Getting Things Done

We are all looking forward to Mary and Dick's visit from Wisconsin - they arrive this evening and it will be great to have Mary back and to introduce Winston to his Grandpa.

The Lofgrens are back from their world traveling and Joy, Alex and Brixton met Winston for the first time on Monday. These pictures are angelic (Joy and Kirk's children are absolutely beautiful inside and out). It was wonderful to catch up with Joy - I've missed her this summer.Joy volunteered to babysit for 20 minutes while I ran a few errands. The relative efficiency of running errands on my own during the day made me reflect on perhaps the most startling discovery of parenthood (at least for Dave and me): how complicated it is to get even the simplest tasks done.

A case study to illustrate (sorry, the MBAer in me can't help but provide a case study to underscore this revelation):

A quick stop at the grocery store to pick up milk, etc. is a daunting series of events that must be coordinated with precision. What used to take 15 minutes now takes an hour.

A drive to the market must include the following:

• It must be scheduled in between 2-3 hour feedings (and each feeding takes an hour so really, there is only 1-2 hours in which to execute);
• it must be done when baby is calm with a clean diaper;
• child must be clothed (and this child does not like wardrobe changes);
• make sure the diaper bag is fully stocked and don't forget the pacifier;
• find the keys and the wallet and cell phone and mentally run through the checklist of things to do;make sure you are fully clothed and don't look like a vagrant;
• strap baby in his carrier;
• get out the door with the baby carrier, diaper bag, keys, and wallet and cell phone in case of emergencies;
• unlock the car and open all the doors so you don't bake the baby in the Florida sun (or accidently lock baby in the car by accident);
• lock baby carrier into car seat;
• drive;
• park;
• unload baby into Baby Bjorn (or risk severe back strain by lugging the baby carrier into the store);go into store and hopefully you have the list of items to buy or else wander around until enlightenment occurs;
• have at least 1-2 lovely conversations with strangers about baby;
• endure at least one inane comment such as "oh my god, is that baby real?" (seriously, this was said to me at the library last week);
• checkout, and hopefully there is only 1 or 2 bags so you can carry it yourself;
• back to the car and open all the doors and then transfer baby from Bjorn into car seat;
• drive;
• park;
• unload baby, diaper bag, etc. and finally...home.

Mission accomplished.

I now truly appreciate the "drive through" services that are offered here in Miami!! Dave and I always used to laugh at the drive through convenience store but now I understand at a very profound level why it is so darn important to have these services available).

That said, Winston, Dave and I have devised our own set of strategies for balancing the need to get things done around the house with the more important need to love and nurture the baby and keep him under our watchful eyes at all times. A photo from laundry day (don't be too horrified...at least he's resting on the clean towels).

Our Very Own Garden Gnome

As Dave and I celebrated Winston's first month of life this weekend, we were reviewing all the photos we've taken over the past month. Dave, ever the witty observer, said, "It is like we have our own living Garden Gnome...we now have pictures of Winston from all over Miami. Here he is - at the beach! Here he is - at the restaurant!"

Indeed, Winston definitely dominates all our photos these days, which is a relief - it used to be that we almost exclusively took pictures of kayaking landscapes and tropical fish. I would say Winston adds a human quality that is most welcome.

Winston is starting to outgrow some of the "premie" outfits the Grandmothers bought for him when we realized he was swimming in the 0-3 month sizes. While it is hard for us to track his growth on a day to day basis, outgrowing his clothes is an indication we are doing something right. We'll get official word on his progress at our next doctor's appointment on August 3rd.

Dave, Tom, Winston and I visited the Biltmore on Friday night for cocktail hour. Never one to pass up a deal, I insisted that we share the 1/2 price 64 oz pitcher of Mojitos. I learned quickly that limited sleep and 3 cocktails are a deadly combination. Dave thought it was hilarious and took this picture of Win and I sleeping it off late on Saturday morning.We also joined Cecilia and Mo for breakfast on Sunday at Le Bouchon Du Grove - adorable pictures of the garden gnome with the two of them. Winston's outfit was very appropriate for this French restaurant, although we decided he must wear a beret next time to totally fit in.Finally, here are pictures that best characterize "What we did this weekend" - we spent time sitting on the couch, holding, feeding, burping, cooing and adoring the little guy. We also watched a few movies, caught up on the first season of the West Wing, and that is about it.For the record...Daddy made the decision to dress Winston in his monkey pants only.

The Vengeance of Bonnie

Dave's friend Tom is visiting us while he awaits his visa so he can return to Columbia. Tom is doing interesting work to encourage indigenous tribes in the Columbian jungle to set aside their lands for carbon offsets. I don't quite understand how it works but Tom says it is a great situation for indigenous tribes and is also good for the environment. Very interesting.

Tropical Storm Bonnie was a complete hype. Winston and I awoke from a nap today at 4 pm - I heard the wind blowing through the trees outside, and, thinking the storm was upon us, quickly folded up our lawn chairs and tidied up outside. I found out 30 minutes later that the storm had "passed over" us an hour ago - and we slept through it! There was worse weather one evening last week when my mother was here (we at least had tree limbs down in our yard from that storm).

Anyway, wanted to let you all know we "survived the fierce tropical storm that was Bonnie." Reason 3,423 that I am so pleased that our cable is not working these days...we avoid the 24/7 news complex that creates crisis out of mild weather.

Sadly, no pictures to add to this, but I promise more pics later this weekend. Happy Friday!

Less Words, More Pictures

Feedback on the blog is too many words, not enough pictures!! So...we'll keep the content limited and show more pictures of Sir Winston.
Winston celebrated his 3rd week of life last Saturday. He is eating well and becoming more alert and active when he is awake. He can now focus on our faces and gives us very serious stare-downs a few times a day. His cries are louder and more urgent now, but thankfully are limited to when he is hungry, wet or just plain bored. He is easily calmed down and all in all remains a fairly quiet and easy baby. He is able to hold onto his pacifier and the bottle with an iron grip. He's starting to adjust his sleeping habits so that he is sleeping better at night (mom and dad are very grateful for this). He loves to be cuddled and held and we've distinguished a fake cry that indicates "ummm...hello....time to pick me up and love me!!." We gladly oblige the little guy.

Picture of Winston relaxing on mommy and daddy's bed (I think he peed all over everything about 5 minutes after this was taken).Tutu (Grandma Kathy) came back to visit on the 13th and left today. We had a couple of outings, although it rained quite a bit over the course of each day. Here are a few photos from an afternoon trip to Crandon Park on Key Biscayne. It was low tide and we were able to walk out about 100 yards. The camera was fogged over which accounts for the misty photos.
We also visited the Deering Estates...photo of Tutu, Winston and Shannon with Chicken Key in the background.Photo of Shannon, David and Winston with Deering Estate house #1 in the background.

Winston got these cool sunglasses from Grandma Mary. He is suprisingly accomodating when we put the glasses on him!!

Pineapple

Mary left us early Sunday morning, and Winston misses his grandma (I think his brain is able to precisely calculate that the amount of cuddle time decreased by 1/3 in her absence). We had Mo, Cecilia, Andy and Lili over for dinner on Sunday evening (Lili enjoyed the cupcakes made by Aunty Ceecee) - thank goodness are friends are willing to socialize with us here at our house, otherwise I think Dave and I would go stir crazy during this time. We missed Michelle but sent her this cute picture of Lili happily consuming her cupcake (after she ate her meal - Andy managed that one with the deftness of an experienced dad).
I continue to be amazed at a) the amount of urine Winston generates and b) the inability of his diapers to contain aforementioned urine. Last night was particularly amazing - the little guy wet through 4 diapers and 4 blankets. All that in an 8 hour timeframe.

On the one hand, I am tremendously proud - we are finally getting the feeding thing down and Win's output is the best gauge of a healthy appetite. On the other hand I am stunned that with all the clothes and blankets we have on hand, I am still doing laundry every other day.

I can't imagine what it must have been like before pampers, modern washing machines and dryers and services like Dream Dinners (more on that later). I think of what my grandmothers, each of whom had 6 children, must have gone through during their child-bearing years. My generation definitely has gone soft - we complain about being tired but the modern conveniences we enjoy make our lives a virtual vacation compared to what it was like 50-60 years ago. Not only did they have to do the wash for hours every day, they used cloth diapers, which had to be cleaned and sterilized, and they had to cook - from scratch - at nearly every meal. No wonder most women were full-time mothers - there was really no other choice.

Dream Dinners - now, I know my gourmet aunties and uncle and mother will have a fit, but thanks to Michelle Loretta, I have discovered the most awesome food service. It is called Dream Dinners (www.dreamdinners.com) . Basically, it is communal cooking for the modern age. I won't bore you with details of how it works (check out the website for the 411), but suffice to say that it has saved Dave and me. We have all these delicious, nutritious meals ready for final preparation in our refrigerator or freezer. The service is relatively inexpensive but most importantly the food is quite delicious. And easy to prepare. Again, I will point out how different and relatively easy our child-bearing experience is from past generations. We are very fortunate!! Best of all, the food reserves enable us to invite people over, entertain, feed them, and clean up without being totally overwhelmed and tired out. Exceptionally wonderful gift.

Speaking of fruiting plants and trees, on Saturday evening, Dave harvested the pineapple that has been growing on his pineapple plant for the past few months. Coincidentally, we bought the plant over 3 years ago at Fairchild Tropical Gardens. This is definitely the most expensive pineapple we've ever consumed, but it tasted absolutely perfect and we took great pride in the plant's initial fruiting.

The best part is that after exhaustive study of pineapple blogs (yes, there are people that meticulously document the growth of their pineapple plants), Dave determined that our one plant can be re-potted into 3 (the original plant, the top of the pineapple we just consumed, and another baby offshoot Dave discovered in hacking off the ripe pineapple). Based on this multiplying effect, we should have hundreds of pineapple plants in 10 years or so. Dave and Winston are already plotting the takeover of our garage roof (which is flat and would be perfect for a subtropical plant garden) for his pineapple empire.

Here's a picture of daddy, Win and the Pineapple that Launched an Empire:
Tutu (Kathy) arrives late tonight, and Dave's friend Tom is going to be staying with us as well for a few days this week. Winston is eagerly anticipating the return of a loving grandmother - mom and dad are just not enough these days. Dave and I are hoping Tom isn't too overwhelmed by the new star of the household - but we figure if he can weather the jungles of Columbia and Thailand, he can handle the screeching of a 6 lbs. baby.

I am hoping that Tom and Kathy can steal away with Dave for an afternoon of snorkeling or boating - Dave needs an ocean fix right about now, and the weather is perfect for snorkeling and boating (hot and still). We've decided 2.5 weeks is still a bit on the young side for Winston to be strapped into a kayak, but he'll be ready soon enough, and I know Dave will absolutely love sharing his passion with his little son.

Mango Festival

Dave and I escaped for a few hours this AM to visit Fairchild Tropical Gardens, where there is a Mango Festival going on (excuse me, an International Mango Festival).

It was crazy hot, even at 10.30 am in the morning, so we didn't stay long, but we did manage to take a few photos of beautiful plants and bought ourselves a little mango tree (featured in the pic with me below).

It will probably be years before this tree produces any mangoes, but we've been wanting a mango tree forever, so it is exciting to finally own one and to live in a climate where they thrive.

Biggest Gainer!

Winston had his big weigh in this morning and we are pleased to announce he has surpassed his birth weight, weighing in at a hefty 6 lbs, 2 oz. Dr. Forster is pleased and we don't have to go back for 2 weeks. Here's a photo of mom and Winston whooping it up after the weigh in. If we continue this trend, he should be 8 lbs by mid-August.

Here are a few photos from his first appointment, on June 30th (day after his release from the hospital).

Minor milestone to report: Winston had his first "real" bath on July 9 and he took to the water like a fish! No crying for Grandma Mary, in fact he seemed completely content. This child is definitely the progeny of David Wanless - totally at ease in the water.
Here's a cute picture of Tutu giving Winston his first sponge bath back on July 2nd. Not so pleased at this point in time - he definitely prefers submersion. Isn't this the cutest little bathtub? Thank you Loretta's - appreciated almost as much as the tonic and vodka packet given to mommy!!
Just about the only person who is totally unfazed by the weight issue is the little man himself, Winston Wanless. Here he is resting in his crib, at peace with the world. The kid uses his arms like an octopus when he is awake (believe me, I have to contend with his flailing at every feeding, definitely feels like more than 2 arms involved when he is battling me), so it is a beautiful sight to see him in repose.

Finally, a timeless image to share - Grandma and her adoring grandson catching a snooze.

Welcome Grandma Mary!

Yesterday was a big day in the Sullivan/Wanless household.

Most important, we welcomed Grandma Mary from Wisconsin! Winston fell into her arms and it was an instant love fest...I think Mary held him for most of the night (and Dave and I each got about 9 hours of sleep...yeah!). We are so glad Mary is here -- Winston is still very little and snuggly (still about 4 days shy of his official due date), and it is very special to bond with a baby at this young age. Very soon he will begin to push us away as he declares his independence (an important milestone in development I am reading), so we're savoring every minute of the snuggle-dude.

Dave and I took Winston back to the pediatrician yesterday as well - good news is that he gained a bit of weight (and then peed all over the scale, the technician, and dad - not once, but twice). Bad news is that it is not enough, so we are on strict orders to FEED THE BABY, no exceptions, every three hours, at least 1-2 oz of breast milk/formula. 24 hours into the new regimen, and I can already tell Winston's appetite is increasing as his activity level. So were hopeful he'll be back at his birthweight by Saturday, which is our goal.

Last but not least, Winston had been poopless for nearly 3 days, but that ended last night with a virtual colon blow (Dave took pictures and, I kid you not, emailed them to the Pediatrician). We're relieved and hopeful that he'll begin to have more regular BMs over the next few weeks.

By the way...have we told you how much we love love love our pediatrician? Actually, Winston's real pediatrician (Dr. Lee Sanders) went on vacation the very day that I went into labor, so we've been seeing Dr. Lourdes Forster, the medical director of the practice, and she is just phenomenal. Not only did she request that we email her about the baby's progress at our appointment yesterday, she then called that afternoon to check on his feeding and "BM alert." In this day and age, it really is quite remarkable to find doctors with such a level of commitment, so we feel very fortunate to have been directed to this practice.

Oh one more thing - here's a photo of Winston in his Chicago White Sox outfit...the littlest fan is still a bit too little for his Sox outfit, but he sure looks cute!!

Reflections on The 4th of July Holiday

Well, the holiday weekend just passed, and it was a strange weekend indeed.

First, it was rainy, overcast and relatively cool here in Miami (but humid as ever)...Dave and I were marveling last night that our temperatures were cooler than DC, NY and PA by nearly 30 degrees!

Second, we had our first "it's just you, me and the kid" experience, as Tutu (Kathy's preferred Grandma name) left us on Sunday, July 4th.

Third, it is hard to believe that last year, we spent the 4th in Colorado, visiting Kelly and Erin and their families and then Dave and I spent a glorious week in Steamboat Springs. My, life can change radically in 365 days.

Finally, Dave and I still can't get over the fact that if Winston had stuck to his appointed delivery date, he would still be inside me for nearly one more week. All in all, we are thrilled he made his appearance a bit ahead of schedule.

We actually had a fairly active weekend. Kirk visited us on Thursday as did Cecilia (they helped ring in my 35th birthday!). Tutu cooked up a wonderful meal for the bday as well followed by a glorious flourless chocolate cake - yum. We had a wonderful dinner at Modesto and Cecilia's home on Friday night, and then dinner out on Saturday night with Wendy at no-name harbor on Key Biscayne at Bill Baggs State Park.

Michelle, Andy and Lili came over for dinner on Sunday evening to officially celebrate the 4th. Lili was present for Winston's 8 pm feeding...she wanted to know she could feed the baby too (I explained that you can only feed a baby with your breasts after you have a baby, but that she could read the baby a book). She was intrigued, and I think read him 3-4 books in an hour. She will be an excellent big sister and mama's helper when the time comes!

We put Winston's new swing together yesterday and I think he is much more comfortable in it than in his car seat. Dave and I think the swinging mechanism is a bit treacherous at this stage but it should be fun for him as he gets older. In this picture he is hanging out with daddy in the kitchen...hopefully he got his father's knack for cooking and not his mama's.

Other than that, our days are filled with the cycles of Winston care...feed, change diaper, cuddle, sleep, sooth, and repeat. Throw in a walk around the neighborhood, a book reading, and maybe a bath, and that about tells the whole story.

We are trying to record Winston's face as he goes through the "range of emotions" after eating -- we'll post a video once we have YouTube figured out...this will be one memory I don't want to ever lose.

Special Delivery to Miami - Winston Wanless

Dave and I are happy to share the news that we welcomed Winston S. Wanless into the world on Saturday, June 26th, 2010. He was born here in Miami a few weeks early, weighing in at 6 lbs, 1 oz and 19.5 inches long. He's healthy and adorable if a bit underweight - he is swimming in even the newborn clothing!

Here's a photo album from his first few days:http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=222435&id=520878553&l=69bc35f21f

Grandma "Tutu" Kathy from CA swooped in on June 27th and we have been profoundly grateful for her presence. She has helped us come to terms that the next few months will be a blur of feedings-diaper changes-cat naps-cooing and cuddling and crying sessions. We're adjusting and laughing a ton.

Dave is reading foodie books to Winston (yesterday was a passage on - what else? - gourmet cheddar cheese), and we already think he is brilliant based on the way he flips himself over to his side when he sleeps (it doesn't take much to please this crowd). Auntie Barb reminds us we must read to him every day, so we're making it happen by hook or by crook. I am catching up on my alcohol consumption since being told it was "totally fine" to drink during breast feeding. All you need to know is there were at least 2 bottles of champagne consumed at the hospital, and a bottle of champagne at lunch at home on the third day. 'Nuff said.

Grandma Mary from WI visits us on July 7th and again at the end of the month with Grandpa Richard and I hope they bring a few baby pictures of Dave - we are trying to figure out where Winston gets his ruby red lips. He was born with a respectable head of hair (this coming from two parents who were totally bald babies, so you will see that respectable is a relative term) that is blond and fine and straight.

Winston is wiry with incredibly long arms and legs and the hands and feet of a much larger baby. If you must know, he looks like a spider monkey - and clings to whomever is holding him with the iron grip of a primate. Right now he actually looks built since he has so little baby fat, but we're expecting that to change as we fatten him up over the next few months. Til then, if Dave talks to you about his weight lifting baby, you'll get the inside joke.



If there is one family member a bit disgruntled by the newest among us, it is Flurry (aka "kitty"). She has been wandering the house, trying to figure out what all the hubbub is about, and becomes totally agitated when Winston is screeching or feeding. At this point, our 8 lbs. kitty looks like a giant next to 6 lbs. baby, but how the tables will turn in a few short months.

We want to send a big thank you to all of you for your love and support. It is absolutely joyous to share in the experience of bringing a new little person into the world, and we can't wait to introduce him to each of you.

Love, Dave, Shannon and Winston (aka Baby Win, aka Spider Monkey)

PS - thank you to the entire Miami crew for making South Florida feel like home with family so far away. Michelle, Andy, Lili, Cecilia, Mo, Wendy, Joy and Kirk - you all provide a wonderful support network for us in this wild city, and we can't wait for the Lofgren family to return from the west coast so we can introduce you to the little guy!!