March Album: Leo

What a whirlwind since Leo's birth!  The last day of the month of March, this is where we found ourselves...

   

Mom and me, plus three kids, on our way (with a 2-hour layover in Phoenix), to San Antonio – to begin our April adventure.

But let me back up… Here’s Matthew and I, at six in the morning, the day that Leo was born.  We’d spent the evening before walking down to Alberta Street to indulge some cravings – crawfish cakes and fried okra.  We’d had our eye on some cheesecake, but Jenn and Scott invited us over to their house for some of Jenn’s birthday carrot cake.  Their kids were in bed, and Rene and Tracy were over.  Since Matt’s parents were in town, and Dean and Fiona were in bed, we decided to head over – it could be our last stop before the hospital.  I was having some contractions and although they were irregular, they were fairly noticeable.  We were there until 2 a.m. or so, playing games and telling stories, but alas, my contractions fizzled out, so Matt and I headed back home.  The next morning, I woke up at 5:30 with a strong contraction.  Five minutes later, it happened again.  Five minutes later, same thing.  I woke Matthew up and told him I was going downstairs to take a shower, and I thought we should probably get ready to head to the hospital.  The pattern continued.  After my shower, I came back upstairs to find Matt, sprawled across the bed, and he said, so I can sleep for another hour, right?  To which I replied, no, you’re going to get dressed and get a cup of coffee and we’re heading to the hospital.  Then I had a big contraction, and he saw my point.  Matthew’s parents were awake (and so was Dean, our early-riser), so we asked them to take this photo – it was still so dark outside!

Leo was born at 11:32 that morning.  I was so fortunate that my midwife, Karen, who had delivered both of my children, had told me to have her notified when I checked in to the hospital.  Even if she wasn’t on call, she said, she’d come in.  Since it was a Sunday, she had no other patients and she stayed with me the entire labor.  What a blessing.  It was a short, but intense labor; Leo was sunnyside-up (both Dean and Fiona had been, too) – which causes tremendous back labor, but since I was so far along I decided to bite the bullet and go without meds.  Matthew was an amazing coach and he did everything he could to make me comfortable.  Karen said, the only way to get around it is through it, and so we did, and Leo was born.

   

That afternoon, Charles and Suzanne brought Dean and Fiona up to meet Leo.  It was incredible to see all three of them together.  Here’s the next day’s visit…

   Leo charmed everyone.

When we got home, Fiona wanted to help care for baby.  She burped her baby while Daddy burped Leo.

Leo, one week old, poses with the lion that Dean and Fiona gave him when they first visited him in the hospital.

  

Here’s Leo after he rolled over at one week old, from his tummy to his back.  He did it twice!  I couldn’t believe it. 

Daddy and Leo wear matching clothes, Nani puts Leo to sleep, Leo finds his thumb, and Mommy and Leo go for an outing.

  

   

After my in-laws left, Nani came to visit and help out before we five flew to San Antonio.  The kids enjoy being read to and cuddled!

I’ve enjoyed sharing moments with Leo and his older siblings, and they’ve enjoyed him…

Such a snuggle-bug!

One humorous Sunday morning, we could only get Fiona to let us change her diaper because her baby brother was also getting his diaper changed.  Dean squatted near us to read a story, and voila!  Family portrait.

Fiona loves her baby brother.

And now I’m a mother of three.  New adventures await.

Our current adventure started when we left Portland at the end of the month.  We are in San Antonio, and we will be “on holiday” until Mother’s Day.  Our route includes Corpus Christi, Dallas, and Oklahoma City.  We miss Daddy, who is busy in Portland making our home more livable, but we have been enjoying our “FaceTime” via iphones to talk to him during the day.  He’ll meet us after Easter in Dallas.  Phew.  More updates to come.

Leo Oscar

A long overdue post...

Leo Oscar Lillard was born on March 13, 2011 at 11:32 a.m. He weighed 7 lbs. 14 oz.  and measured 21 inches long.

His name derives from Matthew's family (Leon is Matthew's father's and grandfather's middle name; we dropped the "n"), and my family (Oscar is my father's middle name and great-grandfather's name).  He is a beautiful, sweet baby boy! 

Dean and Fiona met their baby brother a few hours after he was born.  It was the first time Leo became alert - at the sounds of his brother and sister's voices.  It was an unforgettable moment.  

More on Leo's birth and what's been happening these last three (!) weeks to come...