Home from Richmond

I got home last night around nine o'clock after what felt like the longest train ride in history.  Arrived at Richmond train station as directed, 30 minutes before departure.  'Cept departure was 40 minutes later than scheduled.  Then we paused outside of Alexandria for about 20 minutes to let a commuter train through and again for a half-hour in D.C. to switch crew and engines.  A rough ending to a glorious week.

Nate is a marvelous baby; truly the calmest, most easy going one that I've ever encountered.  Not a glimpse of the famous red-haired temperment.  Very, very mellow.  Anastasia is a terrific mom who has the good sense to let the phone ring if it isn't convenient to answer it and to sleep when the baby sleeps.  They're going to be fine.  Tom is still a bit awkward with Nate, but obviously adores him.  Everything is falling into place.  They go back to the pediatrician today and I just know there will be a weight gain.  I could almost watch it happening while I was there.

I cooked, did laundry, and sat with the new mom.  And held the baby.

And cried when I left him.  I knew it would be hard.  But it was so much harder than I'd thought.