poses

Unfortunately, they happen too fast to catch on film but Adam has quite a repertoire of poses. We've given the most common ones names. Some will be easy to envision based on their titles
- Divo - hand rising, palm facing face, arm outstretched
- Champion(s) - two fists above the head, elbows locked
- Half Champion - one fist above the head, elbow locked
- The Wave, aka Touch Down or Field Goal
- Question!- one open hand above the head, elbow locked
- Vogue - left hand on left ear, right hand under left elbow
- I'm Not Listening. - hand flat across each ear
- I Can't Hear You. - thumb behind each, fingers splayed

Adam's cheeks are firmer than they used to be (muscle tone from all that vigorous eating, I guess) and I'm sure our doctor's appointment today will confirm that Adam is already a fair bit heavier.

If time permits today, we will be uploading more photos to http://picasaweb.google.com/dion.lew

Dion says the darndest things.

I had written some of this in a reply to Otto's last comment but I had been meaning to post them anyway; so, I repeat them here.

During my pregnany, Dion often made statements about the baby completely out of the blue, at times when we were just doing our own thing, not conversing. Here are some examples.
"I'm really starting to get excited now" - around 21 weeks, a day or so after Dion first felt the baby move.
"We're a team. This is our challenge. We're going to do this together." - maybe around 25-28 weeks. He denied having read this in one of his father-to-be books. He's not one to even tweak the truth; so, I believe him.
"The baby can come any time now. I'm just waiting." - two Saturdays before Adam was born.

Last night Dion commented that Adam seemed to be "levelling up". His repertoire of facial expressions has expanded and he definitely seems bigger already. It makes me just a little sad that he can't stay just the way he is forever.

Which reminds me. The other day, Adam was being especially sweet while nursing. So, I asked Dion to take a picture, "he won't look like this forever, y'know". No need to take a picture, Dion replied, "That's why you have more." :O

So, I have developed a hypothesis to explain declining birthrates in wealthy regions. Declining birthrates do not follow entirely from the emancipation of women or the availability of reliable contraception. Birthrate is inversely proportional to the prevalence of photographic and video media. Tongue planted firmly in cheek.

Adam Lew

Adam Lew. born Wednesday, April 18, 2007. 7 lb 1 oz. 20.5"

A man on a mission.
11 pm some discomfort.
2 am Are these contractions?
2:30 am Yes, yes, they are.
2 hours of contractions 3-6 min apart
5:15 am call the hospital. "Come in, but there's no hurry."
6 am arrive at the hospital. "Pain relief, please!"
6:10 am "Sorry, too late. You're 8.5 to 9 cm dilated."
7:17 am It's all over.

In the delivery room.

A few hours after birth.


Greatgrandma and Grandparents are all smiles.


With mom's index finger for scale.
Everybody forgets just how small a newborn is.


Sleep. Blissful sleep.


Like father, like son.


I'm okay. Are you okay?


Tummy time is fun. and fuzzy.

Granddad.

Uncle Ian.

Several full size photos are available for download at http://picasaweb.google.com/dion.lew

slowing down

Although my energy is still very good, the treadmill display tells a different story. I just can't get my legs to move as fast as they used to on the treadmill. It takes me longer to hit my stride and I've gone to increasing the incline instead of speed. So I'm back to the old 140 heartrate. But I can still touch my toes! Yes, feet together, knees locked.

PO'd

blogger said it would save a copy of my old template. It did not.

buyer's remorse

When we bought a condo for over $300K and a car for over $10K, I didn't bat an eyelash. But around $500 on stroller/carseat just didn't sit right.

Since the 1st trimester nausea, the worst part of pregnancy has been stroller shopping. Last Saturday afternoon was trying. We spent an hour getting an education at a chichi store in Bayview Village, which was useful. Then we went to Babies'R'Us to purchase. They had lots of models at better prices but no stock of the ones I liked best. So, we spent a long time trying to pick amongst the others. We finally picked one and bought it but I just wasn't happy. So, it stayed in its packaging.

Monday, I stopped by the Bay on the way home from lunch with Rob, Kevin, and Dion. Five minutes later, I walked out with the same stroller in nicer colours, having spent $370+taxes ($85+taxes less than we did at Babies'R'Us). Much better.

Now here's hoping that returning the first one goes smoothly. Babies'R'Us does give a 45-day window, which is pretty generous.

Update: Babies'R'Us handled the return simply and quickly. To reward them, I went into the store and shopped some more.

For the first time in my life...

people are amazed at how small I am!

Here's how we look while "we" are going on 38 weeks (out of 40) pregnant.

Grandma Lew's 80th.

Yesterday was the first time a stranger offered me a seat on the bus. Mind you, I was kinda working for it. I made sure to slouch and stick my belly out as far as it would go. When one side of the bus was not playing, I turned to the other side. It was going to be a long ride - Yonge to McCowan on Steeles.

We were heading to Grandma Lew's 80th birthday celebration. We were running late - a combination of the TNL show running late and my insisting that we absolutely had to stop for presents. Dion understood the need for some jewellery, which we usually get her at Christmas, but needed some convincing on the flowers. See the jewellery is nice but it goes in box. The flowers go on display; so, Grandma can tell all her neighbours that they were from her Grandson for her 80th when they inquire. She need not be so unhumble as to bring up the subject herself.

I'm just a bit concerned because there were a number of lilies, which might stink up her small apartment in a hurry. Ah well, it's the thought that counts and I think the presents had the desired effect. I think Dion's dad scored some points for arranging the celebration and even more for knowing to do it in the first place!