One Week Old

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Making Faces

With a new baby in the house, there's been a lot of talk lately about 'feelings'. As I was taking pictures of my two littles (two! wow.) the other day, I thought it would be a good opportunity for Aurora to explore her feelings by acting out facial expressions. She had fun, and has asked several times to look at her 'happy and sad faces'~ so I think it's been helpful, too.

Aurora's Faces:

Happy

Sad

Sleepy

Angry (still looks happy to me!)

Silly

Surprised

The Very Long Photos of the Baby Post

Thanks everyone for all the warm thoughts and well wishes!!! We are starting to settle in very nicely~~ Liam is more and more present every day... more with us here in this world. He spends quite a bit of time, for a four day old, quietly observing. You see in his eyes, he has an old soul. It has been quite amazing for us to watch him 'unfold', as that's what seems to be happening, a bit more each and every day~~ tiny little glimpses into his personality and who he might become. We are fascinated by our Little Man.

I haven't really spent any time editing these photos... so they're not the absolute best. But I wanted to get some more up in a *somewhat* timely manner. I've been waiting for a sunny day to get pictures of Liam in his special coming home outfit... hopefully today ;)

Oh, and for those that aren't familiar, "Nee Nee" is Aurora's very special 'other half'. A pink Bunny blanket buddy type thing that was given to her at birth by her Gran. She is never without Nee Nee, and we've come to consider her part of our family. Aurora had picked out this 'Orange Nee Nee' to give to Liam when he was born.

Liam, just arrived home. Aurora immediately brought over his orange Nee Nee for him and her purple fish. Then she bestowed on him the greatest gifts of all.... her own very special Nee Nee and Blanket.

Three Days Old

Big Sister!!

My Loves

Rory received a child sized Ergo, in the same print as ours, as an "Older Sister" gift. She loves to carry her Nee Nee and Liam's around on her back.

Nee Nee Friends: Aurora's Pink Nee Nee and Liam's Orange Nee Nee... Lovingly put to bed 'cozy next to each other' ~~ I think this is her way of showing her acceptance of Liam... Liam's Nee Nee is included in everything.

With Grandmommy

With Grandma and Grandpa

He's Here!!

Liam is Here!

January 22, 2010 3:01 pm

9lbs 4.5 0z, 20.75 inches

Of course, many many more photos to come;) And, also, a more complete birth story... but, too be quick... We were induced yesterday at already 4 cms, 80% effacement and the baby at 0 station. Pitocin was started on the lowest level, 1, at about 8:15am. They increased it to 2 at some point, but couldn't go any higher because I was contracting regularly at every 1-2 minutes. The problem was, they were the same type of contractions I've had all along... painless, and not building at all in intensity. But, I was contracting, so no upping the Pit. At around 11 am, my doctor ruptured my membranes and then things finally got started... Pit was reduced to 1, and then turned off as my body took over and did it's job. Less than four hours later, and after only 15 minutes of pushing, Liam was born. It was very intense, and my little guy is a bit black and blue from hurtling through his Mama's body at such a crazy velocity, but we both made it through (drug free, minus the Pit, as I had dearly hoped), and are already madly in love with each other. My doula, Rachel, was a godsend~~ it would not have been the birth it was without her!

Liam is doing great.... I'm still incredibly sore, but recovering. And, we are all looking forward to getting home tomorrow and exploring the new parameters of our family... now 25% larger.

Welcome Home Set

Sheepy Pants in TIG Galenas Merino 'Tierney' and Malabrigo Merino Worsted 'Bijou Blue'

Little Boy Blue Ribbed Baby Hat in TIG Galenas Merino 'Tierney'

BSJ Inspired Booties in Malabrigo Merino Worsted 'Bijou Blue'

Our Little Guy will be here tomorrow!! I have an induction set for tomorrow morning, due to complications relating to my past miscarriages. We were hoping he would come on his own (he still might tonight~ you never know!), but are so, so excited to meet this long awaited little fellow. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers!

Ooohh... check these out!

Geometric floor play tiles over at Mer Mag. I have *got* to make some of these for Aurora... they are right up her alley. Crafty Crow linked to them this morning.... and wow!.... didn't want to lose the bookmark (that folder is way overdue for a clean-thru)... so I figured I'd better post it here so I don't forget after the new baby haze lifts.

For the birds

Watercolor and Salt Painting

We did this a little while ago, but I forgot to post about it :)

The idea was that where we sprinkled the salt, it would soak up the blue paint and leave an effect looking like snowflakes.

Aurora went a little overboard with the salt application, though, so it doesn't look much like a snowscape... but turned out beautifully nonetheless. I gave her 3 small dishes of salt- fine, coarse and rock- so she could explore the differences in each. It was such an interesting outcome... I imagine we'll be trying this again!

39 Weeks

We need 'time to come out now, baby!' vibes sent our way please!

Immersed in a world of color....

This is how Aurora has been spending the better part of each day.....



We are loving all the artwork!! But, ummm, grandparents.... you can expect some in the mail soon, as we are quickly being overrun by all these beautiful paintings.

New Years and Epiphany/Three Kings Day

New Year's for us this year was kept pretty darn simple. We had some yummy (although store bought) pastries for breakfast, switched the calendars and Around The Year book over, lounged around and then Rory and I made this special candle. We will light it on the first day of each month, and then next January, use it to light the new New Year's Candle. The idea being that we will watch it grow smaller as the year progresses. We used clay punches to punch shapes from beeswax decorating wax strips and Aurora chose where to place them on the candle. Easy peasy and lots of fun.

And, today we celebrated Epiphany/ Three Kings Day for the first time. We took down all our Christmas decorations last night, and Aurora was none too happy to see the tree go... It helped that we had this small celebration to look forward to today. Given that I am ahem rather large with child at the moment (and contracting regularly, but not enough, apparently... whole other story), this celebration was kept pretty small as well. I had originally wanted to at least bake a tree kings cake to have for breakfast this morning... but last night, rather uncharacteristically, I actually recognized my limits and decided to skip any baking/further crafting, and stick to a paper crown and the three small gifts we had chosen for Aurora. And that was truly plenty for this year. It was a very sweet morning.