Mom & Dad's "first date night"

It was so nice of my mom to push us out the door so that we could actually have a date night, when she came for a visit. Six weeks old. It's time!

We enjoyed a delicious dinner and glass of wine at one of our favorite restaurants, Milano. It was a joy to have adult conversation and to actually match my clothes before going out!



Here we are just before handing the little rascal off to Grammy for the night.






Thanks, Mom!

2 months!!

Yay, Jonas is officially 8 weeks old!

One of the best developments in the past few weeks is that Jonas has learned to smile, the REAL smile. How cute is this??








He still watches his mobile a lot. I am amazed at how long it can hold his attention. The other day I put him under it for a minute or two while tidying something in his room. He waved and laughed and kicked at it. Five minutes went by, then 8, then 10, 15. He loves it! He was nearly there for 20-25 minutes. Hey, I'll take whatever time I can get. Meanwhile, I managed to clean up his whole room and complete a clothes sorting project, which is very important these days as he's blowing through his clothes reserve.

Here's another thing that makes me laugh my ass off. Jonas is losing the hair that he was born with to new hair (still in the soft fuzz stage), but what's so comical is the hair loss pattern. Check out this photo:



He looks like he has been attacked and buzzed by a pair of errant clippers.




He's lost lots of hair on the left side of his head because I often put him to sleep on his side. It's coming out on the right side too, but not anywhere near as fast. Sometimes I fluff up all the hair in the middle so it looks like a mohawk. Then it looks like he's got this stylin' 'do.

As I write this, Jonas is passed out on my lap taking a nap. I'm a prisoner to my bed and laptop until he wakes up. After all, who wants to wake a sleeping baby?! He is laughing and laughing. What in the world is so funny to an 8 week old?

Almost six weeks

We got out for our longest walk this week. It's so great to get OUTSIDE!!!

Jonas has begun studying our faces. He watches the flashing lights on his swing with purpose. He vocalizes more with oohs and ahhs and gurgles. His newest sound is "geuh". I find this amusing because this is what I always call GE, "the geuh". :-)

I can't believe how much I enjoy just observing him. I put him in his crib and turn on the mobile. He watches it spin around. I in turn could just watch him for tens of minutes doing this while I wonder what's going on in that little baby brain. What is he seeing? He kicks and "strums" his fingers in the air with excitement and intrigue.

He has gotten so long. He was in the 90 something percentile in height at our last dr visit two weeks ago. I notice this all the time when I put him in the bouncer chair, or when he's stretched out on the boppy pillow. I can picture so clearly when he looked so tiny in the papasan chair just a few weeks ago.

The many faces of Jonas...

You do what you have to

As I was just typing out an email to a friend, it dawned on me the "adjustments" that we have to make to get anything accomplished with an infant. While Joe is out for a run this morning, I thought that I'd get a few emails written. Jonas had been resting peacefully in his bouncer chair sucking away on his pacifier. So it was an opportune moment. No sooner did I sit down and he changed his mind. "I don't want to be in this chair any more. And I definitely don't want this stupid pacifier!" After I picked up the pacifier for nth time, I took him out of the chair and strapped him into the baby bjorn. It works every time.

The trick is that I've got to move about a bit. I washed up the latest round of bottles and watered the plants, bouncing around and swaying when he started fidgeting. Then I went to the computer. I WILL get these emails done--whatever it takes. So, here's what it takes:

We listen to some music (Jonas likes John Mayer's Continuum album), and as I type, I try to either rock or do twists, whatever induces him back into a sleep. This is not easy for someone who was not a good multi-taker before motherhood and is even worse at multi-tasking with a baby, if it could get to a worse stage. Sometimes I have stop typing to concentrate on the movement and then start typing again. Of course, by then I've lost my train of thought. But hey, we do have to do. Besides, maybe somehow or another it'll forge more right brain-left brain connections. You can never have too many of those, and I think I've lost quite a few in the last few months.

First lessons learned

This post is actually about me, not Jonas. Yeah, didn’t you read the fine print at the beginning of this blog? It clearly states that I reserve the right to occasionally write about myself, after the baby is born.

A baby’s growth curve is exponential in the first year of life. I’d argue that the parents’ is too. My first month as a new mom was wonderful, exhilarating, exhausting, and… instructional!

Here are the top five things that I learned:

1. You can do amazing things with your toes.

There have been so many times when I couldn’t pick up something off the floor that I desperately needed. Damn! If only I had a few more arms, like that Indian goddess. (Sorry I don’t know her name.) Then, I had an important realization: in addition to my two hands, I’ve got ten more digits on the floor! Why not use them? I’m not as good as a chimp, but I’m getting there. Give it another few months I may be writing out checks with my feet, holding Jonas in one hand and cooking a full dinner in the other.

2. Wipes are a rip.

It only took me a week to learn this one. Seriously, is there some kind of wipe conspiracy that I haven’t been cued in on? They just smeared around the “business”. Four wipes later, I could finally see skin again. Are you kidding me?! And they’re expensive. Let me do the math for you: 20 diapers x 4 wipes per session = 80 wipes per day. There are only a few hundred wipes in a box.

I took to using a warm wash cloth. Works better. I’m happy to report that since I formed this initial opinion I did find a brand of wipes that are thicker and get the job done. Huggies Naturals. Now I can use one wipe per change. I can live with that.

3. It’s a proven fact: wine tastes phenomenal after you haven’t had it for nine months.

I had my first glass of wine a week or so after we brought Jonas home. It was glorious. Granted, between the sleep deprivation, the physical exhaustion from the labor, and the relaxation effects of the wine I passed out at 7 pm that night. Well, it was worth it.

4. It’s important to upgrade your cable package.

If you have the basic, BASIC cable package like we do, I would strongly recommend upgrading to the next level. I never thought that I’d do much tv watching, as I find tv programming incredibly boring. The thing is in the early weeks of maternity leave, there is a lot of sitting/lying around. So what do you do? I naively thought that I’d be sailing through books while on maternity leave. But holding and squirmy baby and trying to feed him, while holding a book still—hell, forget holding it still; holding it period!—is virtually impossible, at least at my novice status. So, I spend a lot of time looking at the tv. I ow know the manufacturer of every advertised pharmaceutical, have seen more trashy tv shows than I care to admit here and could tell you anything you want to know about getting in touch with a lawyer who can help you get the money “you deserve” from your accident.

5. Changing boys’ diapers: the anti-dote to Dilly-dally syndrome

According to my husband I have long suffered from DDS. He says I lolly-gag. I prefer to think of it as taking my time and being thorough. It drives me crazy to rush through things. “Liz, you’ve got to pick up the pace,” he says, the first few times I changed Jonas’ diaper. Sounds reminiscent of our old runs together. “Listen, you change ‘em your way; I’ll change ‘em mine.” Well, that line worked fine for a little while. Then it happened. I was changing him in the early morning hours, doing my best to clean every inch thoroughly, and all of a sudden Jonas started spraying like a fire hose. All over the place! The changing table, my arms, the wall, his own body—all doused. I won’t describe the “other” scenario. Yep, that's happened too. I finally got the idea after a dozen times. Now, I’m wicked fast, and somehow I still manage to get the job done. Passes QC inspection every time.

So many changes, so much wonder. What will next month hold?

One month old - can you believe it!

Jonas was officially one month old yesterday! I can’t believe it. For all those years when I rolled my eyes when I’d hear my mom and other parents say, “Oh, they grow up so fast…” I can really this appreciate now. And, maybe... I regret rolling those eyes now.



This is what we call Jonas' koala bear pose. He loves to be held. He starts up high near your shoulder and gradually makes his way downward until he's scrunched up in a little ball. He'll sleep like this for hours.





Jonas noticed the mobile in his crib for the first time! I've put him in the crib a few times before and turned on the mobile, while I was tending to something else, but he always seemed oblivious to it. Yesterday he actually followed the characters on the mobile. It's so exciting to see him grow and reach new developmental milestones. Wow, I can just imagine what it'll be like when he says his first word or takes the first step.




We've been out for walks every day now that winter is giving way to spring. Sure, I have to get Jonas all bundled up, pack him into his car seat (which he is not fond of) and pull down all the shades around him, but he enjoys the walks. And it's good for both of us to get out there and enjoy the fresh air.

I really thought back when I was pregnant that I might be able to get out for a walk-run by now, but it hasn't quite worked out that way. I didn't realize how long the whole healing process takes. We'll get there... eventually.

Three weeks old

Our little guy is three weeks old today. He's growing well now. He's a regular eating, sleeping and "eliminating" machine. I'm thrilled to report that he has finally gained back his birth weight. He had me worried there for a bit. In the beginning though he wasn't eating all that well, so I guess it makes sense. No worries about eating well now though. He eats frequently, consequently *I* eat all the time, which suits me just fine! When else will I be able to eat this much and not have to run 5 miles?

Jonas has also gained two inches. He's up to a sky-scraping 23 inches. He's managed to make it through 1 or 2 diaper changes without ratcheting up in hysterics in the past week and Monday's bath had only low level crying. Could he be adjusting??

He loves to be held near your chest. And he scruches up in a little ball. He looks like a koala bear. I've started carrying him around in the baby bjorn, which basically puts in him in that position, and, it frees up my hands, which is another great benefit. Typing with one hand, or scouring the sink with one hand, or making lunch with one hand is kind of a drag, not to mention wicked slow.

More photos soon...

The first bath

Oh, were there tears and screams and wailing going on for the bath. In all fairness to Jonas I hated baths, too, and that lasted until I was about 8 years old! Hopefully, he'll get over it sooner than I did.



The calm before the storm.








Occasionally Jonas flashes a smile. When he does, my heart just melts.

Unfortunately, this was only to last about 2 seconds--that was before we put him in the bath.






Oh my! We even saw the lower lip trembling. That's when we know we've really done it.

I'll never forget when I watched the nurse bathe him after he was born how his lower lip trembled and there was something in his cry that made me tear up. I occasionally hear this specific cry every now and again, and it still has the same effect on me.




A brief moment of quiet submission. Key word = brief.









Even putting on the dinosaur towel after the bath wasn't a consolation, but at least we were done. For now, anyway...

Jonas' first week home

Jonas' first week at home was filled with adventure--for him, yes, but even more so for us. We started at the base of a VERY steep learning curve last Friday when we came home from the hospital trying to figure out baby language, sleep needs, eating needs and the like. This week (2nd week) things are starting to settle a bit, as we all learn more about one another.

Jonas' expression captures how I too felt that first week.



Grammie (my mom) stayed with us for a week, which was fantastic. I don't know what I would have done without her. The days go by so quickly! With 8-10 feedings a day and endless diaper changes, who has time for cooking and laundry?? Nevermind paying the bills and catching up with emails. Grammie made tasty meals, rocked and played with the baby, walked the dog, and basically took really great care of Joe and me.


Mima (Joe's mom) came down for a day to meet Jonas and she'll will treat us to yet another visit soon. We're all looking forward to it.



Although Jonas has lost weight since he was born, he no longer fits into the newborn size diapers, which is really convenient since I just happen to have those coming out the wazoo and hardly any size 1 diapers. You just never can predict how these things will work out.

We're blessed that he loves the swing and the bouncer. I've heard tales of woe about babies who hate one or the other. We try to carry him around most of the time, but it gets hard on the upper arms after awhile.

Changing the diapers has been eventful and memorable. Jonas HATES getting diaper changes. He screams the whole way through unless someone, or some thing, is plugging up the mouth--like a pacifier or a parental finger. Listen kid, I can't say that we're terribly fond of it either, but we gotta make peace with this. This is going to be a daily occurrence for a few more years!It seems to work best when we tag team him. Once that diaper comes off the feet go everywhere. It takes one person to hold the feet and another to deal with the mess at hand. I've learned to remove socks first, otherwise he inevitably manages to smear the contents of the diaper all over his heels. Dealing with the diaper is challenge enough.

Thanks for checking in. Stayed tuned for Jonas' first bath. If you think the diaper changes are rough, the bath set a whole new precedent for hysterics.

Welcome to the world, Baby V!

At last, I have a chance to update the blog! These last two weeks have been jam packed, as you might imagine, with feedings, screaming fits, diaper changes, small and infrequent stints of sleep, and more joy and wonder--and exhaustion--than we've ever known. And as nothing that Joe and I ever do can ever be simple and straight forward, our son certainly gave us our fair share of surprises and curve balls.

Jonas Mathay Vinciquerra made his way into the world and into our hearts on February 26, at 4 a.m. He weighed 9 lbs, 7 oz. and was 21 inches long.

My water broke at 5 am Monday morning the 25th of February. I naively thought (or was it hoped?) that this whole process would take me not much more than through the afternoon. That'd be about 12 hours, pretty good for a labor, I'd say. Besides, my mom was in labor with me for only 4 or 5 hours. I was hoping to have inherited some kind of speedy childbirth gene from her.

After my water broke, we stayed at home for another 4 or 5 hours, weathering regular contractions by making the rounds around our dining room and living room. I remember this part pretty vividly. Where I got lost in a time warp was once we got to the hospital. Once I got all set up in my room, time began to fade away. As the day progressed, I began to feel great pressure and pain in my back. Contractions intensified and became more frequent. I was even fortunate enough to experience double and triple contractions--lucky me! The midwife had me try a myriad positions to get through and help me progress faster, only I was in this for the long haul, little did we know. Thank God for Joe and the midwives (there were two by the second half of the labor). Joe supported and encouraged me brilliantly. He was an amazing coach!

Somewhere between 12 and 15 hours, I had reached full dilation. They kept asking me if I had an "overwhelming urge to push". I had been waiting (desperately!) for this sensation to happen, but I can't say that I ever felt it with the kind of certainty that I've heard others talk about. What I did feel was the most intense pain and pressure on my lower spine that I've ever felt. It was crippling. Although I didn't have a great physical urge to push, emotionally ready to do anything! Anything to get this baby out and alleviate the back pain.

After an hour or so of pushing and making relatively little progress, I made a quick (and rather unpleasant, I might add) trip to catheter-land. Let me just say there's nothing quite like getting catheterized in the midst of your contractions! Needless to say I was not excited at all by this detour, but what else could I do? Apparently a very full bladder can inhibit the baby's descent.

The pushing resumed for another two hours. It was now nearly 11 p.m. I ended up laboring drug-free for 18 hours with back pain that had reached the point of being excruciating, only to have it confirmed that the baby's positon was occiput posterior, or "sunny side up" as my friend calls it. They weren't even sure that if I continued, I'd be able to deliver him naturally anyway. Close to 11 pm that night (18 hours into this ordeal), we made the call to do the epidural. At midnight, the anesthesiologist administered an epideral (amidst two more contractions) with hopes that it would eliminate the pressure of the baby's skull from my spine.



After "going numb" we rested for a while. With the back pain gone I was up for anything.








Recharged and ready "to be done with it" 3 more hours of pushing brought Jonas into the world!






It was night and day difference. I was able to make much more progress on the pushing without the back pain, and it went by pretty quickly since I was no longer in agonizing pain. We were all laughing and telling stories for the last few hours.

We were also very happy to be able to avoid a c-section, although by midnight I was so desperate that I was open to whatever options were available to me. At one point, it was looking like a c-section might become the only alternative. Joe and the midwives encouraged me to first try delivering naturally with the epidural and see what would happen, and then we could make the call to do a c-section if it were necessary. Fortunately, it was not.

I have the greatest respect and admiration for our midwives. They were fantastic. I truly credit them, and Joe my greatest advocate, for helping us to achieve what we wanted: a natural childbirth. They were with us every step of the way, which is so unusual in today's highly "efficient" hospital situations.

We spent three days in the hospital and finally returned home on Thursday to our cozy home--oh, how good it felt to be home!--and Jonas' new friend, Auntie Ginger. Now the fun really begins.