Bringing Home Baby

After little more than 36 hours in the hospital, Leo and Lisa were cleared for departure.


Daddy pulled into the Swedish Hospital parking lot, taking the reserved spot he's been thinking about for a long time.


Meanwhile, Miles got everything ready at home.


Leo was trying on some sharp new duds...

... not to mention discovering the pleasures of the binky.

Mommy got him ready for the outside world.


We bade a fond (though very familiar) farewell to Swedish.


Like much of our old, recently excavated gear, it took a little while to refamiliarize ourselves for the infant car seat.

That evening we sat down for our first family meal as a quartet!

The Brothers

During all of last night's excitement at the hospital, Miles spent the night with his Grandma Ba-Ba-Ba. As always, they had a good time together, though Miles was reportedly rather upset to wake up and find no Mommy or Daddy close at hand.

Soon enough, Daddy arrived to take Miles to his class at Seattle Central, and to tell him about the arrival of his new baby brother.



But only when they arrived at the hospital around noon did Miles get a sense of the new contours of his world.


He had to admit the little guy was pretty cute.


So Miles gave Leo a nice welcoming kiss...


... and a new toy to play with.


Still, Miles wasn't sure what the big deal was all about. Yes, there was a baby, and yes, it had emerged into the world from Mommy, just as Miles had been trying to tell everyone it would. So why was everyone acting so surprised? And what, if anything, could this baby actually do?


Fortunately, the Greggs arrived with a little stuffed dog for Miles, whose company seemed to make the contemplation of these questions a bit easier.

Welcome Baby Leo!

Lisa, Dean and Miles are delighted to announce the safe arrival of Leo Henrik Falvy, at 7:53 p.m. today (February 23, 2009). The young full-termer weighed in at a robust 9 lbs., 1.5 oz.


Once again, Lisa proved that she would make a great Secretary of Labor. Despite some anxiety over the impending arrival of such a big baby, she kept her eyes on the prize and was rewarded with a delivery that went relatively smoothly (though that's not to say it was easy).


In contrast to his big brother the 28-weeker, Leo did not seem at all surprised or upset upon making his entry into the world. He offered a brief little cry to let us know he was OK, then latched contentedly onto his mom, before settling into a gentle snooze. It was quite a change from the anxious and busy scene two years ago.


Mommy and Baby are doing splendidly, and now Daddy is ready to join them in their slumbers. Sweet dreams to all our readers--watch this space for a full report soon!

The Last Day

Today is the last day that I will be the mother of one child, that is, assuming I make it past midnight without giving birth. All signs point to this being the case, but for some reason I have learned to not make assumptions about Mother Nature.

While I am thrilled to bring this new baby to FULL term and end on the mark at 40 weeks, I am definitely finding myself feeling somewhat verklempt about not being 100% available for Miles. Actually, for the last 40 weeks Miles has been sharing me with his baby brother, but tomorrow will certainly put a new spin on this sharing thing.

I know that it is normal for new second time mothers to go through these emotions, and I know that once our new little guy is here, it will be a wonderful thing, but I feel sad right here and now to think that our little Miles will need to share his mommy.

However, I am so grateful that we have had the last two years and three months together as a family of three. I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to be a stay-at-home-mom and care for little Miles as he grew from his tiny fragile state to the burgeoning little boy he is now. I know that nursing our premature son for 22 months was a gift to him with many rewards. Traveling to six different countries before his first birthday was a bonus for all of us that we never saw coming. Making Miles my priority has been not only my most challenging life task, but also given me the most joy. Of course, sharing this challenge and joy with my loving, gentle and supportive husband has been a gift all unto its own.

Tomorrow this challenging and wonderful journey will continue to the Power of Two. I'm holding on tight, for I know it will be quite a ride.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQPd1RFwDgo

Nope, nothing

So, here I am 39 weeks and 4 days pregnant and no sign of this kiddo showing his face to the world. Go figure!

I am still measuring quite large (and extremely uncomfortable), so I am going in this afternoon to have my membranes stripped to attempt to induce labor "non-invasively". Apparently, this works about 50% of the time. I am really hoping that this gets things going - oh so much!

If this doesn't jump start the situation, I will be going back to Swedish Hospital to have my water broken on Monday, February 23rd, my actual due date. Wow - what a ride!

Stay tuned!

I Guck

While awaiting the arrival of his little brother, Miles has taken up a new interest with gusto: namely, the profession of fire fighting and the vehicles utilized by the practitioners thereof.



What most of us refer to as a "fire truck" is known to Miles as an "i guck". This is a concept to which he returns frequently throughout the day, as he wears his i guck shirt, plays with the two model i gucks his grandmothers have furnished, or reads the five or so i guck books that have accumulated in the house.

As we drive around town, Miles will declare from his car seat, "I guck!" Lisa or I will serenely respond, "Sorry, Miles, there's no fire truck here..." Then we belatedly hear the siren which Miles had long ago detected, like a dog whistle.

Ready "Two" Go!

With an ironic flourish, not only am I now 38 weeks pregnant, but also carrying a baby that falls into the 91st percentile in terms of weight for his gestational age. That is, a week and a half ago he was estimated between 8 and 9 pounds via a growth ultrasound. At this stage, babies generally grow about 1/2 pound per week in utero. You can do the math, but considering that I have previously given birth to a 2 pound, 10 ounce baby, that makes me stop and think.....

Needless to say, I am ready to go. Yes, there is the discomfort, the lack of sleep, the incessant itching and the overall labor anxiety - however, most of all, I am ready to transfer this baby safely to the outside world. Despite our accomplishments thus far, I still struggle with the "waiting for the other shoe to drop" syndrome. Yes, mothers never stop worrying (right, Mom?), but I know that he is ready to move out of his womb, so let's get on with it! Acupuncture, acupressure, spicy food, long walks, etc. . . . I'm doing it and have been doing it. I am now 3 centimeters dialated and 80% effaced, so it could be anytime or still a bit longer....

Not to be overshadowed, big brother Miles, turned two "adjusted" yesterday! We rarely adjust his age anymore, but it is still worth noting that he is two no matter how you count it! He got a new "blue bike" for his birthday, complete without pedals (yes, "without" pedals or a drivetrain). His vocabulary is coming fast and furious and he is an absolute joy to be around(98% of the time). As always, he is quite the chatterbox - enjoy the embedded video of our little guy!

-Lisa

Welcome to February

Miles congratulates his Mom on reaching the month of February, Week 37, and the Land of Full-Term Babies!

Whenever you're ready, he'll take that little brother.