Opening Up

It certainly feels like most of the U.S. has declared COVID over. While we aren't quite there, we are certainly seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and making plans. Adelaide getting her two month shots is coinciding nicely with the general feeling that it's time to get together again.

Two months old! - June 30, 2021

Again, we're thinking a lot about all the major changes that arrive in the fall and wanting to make the most (safely) out of this summer. 

The Beat Goes On

Everett and Imogen had their first on-stage dance recital! It was small, outdoors, and everything we could have wanted for them. They were so proud of themselves and really lit up on the stage.

Recital Time - June 26, 2021

Breakthroughs

Both bigger beasties had significant breakthrough at swim. After what felt like forever with no significant progress and some listening issues, they have done AMAZING the whole month. It's so inspiring to see them mastering new skills. 

Swimmy Thoma - June 13, 2021

For her part, Adelaide is spooking us with her precociousness. She's been holding her head up at 90 degrees consistently for weeks, rolls over occasionally, scoots, and weight bears on her legs. It feels insane and far too soon. She's also started giving us more consistent smiles, which is... the best.

Smiley Adelaide - June 29. 2021

Back To The Grind

For Chris, at least. The office is open half time, and starting next month it's back to "normal." The commute, the separation, the dress clothes (kind of), it's all back. It's been a neat silver lining to have working from home during the first couple months Adelaide was here. In addition to a longer parental leave, Chris got to get some "Addy time" at lunch with a walk or just some quick interaction throughout the day. Of course, that can't happen when he's miles away in the office.

Father's Day - June 20, 2021

And it's pretty official now that when Elizabeth goes back it will be all the way back, no significant transition period. It will be incredibly strange.

Time For Fun

It doesn't feel like that much else needs to be said this month. Sure, things happened, but we'd rather focus on some together time (and rest!) while we can.   

One Month of Adelaide

 Itsy Bitsy Beastie arrived April 30, 2021 - and she fit right in.

Welcome, Adelaide - Shannon Wight Photography - May 7, 2021

Chris and Elizabeth had prepared for a long-ish, COVID-protocol stay. Mostly that meant A LOT of food since Chris was discouraged from leaving the hospital. We didn't say it out loud, but there was always the low key preparation for a NICU stay.

Turns out, we were in the hospital under twelve hours when Itsy Bitsy was born. It was not a drama-free delivery, but this time the excitement centered more around Elizabeth than baby. High blood pressure, surprise bleeding, and from 3cm to "time to push" in under an hour. It was a totally different experience this time around (::cough:: they were too slow on the epidural ::cough::).

Happily, Itsy Bitsy looked perfect on the monitors the whole time. Elizabeth had to get some extra bloodwork and was counseled significantly for high blood pressure-related symptoms to watch for, but she's recovering well now too. 

Just born - April 30, 2021

And she's HERE! Itsy Bitsy Beastie, also known as Adelaide Agnes Fiorani Thoma. In keeping with the tradition of using middle names in memory of loved ones, she has "Agnes," Elizabeth's paternal grandmother's name. May she have her great-grandmother's adventurous spirit and fierce loyalty.

We're all very happy to put the labor (and truth be told, the whole pregnancy) in the rear view mirror. Pregnancy is a crazy emotional time under the best circumstances, and Itsy Bitsy's pregnancy had a lot of scares. After three successive miscarriages, we've been holding our breath for a long time - and it feels like we can finally exhale.

Now it's just garden-variety newborn anxiety.

Bringing Her Home

It was the cutest thing ever. Yes, we had envisioned Everett and Imogen coming to the hospital to meet their wrinkly newborn sister, but that's not how it worked out during the pandemic. Instead, we kept pictures to ourselves until we could bring Adelaide (Addy) home to meet her siblings. 

Meeting Addy - May 1, 2021

We're only a month in, but so far big brother and big sister are sweet and gentle with Adelaide, or ignore her to do their own thing. That is totally fine by us! We want to avoid any jealousy so as long as they are happy and getting the attention they need we are GREAT.

Storytime - May 9, 2021

Big sibling shirts! - May 21, 2021

Getting out the toys - May 30, 2021

The First Month

The first month is the only month we had with Oberon. Any of the things that will be done "with all four" had to be done this month. That meant thinking ahead, making sure, all the things. It's emotionally draining and sometimes simply overwhelming. We compartmentalize or disassociate just to get through it, because we know we'll want it later.

Koala photo on the blanket Elizabeth made for Oberon - May 12,, 2021

The emotions related to Oberon swell more towards the end of the month. As Addy transitions from "the littlest" to "the last born, but outlived Obie," there are a lot of feelings. Of course, we want Addy to have a full, long, healthy, happy life. Even so, there is this twinge that Obie is being left behind. The newborn phase is ending - how do we reconcile that with our son who was only ever a newborn?

All of that said, we are in a better mental and emotional place than we were when Everett was this age. Maybe slightly worse than with Imogen. We were never in a headspace that Imogen would be our last baby when she was newborn. It feels different with Adelaide.

The Good Stuff

It's not all super-serious emotional stuff. Chris took a full four weeks (!) of parental leave and it feels LUXURIOUS. We take walks, we get stuff around the house done, we shower at semi-regular intervals. Can it always be like this? Is work over?

Addy is an adorable baby. She's starting to make more faces, interact more, and she's packing on the ounces (at least one pound, but not yet two). She isn't super fussy (yet), she sleeps okay (for a newborn, most nights), and feeding is going pretty well for everyone. 

We've had a couple outings with all three car seats filled, we've rocked our doctor's appointments, and we're ready to take on the next big changes. Can anyone remind us what an office is?

Before heading to the hospital - April 29, 2021

Baby's first sunrise - April 30, 2021

May the 4th be with you