More Milo...

Here are some of the best shots in my attempt to take an announcement picture. We have had overcast and rainy days since he was born and I had to take advantage of the sun. (It was a little bright so he was closing his eyes or squinting most of the time. I did get a couple of open eyes with a furrowed brow.) He is really such a sweetheart! I also let Talia go swimming while I took pictures of Milo. She decided she needed to be in on the pictures, plus the water was really cold!

Milo is 2 weeks old!

At two weeks (8-21-08) Milo is a sweet healthy boy. He still sleeps a lot and usually grunts instead of crying when he needs something. He weighs in at 8lbs6ozs. (Just over a pound in two weeks) This picture was taken on the 20th but I thought it was so cute! I have him swaddled quite a bit so I don't get to see what he likes to do with his hands. He slept so well this way! What a funny little boy!

Like Father, Like Son

Great Gifts!

My sweet sister-in-law Kari sent us a package! Kari is notorious for giving really thoughtful gifts and she certainly didn't disappoint this time. Included were a couple of things for the baby and some carefully selected items from Trader Joe's. I went to Trader Joe's a few times in Arizona but Kari is truly an expert on Trader Joe's. We don't have one here in Colorado so it has been so fun to get some special treats from Kari! It has been wonderful to have something yummy to munch with my ferocious nursing appetite! Thanks so much! (Of course I had to include Milo in the pictures. I think he likes the gifts too.)

Milo is 1 week old!

8-15-08 Well actually he is 8 days old but it is close enough. At 1 week Milo's main goal in life is to sleep. He already lets me sleep for 3-3 1/2 hours at night between feedings. (I could get used to this! With Talia we were up every 1 -2 hours for the first couple of months!) He is a great nurser and has the pooping down pat. What more can you ask for from a 1 week old! Milo is a very content baby when his needs are taken care of which is pretty darn easy right now! We love him more and more each day!

Big Helper!

8-15-08 Talia was helping me unload the dryer and then she got very quiet. When I went to check on her this is what I found... She started to climb out but after I asked her to stay she waited patiently for me to get the camera and even said cheese without being prompted.
(By the way don't mind my oh-so-stylish and messy laundry room)

My Boys...

8-15-08

Our New Little Family

8-10-08 Here are all of our attempts at getting a family picture before Gavin went back to Alamosa. Talia was not about to cooperate with us but Milo didn't seem to mind.

More Celebrating...

8-9-08 We decided Fondue was in order to help celebrate the occasion. Yumm!

Saturday 8-9-08

While Milo and I got some much needed rest Preston took Gavin, Talia, my parents, his mom and sister Ann out to see Garden of the Gods and play at Uncle Wilbur's fountain.
What a handsome kid Gavin is.

Jam Session

8-9-08 Talia and Gavin have a way of entertaining eachother. We love watching them play together.

Talia adores her big brother and Gavin is so good with her.

A Mild Morning with Milo...

8-9-08 Talia has been such a sweetheart and very patient with us and the new baby. She loves her little brother and calls him "O." When she came to greet us at 6 am she wanted to cuddle with Milo. What a sweet girl. I love moments like this!

A Sweet Surprise!

8-8-08 I had to take a picture of this beautiful gift that arrived at my door! Neera and her family sent a sweet message a bear and this beautiful edible arrangement. For anyone who has nursed a baby you can understand why I was so excited about all the fruit! Everyone else helped me enjoy it for dinner and breakfast the next day. My mom even made a salad out of the lettuce in the center. I felt so special to receive such a wonderful gift! Thanks so much Neera!!!

More Milo...

8-8-08 Milo loves to suck and was very happy when he found his fingers. Now that he has discovered pacifiers he is a pretty content baby.

Milo's Many Faces...

8-7-08

Everyone Loves Milo

Milo with his Grandma Hickman and Aunt Ann
and big brother Gavin... (He said Milo is the cutest baby in the whole world.)
And Big Sister Talia with Gavin. (I asked Talia to say CHEESE so she is signing it. What a nut!)

Happy Birthday to Milo!

8-7-08 When Talia was born Marenda made sure we had a little birthday cake for her so we thought that would be a fun tradition to continue with Milo. Talia loved to sing and blow out the candle.

The Birth of Our Baby Boy

Alright everyone since Shanda has been given direct orders to remain upstairs from her mid-wife thus limiting her access to blog this post is being created by her other half. Therefore before you can proceed you must read the following disclaimer:

Please read all instructions and warnings before use. Must be 18 years of age or older to proceed further. Enter at your own risk. Do not enter. Void where prohibited by law. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. Use only as directed. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle or heavy equipment. Website contains small parts and is not intended for use by children under the age of eighteen. Times are approximate. Do not disturb. Simulated pictures. Please remain seated until the ride comes to a complete stop. In the event of decreased air pressure, oxygen masks will pop out of the top of your monitor. Reader assumes full responsibility. If any defects are discovered, do not attempt to fix them yourself, but return to an authorized service center. Read at your own risk. Parental advisory - explicit lyrics. Text may contain explicit materials some readers may find objectionable, parental guidance is advised. Blogger is also not responsible for items left, lost or stolen. Filmed in front of a live, studio audience. Discontinue use if nausea or dizziness occurs. Actual size not shown. This article does not reflect the thoughts or opinions of either myself, my company, my friends, or my cat. Don't quote me on that. Don't quote me on anything. All rights reserved. Patent pending. This disclaimer may not be copied or reproduced in any form without the expressed written consent of whoever I stole it from.

Now that we have gotten that out of the way let's proceed. ( After this post I am sure Shanda will change her log in info.)

As many of you know we have been expecting the birth of our baby boy any day know. I say we ......as if I were pregnant. Shanda has been experiencing contractions for the better part of week and a half so Wednesday August 6th started out like any other day during this hurry up and wait saga. During lunch the phone rang...I answered...'Hello?'

"Hello!", replies the young female voice on the other end.

'How are you?', I quiz still not sure if I am talking to one of Shanda's friends, a niece I've never spoken with, or a rouge telemarketer off script.

"Is Milo there?", she unabashedly asks.

My mind begins to race. Wait a minute how does she know we are about to have a son who we are planning on naming Milo? Is this one of Shanda's family members playing a joke? Perhaps it is a phone call from the future bounced off of the northern lights. Oh dear.... maybe it is a call from the people upstairs checking in to see if Milo's arrived yet.

'Excuse me?'

"Oh, I'm sorry I have the wrong number." Click.......

This is the stuff the twilight zone is made out of.

After lunch, a trip to Home Depot, a walk to the park with Talia and myself, and a ton of jumping jacks, Shanda began to feel that today was the day. Okay I didn't make her do jumping jacks instead we mud wrestled.

When we were looking into birthing options before Talia's birth we decided to have a home water birth. Her birth was such a beautiful experience for us there was no doubt in our mind with this one we were going to do the same thing. It is at this point I could go into a long rant of home birth versus in the hospital however this is certainly not the time nor place. Let me just say I feel blessed that we have the option to chose. Here is Shanda laboring on the birthing ball.

Shanda's contractions had increased in frequency and length to the point that Shanda summoned her midwife who arrived around 7:45 pm. That is when the games began.

Literally.......This is Shanda, her father, Jan our midwife, and myself playing sequence. Yes, there were many delays in our game due to frequent trips to the bathroom and contractions, but we had fun.

Finally things had progressed to the point that Shanda got into the pool of warm water.

The water provides several key functions. One, it allows the mother a cooping method when dealing with contractions. Two, it helps the mother relax assisting in the delivery. Finally, the water provides a warm peaceful environment for the baby to enter into the world.

Shanda labored in the pool for several hours. Here I have to shower my wife with accolades. She used HypnoBirthing a process which teaches relaxation methods to help cope with the labor and birth. She never screamed, she never cried out. When intense contractions came the only way you could tell was her breathing intensified. Labor was longer this time than it was with Talia but she only pushed for 8 minutes when the time came.

So here is Milo Hansen Hickman....7lbs. 5oz. and 19 1/2" long. Both mother and child are doing well.