Three Week Observations

Well here we are three weeks into the life of our son Benjamin. We constantly remind each other that it has only been three weeks which is hard to believe sometimes when you are witnessing all the growth and change every second. Feels longer. It also reminds us to be patient, especially when Ben decides to communicate loudly that things are not great at one particular moment or another.

One thing is for sure is that feeding and the eventual passing of gas is a huge relief for the little man. There is no end to the different sounds this young man makes in and around feeding. From the grunts and whimpers to the sounds that remind me of Goat Boy from Saturday Night Live, he is always entertaining and very expressive - which is so strange coming from such quiet and shy parents! For me there are definitely three highlights from Ben's first three weeks of life so far other than the first day he actually arrived.

1/ Momma and Ben. There is nothing like their bond and their soul gazing moments, it'll make any mother cry, some Dad's too. I love the way she talks to him and how he seems to listen, a dialogue that began in earnest ten months ago. I love it when she sings and dances with him and when his head begins to bop in some kinda of rhythm.

2/ Falling asleep on Dad's shoulder. It's like a small bag of potatoes nestled close to your chin but it is softer, smells better and you can't help covering it in kisses. One arm keeping him tight while the other one rubs his back into a deep sleep. You delay the eventual drop off into the crib as long as you can knowing sooner than later, they'd rather walk and run freely, independently, exploring their world. I can already sense that with the way he kicks and throws those big arms and mitts around.

3/ Bath time. I've wrote about it before and it still stands true - he just seems so peaceful and reflective in the water. With his hair all slicked back his eyes pop into prominence and keeps you locked into his gaze. He seems to do some of his deepest thinking in the water while he observes closely the two sets of hands that help bathe him. Must be the best spa experience ever!




This has been a three week Observation by Chico!

Ocean Waters

In just a couple of days it will be just two weeks since Benjamin came into our lives. It seems since that day nothing can compare to the experience we are having with eachother and with Benjamin. It has been difficult going right back to work after his birth but his face is forever embedded in my memory.


So many firsts and still so many more ahead of us. Last night was just one of those evenings. After arriving home just as he had finished feeding, I helped him burp before he lay snuggled on my shoulder for a little snooze. That has got to be the most adorable position and it is hard to break away from him. After he woke up and had another healthy feeding it was time to change him and take him for a bath. This time I filled up the tub and jumped in and brought my little man in with me and it was just amazing. Benjamin didn't even flinch as he soaked in the water with Dad. He has an amazing back stroke for a newborn and his legs are pure kicking machines! haha! He looked like he could of stayed in the water forever, he was so content. After the bath we massaged his body with baby oil and then it was good night Irene! KO! We all went to bed early and got a good night sleep, well, pretty good sleep.


It would seem that Benjamin loves the water and so his middle name feels perfect now. Keli and I have always felt strongly about our connection to water, especially living on the west coast and my Portuguese heritage. Oddly enough, the front page of the Vancouver Sun this morning is about the rivers flooding in British Columbia. It's a rainy day in Vancouver.

Now as I stare out the window and listen to the cacophony of construction orchestration pounding the streets in front of me, I'm comforted by the thought that I will see my Queen and our Prince of Heaven soon enough. I am so very thankful for every moment and feel so blessed, so alive. I am also relieved that my good friends Carty & Tersia and their beautiful new daughter Aya are doing amazing and will soon be coming home too. I look forward to the six of us on ichat!

Hope everyone has a great day!
This has been a brief Observation by Chico.

peace!