Summer Vacation??

Happy Little Family (Many have asked about Thomas . . .we are trying to give him extra love. . .he is definitely different . . .its like he is more affectionate than he's been in years . . .which for him is hard to do, since he's so lovey anyway. I think he feels a bit jealous and I know he senses something is here "to stay." He has tried to lick Callum's head, which is cute, but I stopped it because Thomas has a rough tongue, and Callum has no immune system. But he liked to be where Callum is)
A pre-lunch story in the recliner in the "man basement"
And a post-story nap . . .

In the business of Callum's birth, I have forgotten, in the past few days or so, that I am in fact on summer vacation now!! Well, Winslow's last day for teachers is tomorrow, but I've been on vacation for a week . . .although I am totally excited to be home with my wife and son, I have to admit that I did miss those final few days in school where there is a "special spirit," almost like the week before Christmas, where everyone is in a great mood about their impending vacation. Oh well. But we hope to have a great summer with out little guy. He's been a joy so far, although he seems to have his days and his nights messed up a bit--he sleeps pretty much all day, and he is up pretty much all night. Weird little kid. Anyway, here are some of the things we have planned/want to have planned for this summer (which, by the way, will be a summer for the ages, since Amanda gets to be home with me the whole time!)

1. Travel to CT for the 4th of July to see Auntie KK and Uncle Twon for a few days . . .apparently, they want to take him sailing, and to the Blue Horse for a present.

2. Go down to New Jersey in August for a week to see the zoo so Callum can learn all about QVC, buying tons of crap to put in chest freezers, and how to pick a crab properly. We are really looking forward to travelling down there!

3. Hopefully, some visitations from Nannie and Papa . . .and hopefully Bubba and Babs as well! Papa Goldsmith needs to eat some prime rib with me . . . .its still hanging out in our freezer

4. Amanda and I want to head up to Mt. Desert to (finally) get to Atlantic Brewing Co. for their tour and BBQ

5. I'd like to get out with MET for a couple of hikes at least (and possibly some Pig's Ear Brown Ale too . . .or at least a keg can of Foster's)

6. Paddling up north with Dave . . .trying to pretend I have a clue what I do with a fly rod

7. Some good road riding on my own and with Uncle Jonathan . . .and then we can get all cute and shave our legs together after (I'm really enjoying my bike . ..its becoming "my time" during the day)

8. Camp Greenlaw to see Cindy and Dana, and take Callum for his first "bye bye ride" on a boat

9. See friends from "far away places" like Jay and Jenn, Sarah and Tim, Andrea, Josh, Brian, etc. (grammar error . . .did you find it??)

10 Sleep for more than 2 hours at a time . . .although, as I keep hearing, I should savor every moment of not being able to sleep, since I'll most likely look back, when Callum is 17, and long for the days when he was a baby, and he pooped bi-minutely, and I couldnt sleep a wink . . .

Callum's First Bath

So last night the little bean had his first bath, given to him by yours truly. He both hated and loved it at the same time--I dont think he liked being wet . . .but he LOVED the nice lavender lotion his daddy put on him at the end. He went right to sleep after that . . .

The last two nights have been very difficult nights for Callum . . .not because of the sleeping and eating fiascos we face, but mostly because of the fact interleague play is on in the MLB, and the Red Sox are playing the Phillies. Callum feels a lot of pressure, because he likes the Phillies . . .but he LOVES LOVES LOVES the Red Sox. Its just hard to deal with the stress when he is so young . . .I say it just builds character . . .

Here he is, as pleasant as can be, getting stripped of his poppiness . . ..
He loved to have his back cleaned off and rubbed with lotion . . .just like his Uncle Jason did in high school when one time we . . .um . . .well, never mind . . .

As a side note, now that I am looking at this picture, I realize how I cannot wait til he can wear Carrharts, like his daddy. After all the fussing and crying and being wet and cold and exposed, Callum (immediately) became content after I dried him off and dressed him in his little pajamas . . .he went right to sleep in my arms . . .which, I have to say, is one of the most amazing feelings in the world . . .

And Thomas P. followed suit . . .

Some photos . . .

Hi all. Amanda, Callum, and I are safely back from the hospital, and we're all becoming acclimated to life at home. Frankly, we're exhausted, but we expected that. Obviously, I'll be writing more about Callum (and Amanda) during the next few days and weeks, but I thought I'd post what I thought were some pictures with great stories behind them (although I'm too tired to write the stories right now). The first picture is a little graphic (no nudity though!)

This is why we say Callum is our little miracle . . .here is his umbilical cord after I cut it. I had the midwife hold it out for me. Notice the two knots? Its amazing that he a) didnt suffocate b) was able to get the nutrition he needed (and 8+ pounder!) during pregnancy, and c) had no complications during birth. We just cannot believe it, and neither can Bjarni! Maybe I'll get a tattoo of two knots across my back . . . not. But maybe that should be his nickname . . ."Knots" or something . . .

Here is a picture of Amanda, Callum, and Bjarni--taken about ten minutes after he was born. I know I am biased because she is my wife, but I just can't believe how beautiful Amanda looks . . .even right after giving a drug free birth!!! She looks fabulous. Bjarni (pronounced "jar-nee") was totally fantastic, and didnt leave Amanda's side from the moment she got there--a primary reason we went with a midwife versus a doctor
This morning before we left. Callum has been (finally!) feeding a little better, and "latching on" to Amanda. For a while, he had to get take out, as we fed him with a curved syringe, but now he saddles right up to the dairy bar. And he always goes to sleep right after. Look at his little diaper . . .
In his big boy outfit, moments before leaving the hospital and going into the real world for the first time. He seemed to like his car seat, and he slept the whole 5.6 miles home
And here I am, the proudest dad in the world, carrying my son down the hallway, and out the big double doors. It was very scary leaving such a secure place like the hospital. But I was happy to get out of there . . .I'm not a big fan of hospitals
Thanks again everyone for all your love and support!

Home For Lunch . . .

Quick update as I am home for 20 minutes to grab some lunch (they dont feed the fathers at the hospital . . .not even on fathers day . . .wah wah wah) and pick up the "boppy" to bring back to Amanda.

Thanks everyone for your love and support! You will all meet him soon. I left in a rush and forgot the camera so I will post pics tomorrow when we are home. Maybe Kranthony can put some on their blog????

We have our cell phone at the hospital. 207 660 2177

Callum latched on for the first time this morning, and fed from Amanda. The whole breastfeeding process has been the toughest part so far . . .very frustrating

I am back to the hospital. Just loving Thomas, feeding him, eating a salad, and grabbing the boppy. See you all soon

LOve Jared, Amanda, and Callum (wow it feels great to write that . . . )

Our Miracle . . . .

Callum Stuart Goldsmith

Born: 2:32 a.m.

8 pounds 1 ounce

20.5 inches long

TWO (not just one) "knots" in his umbilical cord . . .1 % of babies have one knot . . .less than 1% have two knots. . .medically speaking, he should have suffocated himself long ago, or at least during labor . . .

Loves his mommy very much . . . .

Mommy was absolutely awesome in labor . . .she took NO DRUGS whatsoever. She's my hero.

Both are resting comfortably . . .

(picture forthcoming)

2nd post of the day (read previous one too)

At 4:33 Amanda's water broke. Its 5:00 right now, and we're just waiting for the midwife to call back to tell us if we should come in yet

"Here we go Raiders, here we go . . . ."

Hurry up and wait . . .

This is the lovely Ms. Amanda, as of 20 minutes ago. Amanda and I made yesterday our last day of work (my last day of school would be next Friday anyway) since, at our appointment with the midwife yesterday, we were told the little bean could come literally any moment now. Amanda, as of yesterday, was at 4 cm (I think you deliver at 10cm). Also, she is having many sporadic contractions and cramps . . .and the little guy's head is constantly jamming down on her . . um . . .area, causing further pain. Bjarni, our midwife, is confident that she'll deliver this weekend . . .but if she does not, by some freak of science, then they'll break her water on Monday. Is that enough graphic info for everyone . . .ha ha . . .sorry.

Ortiz (my dad), Twon (my brother in law Anthony), and Kristin (my sister Kristin) are, as I type this, most likely 20 minutes or so away from Fairfield, as they are travelling up to stay for the weekend. Our annual father's day cookout is pretty much in flux right now, as we try to see what the baby is going to do. But it will be great to have them here . . .just in case. And, if we do have the baby, I know Lynne and George will be right over, as well will my mom (and Chelsea, whom she is babysitting).

Amanda and I took some long walks this morning, ate a good breakfast at "The Flatlanda'" (I'll write more about that later!) and then did some errands. She had many contractions and was feeling pretty good, but crampy. Now, as you can see from the photo, she is all worn out for now . . .

Oh, and yeay for the Celtics for a fantastic win against the LA Entitlements . . .I mean Lakers last night. I have purposely stayed out of the bandwagon everyone is on with the Celts, since I know I havent supported the team in 20 years, and would find it almost disrespectful to jump on the bandwagon now . . .since they are finally good. But a great game is a great game, and the Celtics came back from a 24 point deficit . . .in LA . . .with biased refs . . .to win the game!! It is always great to see a Boston team do well . . .we are very lucky.

And finally, best of luck to Brick (Jonathan) this weekend, as he is riding the Trek Across Maine for the second year in a row. Good luck Jonathan . . .hopefully I'll join you next year when I'm not a big fatass!

Talk to you all soon . . .