Halloween Day

On Halloween day Jenn and Simon went to Baby Bulldogs at St. Andrew's Gym (Jenn posted pictures). Then they came back, played some legos (video below), and Simon visited with Gaga and Papa Basque. It was raining all day so we didn't take Simon out trick or treating, but there were quite a few kids that came to the door while we were eating dinner. Every time the door rang Simon jumped out of his seat and ran to the door to answer it with Alan. I think he had more fun doing that than he would have actually trick or treating. Next year I'm sure we'll go rain or shine!

Mama helps Batman show off his cape.

BATMAN

I'm BATMAN.

First halloween costume at 9 days old - Frankenstein.

Grandparent's Basque came to visit on Halloween day

Chillin' and playing legos.

Newborn Photo Session

I have loved the idea of newborn photos and managed to set some up for Lillian. She was awesome about the whole thing, posing nicely and being calm and sleepy. She wasn't up for lying on her belly, which made some of the photos I was hoping to get impossible, but the ones we got are super adorable.

And some behind the scenes with the two ladies - the photographer and the person who was posing Lillian's hands.

Posing her hands...

...taking the picture!

Here is the picture!

So many great pictures after the jump...

Painting pumpkins

Wednesday Jenn and Simon painted pumpkins. 

Lillian Sleeping and Active Alert

Seven days old...

Grandpa Bart's Visit

Grandpa Bart came to visit early this week. He was a huge help - cleaning up around the house, holding Lillian while I took a nap and of course lots and lots of baseball with our sport-obsessed boy. They made some bases for the back yard and played away! Sadly, Grandma Kiki couldn't make it this trip, but we will see them both in just a couple weeks. 

Grandpa Bart is pitching and Simon is batting. Great stance!

Run the bases!

Almost home!

Funny thing said...

Daddy: Simon, are you pooping?
Simon: No, I'm just farting a lot. <thoughtful pause> A lot.

Lillian meeting Grandpa Bart

Grandpa Bart came into town to meet Lillian! (And of course to help too.) Here he is with her in the first few minutes... 

Lillian says: Oh no!

I looked over at her this morning and she was making the perfect oh no face. Everything was ok though!

Lillian Headed Home from Hospital

Friday night, October 25, Lillian and I were released from the hospital. Simon stayed up WAY past his bed time and came with Alan to pick us up at the hospital at 8:30pm. Simon was a rock star, patiently waiting in the car with Alan despite being super tired. He came out and greeted Lillian and me. I sat in the back with them both for the trip home. Happily Lillian just slept the whole way. Simon was talking up a storm. When we got home we had some family self portraits, Simon got to hold Lillian and then we all went to bed (at around 10!). 

In the car seat for the first time.

Family photo, Simon's wearing his Big Bro shirt.

Happy family!

Sibling connection.

Thumb sucker

Lillian started sucking her thumb this morning.  The nurse said she was doing that so well that she probably had been doing it in the womb too. 

Don't Worry Be Happy

Simon has been showing a real preference for certain songs lately.  He can ask for them by name (or at least a name that he makes up for them), knows many of the words, and will sing them on his own.  His very favorite for the last couple weeks has been "We're Not Going to Take It" (we posted a video of him singing that a few weeks ago), but now he's started really liking "Don't Worry Be Happy".  Jenn took a video of him yesterday singing that song and playing the homemade maracas:

I've been putting together a playlist with some of Simon's eclectic music choices... find that after the jump

Bella Baby Lillian

The Bella Baby photographer came by our hospital room yesterday and took some great pictures of our little girl.   Lilly was too tired to open her eyes for the photo shoot but was happy to pose however we wanted as long as she got to keep snoozing.

We bought the CD from them to have the hi-res copies (just as we did for Simon a few years ago) but I'll just post smaller versions here so I don't crush everyone's browsers.

Friday Night Lights

We were planning on leaving the hospital Friday morning, but due to slight jaundice Lillian needed some time under the lights. Jaundice is really common in babies, especially those that are early; the cause is excess bilirubin in her system. There are two ways to get rid of the excess bilirubin: First is to use the lights to break the bilirubin down and the second is to flush the bilirubin out of the system by eating lots (and thus pooping lots). They do a blood draw from her heal to determine the levels. 

She spent from 11am-8pm on Friday under the lights and then we headed home late Friday night. Saturday we had a quick trip back to the doctor to get a blood test done and all was well. 

The mask is to prevent her from getting a headache from the blue lights. 

She slept most of her time under the lights,
they added some extra warmth so she was super cozy. 

So sleepy and full

Morla makes a return!

You nursing her?

While Simon was visiting Lillian in the hospital...

Doctor: Remember, Simon - don't give your baby sister any food without talking to Mama or Daddy first
Simon: Ok
Colleen: What do babies eat, Simon?
Simon: Babies eat... bottles!
Mama: Yes, or milk.
Colleen: Your Mama nursed you, and now she's nursing Lillian.
Simon (looking in amazement at Mama): You nursing her?  You a doctor now??

Simon meets Lillian

This morning a *very* excited Simon finally got to meet the baby sister he's been hearing about for months.  Jenn and Colleen brought him to the hospital, stopping along the way to let Simon pick out a present for Lillian and balloons for each person in the family.  He was so great with her - very gentle and sweet.  He loved holding and talking to her even though she wasn't very responsive.  There was no jealousy when other people held her, although sometimes he was anxious to hold her again himself.  After a little while he got bored, so he went for a walk with Daddy around the floor to look for doctors and nurses to say hi to. 

We'll see how this holds up once we get her home, but so far he seems like he's going to be an amazing big brother. 

Tons more pics and videos after the jump... 

Tiny Lillian in the Hospital

1 day old

Auntie Lisa meets Lillian

Lisa was in town the past couple of days for a work conference, and happened to be staying in a hotel just a couple blocks away from the hospital.  So when Lillian was born early on Tuesday morning, Lisa was able to come by before her meeting started to say hello to her 4 hour old niece.

More pics after the jump

Welcome to Lillian Mae Basque...

We would like to announce the arrival of our little girl!!!

Lillian Mae was born at 3:59 this morning. She weighs in at 6 pounds and 10 ounces, is 20 inches long, and is doing great - had a grip on daddy's finger within minutes. Mama is doing well and we are going to be in the hospital getting to know each other better and remembering how to change infant diapers until Friday. Keep your fingers crossed that daddy gets the poopiest ones!

More pics after the jump...

Trains

Under the bridge!

Simon bought breakfast

We went out to breakfast with Auntie Lisa on Sunday and Simon generously offered to pay.  Here he is signing the credit card slip

Look at his grip on that pen!