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.