Introducing Ivy Angela Halteman

Ivy

Born Friday March 25th, 2011 at 4:37pm, weighing in at 7lb. 10 oz. and 20 1/2 inches long. More details to come as we settle into this new life of ours. She's absolutely perfect.

Ivy asleep on Grandpa Caron (Jenny's Dad)

Jenny had a long and hard labor. It lasted just over 30 hours and we were in the hospital an extra day while Jenny received a blood transfusion. A whole team of doctors were there to deliver her strange placenta... a story in itself. Despite all that Jenny did the entire thing with NO pain meds. It was incredible and Ivy came out perfectly healthy. So far, she has been a dream child. She sleeps well, and often. She does not cry excessively. She is crazy strong. She sucks on my nose. She is beautiful and we love her very much. Willie likes to give her kisses on her ears.

Jenny's parents are visiting this week, and mine are visiting next week. By then we should be into a bit more of a routine and we might find some time to do a nice big birth story kind of post. We'll try to keep you all updated in the meantime. So far, it's wonderful and we are having a great time with our new little life aboard.


Welcome Ivy! We love you so much!

a grand visit

Well, lots and lots and lots of things have been happening. First and most important is that my grandfather finally was able to come out here for a visit from Michigan. He'd never been on a plane before and though he hasn't seen the ocean since he was a kid in the 1940's he's always been very fond of all things oceanic and nautical. He spent lots of time on the great lakes in his boating heyday and I grew up fishing with him on little inland lakes. Him finally making it out here and getting a turn at the helm of a real ocean-going sailboat is a landmark occasion.

Other news is all pretty large as well.

1. We've fully moved aboard Madrigal!
2. The Fitz is being hauled out and drydocked this Friday at 3:00
3. There is a couple who is highly interested in purchasing the Fitz to live aboard in Boston harbor: a good way to see the boat go. It was good to us and we'll miss it.
4. Excluding the head and the trim which will hold up the headliner when we get it installed, all the interior woodwork on Madrigal has now been refinished.
5. We did our first overnighter sailing trip to Peddocks Island with a group of about 6 other boats from our marina. Tons of fun, but it was kinda rainy and we forgot to take pictures. oops. All went off pretty flawlessly though.

-Justin