weight update

Liam weighs 9 lbs now! The hungry hungry hippo has surpassed his birth weight!


But really, what we are most concerned with is projectile poo. Sorry to embarrass you, Liam, but that is really your main activity at the moment.

We love Cha Cha and Mae Mae!

Liam would like to blow a big kiss to Nana and Grandpa Edgar and thank them for taking such good care of us the past two weeks!

It was really fantastic having my parents here-- the little guy was held every waking moment of the day (our waking moments-- even when he napped, someone held him!). I just can't describe how happy I am that they could come. We can't wait to be together again!!!!!

In addition to super baby/household duty, my parents are now Germany pros. If you need to buy stuff from a German grocery store or find a decent Italian restaurant on Severinsstr., just ask them!

President of the Baby Bug Club

and sushi aficionado.

Video time

Liam is really doing fantastic! He is almost back up to his birth weight, and he ADORES having Nana and Grandpa here to hold him constantly. He is a major squirmer, loves holding his head up, and can roll onto his side!

Mom is really spoiling me-- doing all of the housework, making sure that I nap, etc.

Anyway, here are some videos of the little guy-- the last two are with the midwife, who has been coming here every day to check on him (and us). He has a little eye gunk because his tear ducts are still narrow and he is covered with newborn pimples because he is now making is own hormones...

Liam!

Hi everyone, sorry for the delay in pictures, but our hospital seems to be stuck in the time of its namesake (St. Augustine), and lacks internet access.

As you might be aware, Liam Ulysses Lynch came into the world yesterday, around 12:44 am, weighing in at a bit over 8lbs. I was a bit surprised about that conversion, I usually lazily just think of as a kilo as two pounds, but it is a more, and I guess this gets significant when it comes to babies. From the last measurment we had, I was expecting about a 7-pounder, but already that was half a pound low. (I am a bit sleep deprived, so this post may meander toward the edge of nonsense--sorry about that).

Anyway, after trying all kinds of "interesting" methods to get him to join us:

It was time for him to come:

After a hard night's work, here is Sarah's reward:

Mmmmm... Delicious yellowish-white mush served three ways!

We were told that because Liam was born in this particular hospital, he will be eligible to be Prince of Carneval at some point in the future. Can you spot the prophecy on his heart rate monitor output?

Someday, son, all of this will be yours:

(I've come to realize that this view is more impressive at night, oh well)

There should be a few more pictures on the slideshow thingy at the upper right corner of the blog...

Blue Skies again

I had a fantastic appointment with the midwife today. She said it looks like I am ready now to go into labor at any time (something she did not say on Wednesday!). HOWEVER, after I told her that my parents are coming on Tuesday, she also thinks the little guy could be waiting for them. Geez. Well, we will see, won't we?

I'll be keeping myself busy with cooking and baking. Cherry chocolate muffins, anyone?

I'll admit it-- I'm getting a little grumpy

And every time the doctor tells me that my cervix is still closed, I want to cry.

But there was a little good news today from the midwife. I went there for acupuncture, and she said it looks like the baby dropped down even more by the shape of my belly.

Soooo, don't worry everybody, they are taking really good care of us. It's all about balancing what is best for the baby. Too much medical intervention now can cause a long, horrible labor (not good for the baby), but they are also making sure that the baby is still doing well in there.

And Jer and I are following our folk medicine regime because a lot of the tips are fun.

The news is no news

Hi Everyone--

I just got back from the doctor, and everything is pretty much the same. I will keep going to the doctor and the midwife every few days, and if nothing happens by the weekend, then I will go to the hospital for a really thorough check. They only induce here after 12 days, if everything else is ok (and he is really still moving around a lot, so the amount of amniotic fluid is probably fine). When they do induce, then the first route is with a castor oil and schnapps drink!

Anyway, that's all--I can't talk about it anymore because I may go insane-- just know that we will let you know when there is something to say, and until then I will be making a pair of socks.

And Nicole-- we watched The Big Lebowski last night. It was a good try :)

Your Saturday morning still pregnant silliness

"Hey Liam! Can you come out to play?"

The giant squid decides that he's had enough and just wants to check his email.

And look at this!

Brussels in Bloom

Breathtaking!

The News

Ok, now listen up everybody:

I just got back from my check-up with the midwife, and she said that I am actually not quite ready to go into labor yet. My cervix still needs to do a little ripening. SO, I am going to relax, drink some raspberry leaf tea, take some evening primrose oil capsules, and let nature do her work. She said that of course, my water could break, and then it is go time, but it would be better for me (and the baby!) if things finished getting ready without heavy contractions. That means, if the laboring/true contractions start and my cervix is not yet ripe, it will take even longer for the baby to actually come out. And THAT means, more pain, more time in the hospital, etc, etc. Eeek! Stay in and finish, I say!

(just as I was writing that, I think I was having some practice/BH contractions. Ha!)

We are going to have to settle in for a few more days. Even though I am a little disappointed, I have to say the information makes me feel better. And the good thing is that his head is now completely pressing in my pelvis, so if my water does break it is no longer an emergency where we have to call the ambulance. Whew!

Luring out the babe

with promises of the best ice cream in Paris, right next to the apartment where we will be staying:



But maybe he doesn't believe me since that famous ice cream place in Nice was closed for the winter, and I made him eat snails instead.

I also found THE place to get PRESSED DUCK nearby. But maybe we'll save that until next time. I can just see him projectile spitting liquified duck gut breast milk everywhere.




Sorry, too gross? This is how I'm entertaining myself while waiting for him to GET OUT! OUT! OUT!

Now I'll work on my parents' German adventure. Don't be scared, Mom.