Evening Grows

Sweet Evening has been growing in every which direction. Here's a few pictures attesting to that...

Evening @ Her Very Best

The little lady is now at 19 weeks of age (and Mama Ruth also celebrating a birthday). Without a doubt this is the sweetest she's been yet. She's very talkative and curious of all around her. With the temperatures hovering around the teens and below - the outside time has been very limited, but she's rolling with it. Her latest favorite activity is bathing. She requires the company of Ruth or I in the bathtub - but is getting to be quite the swimmer. Without a doubt we'll have her up at the Ithaca College pool this summer swimming laps.

Her health continues to look great. We are still very vigilant about her exposure and are really impressed by her continued growth and good spirits. We're working each day to enjoy every moment and continue to strengthen.

Ithaca continues to be gorges. Hoping for some good snow soon.

Grandparent Faculty

We are very fortunate to have tenured granparent faculty just a few hours away to teach the young Evening Rian a host of beautiful things. Where would we be without them - quite frankly - nowhere. Here's a brief profile.

Name: Dan Doyle - aka "Banjo Dan"

Courses Taught: Foundations of Napping, History of Rock n Roll I/II, Prankster Basics, The Rise and Fall of Buffalo Bills Football, Storytelling 252

Specialites: Evening's favorite author and banjo picker

Name: Diane Doyle aka "The Silver Bullet"

Courses Taught: Math for Decision Making: Numbers and Fun, Reading Like You Mean It, Cognitive Science, The Sociology of Play

Specialites: Evening's personal Mentor Teacher

Name: Rose Merle aka "Sweet Roll Rose"

Courses Taught: Meditations on a Sweet Roll, Gaming 101: How to Complete a Crossword in 20 Minutes, Kitchen of Love: Cooking and Caring for Families on the Move, The Elements of Classical Music, Piano Classics

Specialites: Evening Sous Chef and Bathing Instructor


We are so very fortunate for the great things these folks have taught to Evening in just these first 4.5 months! Thanks so much.

Ithaca Baptism

When Evening was first diagnosed with Tetrology we were rushed to the Arnot Ogden NICU where among other things - Ruth and I baptised her due to emergency. We did it with touchingly distinct style by using one of our Nalgene bottles and baptizing her amongst her tubes, monitors and NICU pals. While we considered this her catholic baptism we still wanted to go through the sacrament at our local church in Ithaca - Immaculate Conception. Today was that day.

Typically when we take her to mass, she struggles. Letting out some yelps, sleeping, needing to pace in the back of the church for 20 minutes, etc. Due to this - and the fact that she has an aversion to crowds and water - we were a little nervy about the morning. Much to our surprise - she was wonderful. At full attention, loving the time in the baptismal font, everything. Very sweet day - for a tremendous lady.

This is a shot just after the ceremony with Father Leo. Evening has on a beautiful baptismal gown that her Grandma Rose made for her - who was smiling on from the front row. My sister Stephanie and brother-in-law Joe D'Agostino serve as godparents. My folks - Dan and Diane - came in from Rochester. My sweet sister Rebecca from Syracuse and her husband Ryan came down as well. Ruthie's sister Becky and her husband Kevin along with the kind 3-year old twins - Hannah and Abby - and their brother Trevor all made it up from Rochester for the 8:30AM mass. Great event and a solid breakfast back at the house after. So fortunate to have them all in attendance and such a touching day from Eve.

The little lady is now weighing in at 13lbs. 10oz. and is 25 inches long. Without a doubt she is experiencing her sweetest, healthiest days yet!

Happy New Year

All is looking quite well on the Merle-Doyle front. Really great holidays both in Rochester and Ithaca. Best part was a very postive report from Evening's cardiologist. Her EKG and saturations looked very well and he was pleased with how she is growing - so much so that we did not have to have an echocardiogram done. Needless to say we were feeling pretty good about that.

The little lady is at a very precious phase - now at 4 months old. I've really enjoyed her behaviors up to this point, but this is my favorite. She's close to turning over, she's talking a great deal and her smiles are the sweetest I've ever seen on a baby.

We introduced Evening to a series of our family traditions over the last few weeks (this picture is from Ithaca's Steamboat Landing on the Cayuga Inlet the site of the Ithaca Farmers Market - we were there for the annual Rutabega curl on Dec. 23)- the latest of which was the New Year's Day College football marathon. I made sure she understood the importance of ringing in the new year with a serving and a half of college football. Rest assured she slept or was otherwise entertained and not watching 10 hours of TV football. Go Boise State!

Happy New Year from all of us.

Midwinter Reflection

Throughout the month of December - as is the case most years - I naturally reflect back a bit on the year. What were the major milestones, where did we travel, what did we accomplish... This December has been entirely different. At periodic moments I hauntingly flash back to various moments of intensity throughout the fall with Evening's diagnosis and surgery. It seemed that as we were going through it - we just took each step as it came - because there was no other way around it - for Evening's sake we would do what was needed. Looking back now - its down right chilling how difficult and harrowing things were - and how unbelievably strong she was and continues to be. I estimate she is about double the size she was for the surgery - and to think about that little lady going through all of the procedures she required - absolutely floors me and breaks my heart. We are so very thankful and blessed for the results and her continued strong development. I will never forget those days and nights of the Fall of 2006 - as much as they still hurt - they are cause for great inspiration. Without a doubt - 2006 was the best year of my life thanks to Ruthie and Evening.

The sweet little lady is so very sweet and continues with quite the kick. Ruth now categorizes her as sassy, no longer feisty. She's moving like never before with this back arch limbo contestant move that is pretty powerful. She uses this move with powerful legs to inch across her crib in record setting pace. All her moving and grooving has also given her a pretty sharp bald spot on the back of her head. Its sweet but funky.

We look forward to some time together over the holidays - plan on heading to the Ithaca Farmer's market for the annual Rutabega Curl, heading to Rochester to see the Merles and Doyles, and also heading to Strong for a follow up and echocardiogram. They discussed the potential of having to put her on medications to get a good echo, but also have a room full of videos and TVs to sedate her if shes interested. As much as I am against having her zone out to the TV this may be a good occassion - perhaps we'll through in the Oregon Duck Football highlight video or a Bills Superbowl tape - no wait - that would only make her much more upset than they're looking for.

Evening Tree

One, two, three - cheese! After a day of decorating the tree Evening is a bit beat. Here we are seen in our holiday ware courtesy of Laurie Ahlers at Cornell. Blog enthusiasts may remember some of the earliest pictures of Evening in this hat...well Laurie was kind enough to customize some for the whole family. I like to get a lot of mileage out of my hat.

Wore mine out to the Southview Treefarm in Danby this weekend. The owner cut me a deal on the tree because the hat helped scare away the deer. I in particular love how it is juxtaposed with the Carhartt jacket. Oh and by the way - Evening is tucked under Ruthie's jacket - in the bearcub snow suit - here's an inside look...

We are all quite well and enjoying the holidays as they unfold.

Winter in Ithaca

Its just about that time of the year when we reach out to young Evening and teach her what its like to be an Upstate New Yorker - layer up to face the stiff winds, pull out the snow shovels, and complain about the coaching of the Buffalo Bills. I can just about see myself saying to her - "Not just anyone can handle Upstate New York winters, that's why so many people flee south and west - they can't hang with it - now button up, put on the hat and be proud." Winter is flexing its muscle and I'm trying to thicken my skin. We kept hearing about the wicked storm rolling in this weekend - and took that as an excuse to hunker down and take in a nice chunk of college football's last weekend. I'll have you know that both Evening and I called the UCLA upset of USC. Feel free to call Evening's tip line for the bowl season - she's got the over/under for every game out there.

Ruthie is fulling embracing motherhood along with the holiday season. I've been coming home to a full on Christmas funhouse each afternoon - decorations and tunes. I believe I successfully diagnosed Evening's "stomach ache" the other night. Turned out to be a little too much of Angela Landsbury's "Holly, Jolly Christmas". The ailment was successfully treated with a heavy dose of Bob Dylan.

She's Got It

So, with expert analyses it has been decided that Evening has the early love of the outdoors - just like her Ma and old man. Through a series of in depth, highly scientific studies its almost a definite. Taking her out in the backyard or on the trail - her eyes light up a bit more brilliantly a she typically carries a refreshing calmness. When she gets all riled up - she loves going outside and letting the wind ride through her long, beauty reddish hair. It certainly helps that this Thanksgiving brought in record 60 degree days for her enjoyment.

Evening continues to grow tremendously and is daily stronger. She feels a hair over 12 lbs now - but we'll get that verified on Friday at the pediatrians when we go for her next set of RSV shots. Her rest has become more regular as well with much more consistant crib time and is taking after her father, grandfather and greatgrandfather with the deep paternal history of daytime napping (she has however yet to fall asleep while reading the paper).

Thanksgiving was enjoyable up in Rochester with the little one. We did have to do a little dodge and move to avoid a couple family ailments - but it seemed to work alright. Sadly, I noticed my complete overindulgence in Thanksgiving feast compromised due to the fact that I held Evening during the meal - though I think everyone was thankful for that change.

This Friday - Evening will be three months old. Hoping that we can take a collective breath to realize what a trying but truly wonderful three months it has been. Can't wait to see what the next bit revels as she continues to strengthen, smile and grow.

Ode to a Mother

Heading into Thanksgiving week - and have a whole heap of things to be thankful for. These two are at the top of that list. Evening feels signficantly over 11 lbs., is stringing several hours of sleep together at night (7 straight the other night), is smiling more than ever, slept through church this morning (kind of like her old man), and gave some rousing support to the Buckeyes in their win at a Michigan party last night. She still is quite feisty - but I'm glad she is.

And Ruthie...man alive has she been so fantastic. I didn't think I could love / admire her more than I did in her pregnancy, but I do. She is so mindful, attentive and sweet with Evening. I am so impressed by the relationship they have at just 10 weeks. I am excited to watch Eve grow, but also see Ruthie growing as well. What a mother! I am one thankful fool that is for sure.

Heading up to Rochester for some Thanksgiving revelry: annual T-Day bocce game, a little frisbee and good company of friends and family. My best to you and yours with your holiday traditions.

Evening the Explorer

First off, apologizes to the folks that check the blog daily (I've heard from a passionate number of folks that check it first thing of the day). The getting back to work schedule has put a serious damper on my ability to update the blog. I'm finding myself in need of getting back into work shape. At about 2PM each day this week I start an embellished groan of how tired I am - and that I didn't get a chance to take my afternoon nap with my daughter. It doesn't seem to go over really well.

Ruth and her mother Rose did an excellant job teaching Evening a series of songs and dance moves this week. She gets a good shimmy going (Ruth that is). Evening headed to her two-month doctor's appointment (the standard one for infants). Gained another 8 oz. in about a week - now is 10lbs. 8oz. She also had her mandatory 35 some odd shots for everything from tetnus to beri beri - hold on maybe that's the one she needs to eat fruit for.

I was pleasantly suprised on my walk home from work last night as Ruth and Evening came and met me along the route. Evening is quite the outdoorswoman - it seems as if she's really comfortable outside. We are laying relatively low this weekend - huge sports weekend. Last night Evening's boys - Cornell Hockey Team - beat their archrivals Harvard in dramatic fashion; the old Ithaca College Bombers Football lost to Cortland State in OT; latenight tonight the Ducks play USC in a huge PAC-10 matchup (if Evening has trouble sleeping tonight - guess who's "volunteering" to stay up with her to help her fall asleep by covering the basics of a spread offense); tomorrow as per tradition Evening will sit with her father and obnoxiously route for her father's lowly fantasy football team - Team LowTech. I'd say its a pretty sweet weekend.

Thanks again for all - we have loved hearing what Evening means to people - people all over the world - friends of friends of friends - united in the care for her well being. I owe you all for your kind thoughts - thank you.

Ladies Only

Tommorrow - I start back at Cornell - so its ladies only. Ruth and Evening full time - with Ruth's mother Rose - kindly coming to assist for a few days. It has been wonderful to have had the time away from work to attend to Evening's care. With the back and forths to Rochester, and post surgical care we've had our hands full. I'd like to take a moment to recognize the great institution of Cornell, and our respective departments, for allowing this very important time. We have both been able to take advantage of a recent Cornell Family Leave policy that assists with that time. I am very impressed and extremely thankful for this.

Evening continues to impress. We've taken her on multiple walks, taken her to church and around town, and just have been present with her. Her smile is one of grandeur and her heart is strong in so many senses of the word. Lots to discover and learn throughout this winter.

Thanks again for your support to lean on - we appreciate all the little and big things! Be sure to get out and vote tomorrow! Evening is calling for a big turnout.

Perfect 10...Johnny or Ray???

Well, Miss Evening is a Perfect 10 - 10 pounds that is. Took a trip to our pediatrician today and lots of good news with her progress. She is back on the normal infant doctor visit schedule and has received her first dose of the RSV shot. He is quite pleased with her progress.

The big question of the day is who is Evening's favorite artist. When she really gets worked up only Johnny Cash - LOUD - can soothe her. We have noticed that the way she grooves to the music - most times the music in her head - is distinctive Ray Charles...

Those times when Ray is really cranking on the piano, and gets that distinctive sway going. She gets that rhythm going - with my shoulder being the keyboard. We'll have to push this data through the super computers at Cornell to determine at Month 2 - who Evening musically prefers.

Evening Rian - 8 weeks old tomorrow and is looking fantastic.

Building a Routine in Ithaca

Weather has been fantastic in Central NY - the ladies and I have managed to get a hike in each day this week so far. Evening is a big fan of the trail - so much so she likes to sleep. So many great places to expore in greater Ithaca - lots of good daytime sleep forthcoming for Evening.

She has been extra feisty during the day, but a bit more restful at night. We are headed off to the pediatrians tomorrow to set up her RSV shots and get her back into her standard infant shot routine, etc.

All continues well as we head into November. Its been a wild fall - one that I will never forget.

Hope all is well in your section of the world.

Full Time Ithaca

We are back in Ithaca - full-time. We will use this last week I have off to organize the mounting bills, cleaning up the house and yard, and enjoying sweet Evening. It is my hope that we can get a good routine going, prior to starting back up the work schedule next week.

Evening has been very spirited. She is sleeping with more regularity, though is quite "feisty". Though not ready to fully commit to it yet, Ruth feels that Evening has "redish" hair which may explain the feistiness. For those of you at home keeping track - that's possibly two red heads in the household!

No trick or treats planned for Evening - though weather looks good for a Halloween hike at a minimum.

All Good in the Neighborhood

Just got back from Strong and the cardiologist is smiling. He thinks she's making great progress. Her oxygen saturation level was 100%, she's 22 inches long, 9lbs. 7oz., her scar is healing well, her lungs are dry, and she is a beauty. They still have us being mindful of her exposure this flu season - washing hands, away from those with active illness - but she is looking great. She's due back at Strong just after Christmas for another echocardiogram - until then - he said - enjoy your beautiful daughter.

Great day - beautiful sun - sweet, sweet baby!

Deal or No Deal

Here is glorious Evening just post her bath today. She continues to impress us. Big follow up appointment at Strong tomorrow.

As I rocked with Evening in the hospital I found myself making a series of "deals" with her that I am now forced to honor. Below are a few.

1. Once you get through this I'll hold you and feed you whenever you want.
2. Once you get through this I will let you stay up late and watch the world series.
3. Once you get through this you can sleep in our bed until you are 10 years old.
4. Once you get through this I will buy you a Prius.
5. Once you get through this I'll let you stay out as late as you want.
6. Once you get through this I will let you climb all the high peaks in the Adirondacks with your Dad and Grandfather, and take you climbing in the Cascades on a regular basis.
7. Once you get through this I will sign for you to get a tattoo at age 13.
8. Once you get through this we can go to the circus, everyday its in town.
9. Once you get through this I'll let you date - when you are 16.
10. Once you get through this I will allow you to freely use the phrase - "Well, Dad! I did have heart surgery when I was a month old" to unlock the door to just about anything you want to do.

She is splendid folks - thanks again for all.

Temporarily Back In Ithaca

Just the three of us rolled back into Ithaca on Sunday afternoon. We plan on staying for a few days before heading back to Rochester Thursday for Evening's follow up appointment with the Cardiologist and lead Nurse Practitioner. We were all a bit nervous pulling back into town after some great grandparent care in Rochester knowing that it was just the two rookies on the watch, but as soon as we starting rolling up East Hill and stepped into the old house - it felt great. Evening seems to be taking to it as well with much steadier sleeping, and very curious eyes taking in the fall colors. We aim to get into a better routine, venture out in Ithaca with sweet Evening, watch the World Series together and read her some good books.

Cards, packages and letters have been flowing in - and we are so very humbled by all of your kindness. In instances like these I feel as if you sharpen your understanding of the world a bit - especially the network of support of your friends and family. Their is truly no network of support like that we have. Thank you so much - do know that we will be at the ready when you need support.

We are feeling pretty good - especially Evening. She seems a lot better everyday. She is again doing some healthy crying - but in some ways her crying sounds sweeter and more managable. For Thursday's appointment they are mainly looking to see how her incision is healing and give her another once over - we anticipate and pray for continued good news.

Enjoy the fall. More soon.

Evening - What's In a Name?

Evening is resting up well. Her scar is healing quite well and she's shaking off the hospital on her. She has been extremely vocal - and is showing signs of colic - though Ruth and I keep saying - well she did just have heart surgery. She is more adorable each day - and I cherish this time in helping nurse her back to her normal self.

So, her name, Evening Rian. Everyone seems to want to hear why her name is Evening. We've gotten a number of comments thus far from "Wow, that is the most beautiful girl's name I've ever heard" to "Is that a boy or a girl's name" to "That's different" to "What are you going to call her?". It's really quite simple - we've always loved the Evening. When we first moved to Oregon my first job there was doing trail work through Americorps. There was a native Oregonian I worked with there - named Evening. Ruth and I always loved that name. Evening (of Oregon) was one of a pair of twins of hipster parents who named their twins Evening Star and Morning Star. Based on the fact that this was the first time we had heard of this great name - this is where it originated. Now, post birth and official naming we were informed that she was born on the birthday of the Blessed Mother, Mary. In the New testament, Mary is considered the modern Eve. So there you go. Wish we could take credit for being quite that deep and insightful. But I love the fact that she shares that special birthday. In terms of the middle name Rian - we have always loved Rian as a women's name especially with the Gaelic/Celtic spelling. When you do in fact meet her - her name is proudly Evening - though if she warms up to you - you can call her Eve or Evie.

We are still in Rochester and doing well watching Evening rebound and the fall unfold. I have been very impressed with her progress - after all it was just a little over a week ago that she was taken off the respirator - now she's howling at the moon and smiling in between.

Go Big Red and Go Evening!

We are super fans of Evening, and it seems that the Big Red hockey team is too! You may or may not know that we love Big Red hockey. When we returned to Grandma Rose's house on Tuesday, there was a package for Evening from the Cornell Hockey team. Inside was the picture above and the sign that they are holding (it says "Hi Ruth and Scott. Get Well Evening") that is autographed by the whole team. Many, many thanks to Beth and Tim McKinney for organizing this gift for sweet Evening. It will immediately be posted in her room and her Mom will visit it often!!

Evening is happily adjusting to life at Grandma's house. She seems to be making up for lost time in the eating department and is keeping Ruth busy 'round the clock. She must take after both of us and loves to eat! Her days and nights are a little flip-flopped now, but we are giving her a break...she did have heart surgery only a week ago! She left the hospital at 8.5 pounds (down 1 pound from admission) but already feels like she might be well over 9 pounds again. She's catching up on her sleep (during the day) and practicing her smile more and more. Recently we learned that she likes her music loud - especially when Johnny Cash is rocking! Even at 3:00 am, with no sleep and holding a howling baby, she makes us blissful.

Thank you to all for your unending support. When Evening meets you and shows you her smile that she has been practicing, you will see what prayer and positive energy is capable of.