22, 2007 at 06:02 PM
Congratulations! Drew is so healthy and beautiful!
Posted by: zygote daddy | January 22, 2007 at 05:22 PM
Congrats to you all. Lovely photo and beautiful name. I'm not looking forward to those poop-in-every-diaper days again!
Posted by: Mrs. Q. | January 22, 2007 at 04:42 PM
AWWWWWW......Drew's beautiful! Congratulations! Can't wait to hear more about him. Boys are great - and Q is going to be a fantastic big sis. (Hey Tina! I still have to laugh when I think about you and Kristen telling your stories about the hospital...) and p.s. Come to ATL!
Posted by: jeanette | January 22, 2007 at 03:04 PM
Congratulations! So glad to hear that the wait is over and you and Chalk will be heading home soon (love the name, by the way...like "Powder" but more practical)
Best wishes!
Posted by: CroutonBoy | January 22, 2007 at 02:27 PM
Thanks for the updates!
Posted by: Busy Mom | January 22, 2007 at 02:23 PM
Yaaaay Kristen and baby Drew (and Tina). Congratulations and virtual smooches to all. Love his name.
Posted by: mayberry | January 22, 2007 at 09:52 AM
Baby Drew is the Super CUTEST piece of chalk I've ever seen!
I just thought about how weird it must be coming home with a new human. Like, all of the sudden it's out of your body and now you've got to try to understand it, feed it, and then send it off him off to med school.
One step at a time right--go figure more about poo!
Posted by: JailDiet | January 22, 2007 at 12:38 AM
Congratulations!!!!
Posted by: Alex Elliot | January 22, 2007 at 12:37 AM
Yahoo!! Congratulations, Kristen. Drew is adorable!
p.s. Hi "Gail"!
Posted by: Mommy off the Record | January 21, 2007 at 11:41 PM
All I have to say is keep it covered every diaper change.....3 boys and they all managed to sneak a pee in at some point or another.
Congrats! Hey what will you be doing at 3 am this morning??? I wonder? Oh did I mention 1am, 5am if your lucky.....enjoy!
Posted by: Sarah | January 21, 2007 at 11:33 PM
I clicked on the link but nothing showed up except for the header of Mom Trap. Gah! Am DYING to see sweet, delicious baby!
Congrats Kristen! Yeay YOU. And BFF, yup. I do believe you are right. She is a pretty cool chickie.
Posted by: motherofbun | January 21, 2007 at 10:54 PM
What a beautiful baby, such a little man!! Congratulations!!
Posted by: carrie | January 21, 2007 at 10:35 PM
Cute Drew!
Posted by: Jen | January 21, 2007 at 05:34 PM
Congratulations! He's adorable.
And yes, Philly cabbies do not know how to get anywhere. And they like to act like they are going to run down college students when they are crossing the street (I'm not bitter. No really!)
Posted by: Heather | January 21, 2007 at 04:53 PM
Congratulations Kristin! Best wishes!
Posted by: Marti | January 21, 2007 at 04:04 PM
Thank you, BFF! I agree, Kristen is a kick-ass mother and person, even through all of the weirdness that she has had to deal with throughout this pregnancy. I'm sure having you to lean on has helped her in so many ways.
Now, could you pass on a tip to her before she leaves the hospital? I suggest taking a stack of those wet-it-yourself wipes home. They are so gentle on new baby skin, and they can go through the washing machine!
Posted by: Elizabeth | January 21, 2007 at 03:04 PM
Congratulations!! One with 4 boys -- and they all peeeed on my face! So glad everyone is OK.
Posted by: Susie | January 21, 2007 at 01:12 PM
Hmmm ... Year of the Dog or Year of the Pig? Either way, it sounds good!
Year of the Dog: People born in the Year of the Dog possess the best traits of human nature. They have a deep sense of loyalty, are honest, and inspire other people's confidence because they know how to keep secrets.
Year of the Pig: People born in the Year of the Pig are chivalrous and gallant. Whatever they do, they do with all their strength. For Boar Year people, there is no left or right and there is no retreat. They have tremendous fortitude and great honesty.
Posted by: PunditMom | January 21, 2007 at 12:06 PM
Hooray! Happy baby day!
And what IS with those wet-yourself wipes. I was very pissed off about those things...
Posted by: Sheri | January 21, 2007 at 12:02 PM
Congratulations, Kristen! And for heaven's sake if you actually get time to be online anytime soon you *must* share your secret because that's just crazy (in a good way).
Posted by: Kelly | January 21, 2007 at 11:12 AM
Congratulations Kristin!!! I hear ya on the meconium, the wet yourself wipes and the balls...actually it's been 5 weeks, and I'm still trying to get used to the wiping around the boy gems!! May the force be with you...and you don't get squirt!
Posted by: Becky Brahma | January 21, 2007 at 11:09 AM
Congrats! Congrats! Congrats!
Posted by: greensunflower | January 21, 2007 at 10:55 AM
Beautiful baby...congrats :)
Posted by: Kellie | January 21, 2007 at 10:46 AM
Congratulations! He is beautiful!
Posted by: chelle | January 21, 2007 at 10:16 AM
He's gorgeous! Congrats, again!
Posted by: Jackie | January 21, 2007 at 08:49 AM
Happiness & Woohoo & all that good stuff. Kristen does indeed rock!
(Baby Chalk? I better go read the updates on the last post...)
Posted by: karyn | January 21, 2007 at 05:50 AM
Congratulations and yay all around!
Posted by: RookieMom Heather | January 21, 2007 at 01:50 AM
Congratulations!!!!!!!!
And yes, you rock and rock hard, sweet Kristen!
Good job, mommy!
Now...let's see that beautiful baby!
Posted by: jozet | January 21, 2007 at 12:17 AM
yay for babies!
Posted by: ali | January 20, 2007 at 10:45 PM
HI Kristin,
Time to reach out to your fellow bloggers and reveal yourself. You have been tagged by a blogger chain - no not spam - legit blogger (who loves your blog) and got tagged, so now I'm tagging you.
Confused? See my blog site for rules of the game.
Posted by: christina erl daniels | January 20, 2007 at 10:32 PM
Oprah and Gail.
Kristen and Tina.
Do people wonder if you're lesbians? Do you care? ;)
You go, girls! And get those wings in each mansion!! Start the decorating now!
Posted by: Mom2One | January 20, 2007 at 09:58 PM
Congrats!!!!!
Posted by: C | January 20, 2007 at 09:53 PM
Dear K.
congratulations, take time to settle and hope the outlaws are suitably attentive and loving.
Look forward to reading about the toddler and the chalk. L.
Posted by: Lia | January 20, 2007 at 09:12 PM
Congratulations, you kick ass mother!
Drew is a lucky little baby to have you.
Posted by: Paula | January 20, 2007 at 08:44 PM
That was indeed a lovely tribute "Gail". Can't wait to hear more from the new Mama.
Congrats Kristen!
Posted by: Kristin | January 20, 2007 at 08:31 PM
You're certainly giving the queen of the mommybloggers a run for her money! That's some tribute. Hooray for new babies and bffs.
(And it's true about Karen Rani.)
Posted by: Mom101 | January 20, 2007 at 05:41 PM
What a lovely tribute to your friend "Gail" Congrats on the baby.
Posted by: Jacquie | January 20, 2007 at 05:00 PM
That was beautiful! Kristen is so fortunate to have such a wonderful friend in you!
We can't wait to meet baby Chalk! (LoL, I love that name!)
Posted by: JChase | January 20, 2007 at 04:20 PM
Happy to hear that Mom and Baby are doing fine. Congratulations to all of you! ;)
Posted by: Chris | January 20, 2007 at 04:03 PM
You're a good writer "Gail" -- when will we see your page in lights???
Nice tribute to your BFF and so glad to hear the news about the baby. My congrats to her and her family. (((hugs)))
Posted by: Kate | January 20, 2007 at 03:31 PM
The gift I'm still looking for is spelling.
Congratulations!
Posted by: Jana | January 20, 2007 at 03:08 PM
That was awesome! Friendship through everything is one of the most cherished gifts in life.
Another treasure would of course be that beautiful boy! Congrations!
Posted by: Jana | January 20, 2007 at 03:07 PM
Congratulations, Kristen! So happy you and Baby Chalk are safe. And you have a great BFF too.
Posted by: Lady M | January 20, 2007 at 01:42 PM
What a nice tribute! My best friend and I have known each other for 32 years. There's a lot to be said for someone who sticks with you for that long!
Congrats to Kristen and family and thank you, Tina, for the updates :)
Posted by: Izzy | January 20, 2007 at 01:02 PM
I will admit it...I'm crying like a baby! My BFF and I have been together for 16 years and have written many love notes to each other. Hence, my uncontrollable weeping!
Upon hearing that Kristen is bringing home her baby boy tomorrow? Well, now I have the can't-catch-my-breath crying.
Congratulations, Kristen!
Awesome love note, Gail! ;)
Posted by: Bobita | January 20, 2007 at 12:56 PM
Awww. Kristen, congratulations on the arrival of Baby Chalk/Drew. I can't wait to hear more from you. And your BFF did such an awesome job here, by the way.
Posted by: gigi | January 20, 2007 at 12:26 PM
Tina, you sound pretty incredible yourself. When do you plan to start a blog? ;-)
Posted by: mothergoosemouse | January 20, 2007 at 12:25 PM
The name Chalk is really starting to grow on me.
Posted by: Sueb0b | January 20, 2007 at 11:55 AM
I have to agree with you BFF. Kristen is awesome! I hold a special place in my heart for her, as she was a powerful influence to me during my darkest days.
And I haven't even met her!
Way to go Chicky! Take care of yourself and that new bundle of joy you just blessed the world with.
Congratulations to all of you!
Posted by: Redneck mommy | January 20, 2007 at 11:40 AM
Can I order tickets now to the Favorite Things episode of the future K Show?
Posted by: amanda | January 20, 2007 at 10:57 AM
gail ;) -- you write one mean tribute to your BFF. Kristen's a lucky gal! Thanks for keeping us up to speed.
Kristen - congrats!!
Posted by: crazedparent | January 20, 2007 at 10:43 AM
Every Oprah needs her Gail, tis true. That was a lovely tribute to our hero Special K.
Hooray for Baby Boy. We can't wait to see photos.
Posted by: tracey | January 20, 2007 at 10:42 AM
Good work, Kristen. I hope everyone is home and feeling great soon.
Posted by: CharmingDriver | January 20, 2007 at 09:46 AM
Congratulations Kristen and Drew!!!
And way to go "Gail", that was a gorgeous tribute to a beautiful woman. If I were you I would demand two wings in each of her mansions.
Posted by: Mrs. Chicky | January 20, 2007 at 09:42 AM
I only have the priviledge of knowing Kristen through her blog and that's not even "knowing" someone. Your tribute to her is wonderful. Treasure that, as I'm sure you both do. I lost my best friend (no, she's not dead..just a bitch!) and while it may have been for the best, it still causes me some tears and heartache when I think of the 11 years we shared.
Congrats to Kristen and welcome to the world Drew!! You'll have a fantastic mother and a wonderful big sister!!
Posted by: Kellie | January 20, 2007 at 09:38 AM
Special K - *snort!* Good one! Well "Gail," that was really lovely. Because I'm lucky enough to help her here and there, I get some of the funniest (and real) emails from her and she is definitely all those things. But my true love for Kristen goes way back to July 2006, when she walked up to me and said, "You're really beautiful. Your picture does you no justice." Then I floated through the rest of that BlogHer conference. I'm vain like that. She is an amazing woman and I'm proud to include her as one of my friends. Congratulations once again Kristen! Can't wait for pictures!
Posted by: Karen Rani | January 20, 2007 at 09:11 AM
CONGRATULATIONS, Kristen! Welcome to the world, Drew! And HIP HIP HOORAY for not being pregnant anymore! LOL!
BFF, I couldn't agree more...Kristen rocks. Period.
Posted by: mamatulip | January 20, 2007 at 08:56 AM