On Tuesday afternoon--the hottest day of the 2010 (so far), with temperatures near 90 degrees--Isaac, Danielle, Tavi and I met my mom in Newburyport and from there we went to our favorite beach: Plum Island. Isaac has all the makings of a beach bum, except he doesn't like the sun or the wind or the sand. But, he loves the sounds of the ocean so much. Maybe that's because we all three go to bed with the white noise sounds of the ocean playing on our iPod stereo (seagull sounds included).
FYI: on the way home, our tired boy couldn't stop crying--we had to pull over for an emergency nurse. But Tavi (understandably) asked with some impatience, "Could you please make Isaac stop crying?" Oh no, I thought. Would this be the end of Tavi's love affair with her littlest cousin? Au contraire. Despite his crying, Isaac is still Tavi's (stated) best-friend ... along with Luna.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Isaac's breakthrough
After six weeks and six days of sleeping (on average) two-to-three hours at a stretch, Isaac had a breakthrough last night: he only woke up one time between 9 PM and 6 AM. And, he woke up smiling! Not sure the video quite captures it, but the OMs are feeling rested and ready for the day.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Isaac's first bottle with Daddy
This afternoon while visiting Jenn, Paul, and Maya in Jamaica Plain, I gave Isaac his first bottle. Without even furrowing his brow ("What is this thing you are giving me that is not a boob?"), Isaac took the nipple in his mouth and went to town. Anique had just pumped two quick ounces, and they were gone in 15 minutes of nursing with Daddy. (FYI: 20 minutes and one diaper change later, Isaac went back to Mom for the real thing.) It was awesome! I feel really excited to be able to share this experience with Isaac and to be able to provide Anique with a little more freedom.
Friday, May 21, 2010
New moms group
I have been meeting with this group of women (Whitney, Anne, Margot and Maura) since we were all pregnant. Now we have two girls and three boys. As Maura said, "let the arranged marriages begin!"
Letter to Isaac Laurent
Anique and I wrote the following letter to Isaac, explaining the significance of his first and middle names, and read it at his naming ceremony (May 7 2010 at B'nai Or synagogue).
Dear little Isaac Laurent,
Your first name is Isaac because, as the name of one of the Patriarchs, it joins you to your Hebrew ancestry and reminds of you of your place in Judaism. This name Isaac is special to us because of its meaning: “He will laugh.” Laughter plays a large part in our relationship. While dating, we shared many inside jokes, just between the two of us, a kind of secret language that brought us closer together. Our home is filled with laughter and in laughing we remember just how blessed we are. And there was laughter the day that we learned that you were coming. Your mom couldn’t sleep and so she woke up early in the morning to take a pregnancy test. From the bathroom, she called to me: “Josh, I think I need your help in here.” Unsure of what this meant, I came in and she handed me the test. The results were obvious: a big blue plus sign, forecasting your arrival. Your mom seemed unsure. She sat there, in disbelief, looking up at me. I smiled and shouted with joy, “We’re having a baby!” and at this both of us laughed and cried and hugged each other.
Your middle name is Laurent because that is my father, and your pepere’s, middle name. It was given to him in honor of his uncle Lorenzo, who, despite this Italian name, was indeed French-Canadian. This name, Laurent, joins you to your rich Quebecois heritage and we hope that it serves you always as a reminder of the importance of family. You’re blessed to be born into a large family of Oliviers and Masons that is filled with love, that will be there for you as you grow up, to celebrate your triumphs and to hold you close in times of need. You are also blessed to be born into a diverse community of friends who will be like family to you as well. Know always that you are very much loved.
Welcome, little Isaac Laurent, into our world of laughter, of love, of family, and of community.
Love, Mum and Dad
Dear little Isaac Laurent,
Your first name is Isaac because, as the name of one of the Patriarchs, it joins you to your Hebrew ancestry and reminds of you of your place in Judaism. This name Isaac is special to us because of its meaning: “He will laugh.” Laughter plays a large part in our relationship. While dating, we shared many inside jokes, just between the two of us, a kind of secret language that brought us closer together. Our home is filled with laughter and in laughing we remember just how blessed we are. And there was laughter the day that we learned that you were coming. Your mom couldn’t sleep and so she woke up early in the morning to take a pregnancy test. From the bathroom, she called to me: “Josh, I think I need your help in here.” Unsure of what this meant, I came in and she handed me the test. The results were obvious: a big blue plus sign, forecasting your arrival. Your mom seemed unsure. She sat there, in disbelief, looking up at me. I smiled and shouted with joy, “We’re having a baby!” and at this both of us laughed and cried and hugged each other.
Your middle name is Laurent because that is my father, and your pepere’s, middle name. It was given to him in honor of his uncle Lorenzo, who, despite this Italian name, was indeed French-Canadian. This name, Laurent, joins you to your rich Quebecois heritage and we hope that it serves you always as a reminder of the importance of family. You’re blessed to be born into a large family of Oliviers and Masons that is filled with love, that will be there for you as you grow up, to celebrate your triumphs and to hold you close in times of need. You are also blessed to be born into a diverse community of friends who will be like family to you as well. Know always that you are very much loved.
Welcome, little Isaac Laurent, into our world of laughter, of love, of family, and of community.
Love, Mum and Dad
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
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