Christmas in Massachussets

12-31-09
On New Years Eve we headed into Boston once again to visit my cousin Matt, his wife Melanie, and their two year old son Jake. The city was lit up for the First Night celebration and it looked like a postcard with the fresh snow, lights, and the throngs of people walking all over town.

One of the ice sculptures from First Night

It was a treat meeting Jake for the first time, very tall, blonde, handsome and full of energy, wanting to play and wrestle with his dad. The adults got caught up with each other and the goings on with the family as well as sharing tales of pregnancies and births.

Melanie and Jake

Matt holding Lola

We really enjoyed the visit and hope to see Matt's parents, Aunt Kathy and Uncle Ivan on our next trip north.

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12-29-09
A much anticipated trip to Boston to meet up with Tom, Mindy and their son Jackson, who was born seven months before Lola. It had to be one of the coldest, windiest days of the entire trip but we all stayed warm within the lovely, temperature controlled environs of Copley Place and the Prudential Center.

Jackson Blossom

After hugs and getting babies fed, we all promptly got into mutual child admiration mode. Jackson is very handsome and was full of smiles and walking with assistance from the nearby furniture. Mindy and Maggie swapped babies and we passed some time comparing and catching up.

We then ventured into the Prudential Center for lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. Lola napped on Maggie and I got to play with Jack and his cheerios - what a bundle of personality! We ate, talked and laughed and then it was time to brave the cold again. Maggie was thrilled to have been able to spend time with Mindy and wasted no time in talking up our next visit out West.

Maggie, Tom, and Mindy waiting for lunch

Lola in her baby bjorn

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12-25-09
Christmas Greetings from Massachusetts! We've had a busy time visiting family and friends and dodging the cold. Our first stop was with the Aunties, Bea and Leo, on Christmas Day. We got to see cousins Mikaela and Jaedin briefly, but Jaedin was too quick for our camera.

The girl cousins chillin' in the car seats

We had a nice visit - Lola was wearing her winter dress, and then tried on her special Santa dress from her aunties.

Maggie and Lola in front of the tree

Lola modeling her new Christmas outfit

Left to right: Bea, Leo and Lola

Lola Chats

Here is Lola chatting it up with mommy - she's just started vocalizing and we engage her every chance we get.

On Daddy's Belly

Lola's favorite hangout after a nice bottle!

Straightening out Lola's PLUMbing

Lola has been having a bit of gastric distress for a couple of days, not finishing her bottle and just out of sorts. So we looked for some ideas to give her a bit of relief, most suggestions included giving her some additional water mixed with some prune juice. This is the first thing Lola has tasted other than formula or breast milk so we were interested in seeing how she'd respond.



Thankfully the prune juice did the trick and she was right as rain the next day!

You + Me = Lola

Click the photo for a larger version

As Lola grows Maggie and I try to see who's features she's inherited, at times I see hints of myself but mostly I think Lola takes after Maggie. We put together a couple of baby pictures to see what everyone else thinks. Please feel free to leave a comment.

Princess Party!!!

Our little princess

My niece Alissa was thoughtful enough to extend an invitation to Lola to attend her princess themed sixth birthday party this past Saturday. Guests were encouraged to dress up as their favorite princess and they did just that - Alissa was stunning in her Ariel costume with her flowing red wig and mermaid dress; in addition, there was a Cinderella, a Snow White, two other Ariels and a Belle. In keeping with the theme, Maggie got Lola a costume for the party from The Tutu Shack, a pretty princess tutu in fall colors that fit Lola's small size.

We arrived in White Plains around noon and were greeted by the birthday girl and her parents - my brother Brett, his wife Sue. Sue's brother Frankie, his wife Mary and their daughters were also there. The house was filling fast and the party getting ramped up.

Mommy and Lola

In short order, there were twenty excited six year old girls tearing around the house on sugar highs when the big surprise came - a visit from THE ONE AND ONLY "Ariel" herself! She led the girls in several songs and dances, passed out party favors, and helped wish Alissa a happy birthday when she blew out the candles on her cake. Our hosts provided a super party spread of chips, soda, punch, pizza and cake - there was even a delicious fruit plate.

Ariel watching Alissa get ready to blow out the candle on her cake

Lola looked beautiful in her tutu and stared in amazement at all the activity. She got to look at lots of new faces and we were so happy to see her do well in the midst of the party chaos and being passed to many hands.

Uncle Brett

Aunt Sue and Lola

Frankie and Lola

Mary getting ready to run off with the baby!

Daddy and Lola wearing their Elton John glasses

So, we all ate our annual allowance of sugar [Maggie ate fruit, can you believe it?!?], had lots of fun, and look forward to next week for the big Thanksgiving gathering back at Brett and Sue's place with more friends and family.

CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE PHOTOS FROM THE PARTY.

Meeting the Aunties and cousin Mikaela

Mikaela and Lola

This past weekend we once again made the trip up to Westborough, where the family was gathering to meet its newest members, Lola and Mikaela. Mikaela was born October 9th and is the daughter of Maggie's brother Santi and his wife Bobbie Jo. We'd been looking forward to meeting their new baby and introducing Lola to the extended family.

Our Friday trip north was easier than last time. Lessons learned included: have a pacifier and plenty of clean onsies handy at all times, it's possible to change a diaper just about anywhere, and any food establishment will give you warm water for formula at no charge.

Saturday was spent resting with Lola enjoying time being held by her grandma and grandpa. We have also sorted out our versions of grandma and grandpa - this visit Doug voiced his preference for the French Canadian version of grandfather, Pepe. So like I was saying, grandma and pepe enjoyed holding Lola as much as she reveled in the close contact. Later, we decided to take advantage of the beautiful day and so took out the Baby Bjorn, and bundled Lola up for a walk around the neighborhood. Lola took to the baby carrier very well, shortly after we began walking the motion and fresh air had her snoring on my chest. We ended the day by going out for Chinese at the Shanghai-Tokyo Restaurant in Natick. The food was very good and Lola snoozed through the entire meal.

Lola and Pepe enjoying each others' company

The family began arriving Sunday around noon and after the greetings, everyone got down to the business of cuddling babies. Both Lola and Mikaela seemed to enjoy being held by everyone, they didn't demonstrate any fear of strangers and both were all eyes, trying to absorb each new face as it came into view.

Bea holding Mikaela, Leo holding Lola

Maggie holding Mikaela

Santi with Lola

Meaghan holding Lola, Chris telling a joke

Left to right: Bea holding Lola, Leo, Mama holding Topaz, Pepe,
Meaghan holding Clementine, Maggie and Scott

Mama had cooked several dishes for us all: chicken, calzones, fresh biscuits, sweet potatoes, salad and many others I can't recall. Everything was delicious, I know I indulged in quite a bit of it! It was a very fun afternoon and another great visit overall. CLICK HERE FOR THE PHOTO ALBUM.

No Tricks, Just Treats

Lola & Mommy picking out a pumpkin

We celebrated Lola's first halloween this year, not surprisingly all the cool costumes are for bigger toddlers but we found something that shows off her sweetness for all to see.

The weather was unusually warm, in the 70s, with 30 mph wind gusts. We visited our most favorite East End pie place and farm stand Briermere Farms to find a small pumpkin and buy some tasty pie (blackberry apple, sooo good).

Lola crying out for some delicious pie

Once we got back into the car and escaped the gale force winds Lola settled in for a nap, demonstrating her classic "cactus" pose.

We enjoyed a relatively quiet Halloween at home, passing out Snickers bars, Starbursts, and Skittles to the appreciative, costumed rugrats that came by the house. All in all a fun day.

Apres bath with Lola

Just recently Lola began smiling at Maggie and I when she recognizes our faces and voices. She's also learning how to coordinate her hands and feet, reaching out to grab noses, fingers, anything close by.

Here's a short video of her enjoying a post bath massage from mommy, smiling and cooing...

Oh no! Come on Phillies!

Talk about a house of horrors... Scott takes the baby up for a seemingly innocent diaper change and what happens???!!!

I look up and this is the sight that greets me from the couch. Ouch!

The evil [Empire] indoctrination begins all too early. World Series, Game 3.

Boppypalooza

Lola spends most of her time: in our arms, on the boppy being fed, coming in for scheduled maintenance on the changing table, and in her bassinet napping. Here are a few of her better moments on the boppy:

Click here for the entire boppy lounging series.

Drowsing in the nest

Lola chilling with Mommy

Most of our Saturday was spent hanging out in bed with La Lola. She was having a quiet spell so we enjoyed snuggling her, blowing on her belly, and just snozeling the day away. It was lots of fun. Click here for a short video of the snozefest.

Everyone was very sleepy

The first trip to grandma & grandpa's house

Maggie, Lola, Grandpa and Grandma

We decided to make a surprise trip up to Massachusetts to introduce baby Lola to Aunts Leo and Beatrice. The trip took quite a bit longer than usual, we made several stops for feedings, diaper changes, and walks for the dogs. Nothing unexpected, we just need to be prepared to slow down and smell the "roses" during the trip.

We got to mama's house on Friday (10/9) afternoon, only to find the family fully mobilized for the delivery of Santi and Bobbie Jo's daughter that same day. The aunts were in Leominster, about an hour west, and mama and Doug were headed up to see the baby as well. So we spent a quiet weekend waiting for updates on the birth.

That morning, Bobbie Jo gave birth to a baby girl, Mikaela Lola Hernandez weighing 5 pounds 12 ounces. According to the aunties she looks like a beautiful porcelain doll. Congratulations to Santi, Bobbie Jo, Deb & Peter Phillips and the entire family.

Early on Sunday, Maggie and I realized that mama and Doug hadn't had a chance to hold Lola during our visit, so we took a couple of hours to rectify that oversight and took pictures of the family. The entire photo album can be viewed here: The first trip to grandma's house

Willow sneaking into the picture

Doug and Lola the photogenic duo

All in all it was a good test run for us, it gave us the confidence that we could travel with Lola without driving fellow ferry travelers crazy and without putting her under too much stress. We had a great time and look forward to future visits.

5 1/2 week checkup

Chubby cheeks

We just had our 5th week checkup with our pediatrician Dr Wightman, Lola is packing on the pounds! She's gaining approximately half a pound per week; she weighed 6 pounds 12 ounces at birth, lost about one pound the first week and has now shot past her birth weight with pounds to spare. This visit she weighed in at a healthy 8 pounds 10 ounces. She measured 20.5 inches in length, only half an inch longer than birth but she seems much longer to us, maybe she's unfurling after being in a fetal position for those many months. Lola is in the 25th percentile on the growth/size charts meaning she is on the small side (like her mom) but is right on track for a healthy young girl.

At her happiest, curled up on mommy

Clementine trying to regain her baby status

Bringing home baby

Lola's been home for three weeks, in fact she is one month old today. During the past few weeks Maggie and I have been adjusting to limited sleep and hunting around for the owner's manual that we evidently misplaced when we brought home the baby. As a result it's all learning on the job but we're starting to get the hang of things.

We would like to thank everyone for their gifts, cards, and good wishes. Especially mama, Doug, and Meaghan, their support while we were in the midst of labor, our stay in the hospital, and most especially our return home with the new baby was invaluable. During those first days in the hospital they looked after our dogs and cats, in fact Doug got started on yard work badly in need of doing - trimming bushes, blowing off the driveway, and I'm sure several other things. Mama and Meaghan watched the baby during the first days home, especially during the overnights when the lack of sleep turned that first week home into one seemingly long day. The tips on how to comfort the baby, burp her properly, different ways to hold her paled in comparison to the reassurance of having family close by when needed.

Mama holding her granddaughter

Proud Grandpa with Lola

Auntie Meaghan holds her niece for the first time

In order to bring baby home from the hospital you need a baby seat properly installed in the car. The nurses encouraged new parents to bring the car seat into the room the day before leaving the hospital in order to practice putting baby in the seat. When we put Lola into her seat we were struck by how truly tiny she was, she looked a like a little doll in a vast car seat.

It was very nice taking Lola and Maggie home. The hospital room had gotten very small and confining over the four day stay and we could finally remove the ankle name tags that had chafed Lola's little legs. Several times during the slow ride home Maggie and I said to each other "can you believe we have a baby girl to take home?" It's still sinking in!

Crazy hair

Lola sporting some crazy hair after her bath

All dressed up in her "going out" pants!

Birth of a Lola - how it all went down

Let's all get into our wayback machines and tune the dial to Friday September 4th, 2009. We had just had our 41 week checkup with Ann Visser of the Stony Brook Midwives. Both Maggie and the baby were doing great but since we were closing in on the 42nd week and Lola wasn't showing any signs of coming out soon, we made plans for an induced labor the following Tuesday.

After leaving the office Maggie and I talked about the big day approaching and hoping to have a natural birth. Then, lo and behold, later that afternoon Maggie started to feel light contractions, not very regular but much more than anything before. As the day slid into night and Saturday morning broke it was clear the labor was progressing and it was time to call Maggie's mom. Mama made plans to drive down early Sunday morning, since we knew we had several more hours of laboring at home.

We knew what to expect in terms of the stages of labor, the midwives encourage laboring mothers to call the practice to report on progress and make sure the expectant parents don't rush to the hospital too soon. So we called to tell them Maggie was in labor, they spoke to her and reassured us that everything was progressing normally. Maggie labored throughout the day but the contractions weakened and got less cohesive that night, which turned out to be fortuitous since she was able to get some rest.

Early Sunday morning the contractions were back and stronger than ever. Maggie's mom arrived around noon and the laboring got serious. One of the "signposts" we are told to look for during labor is the mother getting determined, serious, and needing to be in bed rather than walking around. Maggie was at this stage as we timed the contractions, waiting for them to build to 60-90 seconds in length and be about 4-5 minutes apart.

Maggie was doing fabulously, staying calm and not fearing or fighting the contractions. Most importantly she was not inflicting bodily harm on me for putting her in this situation. She took all the points of the Bradley Method to heart, breathing normally, trying to remove tension from her body, and handling the pain by keeping the goal of seeing a healthy Lola in her mind. Mama was there to help keep things calm, it was also great having someone else to rely on as all of our focus was on the labor.

Throughout Sunday afternoon we called the practice a few times to check if it was time to come in, the contractions had reached 5 minutes apart and were very strong. It was clear from Maggie's face that the pain was getting more intense and labor becoming more difficult with the onset of nausea. Every time she tried to have some water or ice chips it came back up with the next set of contractions. Finally around 6:30pm, after two hours of contractions at five minutes apart and lasting well over a minute we got approval to come in. Mama and I loaded the car as Maggie went into a ten minute long contraction, I thought for sure we were having the baby at home. But it passed, and we all hit the road. The crowning moment was Maggie's water breaking about halfway into the 30 minute drive to the hospital - the final sign it was go time.

We arrived at the hospital without me veering off the road in a panic and got in to be evaluated. One of the midwives we'd had the most contact with, Jessica Hilsenroth was there to meet us. She congratulated Maggie on the great job so far, she was 4cm dilated and at -2 station. Reluctantly, but after the long hours of labor and stomach upset, Maggie finally asked for an epidural for the pain and it worked quickly. IV fluids were also started to combat her dehydration.

In the birthing suite and with pain under control, we sat quietly talking and watching the fetal monitor as the contractions rose and fell. We called some family and friends and the staff changed over for the evening. Ann Visser, another midwife on our team, took over our labor. A slow pitocin drip was then started to bring the contractions back after the epidural slowed them somewhat, however, the drip was halted after only about 20 minutes. Evidently the baby's heart rate was higher than would have liked during the contractions and, after some more monitoring and consideration, they thought it might be best to go forward with a C-section rather than wait until the baby was in distress. We wanted whatever was best for the baby so we agreed and within 15 minutes Maggie was wheeled into the operating room.

I got dressed up in a gown, hair net, and booties and was brought into the room after the prep work was complete. I sat next to Maggie, reassuring her everything was alright, and in short order, out popped our beautiful baby girl!



Lola was handed to me once she was cleaned up and swaddled with a little cap on her head. She looked up at me and I expected a big, big cry to hear those lungs working, but instead she pursed her little lips and said "ook ook ook". I couldn't believe it, with all of that hair on her head and that little noise, it was just as Maggie had predicted - we had a little monkey baby! The nurses took her back and suctioned her out a bit more and then we heard the loud cry we had been waiting for. Later in the recovery room Maggie got to hold Lola for the first time.

Maggie was still under the effects of the anesthesia, which made her hands shake, so Lola was put into a warmer for a little while. She was so quiet and had such big eyes I had to get a couple of shots.
Mama joined us in the recovery room, it was the first time she got to see her granddaughter and make sure her baby girl was doing well. After about an hour there, we followed Maggie as she was wheeled over to the postpartum wing where we spent the next four days before coming home as a new family!