Nina Noel, Part II: When Ian met Nina

If you’re just arriving, please scroll way down and start at the first part of this story, we have plenty of photos. In fact, you might want to consider getting yourself a beverage and a package of chips while the pictures load.

We moved from the delivery room over to the recovery room, exhausted; especially Melissa, who was a complete champ. Another delivery with no drugs! See this image larger.

Not too long after Melissa’s water broke (3am) we called Grampa Dave and Grandma Marcia (5am) and asked them to come to Rockford a little sooner than they had planned, for Christmas. I’ll tell it all in the long version of the story, but wow, do we owe them a great many thanks! This picture is still later on delivery day, the 25th… See this image larger.

We’re all smiles that our little girl is safe and sound. Ian’s initial reaction was one of excitement, curiosity, and maybe a little fear. Marcia was happy as a clam, and you should have seen her keep up with Ian! See this image larger.

Somebody loves her Mommy, already. See this image larger.

One of the outfits that Aunt Leslie sent to us happened to be a “baby’s first Christmas” one-piece… so we HAD to try it on her for this photo opportunity later on Christmas day. You can start to see her head changing shape a little here. You might even see a slight resemblance to Ian if you squint and pretend she’s bald. See this image larger.

I came home for dinner (Marcia saved me from hospital food!) on the 25th, so that Ian wouldn’t feel abandoned by his parents, and then turned around and went back to the hospital to sleep in the cot next to Melissa’s. On the 26th I came home for a little bit, and we drove as two cars over to the hospital again. Here Ian tries on Grampa Dave’s boots — turns out they’re a little large. See this image larger.

Finally our little family is more or less complete. Collect us all! See this image larger.

*So uh, she doesn’t like… make this noise all the time or anything, right?* (Thanks Gpa Dave for that caption.) See this image larger.

Grandma Marcia enjoys her new grand-daughter, who demands a high-five! See this image larger.

Quite possibly the bravest woman on Earth holds tight to a Christmas present that surprised us all. See this image larger.

Ian was very alert within about a week of coming home, or maybe a few days. This little girl seems to be tracking things right out of the gate. Here she gives Grampa Dave a peep. See this image larger.

This little girl is not going to suffer from a lack of love! See this image larger.

It is hard enough to keep a child entertained and happy at a hospital… Ian did pretty good under the circumstances! Here Ian finds Grampa Dave in a hallway. See this image larger.

Grandma Marcia has been a brilliant help with Ian — here she gives us another much-needed five minutes. See this image larger.

Ian has this look on his face – “Level with me here… I’m in trouble, right?” See this image larger.

It is shocking the number of changes her face has gone through in the handful of days that she’s been alive. Her facial features are rounding and softening. At the beginning of all of this, she didn’t look like Ian much at all, but I’m really starting to see a resemblance now. Here I’m studying those changes. See this image larger.

Ok, now THAT is a cute baby. Do I need to draw a halo above that head, or can you see it in your imagination too? See this image larger.

All of us spent some serious time making sure Ian understood what was going on with his new sister, and Ian was an incredible trooper. See this image larger.

Here Melissa explains that there is no love lost with our little man. See this image larger.

Home again, Ian and Grampa Dave play the “pillow squash” game. See this image larger.

Coming home in the evening yet again helped Ian not feel as abandoned by his parents, and gave Melissa time to bond with little Nina back at the hospital… I also got a chance to sleep, which could come in handy in the days to follow. See this image larger.

And obviously some quality time with Grampa Dave and Grandma Marcia is its own reward! See this image larger.

Welcome Nina Noel Chapman!

Someday I’ll have to tell you the whole story from the beginning.

For now, let’s just say it all has worked out, and mommy and daughter are safely back at home.

Nina was born on Christmas day, December 25th, 2009, at 10:54am. I’ll tell the rest of the “short” version of the story in pictures –

Just after her water broke, Melissa and I figured it would be a good idea to finally take at least one belly shot during her pregnancy. (So busy!) We drove as fast as we were able, with a sheet of ice covering much of the Rockford area. See this image larger.

Melissa and I pondered names on the way to the hospital, and just before. In thanks for giving us a Christmas baby, we considered the name “Noel” as a first or middle name, but were not necessarily sure. This is the number plate for our delivery room — the little “noel” tag helped seal the deal. See this image larger.

Again, the full story will be available soon, so I’ll just skip to the good stuff. Here she is, born at 10:54am. See this image larger.

Nina Noel Chapman (Nina = “Little girl” and Noel = “Born on Christmas day.”) weighed in at 6lbs and 14oz. For those of you who don’t remember, Ian weighed a bit more, as seen in this similar picture. See this image larger.

She’s 20.5″ in length — thank you to the nurse for suggesting this picture, I was sort of out of it. See this image larger.

Baby burrito. See this image larger.

This is a certificate that recognizes Nina’s accomplishment: Her feet do indeed turn black when dipped in ink. Also of note, she has a super-hero power that allows her to use said foot like a printing press. See this image larger.

Ian sort of whimpered into the world, but long before this ice-cold stethoscope was pressed lightly into her warm chest, Nina bellowed her arrival to anybody within 2 rooms away. See this image larger.

Proud papa! See this image larger.

I think she’d want to tell her Uncle Chris, in this picture: “ARRRRRR.” See this image larger.

*UNISEX HAT, I DISLIKE YOU…* See this image larger.

Between bouts of crying, comes sweet little moments of blissful sleep. See this image larger.

What can you say to that other than Awwww! See this image larger.

Sooo tiny. See this image larger.

*Hi!* See this image larger.

First bath, already? See this image larger.

The first of many, many, many diapers. See this image larger.

Many, many more pictures to come — this entry just covers the delivery room!

Merry Christmas

3:15am – Twas the morning of Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring except our baby girl, apparently.

3:00am – Water broke. On way to hospital probably in a few hours.

So much for the quiet Christmas at home, eh?

The Latest

Before we embark on a several part entry from Grandma Sue’s visit, I wanted to tell a few stories.

Ian slept very little last night. At one point he mentioned something about scared or scary. So I asked him if he had had a bad dream. He said “Yep.” “Well what did you dream about?” I asked. “Pumpkin,” he said, a little fright in his voice. “A pumpkin?” “Big one.”

Later in the same night, at around 5:40 in the morning, he finally got so tired he couldn’t come back out of his nightmare, I guess. But before falling asleep he asked me to “pet” him, (rub his back a little bit) and sing him the ABC’s.

Recently (last week, maybe the week before) Ian really did give up the zooey for good at last. We were just trying to explain that with its new hole, the pacifier would likely need to be thrown out soon, and that he should be the one to do so, when the time comes. He immediately threw it in the diaper genie, and gave the lever a throw. Much later that night he mentioned something along the lines of “Grampa Dave go to store buy a zooey.”I think every person we talked to about pacifiers said that their kid asked once or twice and then was over it. We have not been so lucky. At least once a night he asks for it. It makes me feel a bit bad, really… particularly when I tuck him back in late at night and his mouth makes a sucking motion looking for it… I feel bad because we so heavily pushed him into relying on it.

Ian actually opened the bathroom door the other day so that the cat could get to his spare bowl of water. He mentioned this specifically, and I would call this the first case of Ian teaming up with his “fuzzy brother from another mother.”

Ian sang PERFECT back-up vocals when I sang the themesong for “Dinosaur Train” just a few days ago. It goes like this:
Dinosaur train!
(Dinosaur train.)
Dinosaur train!
(Dinosaur train.)
Gunna riiide (ride, ride, ride riiiiiiide)
Dinosaur train!

This one’s hard to explain, but suffice to say I whistled the themesong to a show when he referenced it — a show called Callilou. Ian turned and stared at me, he couldn’t believe the song was coming out of my mouth. “CALLILOU SONG DADDY!!! CALLILOU SONG!!!”

I’ve got some good pics and some audio clips that I’ll throw on here as soon as I can. I’m still in a bit of a busy stretch for a little while. I think things should start to ease up around November. The good news is that I have a job starting around October 15th. Very awesome!

No news is good news on the little girl. She’s got more kicks than a karate school according to Mommy!

Forever Boys…

Does this really need an introduction?

August 14th. Please keep my identity a secret! See this image larger.

Up and away!!! Dun, Dun, Duuuuuun! See this image larger.

Sidekick! See this image larger.

Only Superpup will get us there in time… what? Oh right, that doesn’t make any sense, sorry kiddo. See this image larger.

August 15th. *Very good, Mr. Bond, your cleverness has led you to my lair… while you’re looking around be sure and check out MY GUARDIAN ATTACK DINOS.* DUN DUNNNNN. See this image larger.

Choooooo! Choooooo! See this image larger.

You can’t sleep on a train, people will think you’re a hobo. Plus you’re causing confusion and delay. See this image larger.

*So, you’ve discovered the broadcast monitoring station, Mr. Bond. Have you discovered MY GUARDIAN ATTACK DINO CLONES?!!?* DUN DUNNNNN. *AND ELMO?* DUN DUNNNNNNNN. See this image larger.

Hellooooo Grandparents! See this image larger.

August 16th. On a serious note, Ian can handle entertaining himself from time-to-time… unfortunately he tends to make a mess when this happens. We slept while he napped, and we found his room in a state of disarray. See this image larger.

August 17th. *Wrapped in child safety bumpers, now I can safely jump down the steps.* (No he didn’t say or do that.) See this image larger.

TEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE. VEEEEEEEEEEEEE. (This picture is worth looking at larger…) See this image larger.

AAAH!

I asked him to pose for this picture the moment he came home from getting his haircut on the 18th, and immediately he went into this GlamorShots look. This one’s also worth looking at bigger, he’s a cutie. See this image larger.

*WHOA WHOA WHOA WHOA. ANOTHER kid? Seriously?* See this image larger.

August 19th. Ice cream that followed the celebratory “you’re having a sister” dinner. Haircut still looks cute, yay! See this image larger.

Think Pink!

Ladies and Gentlemen! The Chapman line has produced many quality young men in its time, but it is time to get over the “boy’s club” mentality and start thinking pink! That’s right, we’re going to have a baby girl sometime in January.

We explained this to Ian last night, and he didn’t seem to care much at the time, but later, on the way to dinner:
“Is not a little boy in mama’s belly… little guh-ul.” His tone was awesome too, it was like he was telling us, and we were slow. He was adamant in his correction.

We only addressed the subject about three times that night, each time saying “little girl.” So I was a little surprised to see him put two and two together as I was recording. Click here to hear the very brief sound-clip.

Someday I might put the audio clip of our reaction on here as well… I had recorded our ultrasound appointment for kicks, and I accidentally kept it on during our giddy post-appointment conversation before Melissa and I went our separate ways to get back to work.

But let’s get on to some ultrasound pictures! Don’t get too freaked out by the imagery, this is just the way ultrasounds work. You end up seeing a “slice.”

Either she’s waving, or she’s trying to tell us that she’s 5 months old. Either way, genius confirmed!

Side view, you can see spine, etc. Head is on the right, looking up.

Ok, so imagine you’re holding the baby at arms length, and her entire body is facing you. Now imagine her in the fetal position. That’s what we’re looking at here. Her head is looking down, so we’re in turn looking down across the bridge of her nose. You can see the umbilical cord there, as well.

Baby lying on her back. The legs are on the left, bent at the knee. One arm is in foreground but the “depth” of the camera is too shallow to get fingers for this shot. Right arm is in background. Her head is NOT fully in the picture, because other bits were in the way… so the technician trimmed the photo to show only the baby parts. So you’re really just seeing her face, looking to the left, back to her ear.

We’re looking straight at the baby’s face here. You can see lips, very nicely in the center bottom… her nose obviously above that. Her eyes look a little strange, but you can almost see better if you sort of squint at them. Imagine eyes shut, the darker lines looking almost like eyelashes, and you might see things better. You can also see her right arm up to the hand, and her left arm where it tucks behind a part of the placenta.

I have a few more shots of her feet and stuff, but I figured this is what everybody wanted to see. I counted 10 toes and 10 fingers!

PS – I was having some odd body aches recently that turned out to be purely muscular in origin. Unfortunately the placement of said aches (left arm and chest) scared us all into thinking I was having heart issues. I’m writing this to let everybody know that I’m fine. Going in for a full physical in a month.

Fawn Island August 2009 Trip, Part I

THIS JUST IN: This morning, August 15th, Ian produced a #2 in the standard potty, with a potty seat for toddlers in between he and it. We’re so proud! One small squat for Ian, one giant leap for potty-training progress.

Last weekend’s trip to Fawn Island started with us packing up quickly, scooting out the door right at 5:00 and thinking we were going to make great time… but we hit traffic immediately. We ended up getting our food to go from Arby’s and eating while driving. Ian found this concept to be fairly uninteresting until Melissa offered him a vitamin with his dinner. Somehow a vitamin in the car crossed a line. As we zipped through Brighton, we spotted a hot air balloon. Ian was fascinated as it hovered on the horizon… we were even more surprised that it ended up directly above us, no more than 150 feet above our heads. For miles afterwards it was “Where’d tha balloon go, Mommy?”

Grampa Dave met us over on shore, but thousands of mosquitoes beat him to the punch; I think next time we’ll slather Ian (and ourselves) in our citronella sunscreen — we applied it as we waited, but next time we’ll remember to do it sooner. And I’ll wear pants instead of shorts. It is funny though that both times we’ve met with the onslaught of insects, we get maybe one or two bites each, tops. Perhaps we’re the wrong blood-types.

Grandma Marcia and Elmo say hello to Ian on Saturday, August 8th! See this image larger.

Found his toys! See this image larger.

Ian leads Grampa Dave on a cookie hunt… See this image larger.

Like any smart hunting party leader, Ian sends his partner ahead to deal with any traps while cautiously observing from a distance — like behind the safety of a kitchen counter, for example. See this image larger.

And then ducks into the frame just as a photo of victory is snapped! See this image larger.

Enjoying some of the evening’s cookie-hunt spoils. (Thanks Grampa Dave for the help, and Grandma Marica for the delicious cookies!) See this image larger.

Somebody’s packin’ a baby! See this image larger.

On Saturday and on into the wee hours of the night, a vicious storm rolled in. You could see on the map that it was a line crossing Michigan like a shoulder belt, from Rockford to Marine City. I’ve heard lightning hit pretty close before, so I’m aware of the kind of clap it can produce when it strikes nearby… but amongst the typical rumbles and crunches, there was one that was closer and louder than anything I’ve heard from Mother Nature. It was one single snap or crack, like from a whip, amplified 100 times. It scared me right out of bed, but Ian slept through it just fine.

Sunday morning, and we’re having fun with the doggie! See this image larger.

Me too! 🙂 See this image larger.

Ian stayed up through nap-time, and when it was finally time to go, he conked out very quickly. This is us waiting in line at the ferry to get home! See this image larger.

Since this visit Ian has been very Grampa Dave-centric. For example on Wednesday the 12th, Ian gave out these incredible hugs, the kind where little arms fully circle your neck, like a scarf, and pull in tight. He gave one to Mommy, then one to me. Then he said something about Grampa Dave… it was either “hug like Grampa Dave” or “hug for Grampa Dave.” He circled the living room to see if he could find him and then turned to me and said “YOU’RE Grampa Dave” as if to say that I could stand-in for him while he’s away. Ian gave me another huge hug and then said, very plainly “I love you, Grampa Dave.” It was hilarious, and sweet.

Other Stuff

Let it be known that last week, not only did Ian use the child potty again, but he USED the child potty. By which I mean, rather than simply christen it with a sprinkle and a dash, he peed at least one diaper-full like nobody’s business. And yet again, this morning, after I dressed him and fed him breakfast, he told Mommy that he needed to go, marched up the stairs, got out the potty, and did his thing. We’re so proud!

Before I forget to tell everybody, the ultrasound was delayed a week due to equipment failure. Next Wednesday let you know what we find out!

Here’s some more Ian stories:

Me – “Ian did you know that my bicycle tires are full of air, just like your swimming pool?”
Ian – “Oh my gosh!”

Ian told Melissa that Seth is “my kitty and Daddy’s kitty, not Momma’s kitty.”

I got out the train tent for Ian at one point on Monday and Ian said “Well thank you Daddy. I’m happy.”

Some recent pics:
Just wanted to try out a couple of hats while we were at Target. I’m sure nobody with lice has touched these, right? What do you think of this look, Ian? “Flannel Polka.” See this image larger.

“The Engineer.” See this image larger.

Situation Normal

Hi all! Just wanted to give you a quick update after the doctor’s appointment, and throw some pictures your way as well.

The appointment went well, things still looking pretty normal. We got the results back from a test as well; let me explain it in very simple terms — it looks for red flags. It found no red flags. So we’re in about the same shape as any other set of parents at this point. Heartbeat was down in the 135 range — Dr. Jill told us that slower is supposed to mean a boy; which is the opposite of what somebody else told us. Whatever! Ultrasound next week, on Wednesday, I’ll give another update at that point, and post some pics if possible.

On to Ian news, and the weather.
Ian enjoys his new “big boy” sized mattress. He’s still only about 6 inches off the ground, however, just a mattress right on the carpet. Picture taken on the 31st of July. See this image larger.

The fourth of August and Mommy gives Ian another bath. It would be funny to see all of his bathtub pics in one spot, now that I think about it. See this image larger.

Tickles a little, doesn’t it? See this image larger.

He’s such a character! See this image larger.

We asked you not to drink the bathwater, son. See this image larger.

If only he’d open his mouth that wide when Mommy’s trying to brush his teeth, sigh. See this image larger.

Helping with the rinse cycle. See this image larger.

Adorable troublemaker. See this image larger.

Fawn Island, July 2008, Part I

Before we begin this entry I want to give a quick update about newbaby… we went to the doctor today and everything appears to be normal and healthy. We heard a heartbeat, the baby moved around a bit, and we scheduled an ultrasound for next month. Another doctor’s appointment in two weeks.

Ok, so it has been a busy week, which is generally a good thing. Monday wasn’t so great, I admit, because Ian sort of had to come down off of his awesome weekend “high.” We were both pretty exhausted with each other by the end of the day. I think he might also be dealing with a cold. But the rest of this “busy” week came with good news on the job front — it looks like I’ll be getting my position back with the company I worked for out in Kansas. They got a new grant and need a programmer, and here I am. It isn’t fantastic money, but it is a nice supplemental income. I’ll be doing freelance on the side. Speaking of which I have a couple of freelance gigs on the horizon. I’ve been wheelin’ and dealin’.

Amusing things that Ian has said recently:

“Want the whole, big cookie.” (hopefully to be seen in a video here soon, a little bite of cookie was simply not enough.)

“Come on IN!” (said with the lilt of 1950’s TV mom.)

“Dog cookies for Co-Co.” (This took place up at the island. Cocoa is Pat and Erik’s dog that is sometimes up there — how he remembered Cocoa’s name, I have no idea.)

Sunday morning up at the cottage, Grandma Marcia offered Ian a piece of a breakfast cinnamon cake – and he accepted. Marcia then had to do the usual Ian set-up of putting a plastic mat on the floor, getting out a plate, cutting him a piece, etc… Ian looked over at Grampa Dave and said “Grampa Dave, what happened to my cake?!?” (I guess Ian’s way of saying that this was taking too long… but don’t worry Grandma, there’s no such thing as “early enough” when it comes to cake and Ian.)

“You not liffning” (that’s “you’re not listening,” said to Melissa.)

…and a host of others. You can have a full-fledged multi-subject conversation with this kid now. Heck, sometimes he has one with himself. I jsut wish I could get some of these recorded.

Here’s how the cottage trip went:
We arrived the evening of the 17th to a swarm of mosquitoes attacking us in the parking lot! This turned out to be the only even slightly bad thing that happened over the weekend… Everybody had a good time, and Ian was basically an angel. We’ll start the pictures and our coverage of Fawn Island July 2008 on Saturday morning… See this image larger.

Ian attempts his best “hardened salty sailor” look. See this image larger.

Then I played peek-a-boo from under the bill of my hat, and got a smile, and the general announcement: “Daddy’s being silly.” See this image larger.

I guess if Ian misbehaved at all I would say that it was in his ceaseless requests for a boat-ride! See this image larger.

Grampa Dave was happy to oblige, however! See this image larger.

Out on the open water, and it almost looks like he knows what he’s doing! See this image larger.

Then it was… See this image larger.

First Ian, while Mommy stood guard, and vice versa. See this image larger.

Remember the foam pad letters from the last visit to Fawn Island? Somebody who shall remain un-named (Grampa Dave) convinced Ian that the “C” was his helmet. See this image larger.

The “L” also made a good golf club, and looky there, the “T” made a nice… well.. “Tee!” See this image larger.

A big loop of letter-pads and a little guard rail, and a racetrack came to life. See this image larger.

Saftey “C” helmet in place, Ian drags his mommy to her appropriate spot. If I haven’t mentioned it, I love Melissa’s hair this way. It seems to look nice under any circumstances! See this image larger.

Gramma Marcia made ribs on Saturday night that were excellent — but we figured Ian would have no part of them, being a picky eater. But he surprised us all by shoving a rib in his mouth, gnawing for awhile, and pulling out am empty bone. He repeated this for 4 or 5 ribs! You bet he got a dessert cookie as a reward! See this image larger.

He ate that up too, you bet. See this image larger.

Grandma Marcia and Grampa Dave read Ian bedtime stories, and he went to bed a very happy camper! (Now he even has his “own” room at the cottage too! [Don’t get too used to it kiddo, share-time starts this winter!]) See this image larger.

It had rained a good portion of the evening on Saturday, but let up just as the sun was going down for a spectacular (at times double) rainbow! Too beautiful! See this image larger.

More to come in a day or two!

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