mom-mode post #51 - on taking a bath in a bucket

No, it's not because we don't have money to buy him a proper bathtub. Nor is it because we don't have a kitchen sink. But because were going out of town for a week, I didn't know what to do for his bath. So I remember reading somewhere about bathing babies in buckets. How its better for them anatomically, how they relax more, etc. I wasn't completely convinced, but I was willing to give it a try. So we did and... He loved it! I have never seen baby O so relaxed. So from now on, that's how we're bathing him. In a bucket.

mom-mode post #50 - On how Oliver likes to relax

Hi, my name is Oliver Gray. I'm three-weeks-old. I like to sleep on my mommy's lap ( a habit we're trying to break) and long walks on the beach.

                               ( The matching striped ensembles are absolutely non-intentional)

mom-mode post #49 - on being 2 weeks old.

So my baby is 2 weeks old. About to be 3. We're settling into life pretty well.  Oliver is such a precious joy to us.  In fact, we're doing so well we even went on a little train ride the other day. Oliver behaved like seasoned traveler. Here's a few pics of what we've been up to lately.

Oliver likes to fall asleep like this. Here's  him, 2 weeks old in his little polo onesie that was a one-time only use.:(

On the way back to our city. We took the fast train!

First Starbucks experience, gotta start the caffeine habit early! He's brazilian after all. Finally, a little stroller ride around the neighborhood.

mom-mode #48 - on how you came into the world

Excuse me there friends, but today I write this to my son. Many years from now, I hope he can read it and know what a joyful occasion it was when he was born.

It started the day after your due date. A little pain and discomfort. I didn't tell anyone because I was tired of being stuck inside and wanted to go out to distract myself from waiting.You see, you didn't come the day the doctor's predicted and I was hoping you wouldn't be too late. I was so ready to meet you, hug you and kiss you. My parents and I went to the mall and met up with your daddy. We walked around and even shopped some, then we sat down for dinner. By this point, the little pain I was feeling was coming every 30 minutes. I told your daddy. We decided it was best to go home.
All night long, the "little" pain started to come more and more often. I didn't really sleep. I was so excited you were coming!
The next morning the pain was coming every 8 minutes... We called our nurse friend who had been helping us with going to the doctors in this country where we didn't know the language well  enough yet. She informed us that our doctor had already moved to the other hospital ( we knew this was a possibility, but didn't expect for him to have already moved). So instead of being only a block from the hospital, we were now a good 20-minute drive. So the doctor and nurse thought it was best for us to go ahead and come in. Just in case things progressed a little faster.
Your daddy and I were hoping for an all-natural birth. We wanted you to come into this world the old-fashioned way. No interventions, whenever you were ready. Our doctor was on board with our decision and I was confident that's how things were going to happen.
But when we got to the hospital around 8:30 that morning, the doctor didn't like what he saw. You see my body wasn't working with you to bring you into the world ( I'll spare you the details). And you had a slightly big head... And you were a little heavier than most babies. The doctor thought it was safer to bring you into this world through a cesarean. I was very sad about this. But your daddy and I came to terms with it and decided it was the safest way to finally get to meet you.
Next thing I know I'm being prepped for surgery. My legs went to sleep and suddenly I hear is the sweet sound of  a crying baby. I asked it that was my baby, because I couldn't believe you came out that fast! Then I saw your daddy in surgery gear, camera in hand, telling me how cute you were. He looked so happy. Smiling from ear to ear.
Then the nurse brought you close to me. All dirty still, wrapped in a green sheet, crying. I got to kiss you and feel you on my skin. And right then, I knew I was a mommy. Your mommy. And it felt just right.
You were born at 11:30 on February 27th, 2010. 53 cm and 4,295 kg of pure goodness. In a city that will forever be remembered by your daddy and I as this special place where we got to meet you.
Your tiny life is blessing from God to us. You came and filled every little crevice of our hearts with love. We are thrilled to start our family with you, Oliver Gray Cardoso Smith.

Our little family.

mom-mode post #47 - a few snapshots of our first week together

Since my mom has been busy catching up on sleep and procrastinating on writing my birth story, I thought I'd share a few snapshots of my first week of existence. Much love, Baby O.

 My mom insists on styling my hair every time we go somewhere. She also likes to smother me with kisses.

Flowers daddy brought mom because I was born. Sweet friends visiting us and drinking chai.

 Daddy sometimes has to undress me so I'm awake enough to eat. I clearly do not appreciate that. I slept a lot this week, just not at night. But mom and dad are teaching me the difference between night and day.

I've taken a bath or two as well, cause I was really stinky from being inside my mommy's belly.

mom-mode post # 46 - on, well...

Smells like new.