So this is my first blog and my first blog entry. Our first baby seemed the perfect opportunity to create a site where our friends and family could get periodic updates on our sweet baby boy.

We welcomed the newest addition to our family, Christopher Greig on May 13, 2009 with much love, excitement and anticipation. I was nervous about the birth process and a little scared I must admit but the minute I heard his cry, all of that really did not matter anymore. Derek and I were both filled with emotion and love for our baby, a feeling neither of us will ever forget. Christopher had beautiful coloring, blue eyes, a full head of dark hair, long arms, legs, fingers and toes - he was in a word 'perfect'. He was our little miracle.

During the pregnancy we found out that Christopher had a complication called an omphalocele. We had never heard of this before and we were scared at what might lie ahead. We wanted this baby more than anything and were determined to arm ourselves with as much information as possible. We had an amnio done and were followed very closely by a wonderful team of doctors. Christopher's omphalocele contained his liver and thankfully he had no other issues or complications associated with the 'O' as we call it. During the pregnancy, an online Yahoo group called Mothers of Omphaloceles was an invaluable support system. We cannot imagine what it would have been like to go through everything without the support of this group.

Christopher was expected to spend 4-6 weeks in the NICU but as miracles would have it, he had surgery the very next day after his birth and went home after only 18 days! He is a healthy and happy baby with a fully repaired omphalocele. We are most grateful to the all the doctors and nurses that took care of us and Christopher. Christopher was strong from the very beginning and he was born a fighter.

We affectionately named our blog Christopher the Explorer. Christopher was named after my father and his middle name after our dear friend Greig McRitchie. Christopher Toledo sounded like an explorer (think Christopher Columbus) and since Derek and I love to travel, it was the right name for such a beautiful baby boy. St. Christopher is the patron saint of all travelers so this again was yet another reason we liked the name Christopher. We hope to travel with Christopher, show him the world and give him an appreciation and love for other cultures and countries.

We hope you tune in to updates on Christopher. There will be many exciting adventures and things that Christopher will be discovering! Thanks to everyone for your love and support.

With Gratitude,

Virginia & Derek (proud mama and papa to baby Christopher)