There's no place like home...

This has truly been one of the longest weeks of my life. Between daily trips to the hospital (1/2 hour each way), spending time in the hospital with Thomas, trying to make sure that Adam got enough attention, trying to help Frankie through a tough time, and breast pumping every three hours for 1/2 hour, it's a wonder I'm even awake enough to write this (though truth be told, I barely am).

Michael has been amazing - so supportive, so kind and helpful. I am absolutely blessed to call him my husband. We're coming up on our 16th anniversary in a couple of weeks, and although life hasn't always been easy, I think we are so fortunate to have found each other.

The best news going right now though is that we have finally gotten to bring our little Thomas home!!! He's on oxygen, but doctors are hopeful that he'll be off in a week or so. Oh that little boy has captured my heart. He has a head full of dark brown hair (less than at birth - he actually has a natural little fauxhawk going). He has my chin, my lips, and I think Michael's nose. He has his Grandpa John's (my dad) dark olive complexion. He makes the sweetest little newborn noises, and almost always gets hiccups when he's full. He's a lazy eater, prone to falling dead asleep halfway through eating, but at least he doesn't spit up with the voracity his older brother did at this young age. The nurses at the hospital stated that Thomas has a great disposition, and they called him "a pile of pudding." He is a very snuggly and cuddly boy.

Adam is doing a great job as a big brother. He truly loves his little Thomas. The first or second time he saw him, he kissed him on the head and said "Thomas, I will always take care of you. If anyone tries to be mean or hurt you I will get in the way so they can't hurt you." I just love that kid - he's got such a sensitive and kind soul.

Frankie is very excited to meet her little brother, and plans are in the works for her to make a visit home in the near future. We greatly look forward to having our family all under one roof, even if it's only for a few days.

Molly, our dog doesn't know what to make of the baby - she's not really sure what species he is. He might be human, or a cat - she's not really sure. She's curious and gentle, and likes to lick his foot (something I'm discouraging). She thinks she wants to play with him, but she's not really sure. She gets concerned if he cries though. It'll be interesting to see how their relationship develops - it's obvious she's never been around a newborn before.

And just in case you're curious, the cats could care less. And why should they -- after all, they're cats.

My next post will be about the story of Thomas' birth, but it's time to go pump (seems like it's always time to go pump). Also, I'll add some recent pictures.

Until next time...

Imitatation is the sincerest form...

I liked this so much that I stole it from Bastians...

Mom and Dad
as described by Adam Hooten, age 6

1 What is something Mommy always says?
"I love you.”
2. What makes Mommy happy?
“When I’m great.”
3. What makes Mommy sad?
“When I’m not great.”
4. How does your Mom make you laugh?
“Being silly.”
5. What was your Mom like as a child?
“I don’t know. I guess doing little girl things.”
6. How old is your Mom?
“I don’t know that one either.”
7. How tall is your Mom?
“Can you stand up for a little so I can measure you? 15 length.”
8. What is your Mom's favorite thing to do?
“Do what she’s supposed to do.”
9. What does Mom do when you’re not around?
“Do grown up things.”
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
“American Idol.”
11. What is your Mom really good at?
“Super Mario World.”
12. What is your Mom not good at?
“Gulp. That’s a hard one. I think it’s playing Spiderman 2.”
13. What does Mom do for her job?
“Works at home.”
14. What is Mom's favorite food?
“Anything she’s in the mood for.”
15. What makes you proud of your Mom?
“When she beats a game”
16. If your Mom were a cartoon character who would she be?
“Princess Peach.”
17. What do you and your Mom do together?
“Sometimes play Super Mario Bros 3, sometimes playing Super Mario World.”
18. How are you and your Mom the same?
“Being happy.”
19. How are you and your Mom different?
“We like to do different things like she likes to do grownup things and I like to play video games.”
20. How do you know your Mom loves you?
“She tells me a lot.”
----------------------------------------------------
1.What is something Daddy always says?
“Yes. A lot he says yes.”
2. What makes Daddy happy?
“When I’m good.”
3. What makes Daddy sad?
“When I’m bad.”
4. How does your Dad make you laugh?
“(makes a silly face) Being silly.”
5. What was your Dad like as a child?
“I don’t know. I think it is doing what he likes to.”
6. How old is your Dad?
“Ummm…it’s gotta be one of the numbers that you are but higher. What? 59?”
7. How tall is your Dad?
“Daddy, can you stand up for just a second? 21.”
8. What is your Dad's favorite thing to do?
“Do what he likes to do, like play video games. I think that’s what he likes to do as a child. Well, now he likes to do grownup things since he’s a grown up from now on.”
9. What does Dad do when you’re not around?
“Be at work because that’s the only time he never ever sees me.”
10. If your Dad becomes famous, what will it be for?
“America’s Got Talent. He would do something he’s good at like being Mario.”
11. What is your Dad really good at?
“Gotta think (scratching forehead)…I think he’s good at work.”
12. What is your Dad not good at?
“Playing Super Mario Galaxy because he never ever plays it when he has a chance to play it because he plays Spiderman 2 instead. He likes that a lot. He likes it more than I like it.”
13. What does Dad do for his job?
“He works at 4Control (It’s really Control4) and I think he does not medical stuff.”
14. What is Dad's favorite food?
“Chowder soup.”
15. What makes you proud of your Dad?
“When I tell him to do what he likes to do and he can.”
16. If your Dad were a cartoon character who would he be?
“Blooper. Pink Blooper.”
17. What do you and your Dad do together?
“Play Spiderman 2.”
18. How are you and your Dad the same?
“We’re both boys.”
19. How are you and your Dad different?
“We like to do different stuff.”
20. How do you know your Dad loves you?
“Because he tells me a lot.”

There are 364 un-birthdays...

However, the newest little Hooten has made his official debut and has claimed his birthday. We lovingly, joyously, and thankfully welcome Thomas John Cazier Hooten. Five weeks early and weighing in at a hefty 8 lbs 6 oz, our sweet little boy has completely captured our hearts. He came into the world at 8:21 am on Tuesday, August 19th. He is 20 inches long, has tons of dark brown hair, and is as red as a beet (although he's slowly turning more pumkin-y orange). Mostly though, he strongly resembles his maternal grandpa John (thus the added middle name).


The tube in his nose just takes air out so his belly doesn't get full of air. The little gold medallion is a temp probe.

Even though he's a big boy, he still has preemie lungs so he's getting a longer hospital stay than mommy did. We hope to have him home within about a week (fingers crossed).

More pictures are further details will come, however: new mommies need naps, I am a new mommy, thus (thanks to the law of contrapositive inferences - the only thing I actually remember from HS Logic) I need a nap.

A return trip to the Land of Make Believe

The last post I put in reminded me of another great Adam story.

A couple of years ago, Michael took Adam on a daddy-son date to Burger King. The kids' meal toy at the time was a blow up plastic sword. Adam is a very social child, and he quickly made friends with another child who was also playing in the indoor playground. They had a great time playing sword fight, and were doing fairly well together.

A little time passed, and Adam came to the table with his head hung down. He seemed very sad. Michael asked him what was wrong.

Sniffling sadly, he said "My friend cut my head off."

Michael had no response, so he sat there and comforted Adam the best he could until he was ready to move on. It's great when heads grow back!