Introducing Franklin Gopal Clarke Nelson

Franklin Gopal Clarke Nelson was born on Monday, August 8 at 4:50pm. He weighed in at 8lbs 8oz and measured 21.5 inches. Having delivered in room 8, too, that's 5 eights in his birthday stats - very auspicious and lucky according to Chinese culture! Between this and his fiery red hair, we are very excited to get to know this little guy!

A couple of items to share before we get to our news...

Mom and Theo wearing Theo's new pj bottoms on our heads and the budding yoga student!

Ready to be a big brother!

Theo is very excited to welcome his new brother into the world. He's graduated from putting his blanket under his shirt to be pregnant like mommy to carrying his baby doll around in his shirt. Practicing to take care of his new brother!

For every temper tantrum at things not going his way, he also impresses me regularly with his adaptability and great attitude. Last night he had had maybe a little too much fluid before bed and woke up at 2 in the morning with his sheets and pjs soaked. he came to our door and said enthusiastically, "my bed is all wet!" I dragged myself out of bed to change all the wet things, and soon realized that tragically his security blanket had also gotten wet. I tried to slyly toss it aside, and he said, "I need my yellow blanket." I crouched down and told him it was wet with pee and we'd have to wash it, so he couldn't use it anymore tonight. I told him we could get him a loaner blanket from the new baby's room. We found a similarly-textured embroidered blanket, and the kid was totally cool with it. He tolerated the whole long process without a single complaint, and after a little magic sleeping dust, went right back to sleep. He keeps talking about his "loaner blanket" this morning! Here he is with his doll and his loaner blanket.

Potty training and preschool

Well, I've got to brag about Theo's adaptability a little here. About 6 weeks ago, Theo had to have abdominal surgery to correct an inguinal hernia (all resolved and healthy now), then a few weeks later he started preschool and potty training within a week of each other. Not to mention we're expecting his little brother in a just few weeks (if not sooner!). It has been a tough time for the little guy, with so many new experiences and new routines to incorporate into his world. We've had our share of hiccups. Some pretty significant separation anxiety for the first time in his life, and some pretty terrible twos tantrums. But, you know, he's enjoying preschool (one morning a week to start) and thriving. And significantly, the potty training is working! He's peeing in the potty nearly every time but during sleeping times. What a champ.

Outside time

Just some cute shots of the boy, including a zerbert/raspberry for mommy's pregnant tummy.

Bubbles!

Theo and Mommy rainy July morning together

We've had a perfectly cool summer in which to be very pregnant. Theo, a good Portland native like his Mama, also likes clouds and rain, and especially when puddles are involved. No complaints from this Mama and son!

Rock party

This evening, Theo and I sat on the deck and played with rocks. Matt is putting in a beautiful new rock path in the back yard, made entirely of various sizes of small river stones, and to Theo, its like a dream come true. A whole bunch of rocks! To his amazing imagination, each rock is a different thing. Often they are different kinds of foods. Sometimes they are a phone, or a tissue, or a shaver or lotion for his face. Tonight they were mostly foods: a big orange, an apple, a banana for mommy, some yogurt, and several different kinds of special cake. The light was lovely, and somehow, Theo was so enchanted by his rocks, he completely ignored the fact I had grabbed the camera.

A hike on the Salmon River

A little light reading on the pot