Helen has invented her first game. We're not sure what it is called, but she plays it like this:
1) pretend you have filled your diaper
2) when your chosen target is halfway through changing said diaper, unload!
3) for bonus points, see how many diapers you can make them go through before they can dress you back up.
She got Daddy and Mommy twice, and 2 nurses at the hospital. Her record is 3 diapers and a blanket.
And we thought girl diapers were easier!
Friday, May 23, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
And this was the wild party when we got home:
Everybody repeat after me, "There's no place like home... There's no place like home..."
Today WAS the day!
We are home! Nurses bowed down to Sara for her lack of whinyness. ("Are you SURE you don't want pain meds?") -They must get a kickback for the drugs they push. The 90 year old volunteer showed up to push Sara out of the hospital in a wheelchair. Halfway to the exit Sara offered to switch places with the wheezing volunteer. Into the car we loaded everything, and off we went.
Waiting to go:
Trying out the car seat:
We need a BIGGER car: (two-thirds of this is from the hospital).
Our going-away photo. How many new mothers have all the nurses line up for hugs before they leave?
Waiting to go:
Trying out the car seat:
We need a BIGGER car: (two-thirds of this is from the hospital).
Our going-away photo. How many new mothers have all the nurses line up for hugs before they leave?
Today is (might be) the day
Depending on how the Doctor checkup goes this morning, Momma and baby might be coming home this afternoon! The hospital has ordered up the ceremonial "last meal", so that means the nurses are pretty confident in Sara's progress.
That's good, 'cause the boys are getting tired of the bachelor life. It's not all fun and games. Staying up late eating yogurt and watching Magic Schoolbus over and over and over again just isn't as much fun as it was in college. If Daddy ever sees Arnold he's gonna whack him upside the head and tell him to grow a pair*.
*If you've ever seen Magic Schoolbus, you know what I mean. If not, spare yourself. Why does every kids show have to have a whiny brat?
That's good, 'cause the boys are getting tired of the bachelor life. It's not all fun and games. Staying up late eating yogurt and watching Magic Schoolbus over and over and over again just isn't as much fun as it was in college. If Daddy ever sees Arnold he's gonna whack him upside the head and tell him to grow a pair*.
*If you've ever seen Magic Schoolbus, you know what I mean. If not, spare yourself. Why does every kids show have to have a whiny brat?
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Now THIS is a big brother
This is a big video file (20 meg orig), dialups beware
Edit: The pretty version didn't work. Here is the raw video. Just ignore the narrator.
You know, I don't remember MY older brothers acting like this! I don't remember MY older brothers protecting me. I remember MY older brother (guy) chasing me in circles until I ran into the TV set and got this divot in my forehead. I remember MY older brother (dave) whacking me in the back so hard I couldn't breathe and started choking*. I remember MY older brother (rich) ... um... Well, OK, I don't remember Rich torturing me too much.
*okay, so I stuffed a tennis ball down his saxophone while he was playing it. He didn't have to hit me, did he? Even though it was the 6th time in 5 minutes I stuffed it down. That's just brutality, that is.
Edit: The pretty version didn't work. Here is the raw video. Just ignore the narrator.
You know, I don't remember MY older brothers acting like this! I don't remember MY older brothers protecting me. I remember MY older brother (guy)
*okay, so I stuffed a tennis ball down his saxophone while he was playing it. He didn't have to hit me, did he? Even though it was the 6th time in 5 minutes I stuffed it down. That's just brutality, that is.
Please feel sorry for Miles
Miles knew it was coming. But hey, he's only 5 years old. Knowing it's coming and really experiencing it are two different things.
Yesterday he was so excited about visiting Uncle Dave and Aunt Jean that he didn't really notice Mom was missing (until 4 am). But today, after 7 hours of non-stop Mom cuddles, he had to leave her behind at the hospital. Halfway across the parking lot the tears started.
So we talked all the way home, and everything was OK. Not great, but OK. Daddy was upset because the @!$#%@$% road was closed and the $%@$%@ car was out of gas and the @!$%@# debit card STILL isn't working, but it was all OK. And then the other shoe dropped: Sara had ordered a print of a digital photo from an online store. It was the whole family from her family reunion last summer. We eagerly ripped open the envelope... and...
They cut off the edge of the photo. The edge containing Miles. Yup. Only half of Daddy shows, and only Miles' left ear shows. Miles cried out, "I feel like I'm not part of the family!"
Update: 45 minutes and a good dinner make a big difference. And a dose of chocolate dessert for eating all his dinner (hey, he is his mother's child). Righteous indignation had replaced fears of isolation. "Daddy!", he says, "You make them re-print this!"
Yesterday he was so excited about visiting Uncle Dave and Aunt Jean that he didn't really notice Mom was missing (until 4 am). But today, after 7 hours of non-stop Mom cuddles, he had to leave her behind at the hospital. Halfway across the parking lot the tears started.
So we talked all the way home, and everything was OK. Not great, but OK. Daddy was upset because the @!$#%@$% road was closed and the $%@$%@ car was out of gas and the @!$%@# debit card STILL isn't working, but it was all OK. And then the other shoe dropped: Sara had ordered a print of a digital photo from an online store. It was the whole family from her family reunion last summer. We eagerly ripped open the envelope... and...
They cut off the edge of the photo. The edge containing Miles. Yup. Only half of Daddy shows, and only Miles' left ear shows. Miles cried out, "I feel like I'm not part of the family!"
Update: 45 minutes and a good dinner make a big difference. And a dose of chocolate dessert for eating all his dinner (hey, he is his mother's child). Righteous indignation had replaced fears of isolation. "Daddy!", he says, "You make them re-print this!"
Joe and Laurel come to visit
Our good friends Joe and Laurel came down from the wilds of Ojai to visit. They are under a lot of pressure to produce one of these on their own.
To add to the pressure, Don't They Look Natural?
To add to the pressure, Don't They Look Natural?
How to have fun with a Records Clerk
Sara is feeling so much better she devised a new game. It's called, "Screw With the Records Clerk".
It's a simple game:
1) Record clerk comes up to room to fill out paperwork for birth certificate, social security card, etc. Give clerk all pre-decided information.
2) Wait 2 hours.
3) When clerk comes back with completed paperwork ready to sign, turn to husband and say, "What about naming her Helena instead?"
It's a simple game:
1) Record clerk comes up to room to fill out paperwork for birth certificate, social security card, etc. Give clerk all pre-decided information.
2) Wait 2 hours.
3) When clerk comes back with completed paperwork ready to sign, turn to husband and say, "What about naming her Helena instead?"
Non-Stop Sara
You just can't slow Sara down. Yesterday she felt terrible, couldn't even keep an ice chip down. Today, the moment she was released from bed, it was "up and at 'em". Her goal for today was one lap around the floor. She has already done 6, including a drill-sergeant lap where she dragged the next-door C-section lady along. "C'mon, you had your kid 2 hours before me, let's move it!"
Every day nurse has dropped in the room while she was walking and asked, "Did she have that baby yesterday, or last week?"
We are progressing nicely...
Every day nurse has dropped in the room while she was walking and asked, "Did she have that baby yesterday, or last week?"
We are progressing nicely...
Miles returns
Mom and baby had a great, sleep-filled night. Today they are setting new records. Miles spent last night with Uncle Dave and Aunt Jean. After school he got to come back:
Between playing at the Uncle's house and a busy morning at school, he was a bit tired. So he decided to take a nap:
An hour later:
Between playing at the Uncle's house and a busy morning at school, he was a bit tired. So he decided to take a nap:
An hour later:
Monday, May 19, 2008
WELCOME HELEN!
Helen Irene is here!
Born at 8:51 this morning, she weighs in at 8 pounds, 2 ounces, 21 1/2 inches long, a full head of hair, and the requisite number of fingers and toes.
She is already explaining to everyone how upset she is with the change in living conditions.
launch is on hold
Hold Liftoff
T minus 10, 9, 8, Hold the Sequence! Houston, we have a delay.
We're all prepped, IV a pumpin, monitors a blinkin, and about to be wheeled into the operating room. But wait! The lady in the room next door gets to go first.
Not to complain, though. She's been in labor all night long, and now they have to do an emergency c-section. We'll skip that, thanks.
Countdown on hold now. Expected launch is now 0830 local.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Donors, be happy
Well, we did it! They said it couldn't be done (they were wrong). They said we were crazy for trying (they were right). But we did it anyway.
Sara Tom and Miles rode 5 miles today to raise funds for the American Diabetes Association. Between the two of us we had over $500 in donations (thanks to you guys), we made up half of the entire Ventura County Fire team donations.
Despite 90+ degree temps and a chain that decided to lock the wheel up during our last big climb, we made it with no problems.
So thanks again to all who donated, we'll hit you up again next year!
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