My daughters always roll with laughter whenever they hear me say the following narrative to these photos.
“Hey Baby! Check out the gun show going on over here.
BOOM!
BOOM!
Firepower!”
-The Thinker, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
Stay tuned for more beautiful baby pictures of Liam taken by the talented, Kelly Noel minus my corny childish comments. Well I can’t guarantee that, but the baby pictures are certainly beautiful!
One month ago I fell in love the moment I laid my eyes on little Liam for the first time.
Liam’s sisters had a similar reaction…
and constantly smothered their little brother with kisses. (They still do.)
Allana often says, “Liam is made of sugar, because he is so sweet.”
I may be bias, but I tend to agree with her.
But then I am so in love with this little man of mine that I call him Loverboy and I affectionately sing this melody from Love is Strange to Liam.
Baby,
Oohh baby
My sweet baby
You’re the one.
A mother’s (and sisters’) love is pretty strange special, just like our little Loverboy.
***Note: These newborn photos were taken by my fabulous photographer friend, Kelly Noel.***
Before Liam could be discharged from the hospital, he had to endure a final examination by the pediatrician on call. During that exam, the doctor heard a “clunking” sound in his hip and ordered an ultrasound. The ultrasound confirmed a shallow socket and we were referred to an orthopedic doctor.
A few days later, we met with an orthopedic doctor who diagnosed Liam with Hip Dysplasia. To correct his shallow hip and prevent any further damage, the doctor advised Liam to wear a harness for 3 months. For the first 6 weeks, Liam would have to wear the harness 23 hours a day. Then, for the remaining 6 weeks, he would only need to wear the harness for 12 hours a day.
Before I saw the harness, I had visions of a little Liam running in braces like Forrest Gump and then I envisioned a large plastic diaper apparatus screwed together with huge bolts.
A million questions filled my head. Would he walk normally? Will the harness hinder his ability to develop normally? Will he reach his milestones like rolling over, crawling and walking in an appropriate timeframe? Can he play sports? Will he be able to run? Will he be a NFL star?
The doctor eased my concerns by promising us that the harness would correct his hip and Liam would develop normally, but he couldn’t guarantee Liam becoming an NFL star. He also stated that the harness typically upsets parents more than it upsets the infants.
During our consult, we also learned that Liam has to remain in a straddled, frog-like position. This means I can’t wear him in any sort of sling. He also cannot be left in his car seat for long periods of time, so long road trips or leaving him in his infant car seat for naps are out of the question. He also cannot sit in his swing, because the swing would constrict his hips.
The first few days in the harness were a bit challenging. I have to hold him a lot since most everything would constrict his hips, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I get to spoil him and he’s definitely giving my arms a work-out. Also, changing Liam’s diapers were a bit tricky at first, but we got the hang of it. We only remove the harness to change his Onesies.
As for Liam, I think he enjoys looking like a sky diver.
Liam Matthew was born on July 23 at 6:07 a.m. which is the precise moment when I fell in love.
I love the sweet smell of his breath. I love the sweet sounds of his soft coos. I simply adore every inch of this tiny cuddly pink baby boy.
Liam’s sisters can’t get enough of him, either.
Little boy blue
Come blow your horn.
My piggies are ready
For you to be born.
For my 36 week ultrasound this week, the whole family tagged along to sneak a peek at baby brother. Allana was most excited since she has such vivid memories of viewing her baby sister for the first time five years ago. “Remember how I knew it was a girl, Mommy?”
The girls giggled and laughed over the tiny 3-D image on the computer screens.
“He has our nose and Mommy’s lips!”
“We can see his boy parts!”
The ultrasound technician amplified his heartbeat for everyone to hear. Emmalynn loved hearing and seeing his strong beating heart jump across the screen. “Again! Again!” Emmalynn hollered out excitedly.
Although the scheduled ultrasound gave us a small sneak preview at Run DMT Baby #3, it also predicted the size of the baby. Much to everyone’s disappointment except for me Thankfully, the U/S tech and my doctor predict under 8 pounds. In fact, the doctor predicted around 7.5 (same birth weight as Emmalynn).
From the U/S, we learned that little baby brother has turned, but hasn’t dropped into position just yet. The staff could also determine that my fluids and innards look good. Apparently, the little guy is really happy in there.
But I think he knows he’s safe in there away from the loving cuddly arms clutches of his big sisters.
ETA: These photos were a collaborative family effort between Allan, Allana, Emmalynn and me.
Hosted by Cecily
With only 6 weeks left until the arrival of Baby Run DMT #3, the countdown is on and my husband’s honey-do list reads more like a scroll.
Thank you in advance.
Your adoring wife and mother of your children.
*Proudly submitted at*
“It’s a boy,” the ultrasound technician stated so matter-of-factly. She said it so casually that the news didn’t register at first.
“I’m sorry. What did you say?” I asked.
“It’s a boy. You’re having a boy and he’s hung like a horse!”
“A boy?!” I looked at Allan in disbelief. Tears flooded my eyes. I never entertained the idea of a son. I just assumed our odds favored another girl.
Once the unsuspected and strange sound “boy” sank in, I realized I need to relearn how to diaper a baby so I don’t get sprayed in the face. Long lists of all new baby items filled my head. He’ll need new bedding and onesies that aren’t pink.
As I stared in amazement at the hazy black and white screen, I counted ten tiny toes and fingers.
I spotted lovely long legs, a spine, a beautiful big brain and a heartbreaker heart.
And like a typical guy, he proudly showed off his family jewels and gave us a ticket to the gun show.
Although Allan and I are still in disbelief that we made a little boy, we are simply tickled pink blue by the news.
Proudly submitted at
Allan and I are heading to the OB for an ultrasound this morning and hopefully, if the baby cooperates, we will find out the gender of our baby. Allana and Emmalynn are hoping for a baby brother.
Allan can’t help to think pink. He feels he is destined to live in a house filled with estrogen girls.
I don’t have a preference. A passive and submissive child would be a nice change, but since I’ve been feeling this baby kick from about 17 weeks, I don’t see that in my future. So here’s hoping for a healthy, happy sleeping through the night future runner!
Stay tuned to find out if Run DMT Baby #3 will be a boy or girl!
