Saturday, June 23, 2007

Thing 2 ...


silas ... I'm a boy, originally uploaded by toyfoto.



Silas Patrick was born June 19th, 2007 at 7:07 p.m. weighing 6 pounds, 3 ounces and measuring 19 inches.

He does indeed have hydronephrosis -- a moderate dilation of the left kidney, in his case -- which was diagnosed inutero, but otherwise he's healthy.

Now that all that statistical stuff is out of the way, let me tell you about our boy ...

He is perfect.

He has lots of dark hair on his head and even some on his back. He came out quietly as the doctors pushed and pulled and cajolled him from his place inside me. My doctors had called in a high-risk pediatrician and had warned me that anything could happen, the worst being that he could be in need of a little NICU time seeing as how the surgery at 37 weeks 5 days (according to the ultrasound due date) was taking him just a tiny bit early.

As he was being examined, his bluish body (normal after birth) turned bright red and he screamed his beautiful head off. He even peed on the ped, which made Jed so proud.

(Just so you know, he was equally proud of his daughter's mischievous persuits at this age, too ... she got the footprint ink EVERYWHERE when the nurse who did the honors diverted her attention just for a second).

My memories of my recovery time with Annabel were much different, however, than with her new brother.

I recall, though I'm told, she was with me the whole time. But I didn't hold or nurse her until we got to our assigned room in the maternity section. Waiting for her to be put in my arms felt like an eternity.

This time Jed was sitting right next to me with Silas as they PACU nurse, Jennifer, went about doing her assessments and tests of my recovery. (The incision being not as nice as the last one, she was worried about some bleeding).

Silas latched on (painlessly, I might add -- he's that good a kid) within an hour.

So far he's been a quiet boy, though. The nursery would take him at night to give me a chance to sleep and return him every three hours for feedings. Each time they opened the door and told me he was hungry, he was silently looking up at me, eyes wide open. Just waiting patiently.

We returned home last night, and Annabel is over the moon about her baby. She has a place all her own (on the back of his head) that only she can kiss.

And she assures us she LOVES being a big sister. All I know is he's a lucky boy to have her, and we are a lucky family to have them.

It's a good day.

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh.My.God! He's gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

Oh Siobhan, miracles do happen.

Anonymous said...

yessssss! happy, healthy, calm and quiet... he's perfect!
so sweet that annabel has her own little kiss spot, special to her... you have an incredible family.
congrats again!
xxoo

Amy said...

Wonderful... what a relief. I'm glad you are all well.

xoxox

Kelly Anne said...

I'm dead over the fact that Anna has her own little spot to kiss him.

Such sweetness. She's going to be a fantastic big sister.

Binky said...

I love the title of that photo. I remember making sure we got the "I'm a Girl" bassinet photo when The Boss was born. There's something hilarious about that little hospital name tag. Congrats on the good day, and here's to many more.

Leighann of Multi-Minding Mom said...

Beautiful!

We are at similar points: my daughter is almost 3 and our son is 5 weeks. And she is a very proud big sister.

Something that I did that your daughter might like: get one of those inexpensive plastic photo albums/brag books and put in a bunch of pix of the baby, your daughter, you, your husband, etc. and give it to your daughter. Ours has been showing it to everyone and takes it with her everywhere. I think it makes her feel important.

Firestarter5 said...

CONGRATS!!! to Si, Jed, and BIG SISTER Annabel...

supa said...

so, so awesome.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations to all… That’s one good looking kid with a most interesting name. Can’t wait to see a pic of Annabel holding her baby brother.

I checked here the other day and seen no new post and now I see one dated Tuesday, how did you do that?

Chicky Chicky Baby said...

Congratulations! He's a stunner and he wears his name well.

Unknown said...

He is GORGEOUS!

Congrats to all :-)

Melissa R. Garrett
www.LittleWoolgatherings.blogspot.com
www.TheSilverTongue.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

He is beautiful!!!

Anonymous said...

Oh, I am SO happy for you.
I just knew eveything would be fine.
Welcome, Silas. :D

Mrs. Harridan said...

I am so relieved that he's OK, and so happy for you! All that hair ... and I love the name. Congratulations!

Anonymous said...

Oh yay! Congratulations =)

Gail at Large said...

I'm so happy! Happy in Halifax! Congratulations Siobhan, Jed, and Annabel!

Anonymous said...

YAY! CONGRATUlATIONS!!! Welcome Silas and congratulations to your family!!

bella said...

Welcome to this world little Silas. You belong here and we are blessed to have you.
Siobhan, my heart is full for you today. May your family feel wrapped in love like cocoon and may this time be sweet.

Anonymous said...

Lighting candles DOES work! A big YAY to the whole family.
xoxo

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! He's beautiful.

I'm so glad the suspicions of his problem in utero turned out to be far less worrisome than Down Syndrome.

the stefanie formerly known as stefanierj said...

Okay, I left a comment on your Other Blog to this effect but GOOD HEAVENS WHAT A GORGEOUS BABY. It's like all my friends have said--you think there is no space left for more love for an additional kid, and then you see him, and huge additional real estate in your heart opens up. Thanks for letting us be there for it....

Anonymous said...

Yes, yes… I have seen the picture of Annabel in the process of, or just after… giving baby brother Sil-walk (not Charlie) a kiss. It is just as you have described and what an impressive shot it is, the different skin completions are compelling. We know Annabel is pink, but little bro Silas is even “pinker”. Is there such a word?
The little guy looks so content, and secure, like he knows he is amongst family and one’s who love and care.
Like you I am concerned about his silence, does he not scream, “where the hell am I and I’m good and hungry?? And what the hell is this stuff… Oxygen? That is just great, now I have to learn how to dam breath. BTW, where are those tunes I thought I heard when I became enlightened a couple of months ago… counting crows or somthin like that, might make me wiggle around a little bit. "Chantilly lace and a pretty face…" Opps, must have been a past life. And tell that big hairy guy to take that phone out of his ear and get me somthin to EAT, never mind, I just found some grub… or it found me.

“Thanks mom.”

And that is why all the football stars say “Hi mom” the minute a network camera is pointed at them.

Best wishes, Kcoz

toyfoto said...

i'm just going to pop in briefly to thank you all for your thoughts, and let you know that my recovery has not been as easy as the last time.

i was hoping i'd be back to as normal as a person like me can be by now, but the incision isn't as pleasant nor is it as painless.

i have been reading your e-mails and getting all kinds of internet (and real world) love, and i am grateful for every ounce.

annabel has been a trooper, too, adjusting to the changes with minimal outbursts. she is, after all, in love with this boy ...

... who is currently attached to my left breast.

Firestarter5 said...

Hey Missy! If it takes you longer to get better, then let it take longer. You just had a baby. You didn't spit out a raisin.

Here's an idea....Let Jed do a post or two while you're getting back to normal!

Take care Missy!

Mom101 said...

Sorry I'm late on this, but so so SO happy for you! He's just gorgeous and I can't wait to see your (always beautiful) pics of he and his big sister together. Those are the ones I can't stop taking.

Kelly said...

In the chaos of our moving, the last post I read from you was your letter to Annabel. I'm checking in now and just over the moon for you. What a gorgeous boy. Glad everyone is doing well and settling in. Congratulations!