Happy Year of the Horse

A few weeks ago I piled the girls on my bike and we rode over to Hance Park for the start of Chinese Week.  I figured they'd enjoy it and the weather was fantastic.  They got their names written in Chinese characters, and we watched performances of a yo-yo guy, dragons, and a Chinese stretch dancer on the stage.  MM was very good about going right up to it, with her sister tagging along (look for them in a couple of the photos).

 

 The dancer, from Chengdu, is in pink on the stage.  Very impressive. The girls thought it was really neat.

They Sure Love Their Brother

Francis Visit

On an unusually warm day, with Coach/Poppy in tow, we all drove out to the Cemetery to visit Francis on his birthday, to tell him we think about him, love him, and miss him.

 

How Much Longer Till This is Moey's Fate

Look at Those Eyes

Gilbert LDS Temple Tour

Our friends were going to visit the new LDS Temple in Gilbert, which is open to the non-Mormon public until March when they dedicate it.  Bobbins and I were curious enough to drive all the way out there lugging the kids, inc. the week-old boy, for the 4:30 tour.  Even at that hour there were a lot of people.  We shuttled into a room, Mormons and non-Mormons alike, to watch a ten minute video on the temple and Mormon temples in general.  You could tell the Mormons from the non-Mormons by the dress (they were all in their Sunday best).  We got a wheelchair for Bobbins and rode the elevators inside, where no photos were allowed.  They certainly spared no expense, especially the massive chandelier in the main celestial room, and on the very nice carpet throughout (you had to wear booties and they even wiped down the wheelchair).  I have to admit, the place felt and looked a lot like a very fancy hotel to Bobbins and I.  That could be our own Catholic sensibility.  The sealing rooms (where they get married) were interesting.  Easy place to get lost in.  We're glad we went.

 

Moey had a massive, awesome blow-out in the car after the tour.  Maybe what he thought of the place?...  Bobbins opened his dipe to change it and he peed all over her and himself, all while the runny poop was squirting out on to his diaper, clothes, and Bobbins' lap.  I'm sure he was thinking: "This one's for you Nana T."

Leak Repair

I think there used to be an evap cooler on the back part of the house, and the water valve in our back had a valve to run a little copper water line to it at one time.  I saw some huge weeds over there the other day, then discovered the slow leak.  Jack borrowed a torch, we bought some solder and a $.79 copper cap at the Ace on 24th St., cut the leaky valved off, and capped it.  Worked out good and only cost me $11.

The Boy

3 Generations and 1st Bath

I See You ... And Your Tongue

Home

First Selfie

Meet Sisters

The girls got to meet their baby brother on his second day.  Their wonderful Aunt Katie, who cared for them while we were at the hospital, had cute shirts that read Big Sister and Bigger Sister along with the year on the back.

 

Of course they were playing with the bed's "phone" and OP had a call which he had to take.  Maybe from Clifford or Liesl or Anna from Frozen.

Moey's Here !

Our sweet son arrived Tuesday at 4:03pm.  We named him Owen Michael and he came in at 8lbs 10oz and 21.25".  Bobbins started the labor that morning about 2am and woke me up a half hour later.  We stayed home till about 8:30 when Bobbins' dad arrived.  The hospital, Banner Good Sam, was only a mile away, which if you ask Bobbins was still a long, bumpy ways away.  We checked in at 9 and were VERY fortunate to get my co-worker's wife as our L&D nurse.  We've known them a while, so we could trust her, and she knew our desires for a natural VBAC.

The doula (pictured at left) we hired came with us to the hospital and was worth every penny (it was a lot) we paid for her.  She was very supportive to Bobbins and knew how to massage & oil her and overall what to do.  One of the many conclusions I drew after the experience was that birthing is women's work.  Throughout the whole process I was the only man in the room, and it should be that way.  Our doctor was also a very patient and patient-focused practitioner who didn't rush or pressure Bobbins in any way.  She too was great.

Our room was large and open and had a nice large bathtub with plenty of hot water that Bobbins availed herself of.  When I wasn't helping I read a magazine and did some praying, although the latter was too emotional for me.  When Bobbins was finally "complete," she pushed for about an hour, and the baby came relatively smoothly.  I immediately looked down at the crotch and saw it was a boy and was overcome with emotion.  What a cap to the whole experience.

It's hard to describe and I'm still processing it.  One very clear thing is the power of my wife.  She did it all on her own accord, no drugs or epidural.  She really wanted a VBAC and did it.  She wanted all natural and did it.  I was and am so proud and amazed by her.  What a woman.

39 Weeks

This was over a week ago.