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On Thursday, we all came home from the hospital together.

Big brother is showing her the ropes.

Beth’s milk is starting to come in which means Louise is getting a decent amount of food when she eats. While this is great for her development and well being, nearly as importantly it may mean better sleep for us tonight than last night. She was waking up hourly and was pretty cranky. This makes a lot of sense if she wasn’t getting much food. With a full belly, she’s been sleeping for over an hour at a time this afternoon. We’ll see how tonight goes.

Another side benefit will be the disappearance of meconium from our lives forever. The picture in the link is truly worth 1000 words–and all 1000 of them are “nasty”.

Here’s a good clear shot of Louise on her second day. The trauma of squeezing through the birth canal has passed, and she’s beging to look more like a baby.

We are reminded of Malcolm when he was a baby. Any resemblance?

We made it through the first night at home. Louise got up every hour or so for food and/or a diaper change. I was about to say something like, “Man, this is tough,” when Beth looked over and said, “this is so much better than last night.” I slept at home last night with Malcolm while Beth was with Louise at the hospital. I guess the little girl didn’t sleep much at all.

Louise loves being swaddled tight! She calms right down when she’s fed and clean and rolled up like a burrito. We’re using a newborn swaddle wrap that is working really well.

Malcolm got Louise a little baby doll as a welcome gift. He gave it to her the day she was born. Louise was kind enough to bring Malcolm a present as well–the day we brought her home from the hospital, she gave it to Malcolm.

When I told Malcolm we were going to go see Louise, he wev VERY excited. It was a great meeting. Malcolm got used to Louise right away, and liked playing with her fingers. I’m sure things will be tougher soon, but right now, everyone is content!

I’ll write more later, but in short–she’s here. 8lbs, 1oz, 19 inches. 4 hour labor. Beth is a rock star, and doing fine. Louise is healthy and eating her first meals!

She’s a little pasty, but only 10 minutes old, so cut her some slack! She was quite blue when she came out, and covered with vernix, but pinked up quickly with a little crying and some oxygen. Unlike Malcolm, who went 4 days without a bath he was so clean, Louise is going to need a bath real soon!

This is Susan Petkcoff, our ob. She is fabulous and was a wonderful presence during labor and delivery. If you are in Seattle and want a good OB, give Susan a call. her partner, Dr. Haspedis, delivered Malcolm 2 years ago. They have a great practice. Thanks Susan!

This is our good friend and doula, Lesley. She is also fabulous. Having Lesley at our births has been a very positive experience. It’s so great to have someone in the room looking out for you and helping keep the mother on track. The nurses we’ve had at our births have been great, but a doula brings a different perspective, and fills a different role. Plus, it gives a partner like me a break every once in a while!