First smile!

Aunt Kim & Aunt Bridget were visiting this weekend (Kim's birthday & summer solstice) when Thomas decided it was high time for his first smile! Yes, yes, I know some of you are saying, "this kid's only three weeks old; it was gas" - but we respectfully disagree, especially since he did it in imitation of Aunt Kim's big smile! Of course, we didn't get a picture of it - but give us time...

While they were here, Kim & Bridget decorated our living room ceiling with some designs to amuse Thomas. Kim's dots (made from black contact paper) are over our usual nursing spot & so far are a big hit! (Bridget got the ceiling over the change table & at the moment T's attention is usually on the window blinds when he's there.)

First bath

The pictures may not show it, but Thomas loved his first bath.

All dry!

Welcome Thomas!

Amanda and I are thrilled to announce the arrival of our new baby boy, Thomas Michael Bernier. Thomas arrived on Sunday June 1 at 5:25 in the morning; he weighed in at 7 pounds 5.5 ounces and was 22 inches long.

For those of you who want a few more details: the road to the birth began with a mandatory ultrasound on Friday in the morning, since at that point Mandy was nine days overdue. The ultrasound indicated that the level of amniotic fluid was low, which made us a good (but not urgent) candidate for induction since either 1) the fluid was leaking or 2) the placenta was breaking down. We went to a couple of consultation checkups later in the day, and it was decided that we would begin induction on Saturday. We checked into the hospital (Montfort) at 10 a.m. on Saturday, but contractions didn't really get going until the early evening (and then things got pretty intense). Labour continued steadily through the night, picking up around 3:30 and then baby arrived after some absolutely amazing pushes by mom.

Mom and baby are both doing very well and everyone is now back home and settling into our new life, ably assisted by three very proud grandparents.

Sow bugs

Today friends gathered at our house to celebrate Amanda's upcoming transition to motherhood. The gathering was organized by Anna and Sarah (thanks you two!), and was a blend of the traditional baby shower and a twist on the Navajo "Blessingway", which focuses on giving wisdom and strength to a soon-to-be mom.

Many friends sent written blessings, which touched us with their love and wisdom. We wanted to post one of them, which was sent by grandma-to-be Leslie, and is the sort of thing that just ought to be shared.

A Wish for Andre and Amanda's Baby

"Baby Baby Baby! What do I wish for you? The moon? The stars? Lots of people to love you? Health? Luck? Well you have most of those things, and the ones you don't have won't happen by my wishing them for you.

So, I think I will wish for you SOW BUGS. Yes sow bugs.

A child who has sow bugs has back-yards and parks, and dirty places to play in. A child who has sow bugs knows to look under things. This child knows that rocks and boards are homes and gardens. Sow bugs are the colour of soil. It takes an observant child to spot them.

If you have only one sow bug, you have simplicity, and geometry. A single sow bug is a segmented oval with wiggly squiggly legs. If you hold a sow bug on the flat of your hand - you have tickles. A child does well by having tickles.

A sow bug will offer its legs for you to learn to count. A sow bug will offer its stubbornness to you too. It won't go where you want it to go, it won't stay where you want it to stay. This is the gift of learning that there are those who don't want to do things your way, my Little Imp. That happens a lot Dear One.

A sow bug does not need a battery to work.

If you have a colony of sow bugs you have the story of creatures working together, or not working together. These Child, are good things to know.

And, New Little Soul that you are, if you have sow bugs, like I had sow bugs, long after you are new, when you have trod the earth 56 years or so, you will have memories of the smell of the earth, playing alone or with friends, the feel of the sun on a young cheek, and you will have known unexpected treasures in ordinary places."

Fingers and toes

Today Godot revealed that since the last ultrasound it had managed to grow some adorable little fingers and toes. Unlike previous times it was a little less cooperative and clearly shied away from the noise and pressure. In the end the technician managed to find all of the things that were supposed to be there (four chambers of the heart and such) and once more we heard the beautiful sound of a heartbeat. And then, our child took advantage of its first time on film to show off a little by drinking, yawning and generally moving its mouth (already talking), then making dramatic hand motions (hand to forehead, hand out saying "stop") and trying to suck on its tiny fingers. Even the technician started to laugh!

What a difference a month makes

What before was just a rough tadpole-like shape with a heartbeat now had a head and little arms and little legs. Although we never doubted that baby had gone anywhere since the last ultrasound, it was nice to have the chance to check in again.

First Ultrasound

Today was Mandy's first ultrasound, and the first time that we were able to see our baby-to-be. The highlight was hearing baby's heartbeat, which was even and strong. The wave of emotion that came over us when we first heard that was something else - it made things seem both real and beautiful. The ultrasound technician told us that we had a particularly active baby, which led to our first parental flush of pride.