This is me and Fischer on our new Lay-Z-Boy rocker on March 4th, the Friday before we became parents to two kids, and Fischer became a big brother.
The appointment on the 28th didn't get things rolling. After what turned out to be my last checkup with my doctor on Monday, March 7th, labor started. I timed contractions from about 1:00 pm and went back to the hospital by 2:30. My mom was with me at my appointment, we did lunch at the hospital cafeteria afterward, went to a shop in Neenah and returned to the hospital.Joe did quite a bit of running around getting Fischer all set with Grandma D and Grandpa Mike at the end of his daycare day, picking up our good friend and neighbor Chris Casperson, and getting to the hospital 45 minutes before the birth.
Joe, Mom, and Chris were my cheerleaders, and I was thrilled to have my doctor deliver.
At 5:33 pm, our son Larken Harold Spiering was born. He was 8 pounds, 8 ounces and 21 1/2 inches long.
Larken was a half-pound bigger than Fischer at brth, and an inch-and-a-half longer.
Proud Papa Joe was cheering me on during the several intense pushes it took to bring Larken to the outside.
Grandma Pam cut the umbilical cord.
It wasn't long before big brother Fischer came to meet his little brother. When he heard Larken crying, he said, "Aww, it's alright, Baby."
Grandma D and Grandpa Mike quickly fell in love with the newest Spiering.
We are now proud parents of two wonderful and handsome little boys!
Larken spent his first several hours with Mama, but finally received an evening bath. Of course there was lots to complain about...
We had an uneventful and short hospital stay. We were so happy to see the handful of visitors who came to meet Larken and congratulate us :)Wednesday, the 9th, we went home. As soon as Larken was alert, Papa gave him a tour of our house.
Larken looks sooooo much like Fischer as a newborn! Their noses are different, though, as well as the amount and color of their hair.
Fischer seems pretty pleased with his little fella.
Larken is a pretty content baby. He only cries when he's pushing and grunting to fill his diaper, or when he's very hungry. It sure is a treat when he's alert--he's got such a quiet wisdom about him. His calm observations of the people and places around him are very sweet to watch.
The only being at our house who gets more sleep is our cat, Schmooze!
Larken has a more pointed nose than Fischer did at this age, and he's got a headful of dark hair, where Fischer had about half as much reddish-brown hair.
Here's a handsome closeup!
Fischer is so sweet with Larken. He tells him often how he loves him, and likes to give him kisses and even insists we check on his little "bruver" when he cries.
On Monday, March 14th, when Larken was a week old, he got to meet his Grandpa Ken and Grace. Larken was born on his due date, on Grandpa Ken's birthday! Larken Harold was named for my dad Ken and Joe's grandpa Harold.
The following pic was Fischer's idea. He said, "I want to hold my bruver," so I quickly got the camera out. He seems so relaxed and natural with him :) Very proud, and a great helper!
Today, March 16th, the majority of Larken's "umbi-stump" fell off, leaving a pretty cute bellybutton in progress :)
