Tada!

Yesterday marked two weeks since the birth of our newest addition to the family. Cristovan Timon Espinosa was born May 16, 2010, four days past due like his older sister Noemie. He weighed in at 8lb 2 oz, my heaviest so far.

I should be sleeping now- everyone else in the house is and it's been a long day. But I'm 300 thank you notes behind schedule, I have to find a new venue for the family reunion that's two months away, and am constantly being reminded that I have yet to broadcast the birthing story and that I don't have sufficient pictures of the baby on the internet. For those who love details, I will share the following: My contractions started at 6:45 am and Cristovan was born an hour later. It was by the grace of God that I delivered in the hospital bed at all, considering the drive to the hospital alone was nearly 30 minutes. Danny was by far the most competent nurse in my room at the time of the birth, (there would not be a doctor present for another 15-20 minutes after Cristovan was born) and I am immeasurably grateful that I was sufficiently experienced in childbirth to fend for myself where instruction and care was found wanting during my post-partum recovery (which was in almost every capacity, to the point of gross negligence and liability.) In all honesty, I am still processing what happened during my time at the hospital, and once I've wrapped my mind around it I'm not sure that that it's a story I will want to share with the world (but you can call me or write me privately if you think you'll lose sleep over not knowing the whole story).

Though we thought we were going to name him Timon, we decided upon meeting him that the name did not suit him. He is very European looking with his reddish blond hair, fair skin, and skinny chicken legs. He has those ambiguously gray baby-coloured eyes and Danny's ears. He needed a European sounding name. Furthermore, he is too calm and peaceful to be a Timon. He whimpers to let us know he has gas or is hungry. Before his first week was over, he was giving us 4 hour stretches of sleep at night! The decision almost gave Danny a nervous break down but when he decided on Cristovan, we all agreed it was perfect. We call him "Toby" because Tovey sounds silly, and in Spanish, b and v have the same sound anyway.

Dominic and Noemie had a difficult time being away from us for the two days we were in the hospital. Dominic was moody and rude. Our usually radiant Noemie was withdrawn and quiet. She would often say she was tired as she moped around the house with her blankie. It was so sad! They both got along great with Toby, Dominic sharing his toy cars and Noemie giving him kisses. But they were visibly upset with Danny and I. We made a point to give them extra attention and affection (and patience). Watching Dumbo together was helpful. But we finally found healing in the swimming pool. Danny started taking the kids there every day. Being outdoors and having fun was therapeutic for the kids and Danny alike.

Toby is already unusually strong for a two-week old. He can hold his head up for minutes at a time and, given enough gas pain, can scoot right off his changing pad. And it's a good thing too- we haven't had time to slow down! Our little heavy-weight was, within five days, in attendance at my friend Meredith's bridal shower and, with less than two weeks, relaxing on the beach at Hutchinson Island (I'm still finding rogue grains of sand hiding in his fat rolls).

How dark is this child going to get? It's not even June!

Makes you wish you weighed 25 lb too, huh?

Surfer boy in the making

Danny was not granted the time off we expected. His fellow officers donated hours so he could spend an extra week with us. We feel incredibly blessed by those who made this time together possible. We are also greatly indebted to the families of Plantation Baptist Church who made dinners for us for a week after our return from the hospital. I also need to thank Lisa & Magdiel, Miguel & Vannia, Katy Shaw, and Jonny & Hana for their gifts of diapers... because they're on the list of people to write thank you notes to, which at the rate I'm writing them, they may not receive before the next baby.... whenever that may be :o)