Good day!

How's this for a good day.....

We started out by being paid a visit by our doula, Veronik, who came to check up on us. She's really nice, and brought her baby Angelique.

After that, Séverine went to visit the osteopath again, and after her session ended, Manu and I met her there for his second session. Sorry, no photos this time (it really is annoying to have a camera snapping while subtle, meditative body work is being done to such a tiny human).

A little later on I got a call-back to possibly work as a content developer for this company:

http://www.solarislabs.com


Twenty minutes later, we went to go pick up the keys to our new apartment (finally!!!).


Yup...twas a good day indeed!

Still growing....

Hello everyone. Here are a few more pics from the last few days. Of note, that stupid plastic umbilical clip finally fell off a couple days back, so we are all much more comfortable fitting into diapers now. Enjoy!

Video from the hospital on august 19th, 2007

August 26th, hugging my cousin

August 25th first bath

Manu had a taste of wind today. New sensation, quite nice when it's a little warm!
It was also first bath day, which is never pleasant for any baby. So photos are limited for that reason.
Still, one can see the beautiful red hair in the day light, isn't he so cute with his little red hair!!!???

August 24th, 2007 - Routine

Well, given that Manu will be celebrating his one weekaversary tomorrow, I'm happy to announce that we seem to be falling into some semblance of a routine. Sure, we're chronically sleep deprived and Manu is still nocturnal, but today was simply mellow. I'll let the pics do the talking today...

August 23rd, 2007 - Today!

Hooray! We're up to date. Today is actually today. All further posts will come as they will, and frankly I can't promise that there will be daily updates, but we'll post as often as we are able.

Today we were paid a visit by the nurse from CLSC Cote des Neiges. She came by to do a follow up on Séverine and Manu. After a little Q&A, the little dude was weighed (7.2 pounds or 3.2 kilos - he gained .1!). She also helped Séverine out of her staples from the surgery. We were not sad to see those go, I tell you what. All in all, everything checked out nicely, my wife is now less encumbered, and we were told what we already knew - Manu is simply perfect!

Later in the evening (technically this is still right now), Galina, our family friend and prenatal energetic healer paid us a visit. It has really been a pleasant evening so far.

Family portrait after his first bath...

There you have it. See you in the future!

August 22nd, 2007 - Manu goes to the Osteopath

Well, yesterday was actually pretty chilled. We're settling into our routine finally, the family has been a great help with the baby, and we're getting the hang of this whole diaper changing, breast feeding, sleep rotating, gaga loving parenting thing.

Of note, we took our first walk today as a family down the street to the Osteopathy clinic.

Michelle, the family's Osteopath, is simply amazing. She is what healers were meant to be. Even the sound of her voice has a holistic effect. First she worked on Séverine for a while, who, after the surgery, discomfort, and general physical and hormonal adjustments, really needed to get some relief.


Manu slept quietly off to the side during Séverine's treatment. Then it was Manu's turn. I just have to say that watching my son get worked on by Michelle, sleeping peacefully all the while, had to have been one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen in my life. Here's what it looked like:


The rest of the day Manu was simply awesome. I think I'm in love!

August 21st, 2007 - GOING HOME DAY!!!

Well, the long wait was finally over. Tuesday had arrived, and we were being discharged. Knowing this, our room (which we had decorated with mood lights, tapestries and photos, not to mention a mini entertainment center with DVDs, an iPod and a little stereo) was packed and ready to go long before we got the final ok to leave.

Now all we had to do was pack up Manu, and make that long walk down the hall one last time. This couldn't have happened a moment too soon, as all three of us were getting pretty claustrophobic, sleep deprived from uncomfortable beds and regular disturbances, and malnourished due to toxic and inedible hospital food (does anyone else find this ironic for a place dedicated to healing people?). Once the papers were signed, we were out of there migrant farm workers during an immigration raid.

The family once again came through in helping us transport all our stuff, as well as preparing everything for us back home. This may seem simple, but they actually moved all of our stuff out of the basement and into a larger room upstairs with a bathroom and nearby kitchen.

It was so comfortable getting home at last, that Manu decided to sleep all day long. We tried to follow his lead as much as possible, but we still very much have more figuring out to do with this whole sleep deprivation thing.

August 20th, 2007 - Still at the hospital

Monday morning, it was clear that the hospital was open for business. All the nine-to-fivers who were enjoying the gorgeous weather over the weekend had returned to work, along with all their patients. The hospital had magically transformed from a quiet sanctuary to something more closely resembling a shopping mall. Fortunately our room was mostly sheltered from all that, but any wanderings outside our room were done at our own peril.

The night before proved to be a pretty hard one. Not only was Manu up much of the night, but the after effects of the epidural left Séverine with some crazy pain in her back and shoulder. It turns out that while an epidural might make for a painless birthing, it seems that it's nothing more than a stall. There is nothing to be done to really avoid pain when dealing with childbirth...it hurts sooner or later. Totally worth it, though. Just take a look:
Yep...totally worth it!