He's Here!!!

We are pleased to announce the much-anticipated arrival of Oliver Molony Thomas! 

He was born at 8:58 PM August 14, 2008 and weighed in at 8 lbs 8.8 oz, 21 1/2 inches long, big hands and huge feet, and has a full head of straight dark black hair! Other factors aside, this is going to be one lucky kid. As many of you may remember, the 2008 Beijing Olympics were opened on 08/8/2008, because eight is a lucky number. If 8s are lucky, then this kid has it coming! He has 7 eights! 

 

Mummy is back from the hospital, and recovering well. We are lucky to have had the skilled help of Dr. Sudi Moein, a family friend and extremely talented ob/gyn. The recovery has been (or at least has seemed to this observer,) much easier for Hannah this time around. 

Alena is still growing quicker than we would like her to. One of her new talents is telling off Mummy/Daddy/Grownups. It is hard to keep a straight face when she starts wagging her little finger and delivering a very enthusiastic "No, No, No!" I think she is enjoying being a toddler and seeking to figure out the nuances of social interaction. She is also figuring out just what to do with the new arrival. She varies between attention-seeking tantrums, endearing cuddles, and precious attempts to help with little Oliver. Today, Hannah caught Lena trying to help brush Oliver's teeth with her tiny little toothbrush! We hope that she quickly understands that there is still more than enough love to go around. 

Finally, I don't know exactly how Hannah does it. Being pregnant and taking care of a toddler is tough enough, but now that there are two, she will really have her hands full! I asked a guy at work who has 5 kids, all under 9 years old, just how he and his wife handle it. His response wasn't quite as helpful as I would have hoped... I was hoping for a secret trick or something, but all he had for me was that it was easy, he just went to work! (Hannah, when you read this, I PROMISE that I will not just take off to work and leave you hanging... don't worry)

The most amazing thing of all is just how much Oliver fits in to our little family. He just belongs. I first felt it about 4 hours after he was born when I ran home to pick up some stuff and started uploading pictures to send out. The little guy in the pictures was somebody who I knew! (and loved...) And it sure hasn't taken him long to get me wrapped around his little finger. Being a parent is a great, but ominously responsible thing to do. I love it. 

And now we are four!