Wednesday, January 28, 2009

I've been looking forward to this....

... wondering what that sweet little grin will look like. Well, Will has been working on this new skill for about a week or so, and today I finally caught it on camera:He sure loves that ceiling fan! (And he is often quite happy to see the shelves over our couch, too.)

Saturday, January 24, 2009

A Lazy Saturday Morning

We've been taking it easy in the mornings 'round here. When you have a newborn, I think you are given a license to sleep in and laze about when possible:
Some of us, despite not working the "night shift", are still taking full advantage of the new routine:

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Queen Annabelle and Prince Willem

Recently, this has become Bella's standard dress around the house:

And often we find that Willem's hat has been replaced by this:

Which would explain this recent posting on her bedroom door:
Yes, that says "Royalty and everyone I know ONLY!"

Monday, January 19, 2009

Attachment Parenting in Action

Baby-wearing Mama:

Baby-wearing Daddy:

Baby-wearing Big Sister:
She made this "sling" on her own and carried around her little wind-up puppy!

Moments in the Life of a Newborn

A doting big sister looks on as Willem gets a bath:

He has a few baths under his belt now and seems to enjoy the warm water. He does not, however, enjoy being removed from the tub. I don't blame him!

On the way to pick up big sister at school:
He fusses a little when I first put him in the carseat, but promptly falls asleep. He is a good little traveler!

This past Saturday's activities included lounging with Bella:

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Happy One Month Birthday, Little One.

Forgive the lack of posts, but I have been immensely enjoying my babymoon. If you had told me a year ago that I would be sitting here today soaking up the warmth of his little body, listening to his sweet squeaks and sighs, breathing in his delicious baby smell... well, I wouldn't have believed you. And yet, here he is. Alive and well and thriving at that! Such a strong, healthy baby. He beat the odds and held tight during a perilous journey. This little soul has certainly restored my faith in happy endings.

A look back ....

Remember this? He was only 17 weeks along.



And here he is a few weeks before he was born. Always wiggling! I spoke to him a lot in those last few weeks before he was born, asking him to just stay strong in there and telling him that I was doing everything I could to keep him healthy and bring him into our arms safely. I had a distinct feeling that he understood me. Well, he certainly upheld his end of the bargain....

...His heartrate never faltered during my long, intense labor (well, except for the very last contraction). He was even kicking and squirming while I was pushing!

And then, there he was. Our son, who didn't even exist 9 months ago, whom we almost lost along the way, was in my arms.

The name Willem means "strong-willed, fighter" and he certainly is that. He is a survivor. He took to nursing immediately, and has been gaining about a pound a week!!

Pure bliss.



Wednesday, January 7, 2009

He's Here!


Amazingly. Safe and sound. I now know what it is really like to cry tears of joy.

Willem Addison
7lbs, 5oz, 20 inches
Winter soltstice, 8:27pm.