One More First!

Zoë's little umbilical reminder dropped off this week, leaving her waterproof and able to enjoy her first bath! Well, turns out she really didn't enjoy it at all! Who knew that in three dry weeks, she'd totally give up the water-borne life.

Anyway, had to post this photo first.

Love,

Aaron

Every Day is a New Adventure

As Aaron told you, we have spent the weekends taking Zoë and the dog to Audubon Park and the French Quarter. The weather has been quite pleasant and we are trying to take complete advantage of it. Zoë is getting bigger every day--she is already wearing her 3 month-old outfits. Thanks to Amy Wheeler for sending the latest additions to Z's fashionable onesies.

Zoë is not only physically growing, but she seems more mentally alert. Although she tends to turn on the crying and fussing around dinnertime requiring Aaron and I to eat in shifts, she is more interested in studying our faces and is no longer content to simply eat and pass out. The introduction of the pacifier has, however, made determining when she wants to eat and when she just wants to suck on the pacifier a bit difficult.

Finally, in an effort to continue feeding her breastmilk when I return to work, we invested in a pump. It is presenting some challenges, but I am happy to report that Aaron was able to give Zoë her first bottle this week.*

Love to you all,
Emily

*Unsolicited advice to future mothers...before investing in the cadillac of pumps which the lactation nurses and books will recommend, buy a cheap pump to determine if you are going to be one of the fortunate ones who have no trouble pumping b/c pumps cannot be returned once the box is open.

Second Park Excursion

Happy Memorial Day everyone!

Our little family has enjoyed a relaxing three-day-weekend, with a trip to Audubon, a trip to the MS River alongside the French Quarter, and some chores (the grass was cut for the first time since Zoë joined us).

Here are a couple shots from the park.

A, E, T & Z head to Audubon

How fun! Our first family outing to the park. Saturday we took advantage of the sunny, low-humidity weather and headed to Audubon Park next to Tulane University. This was our first experience with fully geared up parenting - multiple trips to the car type stuff.

The stroller worked really well (thanks again Todd and Barbie), and we found a nice, shady spot under a gazebo next to the pond. I sure hope (against hope) that this weather sticks around.

I also added a new album at snapfish. To check it out, hit the link on the left.

Baby Bottle News

A recent report from Aaron's old group, CalPIRG/EnvironmentCalifornia, is pointing out the disturbing presence of a probable toxin in plastic baby bottles. Read the report here, the news coverage here, and guaranteed safe bottles here.

Just the Girls

As Aaron mentioned, by the time we are finished with dinner and Aaron gets out the computer, Zola Grace grabs my attention. Thank goodness Aaron has been so diligent about posting. I want to publicly thank him for creating such touching postings. He is a wonderful dad and husband. And, yes, I am so emotionally charged that I cry at the Zales Diamond commercials and sappy soft rock songs.

Speaking of sappy soft rock songs, Zoë and I tend to begin our day listening to the soft rock station. She seems to really like music. We also listen to our Led Zepplin lullabye cd that Kat and Tory Theall and their new triplets gave us. Who knew Led Zepplin could be so soothing?!?

Zoë tends to spend the days in cycles of sleeping, eating, and messing her diaper, but I'm making sure that we both clean up and put on fresh outfits before noon. And she usually spends at least an hour studying my face and voice and a couple of choice toys.

Slowly, but surely, I'm getting back into housework and cooking. We were so spoiled with Grandma Anne in town. My house will never again be so clean. I'm not exaggerating!! She is a master at busting dust and grime! A big huge thank you to her!!!!

Exhausted but happy,

Emily

Baby and the Doctor

Zoë went to the pediatrician today for her 1 week check up. Looks like everything's going well so far. .. Her weight is up a bit, 8 lbs 3ozs from her birthweight of 7 lbs 14 ozs (babies tend to lose weight at first), so it seems like Em and Zoë are getting along well on the breast feeding front.

Grandma Anne and Grandpa Jack headed back to Kentucky on Mom's day - so it's just Em and Zola Grace and I all on our own for the first time, and I headed back to work today, so it's just Em and Z for most of the day. Speaking of heading back to work, here's an interesting column by Ellen Goodman about the price professional women pay for being mothers.

I'll let Em tell you about their days together soon, but of course, as soon as Em thinks about sitting down to type something, Z's hunger kicks in.

Hope everyone had a happy Mother's Day - Em celebrated her first with take out sushi (not ready to try to be parents in a restaurant just yet).

Best,

Aaron

A Major Milestone!

For the first time ever, Zoë had her diaper changed without turning instantly into a screaming banshee!!! (are there any other types of banshees?) This marks an important moment, and hopefully will be closely followed by nighttime sleeping for longer than 45 minutes at a stretch. She's also been grabbing things and putting her thumb and fingers into her mouth.

Zoë was also introduced to her Grandpa Jack for the first time - he drove in from Kentucky this morning, and was immediately smitten.

The mailman has been kept busy by the flood of thoughtful cards and gifts from her legion of admirers (thanks Alison & Gavin, Barbie, Caroline & Jason, Donna, Heather and Richard, Grandma and Grandpa Viles, and Pa Ma Ma).

As we enjoy the weekend, Em's first Mom's day, and the rest of the visit from Grandma Anne and Grandpa Jack, we keep pinching ourselves about Zoë and our new family.

Love,

Aaron

Zola et al come home!

After two nights recovering at East Jeff. Hospital, Em and Z were cleared by their docs to come home today. Not a day too soon for dad, who was about done with the pull-out, visitor's sleeper couch in the hospital room.

We packed up the flowers (thanks Grandpa Jack and Barbie & Todd), the freebie baby products, and the rest of the gear and loaded the car for Zoë's first car ride. She took to the car seat fine (better than she did to sleeping last night between midnight and 4:30pm at least), and Em and I entered the real world as parents. No more nursery or nurses at our beck and call. Gulp.

But, we still have Grandma Anne, and we pulled up to a house that was significantly cleaner than when we headed to the hospital - Grandma couldn't abide a less-than antiseptically clean space for her precious grandbaby. Thanks G'ma!

So far Zoë's sucked her thumb for the first time, gotten hickups for the first time, and sneezed for the first time in the past few hours. I could also go into some detail about milestone digestive firsts, but I'll spare you that information (though apparently it's important because we kept getting drilled by the nurses about it all). Suffice it to say, breastfeeding is going fine.

That's about it for now, but enjoy the new photos!

Aaron

Zola's First Day!

We're proud to introduce Zola Grace Viles (Zoë to her friends). She joined the world at 4:33pm CST at East Jefferson Hospital in Metairie Louisiana on Monday, May 7, 2007.

Weighing in at a relatively whopping 7 pounds, 14 ounces, she measures 20 inches long. Labor was induced at about 9:30am that day when Dr. Swing broke Em's waters, and started her on potossin to make sure her contractions started up. Em's body was pretty ready, as her potossin intake was quite low throughout the process.

That doesn't mean it wasn't uncomfortable though, and her epidural was started at about 10am - thankfully, her anaesthesiologist was a pro, and everything went smoothly. Active pushing began about 3:45 or so, and we were teased by views of Zoë's head for about 20 minutes until she went all in and joined us!

Dr. Swing, RN Lauren, and the whole team at East Jeff did a great job, and Grandma Anne and I were impressed with the whole labor. Most impressive though, was the amazing job Emily did in bearing down and making it happen.

Mom and Zola are both happy and healthy! Zoë''s been breast feeding, and Em's starting to get the hang of it.

If you want to talk to Mom, Dad or G'ma, (Z's not saying much just yet) we're staying in room 468, and the number is 504-454-4468. We'll be here until sometime tomorrow (Wednesday) feel free to give us a ring!

Love you all,

Aaron (Dad)

OH, and if you want to order photos, check out our album at snapfish, here.

Saturday must be nesting day!

Grandma Anne is in town now, giving Aaron and Emily a chance to focus on getting ready to bring Z into the world. After a leisurely morning, and Aaron and Em enjoying a walk around Audubon Park, Mom & G'Ma spent the day giving Wal-Mart and Whole Foods a bit of a work out. They must both be in super nesting mode. As Aaron finished up some painting, the ladies loaded about every concievable item into the car.

We're going in Sunday at 10pm to start the inducement process, but in the meantime, Emily and Aaron are trying everything they can think of to get Zola here under her own steam. Keep your fingers crossed.