Welcome Baby Leo Timothy Schnabel!

Ziggy made his first world appearance on Monday, December 29 at 12:03 pm. After 30 minutes on the operating table where D distracted me with conversation, we heard "He's coming!" and heard his first yelp a minute later.

His name is now Leo Timothy Schnabel. His first name is his granddad Schnabel's middle name, and his middle name is his granddad Firestone's first name. He's already roaring like a little lion! My wonderful office (down the hall) sent me a basket of flowers with a stuffed lion in his honor.

He has the softest dark hair and puffy cheeks. His grandma Schnabel says he is definitively the cutest baby ever, although he now has a few scratches on his cheeks from his long nails. In the past day, he has gotten more active (ie complains more) and has already gotten "Wonderful!" ratings from his pediatrician. He's a sweetheart. He loves being held by his daddy, and his daddy loves him right back. D has been so supportive and in love during all of this - he's wonderful.

I was groggy and uncomfortable for the first 24 hours, and then was determined to be up and walking so I'm already out of the scrubs, in sweats and on the computer by the end of "day 1."

I'm trying to control the chaos of staff knocking on the door every 30 minutes on average... they figure you're not going to sleep anyway, so why bother being quiet? I already knew the head nurse, who put a "do not disturb" sign on the wall. That's how I learned that staff don't read signs or think that it applies to them... so now we're trying to be more explicit: if you're dropping off non-urgent items, please just leave them quietly!! David slept over the first night and we both got a total of 2 hours sleep (around 7am to 9am). Thanks to my strict "no disturbance" regimen, I've slept an additional 3 hours since then. I'm trying not to be too bitchy with the already mounting lack of sleep. It should calm down now that I don't need to have tests every hour... We're allowed to stay in the hospital until Friday Jan 2, and probably will since we heard it's easier than doing it on your own at home.

Ziggy - aka Leo - is already a model. This morning we photographed the head nurse holding him so we can profile her in marketing materials. That's right, we already have him working! That's my little man.

Check for the update here! 24 hours to go...

Ziggy, as usual showing his good sense, has given me the opportunity to schedule his big day instead of winging it like most kids. He's in breech position and has stubbornly remained there for over a month... and all breech babies get c-sections these days.

We are scheduled for tomorrow - Monday Dec 29 at 11:30am!

We'll have internet access while in the hospital through Dec 31, and will post news here.

Pastel animals, suncatchers and Cowboys football

Once upon a time, there was a Polish boy who tragically lost all of his family and his home, but fought to build a new home, a new family and a new life for himself. He was successful.

Once upon a time, there was another young man who, like his own father, used passion to build businesses, machines and toys - tirelessly rebuilding those that crashed, and drawing his own family into his love of life.

D's and my fathers both died when we were young - leaving legacies of devotion and stubborn reslience even when things crash. This is what we want to surround Ziggy with.

So that is my answer to the question about Ziggy's room decor. It has the little glass star suncatchers that my dad created for me, and the bedding that D's dad selected for his future grandchildren almost 15 years ago. (And of course bits of passion from us: D's football love and my little French toys.)

6 weeks to go!

My friend Jill was due 2 weeks before me and had her gorgeous baby David a week ago. While I've explained the importance of tax breaks to Ziggy, I hope he isn't that ambitious! Very possibly, he could be here in 4 weeks... just in time for D's birthday.

Our lives are definitely changing. With Ziggy's uncertain arrival date, David is reluctant to schedule needed travel. And with me groaning at every move like a properly pregnant woman, it's a good thing my wallet is getting lighter with so many new purchases! Holy cow.

My main concerns now are keeping David sane, preparing at work, achieving an easy labor, and letting Ziggy have a trauma-free bris. As for the easy labor... Dr. Reyes says studies have shown that being fit and doing yoga (especially breathing) have helped, so I look forward to my exercise routines. It also helps keep us sane.

Belly Photos

Ziggy is about 3 pounds, and I've gained about 17. It's starting to get difficult to maneuver! Here is a photo of me getting ready for the gym, daddy and doggie, a view of my belly from above (no feet!), and my work clothes testing the boundaries of stretchiness. I didn't realize I looked so big already.

Practice

We used to say at the marketing agencies that our projects were like giving birth... painful, longer than you ever expected, and producing something to which you have a very strong emotional attachment because you helped to create it. Plus... there's always the fear that it will bring you disappointment in the end, even though you hope it will someday make you proud and help to pay for your retirement.

In the world of projects, I had triplets this week... They reminded me how universally useful "breathe! breathe! relax!" Lamaze exercises can be.

We're down to 10 weeks already, and my doctor checkups are becoming more frequent. Mini-man got an A+ again today for size, heartbeat and lots of activity. The doctor showed me how to find his head, which is near my chest in breach position right now. I just pushed in there and moved something. I can hear D already: "Stop squishing him!"

Third Trimester Already!

Time is flying! We are in week 28 already... 7 months pregnant! That still gives us 3 full months to go (since pregnancy really goes until month 10) but 10 weeks from now could hit the window for baby-popping time.

Ziggy is still growing and kicking. According to the literature, he should be about 2 pounds and 16 inches long by now. Unbelievable. He should recognize D's voice and Chester's frantic barking at maintenance men and the neighbor's dog by now, too.

We're starting in on baby classes. D is letting Ziggy and me take most of the notes... he's hoping he can wing it when the time comes. I'm starting to realize what a disaster it will be to prepare to be out for 3 months of work, too. My boss said I might want to hold the baby in for a few more months... it did cross my mind.

Our first visit "home"

David and I took Ziggy over to visit the gorgeous country of Israel. Although Ziggy couldn't see much, we all fell in love with the land and the people. I know he enjoyed it because he started growing quickly, and kicked at all of the amazing sights. We all flourished there, with healthy food, deep sleep, beautiful treks and inspiring history.

We hope we can take him back again soon enough.

You can see our photo album at http://picasaweb.google.com/Schnabling/IsraelPhotos?authkey=KHWhI-OuNYU

Ziggy-mobile

We're moving on up! Ziggy and I are going to jet around in style from now on. Granted, the dusty black Chrysler convertible is cool in its own ghetto way... but we are definitely getting a swank mom-mobile now, thanks to Detroit's financial pain. We got in 5 minutes before the latest incentives ended.

Cream exterior and cream leather interior to look somewhat mom-respectable... and a Saab "made from jets" engine to let D have some fun zooming around town in European style.

Swimercize

To help my aching body, D has come home to find me doing pre-mama-yoga, snuggling a full-body pillow (which he wants to borrow), downing iron and magnesium, and signing up for Moms on the Move aqua-aerobics.

The aerobics were harder than I thought - only because I couldn't keep up with the two women in their third trimester on my right, and the five senior citizens on my left. How in the world are you supposed to jog a lap while wearing a floatee vest in 8-foot water?? While I struggled and splashed around, I realized Zig was doing the same thing with me. Kick kick! Wave wave!

Making it legit

Ziggy made his second international travel when he, D and I flew up to Toronto from Pennsylvania. We arrived just in time, 1 hour before the wedding of one of my best friends from b-school... Chai. His gorgeous bride Sara picked out an equally beautiful moutain-view venue decorated with a fabulous reception. The best part was when they tore apart their gingerbread-house wedding cake and cannibalistically ate the little bride and groom cookies living in it.

OK, the best part was seeing my good friends. OK, it was the gingerbread house.

I finally looked legitimately pregnant for the event, with a belly that I think isn't from all the weekend's great desserts. And Ziggy had such a good time dancing the hora that he's been kicking away ever since.

Meeting the Fam

Ziggy, D and I flew to PA this weekend to introduce Zig to my family. Zig also got his first party, since my Mom threw a baby shower while we were there. We had such a blast spending time with my Nana, aunts, uncle, cousin, and my mom's friends who are just like family.

While in PA, Ziggy got to meet his YOUNGER cousin... that's right! My brother is finishing his PhD this year, proposed to his girlfriend Heather, then found out she was pregnant, so they bought a house, are getting married and are having a baby due 5 weeks after Ziggy's appearance date. I don't know which congratulations card to get them first! Heather and Todd brought Heather's 4-year-old son, Howard, who added great entertainment to the festivities - and she made a diaper cake with a multi-colored, musical version of Chester on top which is just too cute for words. It'll terrify our pup.

The presents were fun, but the best - apart from seeing my family all together - were by far the white baby blanket that my mother hand-knitted, and the heirloom silver rattle from my Nana.

Celebrations

D, Ziggy and I flew up to Long Island this weekend to celebrate our nephew Alex's bar mitzvah. He and his little brother, Cal, performed beautifully in the 3-hour ceremony. 13-year-old Alex gave a speech about the Torah (Old Testament) portion detailing the post-Exodus 40 years of wandering, and the important journeys his family has similarly made. It was touching - especially when he commanded a round of applause for his potential cousin (to which he added, "Good luck with that!").

The next family religious ceremony will be Ziggy's bris, when he's 8 days old.

I also had a chance to celebrate some longtime friendships, when Mrinalini and Isabelle came to visit me from Manhattan. It was so wonderful to see them again and have them be a part of this new little adventure. People stared through the restaurant windows when I tried to show off my 19-week belly, but they weren't impressed with the size. Still need to work on it.

Mrinalini just moved into a new strategy position at Lehman's, and Isabelle is preparing for her September move to London. It's so great to see them happy and full of new plans.

Vegas!

Schnabling took his first trip to Sin City for D's convention. Being pregnant, I felt like I should at least have a ceremony at the drive-thru wedding chapel while there, but we stuck to old friends and nice restaurants instead. (Too bad top-quality steak makes me queasy.)

We met Hulk Hogan while there - he offered to put D in a headlock but I didn't have a camera, unfortunately. Nice guy... And we talked in depth to Dr. Kenneth Cooper, the creator of aerobics. "Coop" convinced us all that we need to start being more healthy. He also said DHA is great for you. My 4-month crisis over the safety of prenatal vitamins is finally answered.

Separation

I had my first big learning about daycare. I boarded our puppy Chester for the first time, at an average-rated, under-construction kennel affiliated with my vet's office. When I saw him in the hot glass room struggling his way through a sea of dogs in hopes of being rescued by me, I started sobbing and took him immediately over to Wuf Dog Spa.

Wuf gave him a better environment, constant human contact and a peanut butter Kong treat every night - plus I could watch him on webcam. So spoiled he didn't want to come home.

We're going to be in trouble when Ziggy needs daycare, too.

Little Achiever

D saw his first sonogram today and was all smiles when little Ziggy waved at him on screen. We are confirmed to have a boy. I'm liking my posse of boys more and more, and D loves it. The blue pinstripe sheets stay on the registry!

Mini-man is already an achiever, too. Dr. Magee said he was ahead of the curve when he could see his boy-parts at 13 weeks. Now, we should be at 15 weeks 4 days, but the sonogram said he might already be at 16 weeks 1 day - exactly the 4 days' jump we need to hit our 2008 tax break. So he's not only advanced, but he's also financially savvy.

He's doing little calesthenics, which makes D proud, and is already in the best fetal position upside down. That's my boy.

Splurge

We are in week 16 (out of 40), and I'm getting full sympathy for the nausea I no longer have and the cravings that haven't started yet. I'm afraid D's suspicions are, as usual, right on: I'm just interested in eating junk and using the pregger state as an excuse. My friends say that's OK - there are few moments when you can gain weight without guilt. I love my friends.

Despite the green light for decadence, I do try to keep healthy by remembering the unscientific story of the sibling who was smarter when her mother ate veggies, and seeing the examples of mothers who look fantastic - like my recently-returned coworker, Jennifer. My weaker stomach has only one issue: it can't stand our normally simple dinners of salmon and broccoli or chicken and greenbeans. My coworker Betsy actually figured out I was pregnant when I lunched on half of a calzone.

I still haven't gained a pound, but I have the baby bump! I'm afraid it's because I'm losing muscle weight, despite the exercises I learned from Fit Pregnancy TV and our trainer. D is getting sympathy-unhealthy right along with me despite my protestations.

Names

Boy names rejected so far: Tictac, Ziggy, Izzy, Nicknack, Caesar, Thor, Spartacus, Ari, Tal, Tamir, Tomer, Tzvi, Jackie, Nathan, Isaac, Joseph, Daniel, Truman, Ivan, Felix, Graham, Thomas, Tyler, Fred, Jacques, Leo, Carlton, Irving, Israel, Shane, Moshe.

Girl names rejected so far: Tinkerbell, Thumbelina,* Tamar, Talia, Shani, Shania, Jasmine, Lily, Samantha, Gwyneth, Gabrielle, Hannah, Anna, Chloe, Cameron.

*Thanks for the "help" from our friends!

We're trying to honor dear relatives of ours with certain initials, which makes it a little harder: T, G, F, I, J, Y, C, L, S. We might have to go with Tictac.

We have also ruled out using O', De, Mc or Von as a middle name. So no Tictac Mc Schnabel.

Exciting times

Tictac (aka Schnabling, Ziggy, Caesar and Thor) has had some ups and downs this week - literally.

On the upside, we talked in-depth with Dr. Ron Jones about his experience as surgeon on call when both Kennedy and Oswald were shot. We are now true believers in the conspiracy theories! We also bought ALL of my beautiful maternity clothes in a span of 2 hours (I've gained no weight at nearly 4 months so I'm looking forward to wearing them) and spent July 4 with D's good friend who visited with his 3 darling children - twins age 4 and brother age 3.

On the falling down side, I learned the hard way not to burst out of bed at 2am to stop one of the twins from screaming in terror when his midnight wanderings makes our puppy Chester (aka Chestnut) bark. In my haste to stop complete bedlam, I ran full-force into our bedpost and fell on all fours, pulling my side. Fortunately all is well, and I have only a baseball-sized black bruise on my leg to remind me to stay calm from now on. And to be prepared for permanent sleep deprivation very soon!

On another upside, our good news has brought other welcome CONGRATULATIONS to light:

• Katherine and Alex have a baby due in October
• Jill and Matthew have a baby due in December
• A surprise relative has a baby due in February
• Karen and Curt have a baby due in March! New news!
• Amanda is on the verge of an exciting job offer
• and... Isabelle just got approved for her transfer to London!

We're having a boy!!

I just finished our first sonogram, and we definitely have a very healthy and very active little baby! It's real now!

Schnabling is about 4 inches long. He has ten fingers, four very active chambers in the heart, two feet, 2 lobes in the brain, little tiny ribs, normal lungs, bladder and kidneys, no sign of Down Syndrome... and is - to my chagrin and D's delight - already obviously a little boy!

He was having a good time kicking and waving all around. We are 14 weeks in and confirmed for a January 3 due date.

I know Dr. Magee who did the sonogram, so as a joke he wrote "Built at Gold's" on the baby's bicep image, and "Locus Stanfordius" for a part of the brain in honor of David's alma mater. He also said I need to eat Wild About Harry's frozen custard, since it has cholesterol which is vital for creating the baby's hormones. Doctor's orders.

World Traveler

By the time Schnabling is born, he (or she) will have already traveled to:

• A destination wedding in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
• A Harvard Business School reunion in Boston, MA
• An international convention in Las Vegas, NV
• Prayer time at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, Israel
• A bar-mitzvah in New York, NY
• A big evening wedding in Toronto, Canada
• A family reunion in suburban Pennsylvania
• Executive management classes at Kellogg (Northwestern) in Chicago, IL

And will have participated in:

• A Crohn's walk
• A prostate cancer fundraiser
• A breast cancer fundraiser
• A graduate medical education fundraiser
• A palliative care fundraiser
• And, most appropriately... a maternal fetal medicine fundraiser.

Heartbeat

Today Schnabling communicated to the outside world for the first time - through a heartbeat. Dr. Crochet warned that it may take some time to find the heartbeat through the other rumblings that the microphone picks up, but she found it immediately after that - nice and strong. 172 beats per minute. I kept laughing, which overwhelmed the subtle sound.

D worried that the rate is too fast or that my laughing is now too loud, but it's all just right (God willing). Dr. C says I'm very healthy and on track. That was a big relief. The next step is an optional first-trimester screen (sonogram at 12 weeks) and the full sonogram at 17 weeks. That's not too far off now...

Surprisingly after 32 years of cat ownership, I haven't been exposed to toxoplasmosis so I'm not immune to it. So D gets litterbox duty for the next 7 months...