Morning Workout

Playing at the Zoo

We met up with Brian & Nathan downtown and took the MAX to the Zoo. It was really relaxing. All we really did was: buy fudge, see the otters & warthogs, see baby Samudra, play on the grass, eat fudge, and play around with sweet Liam. It was a lovely afternoon!

The Best

He's the best, he really is. Just when I need an encouraging word, he speaks love poetry. When I'm up in the morning nursing and just starting to feel hungry, he brings me a feast on a platter. Just when I need a warm touch, his strong hands rub my feet and make every pain disappear. He is my friend, my love, my partner in this journey of life. Through pain and joy, through every trial, through every success, he is my number one priority. I love you, BJR.

Smiles

Liam has been smiling a lot lately and we are LOVING it.

My Boys

This is one of my favorite shots of my boys. I love how strong B looks holding Liam.

Auntie Laura

Shoes

Time to Play with Kazu

I knew Liam was going to be smart, but I had no idea he would learn to tell time so early!

Together At Last

Liam's cousin, Payton Cora, has arrived! Liam looked huge next to her petite 6lb 14oz frame. I think he's almost 11lbs now, but we will find out at his next appointment. Payton has a full head of dark brown hair just like her mommy did when she was born, and is very cute! There are many matching cousin outfits just waiting to be worn. We hope they'll be able to fit into them at the same time!

Going to School

Liam had his first trip to school (daddy's master's class) the other week and was very attentive. He didn't take notes, but he didn't have to...his memory is excellent.

Pea in a Pod

This Tibetan back carry (with an Ellaroo woven wrap) is perfect for the morning time when Liam is already normally sleepy. I get to use BOTH hands to do stuff around the house! He looks like a little pea in a pod, doesn't he?

Snuggling

"Start Wearing Purple"

You may notice a faint purple color around Liam's mouth. This is the Gentian Violet that we've been using to treat thrush. Doesn't it look like we gave him a grape popsicle? We've been singing "Start Wearing Purple" a lot lately. :-)

Naptime with Daddy

Bili-Blanket

Liam was born with Jaundice (like most babies), and to help reduce the biliruben levels, he wore an ultraviolet blanket for a couple of days at home. Gone are the days where the babies have to stay at the hospital under lights...so thankful for this new piece of technology and that he was at home with us.

Little Liam

Liam's Arrival

Very early in the morning on Sat., May 31, I felt my first real contraction. By the time we were up and moving around the house, each contraction was lasting about 30 seconds and they were 15 minutes apart. We set into a few projects that we had been planning on...B worked on a recording/mixing project for his brother, and I sorted through file boxes and archived/shredded/re-sorted old papers. I spent most of the day on it, pausing as the contractions became more and more painful. Around 4 pm, the contractions seemed to be getting stronger, so we began to keep track for an hour. They averaged 1 minute long and 4-5 minutes apart. We called our doula and she said we sounded like we were doing good, but that she could come over at any time. We waited a while and around 7 pm, B called her back and said it would be nice for her to come over. She arrived around 7:30 pm, and she and B helped me breathe and stay relaxed through contractions. Hank and Kazu were aware, attentive, and very gentle. Hank acted concerned a few times as I breathed through some of the more difficult contractions. Kazu was her normal self...sweet, constant, loving presence.

Around 10 pm, after laboring at home throughout the evening, we decided it was a good time to head on over to the hospital. In the triage room, the nurse told us I was already 5 cm dilated. That felt like great news...we were half way there! We were admitted to room number 8 (go Matt Hasselbeck!), put on the wireless monitoring system and we were right back to laboring. We made it to 8 cm, and then to 9 cm, and by sometime around 5 am-ish, the nurse said I was at 10 cm, that we were ready to start pushing, and she was going to page our doctor. So B and our doula helped me as we started to push, but when the doctor arrived, he checked me and said that I was not quite 10 cm after all...I needed to stop pushing. We managed to get through a few difficult hours of not pushing (easier said than done!) while being in an upright position and sometime around 9 am-ish, we were ready to push again...

and on the morning of his due date, in the most beautiful moment,
Liam Morrissey was born into our arms,
June 1, 2008 at 11:11 am
8 lbs. 15 oz. and 21"

Hank Waiting for Liam

Getting the Bedroom Ready

Liam's bedroom is also fondly known as "Kazu's Dream Playland."

splish splash

we found a really cute bedding set called "splash." the blanket that goes with it has got to be the most soft and plush fabric I have ever felt. I wonder if it will stay that soft after being covered in dog drool and hair? Hmm.

painting party

A couple of weeks ago, my parents and sister came over and helped us put on a coat of primer in the room. B had already cleared out the entire room which was a ton of work and a tremendous help. This Saturday, we're going to get the color on the walls...I'm very excited. :-)

growing belly

twelve weeks

eight weeks