Ryder gets a sweatsuit from Jon and now all of a sudden he's a badass.
BTW, he's not even 3 weeks old and he's already wearing 3-6 month clothes. Watchout!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Poppa-razi
Ryder let me know that it was time to put the camera away after I got a bit snap-happy tonight.
One more pic and you're gonna get it, Dad.
Don't say I didn't warn ya.
Tres Generaciones
Miles...
and miles...
and miles...
of smiles!
We had a perfect weekend with beautiful spring weather, and had a chance to explore Brooklyn with our extended family. It was a joy to have my parents and Gigi's mom together for the first time since our wedding seven years ago.
Here are some of the highlights of our excursion to the Brooklyn Bridge on the first day of Spring:
A very fun weekend made for some epic napping.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Weekend Update
Here are some fun pics from our weekend.
I'm heading back to work tomorrow so I did my best to take advantage of as much bonding time and photo ops as possible.
Hair/makeup was first.
Dad, you should really use the low-light setting for this.
Playtime between shoots. I think he's practicing for X-Games.
Ready for my close-up.
Reward for a long day's work. Being cute isn't easy.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Fun with computers
Ryder wanted to see what all the hype is about Macs. I put some music on iTunes, and opened up PhotoBooth for some fun.
He's got Dad's eyes.
Why the long face?
Funky Family Foto
Dang Dolly!
So this last picture brings up a funny story... As Gigi's milk started coming in a couple days ago, her breasts started getting quite large. She woke me up three times in the middle of the night Thurs night asking for my help.
Gigi: James, James? I can't get up! Please take Ryder off of me and put him in the bassinet.
James: Um, babe? He's been in the bassinet for 2 hours.
THREE TIMES this happened. I was trying not to laugh because she was seriously confused as to why she couldn't move from bed. I didn't know if it was lack of sleep or remnants from some of the pain meds, but it turned out to be just giant jugs weighing her down.
We all laughed like crazy in the morning once she finally realized he wasn't on her and she was able to get back to sleep.
He's got Dad's eyes.
Why the long face?
Funky Family Foto
Dang Dolly!
So this last picture brings up a funny story... As Gigi's milk started coming in a couple days ago, her breasts started getting quite large. She woke me up three times in the middle of the night Thurs night asking for my help.
Gigi: James, James? I can't get up! Please take Ryder off of me and put him in the bassinet.
James: Um, babe? He's been in the bassinet for 2 hours.
THREE TIMES this happened. I was trying not to laugh because she was seriously confused as to why she couldn't move from bed. I didn't know if it was lack of sleep or remnants from some of the pain meds, but it turned out to be just giant jugs weighing her down.
We all laughed like crazy in the morning once she finally realized he wasn't on her and she was able to get back to sleep.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Ryder 1 - Parents 0
So, remember all of those pics of Ryder asleep in the hospital? Well, I guess he was resting up for his first night at home. He wanted to stay up and party ALLLLLL night.
After a very nice welcome home visit from the Macalusos including a delivery of a HUGE lasagna (thank you again!), Gigi and I settled in for our first night with our son. We let him rest while we watched 24, then I let him lay on my chest for some tummy-time while Gigi got some sleep. Nothing compares to the feeling of him sleeping on me. Hearing and feeling him breathe, and smelling the top of his head are better than any of the best drugs (or so I've heard).
Tita's flight arrived from San Antonio right on time, and we proudly introduced her to her 2nd grandson. She was as giddy as a little girl at a Jonas Brothers show. For the record, that will be the last time the Jonas Brothers make a cameo on this blog.
She shared pics of Gigi as a baby and we had fun talking about what attributes he got from each of us; my cheeks, my nose, my hair, her eyes, her mouth, her hairy butt. Wait, scratch that. Reverse it.
Anyway, once we all decided to go to bed, we fed him and changed him then laid him in the bassinet at the foot of our bed. And that started the VERY fun game of "Wait til Dad lays down and then start crying" followed by the ever popular "Once Dad is up and on his way to pick you up, stop crying". Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. We MAYBE got an hour of sleep each.
It got pretty frustrating but every time we picked him up and looked at him, our hearts just about exploded and reminded us that we would (and likely will) put up with weeks and months without sleep to make sure he is happy.
In between crying fits, a moment of calm..
After a very nice welcome home visit from the Macalusos including a delivery of a HUGE lasagna (thank you again!), Gigi and I settled in for our first night with our son. We let him rest while we watched 24, then I let him lay on my chest for some tummy-time while Gigi got some sleep. Nothing compares to the feeling of him sleeping on me. Hearing and feeling him breathe, and smelling the top of his head are better than any of the best drugs (or so I've heard).
Tita's flight arrived from San Antonio right on time, and we proudly introduced her to her 2nd grandson. She was as giddy as a little girl at a Jonas Brothers show. For the record, that will be the last time the Jonas Brothers make a cameo on this blog.
She shared pics of Gigi as a baby and we had fun talking about what attributes he got from each of us; my cheeks, my nose, my hair, her eyes, her mouth, her hairy butt. Wait, scratch that. Reverse it.
Anyway, once we all decided to go to bed, we fed him and changed him then laid him in the bassinet at the foot of our bed. And that started the VERY fun game of "Wait til Dad lays down and then start crying" followed by the ever popular "Once Dad is up and on his way to pick you up, stop crying". Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. We MAYBE got an hour of sleep each.
It got pretty frustrating but every time we picked him up and looked at him, our hearts just about exploded and reminded us that we would (and likely will) put up with weeks and months without sleep to make sure he is happy.
In between crying fits, a moment of calm..
Homeward Bound (Monday)
So, one last day at the hospital waiting for our walking papers. Doctors had to make sure Gigi's incision was healing properly (it is), and make sure Ryder was healthy (he is) before letting us bring our family home to Brooklyn.
We had to wait around til about 5:30pm before we were allowed to leave. Frustrating as we were told we would be out much earlier, but all the doctors were busy with deliveries upstairs. Good thing we got out when we did as new moms and babies were filling up the floor as we left.
All the waiting gave us time to give Ryder a nice spongebath and get him dressed up in his "Take Me Home" outfit that Harper gave us. While we were waiting, Daddy got out the camera...
We had to wait around til about 5:30pm before we were allowed to leave. Frustrating as we were told we would be out much earlier, but all the doctors were busy with deliveries upstairs. Good thing we got out when we did as new moms and babies were filling up the floor as we left.
All the waiting gave us time to give Ryder a nice spongebath and get him dressed up in his "Take Me Home" outfit that Harper gave us. While we were waiting, Daddy got out the camera...
Day 2 (Sunday)
Gigi's roommate moved into a private room Saturday evening so she had a MUCH better night's sleep. Ryder stayed in the nursery between feedings to let Mom rest and recover from her cesarean.
Jamie (Boonie) and Annette came to visit us on Sunday with some very very nice gifts for Gigi and Ryder. Thank you both!
We had a nice relaxing day of R&R for both Ryder and Gigi. Quiet music playing, dim lights, etc. We did our best to create a zen-like atmosphere and because we did, the nurses kept coming into our room to visit (and to escape from the other crazy parents on our floor). These nurses were so helpful with tips on diapering, circumcision care, feeding and burping, etc.
And now for YOUR moment of zen, here's our little smiling Buddha...
Jamie (Boonie) and Annette came to visit us on Sunday with some very very nice gifts for Gigi and Ryder. Thank you both!
We had a nice relaxing day of R&R for both Ryder and Gigi. Quiet music playing, dim lights, etc. We did our best to create a zen-like atmosphere and because we did, the nurses kept coming into our room to visit (and to escape from the other crazy parents on our floor). These nurses were so helpful with tips on diapering, circumcision care, feeding and burping, etc.
And now for YOUR moment of zen, here's our little smiling Buddha...
Day 1 (Saturday)
OK, so maybe the last post wasn't the LAST post... I'll keep updating this blog until I start another one for Ryder.
Gigi had a long first night at the hospital with her roommate's crying baby, and an eventful morning on Saturday. Ryder was circumcised, given his Hep B shot, and thoroughly checked out before I showed up at the hospital.
We had a couple visitors the first day. Uncle Harry showed up first and helped welcome our boy to the world. Harry introduced Gigi and I to each other 14 years ago, so we're happy he was the first one to meet Ryder.
Uncle Mike also came to visit but Ryder was not in a pic taking mood. Aunt Harper dropped off a nice little Snug Bug and visited with us for a while.
We had some absolutely beautiful flowers delivered from Jon and Carolyn. They made the entire room smell incredible. Thank you!
Thank you all so much for your thoughtful gifts and your very enjoyable visits!
And now... brace yourself for cuteness overload.
Gigi had a long first night at the hospital with her roommate's crying baby, and an eventful morning on Saturday. Ryder was circumcised, given his Hep B shot, and thoroughly checked out before I showed up at the hospital.
We had a couple visitors the first day. Uncle Harry showed up first and helped welcome our boy to the world. Harry introduced Gigi and I to each other 14 years ago, so we're happy he was the first one to meet Ryder.
Uncle Mike also came to visit but Ryder was not in a pic taking mood. Aunt Harper dropped off a nice little Snug Bug and visited with us for a while.
We had some absolutely beautiful flowers delivered from Jon and Carolyn. They made the entire room smell incredible. Thank you!
Thank you all so much for your thoughtful gifts and your very enjoyable visits!
And now... brace yourself for cuteness overload.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
And so it begins...
I thought it only fitting to start this post with the same title as the first post. We have completed the path to parenthood and are now the proud parents of a beautiful baby boy. Our new journey as parents begins today (new blog address coming soon).
James Ryder was born at 9:34pm on March 5, 2010. He weighed a whopping 9lbs 5.4ozs and was 21" long. How that big boy was inside Gigi I will never understand. What I NOW understand is why Gigi's labor stalled after 30+ hours of contractions. Ryder was saying, "Push all you want, but I'm not going out that way. You gotta come get me." Gigi's cesarean birth went perfectly and she is recovering nicely in the hospital as I type this from home.
So, he has huge hands and feet, more hair than me, and cute cheeks like Gigi's. Great combination. Can't wait to see how everything sorts itself out after the trauma of labor and birth. Last I saw him he was sleeping contentedly in the nursery surrounded by a bunch of tiny crying babies.
Overheard in the delivery room from some of the doctors after the birth..."He can already palm a basketball!", "He's bigger than my 5-month-old!", and "How long has he been in there?".
Such a happy day for me and Gigi. I can't wait to go back to the hospital tomorrow morning to help out with day 1 of our new lives together.
James Ryder was born at 9:34pm on March 5, 2010. He weighed a whopping 9lbs 5.4ozs and was 21" long. How that big boy was inside Gigi I will never understand. What I NOW understand is why Gigi's labor stalled after 30+ hours of contractions. Ryder was saying, "Push all you want, but I'm not going out that way. You gotta come get me." Gigi's cesarean birth went perfectly and she is recovering nicely in the hospital as I type this from home.
So, he has huge hands and feet, more hair than me, and cute cheeks like Gigi's. Great combination. Can't wait to see how everything sorts itself out after the trauma of labor and birth. Last I saw him he was sleeping contentedly in the nursery surrounded by a bunch of tiny crying babies.
Overheard in the delivery room from some of the doctors after the birth..."He can already palm a basketball!", "He's bigger than my 5-month-old!", and "How long has he been in there?".
Such a happy day for me and Gigi. I can't wait to go back to the hospital tomorrow morning to help out with day 1 of our new lives together.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Finishing touches
Last year we received a couple very nice prints from Gigi's friend Will at The Surf Gallery in Laguna Beach, CA.
We thought they would be perfect for the nursery so last weekend we had them matted and framed. Boy or girl... we've got it covered.
Beaner's palace is coming together nicely!
Crib and changing table show up in a couple weeks. Can't wait to have everything in place.
In other news...today is Day 1 of Week 40. These last 10 months have been incredible, and now all of our preparation is coming to the happy conclusion of welcoming a new Russo. Any day now! Gigi is already dilating a tiny bit so we're just waiting for Beaner to decide on a birthday.
Today is also Gigi's first day of maternity leave! After our last scheduled doctor's appointment this morning, I took her home for a nice long nap, and then she got up to do laundry and read the Sunday Times. I'm so glad she's home and relaxing until the baby arrives. We're really enjoying our last few days as a twosome and taking walks every night talking about what lies ahead.
Today is ALSO Beaner's grandfather's birthday! My dad (Nono) turned 50 somethin' today and we were hoping to give him the best birthday present ever but I guess it will be a few days late (as usual). Happy Birthday, Nono! Beaner can't wait to give you a belated birthday hug.
We thought they would be perfect for the nursery so last weekend we had them matted and framed. Boy or girl... we've got it covered.
Beaner's palace is coming together nicely!
Crib and changing table show up in a couple weeks. Can't wait to have everything in place.
In other news...today is Day 1 of Week 40. These last 10 months have been incredible, and now all of our preparation is coming to the happy conclusion of welcoming a new Russo. Any day now! Gigi is already dilating a tiny bit so we're just waiting for Beaner to decide on a birthday.
Today is also Gigi's first day of maternity leave! After our last scheduled doctor's appointment this morning, I took her home for a nice long nap, and then she got up to do laundry and read the Sunday Times. I'm so glad she's home and relaxing until the baby arrives. We're really enjoying our last few days as a twosome and taking walks every night talking about what lies ahead.
Today is ALSO Beaner's grandfather's birthday! My dad (Nono) turned 50 somethin' today and we were hoping to give him the best birthday present ever but I guess it will be a few days late (as usual). Happy Birthday, Nono! Beaner can't wait to give you a belated birthday hug.
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