Seis Puerqueños

You can only get an idea from the picture, but his hands (and feet) are really big. It has to be seen to comprehended. The first thing I said when I handed him to Kelsey was “Look at his giant hands.”

Thought I’d post again. Kelsey says I’m ga-ga over the baby and am taking over the blog and should rename it “The Harmon Show”.

I want to record the sound of his voice and post it. He likes to snort. It sounds like my snoring, and he does it a lot. It’s really cute. Sometimes just once in a while, sometimes like every breath.

Kelsey says he is the strongest baby in the whole world. When she has him held upright, he can do push-ups and hold his body away from her and head up. I can attest that he is really strong.

Here’s some photo’s from Grandmomeree’s camera. Thank Suegra/Abuela.

We made it through the first day of parenthood. Kelsey’s recovering slowly, like the champ she is who grew and then pushed out a giant. I’ll give his stats again because I never get tired of saying it. 10 pounds 12 ounces, 23 inches long. And muscular.

He pooed alot through the night and even more this morning, when he finally peed. I’ve been changing all the diapers, and Kelsey’s been doing the hard work. He’s not an instictive feeder, but she’s doing a great job teaching him, but doesn’t have a lot to give at this point, since she’s exhausted and spent.

I’m mostly recovered, and Kelsey’s healing well, but still not there. She’s posting pictures now, so you’ll all have something to look at.

I’m still a dad, and Kelsey’s still a mom, and Harmon’s still a giant and healthy.

A giant even. He’s too big to be called a boy. 10 pounds, 12 ounces, 23 inches long. Large everything: eyes, nose, moumth, ears (expected), head (38cm circumference), body(38 1/2 com circ.), arms. legs, feet & hands. You will not believe the size of his paws. Even for an almost 11 pound baby they look out of place. No “look at the little fingers” comments for this guy. And he has broad shoulders and big muscles. His thighs are huge, ask Kelsey how hard he can kick. He has long muscular arms as well. He’s not really fat at all, just huge.

Harmon was born at 7:44am this morning, Friday October 24th, 2008 (also my sister Lois and uncle Dave’s birthday.) It was a long difficult labor, and I can’t believe Kelsey did it. I barely survived and all I did was watch and pray. We’ll get the details out later, and Kelsey will post pictures. The new mom is recuperating, so we apologize for lack of contact for the first day or two.

Kelsey: I just watched a video online that said this: “No one knows what the baby feels during labor. Some say it is like a hug all over. But it won’t feel like a hug to you.” I laughed a lot.

Jacki: Kind of like a knifey stab stab hug

Kelsey: The best kind.

And so it begins… Finally!

So, here is an update for all you faithful blog followers.  Yesterday I met with my midwife, and she said there is still a baby in there, and that everything looks good.  But, since today I am 10 days overdue, I was sent to get a non-stress test and biophysical profile.  That pretty much means they hooked up a heart monitor and we poked at the baby until he moved around a bit, and I got another ultrasound to look at amniotic fluid levels and how he’s holding up.  The good news: He passed all his tests and I am good to keep being pregnant.  The other news: They think he weighs 9.5 lbs.  Let me repeat that: They think he weighs NINE AND A HALF POUNDS.  So tomorrow my midwife will try all her tricks and if he doesn’t come out before Friday I have to go back for the same tests again.  That’s your update.  And yes, I will be starving myself until the giant human comes out.  

I went to my post office box today and had a thick envelope from Regence, my insurance company. I opened it to find an enrollment packet for a free program they offer to pregnant moms. You get a book and support and all sorts of other great good things when you sign up. They are pretty smart that they just now figured out I am pregnant (nevermind the 6 months of prenatal care I have already been billed for!) Oh well. Maybe it’s a sign my baby is coming today? Here is a picture for your enjoyment courtesy of my mother’s camera.