A Ray of Harmonic Sunshine to Brighten a Dark Week

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

It's certainly been a rocky week or so for the AM community, between those who suffered through Sandy, Chuck having his home flattened by a huge tree, and of course the loss of two very active AMers very dear to many of us.

So I hope this little ray of sunshine brightens the day a bit and brings the week to a close on a positive note.

Her name is Caitlin Rose Bigelow, my wife Jennifer & I welcomed her into the world yesterday morning at 9:58 AM. She arrived loaded for bear: 9 pounds, 8 ounces worth. She struggled through some early respiratory issues related to fluid in her lungs and abdomen, but after an afternoon of labored breathing under close supervision she recovered nicely and is doing well today, excellent labs and readings all around. They actually used the words 'perfectly normal' while talking about my child, which I found not only a huge relief, but somewhat.....amusing.

I'm just home feeding the cats and taking care of a few chores before heading back to be with mom & daughter. I got to rock her to sleep a couple times last night and this morning and without going too deeply into the 'perfect, amazing baby' speech I have to say - it's a truly incredible experience. Nothing compares.

I promise to bring her up right, with a healthy knowledge of, exposure to, and respect for Radio in general and AM specifically. Whether she'll find that as interesting as dolls, puppies or ponies will remain to be seen.

[W3GMS]

Fantastic news Todd!  You will have years of enjoyment ahead of you.  My daughter is 34 and it just seems like yesterday that she was born.  It goes very fast so enjoy the experience which I know both of you will. 

Catlin looks very healthy and very content in the picture you attached.  Give our congrats and best wishes to Jen as well. 

Hopefully, we can get down your way to see her in person!

Best Wishes,

Joe & Martha

[W1AEX]

Great news Todd! You are in for quite an adventure! Take lots of pictures because as Joe mentioned, they grow up very fast! My two "little ones" are 34 and 30 now. Another word of advice, grab as much sleep as you can, as often as you can, wherever you can!

:O)

Rob W1AEX

[W7TFO]

Truly joyous!

73DG

[W2NBC]

CONGRATS to you Todd, your wife, and to Caitlin Rose!! ..

and to the power of a family, and all things possible..


Jeff

[WQ9E]

Great news Todd!

Our daughter Anna turned 9 a couple of weeks ago but I remember well those early weeks.  You will definitely lose some air time now but it will be an okay loss

Watch the cats when your wife returns.  Anna was delivered via C section and the first night Maureen was home her Siamese cat jumped on the bed and landed dead center on her lower stomach.  The shriek was S-9 several miles away.

They do go up quickly.  This morning Anna is helping me translate the controls on my Chinese military Type 116 transmitter in hopes that it will soon get an on the air test.  Anna had a lot of fun playing near my workbench while growing up and I strongly suggest Catlin receive a similar orientation

[W2VW]

Congratulations!

[Steve - K4HX]

Beautiful! The cycle of life continuous. Congratulations to you and Jen!

[Pete, WA2CWA]

Hey Todd:
Congratulations to you and wife Jennifer. Beautiful baby and love the name.

[W3RSW]

Congrats Todd !
And "Cat" looks like a gorgeous addition to your tribe.
Hope all continues to go well.

...and "Ladies and gentlemen"
"Put it together for the future W1CAT"

[W1RKW]

Have a cigar on me Todd. Congrats to you and the Mrs.

[AB3L]

Congratulations to you. A word of advice..gradually start bringing home the gifts and balloons from the hospital. I learned the hard way trying to pack the car at the curb with mom and baby waiting to go.

Bob

[W9GT]

Congratulations Daddy!!  Great news Todd!  Our two daughters (and now three Grandkids) are the joy of our lives.

73,  Jack, W9GT

[W4EWH]

In the immortal words of Kenny Chesney:

Don't Blink

(Trust me.)

Bill, W1AC

[Les Locklear]

Congratulations to the new parents!! I know you two have waiting on pins and needles, Todd. As others have stated, they grow up awfully fast. Our son is 45 and daughter 41. Time flies, so enjoy her!

[KB2WIG]

T,

Congratulations! Congratulations! Congratulations! to the whole family!

A nice piece of good news.

klc

[KC4VWU]

Todd,
        Congratulations to you and your wife on the precious addition to your family. Your life is now changed, but for the good; more so that what you may think. I started my family late in life because all those years I said I didn't want any children: I was terribly wrong... they're a blessing.
        We attended my wife's, cousin's wedding last weekend. Afterwards, at the reception, I had my first dance with my wife ever; and my daughter as well. Hannah is now 12, and as we were on the dance floor for those few minutes, I realized that I would someday soon have my next and final one with her; then she'll be gone to start her family. Cherish the moments, my friend.     

73, Phil

[k3sqp]

A much needed ray of sunshine...
Welcome Caitlin Rose and congratulations Jen and Todd
 and cherish every single moment...
Frank
K3SQP

[N4zed]

What a wonderful and terrifying next few years  . And like Bill said...DON'T BLINK !!!!


Oh one more thing....good time to start putting the covers back on the AM gear.

[N8AFT]

 Wonderful News! Take everything a day at a time OM, your wife will need your support over the next several weeks of adjusting.
  Parenting is 'learn as you go'...Congratulations to you both!

[W3FJJ]

Congratulations  Todd!, Glad  Jennifer and  Caitlin are doing well.
I hear babies like to play with Morse Code Keys and Practice Oscillators :-)
73  Chuck

[W1TAV]

Wonderful! As has been already stated, their gowning up just fly's by! My Jeniffer will be 35 soon, she had an affection to play with all the knobs she could turn in the shack!. . In a year or so, it will be a longtime before you can ever assume again your transmitter is tuned to where you left it!   Enjoy!

[ve6pg]

  todd, it is nice to get good news time and again..congrats..
..tim..

..sk..

[W4EWH]

Oh one more thing....good time to start putting the covers back on the AM gear.

Oh, good advice!

A few other things:

• If you have ant traps, mouse traps, or poisons of any kind around, dispose of them NOW.
• Move everything that's breakable up to the attic.
• Forget the child-safe latches they sell at the hardware store. You need to put everything that's dangerous or odorous in a locked cabinet with a steel door. The push-button locks are best.
• Don't bother with outlet covers: they're so simple that only your child will be able to open them. Get the "whole house" GFCI installed and be done with it.
• Get a baby monitor, and test it to make sure it won't pick up your AM signal. You may need to run a wired intercom, but you'll also need a wireless monitor for times when someone falls asleep on the couch, so check this out right away.
• Two words: fire safe. It will contain ...
  
  • Your Get-Out-Of-Jail-Free card. This is a promise from your inlaws to come and babysit whenever you have had a bad day and really, really need a night off. (Your wife might want to keep this for herself, which is OK.)
  • Enough cash to get you and the kid to a hospital when she is coughing and the car has a dead battery. This will happen, and your driveway will be covered in snow when it does.
  • The revised copy of your will.
  • Copies of foot and palm prints.
  • A round toit. Trust me: with a baby in the house, you might think you have plenty of time to do all this stuff, but if you don't start now, you'll never have another chance to get around to it.

HTH.

Bill, W1AC

[Opcom]

Congratulations!

My nephew and his wife also just had a baby, a little boy. I hope he grows up to like electronics and other physics, and good radio stuff especially.

The little female feral cat had been gone for a few weeks, but yesterday shown up again with a big fat kitten! Only one I guess, but it's still nice.

You'd think it was spring!