On Friday morning, 12/05, the doctor said, "You're healthy. Baby's healthy. And no, he's not coming early." Mama worked, Papa worked, we went for a walk in the snow in the evening. We couldn't wait to see all our friends and family at our shower the next day. We were relieved that we didn't have to get up quite so early, as our childbirth class had been postponed, due to the snow, 'til the next weekend. Mama made a couple more additions to the pre-baby list.
On Saturday morning, 12/06, the Feast of St. Nicholas and the day of the Big Blizzard, Mama woke up at 1:30 am, feeling awfully odd. By 2:30, the on-call doctor said, "Call back in an hour." By 3:30, she was packing and practicing breathing. In the dark and snow, Mama and Papa headed to the hospital, wondering what might come next...
Much to our surprise and happiness, into a snowy New York City came Milo Blue Richardson, lifted from Mama's stomach with Papa right there, in the OR, at 5:42 pm, Saturday evening. He was 21.6 inches long, weighed 8.8 pounds, and spent four nights with Mama (and her 15-year-old roommate Evelisse, baby Tamiya and often, Evalisse's 16-year-old boyfriend Carlos -- a chapter in the novel, later) at St. Vincent's Hospital, while the snow melted, dozens of residents came, examined, and left, and Mama's fever was monitored.
Finally, yesterday, with Mama fever-free, Milo's eyesight and hearing determined perfect, our little family got the release papers, alarm bands cut off, and headed home.
Milo appears oblivious to New York's Wildest -- the taxi driver -- testing out his flashy new car seat and snuggly wrap.
Milo waits by the front door of #3e for Mama to catch up -- but we have pictures to prove it wasn't the stork.
Happy at home with Auntie Ali (and piles of clean laundry, all too soon un-clean)
It's been a rough ride, but worth every second. Wouldn't have him any other way, and the joy at having our little miracle baby finally here is indescribable. Will have to leave it up to the pictures to deliver the message...
Thank you all for your support, and checking in, and tips, and love.
Posted by Rebecca at December 11, 2003 02:45 PM in bluenoteshe's adorable...a fuzzy-headed baby like my dad and i were...and probably you too? he even has the spiky hedgehog hair in the third pic.
glad to hear everyone is healthy and happy. hugs to all.
Posted by: cousin maria on December 11, 2003 04:00 PMCongratulations, adorations, excitations!!!
Posted by: susie mike kalani on December 11, 2003 11:24 PMi love his cute smile in the last photo. congrats to all three of you!
Posted by: jeff on December 12, 2003 03:02 AMCongratulations on a lovely baby, a lovely story, a cunningly constructed website and my very best to the new family, Milo, Charles and Rebecca.
Posted by: Eugene Halligan on December 13, 2003 08:54 AMWelcome, Milo! Hope you and mom and dad are settling into your new life together! And in the middle of the big snow, no less!
Thinking of you and wishing you rest and joy!
love
sjm
congratulations becca and charles! little milo blue looks just as happy as can be as I'm sure you both are. cute name, too! :)
cheers,
amy
I love little Milo already - he is a beautiful child with an amazing little smile. Hope you're getting some sleep.
Hugs and kisses from Calfifornia,
Di
Posted by: diana on December 17, 2003 07:45 PMyou guys so deserve this! it is great to see wonderful people having their dreams answered!!!
Posted by: tiffany on December 17, 2003 08:54 PMbeautiful child maybe we'll see him in person before to long
Posted by: marlowe and heather on December 24, 2003 09:18 PMCongratulations to Ma and Pa and welcome to Baby Milo Blue :) We look forward to seeing you all, in person!
Posted by: Jon, Gaynell & Christina on January 29, 2004 06:05 PM