Hints of Brotherly Love

I put Leland in his chair in the kitchen while I fixed lunch the other day, and when he started crying James went and dragged his own chair into the kitchen and sat by his brother. He's gradually coming to accept and possibly like this little interloper. "I'm smiling at Leland Mama!"
"Mama, I want to find Leland on the camera!"

The First Week

The family has survived the first week as a foursome! My Mom was out and has been indispensable in helping with James, cleaning, laundry, etc. and has allowed Alissa to recover. Leland is doing great and is more alert and active every day. James, well James is slowly adjusting to not being the center of the universe. "Don't want Leland." has been uttered more than once, but he is starting to take interest in him with diaper changes, socks, blankets and the like. If you link to the album, Mom took many photos this week. There are some of daily activities and then the series of James and his bubbles and fishing was at the Celitic Festival on Sunday.

Album: http://picasaweb.google.com/TheLissybug/TheFirstWeek?authkey=4FH8O8BEuH4

Leland Richard Marquess

We are welcoming Leland Richard to the family. He was born last night at 9:26pm and weighed in at an enormous nine pounds six ounces and 21 inches long! We started at home with the Midwives, but ended up at the hospital as he didn't want to come out. He was facing backwards and had a bit of cord wrapped around his shoulder so the Midwives decided to transfer us up to the hospital in case we needed assistance. Of course the jostle of pushing labor in the car and walking into the hospital worked the baby around. Alissa had natural childbirth within ten minutes of entering the hospital. The Doctor arrived in time to pull the shoulders out. Healthy baby and mama. We were discharged this morning at 11am. Feel free to call - if we don't answer we are sleeping and will get back to you. Visitors, please give us until Wednesday, thanks.

A sidenote here - I guessed the date of birth to the day and Alissa owes me a Lemon Meringue Pie!

Photo Album http://picasaweb.google.com/TheLissybug/LelandRichardMarquess?authkey=7CJ3mpuMRKE

Man Nesting

O.K. - It is not exactly cuddly blankets, a new crib, or stuffed animals, but its Man Nesting. I have been doing some drywall (with Scott assistance), ripping out nasty flooring, running some electrical, and sealing the floor. Throw in a little mess and its enough to throw a woman into labor - or not. No baby (as evidenced by the photo of Alissa sewing), but everything looks good according to the Midwives when they visited last night. Maybe the newest Marquess tomorrow.....

Yes, we have no baby.

The baby was due July 2nd. Yes we have no baby. At least we are having beer pancakes made with stout this morning. If Alissa gets any bigger, she won't fit in the kitchen!

The Beer Garden

Uncle Rob and Jill were over and took many photos last weekend as we grilled skewers, brewed Alissa's After Baby Porter, and sampled the finished beers from the past several months. James even helped by adding the hops to the brew kettle (those are hops in the sock he is smelling and running around with). James also spent a fair amount of time helping the dogs get dirty... as if they needed help.

Album http://picasaweb.google.com/TheLissybug/BrewingWeekend?authkey=SrS0XKmk6bQ

No baby yet.....

Doing the photo thing.

I am testing my ability to put a photo and a link to an album. Here is a photo of James and I in the Model A with his special seat.

Hit the link to see the album: http://picasaweb.google.com/TheLissybug/MichaelSTestAlbum?authkey=-M5oepvT7oI

Baby photos will be posted when the little rascal makes an appearance. Bets on August anyone?

MM

No Baby Yet!

But while we wait here's a picture from exactly 1 week ago. I stick straight out and James thinks it's very funny that he can see the bottom of my belly most of the time.