name

We have finally chosen a name.  Trent Tāne Mercer.  


Trent is Lonnie's middle name....or at least it was until we got married.  When we were married, I wanted Lonnie and I to have the same surname, but I also had a hard time losing my maiden name, so I kept it, replacing my middle name.  In a show of solidarity and understanding (or coercion, depending upon your point of view), Lonnie also changed his middle name to my maiden name.  Trent has found a home again with our wee little man.  Additionally, the name Trent refers to the River Trent in England.  One branch of my family on my father's side are from this area.


Tāne (pronounced Taah-nay) is a Māori name.  Having been born in New Zealand, we wanted part of his name to connect here.  Tāne is the Maori god of the forest (and when you see New Zealand, you understand how amazing the forests are).  He was part of the Maori creation myth pushing apart his parents, Mother Earth and Father Sky.  


As we considered various names, Lonnie and I joked that we were floating name ideas around like we were considering a run for political office.  We threw around various names throughout the pregnancy, discussed them with a lot of people, and even had a couple polls on this blog.  It's an interesting process to go about naming a child...obviously a name becomes a huge part of identity.  We definitely appreciated hearing everyone's thoughts, opinions, and votes on the blog polls, and in some way all of it helped us.  In the end, we tested the name out for a couple of days before making a definite decision.  It seems to fit him well. 

video from the hospital

Lonnie took this video the day our little guy was born.  

I think I sound pretty worn out, but it had been a very long day.  :)

Click on the Youtube link to show in larger format.

Photos of boy

"Mr Chub" has arrived

Our yet-to-be-named newborn boy has arrived, and both he and Alisa are well. He was born at just after 12:00 PM (Auckland time) on June 26. He is showing every bit of spending 9 days beyond his due date by weighing in at 9 lb 6 oz. His birth weight is 1 lb more than the combined birth weights of Maya and Max. With his chub, I think he truly deserves a name like Tyrone, but I'm still fighting an uphill battle on that one.

We'll share more details later, but I thought I'd include a few things about the birth story. It started with Alisa's water breaking at 3:30 AM and continued with labor steadily progressing until late morning. With the support of a wonderful midwife, Alisa stuck with her birth plan (e.g., minimal interventions, vaginal birth, baby placed to breastfeed straight away after birth). I'm still struggling to find the words to describe the feelings, thoughts, and emotions that I had during the birth...but encouraged, concerned, hopeful, apprehensive, shaken, amazed, and overjoyed are some of them.

I left the camera with photos at the hospital with Alisa and baby, but I'll post some photos tomorrow.

-Lonnie

water

It is pouring rain outside and my waters just broke.  Off to the hospital  :)

scan

I had another ultrasounds scan today.  Baby is doing well.  Lots of movement.  Plenty of amniotic fluid.  Looks like he is going to be a big one.  The sonographer estimated he would weigh 10 lbs +/- 24 oz.  That is quite a range, but still means he is going to be a nice chubby baby.  :)

still no baby..

But waiting patiently.

i love my house, i love my nest, in all the world my nest is best....

...just ask the little guy in my nest.  He isn't interested in coming out.

Yesterday, in New Zealand, it was my birthday.  If the little guy had been born on June21st, in New Zealand, he would have been born on Winter Solstics.  I was born on June 21st in New York, I was born on Summer Solstice.  While the novelty of sharing a birthday would probably wear off, it would have been pretty cool to have been born on the same day on opposite sides of the world.  We didn't plan anything for my birthday because we thought we would be at home gazing lovingly at our new little boy.  But some kind friends stopped by for visits, which made the day special.

Even with exact same estimated due date it looks like Max and Maya and our Lil' Slugger (with the way he likes to punch me in the gut I think this might end up being his actual name) will be born at least a month and a half apart.  Amazing. When I was pregnant with the twins I was diagnosed with cervical incompetence and was given a cervical cerclage.  It seems pretty funny now that I am "over due".  Who is incompetent now, huh?

I finally had some extended nesting instincts kick in yesterday (not that I haven't made previous attempts, that have promptly been un-nested by a loving brother and sister who also wanted to help).  I packed my hospital bag.  With the help of a friend I finally installed the infant car seat.  Then I cleaned out the closet in the baby's room...which hadn't been organized since we moved in and I tore the ligaments in my ankle.

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Update:

I meet with my midwife, Sharon, this morning and she said that I am dilated to 4cm.  Great news given that I haven't really felt much pain.  I went with the kids to Playcentre today, helped out some but not a lot.  It was nice to keep occupied and not have to entertain the kids.   Hoping for a peaceful delivery.

belly painting

On my EDD at Playcentre I decided to celebrate being full-term by letting the kids paint my belly.  I had seen some pretty interesting photos of pregnancy belly paint.  This painting turned out a big different, combining the artistic talents of ten kids, who especially liked to stick their little paint brushes into my belly button.  The painting started out with just Max and Maya but soon involved almost all of the kids at  Playcentre that day.  

I was enjoying the belly painting more that it looks on my face in this photo. :)

EDD

If you look at the ticker on the right hand side of this blog you will notice that as of today I am 40 weeks pregnant.  Today is June 17th my Estimated Due Date (EDD).  As a matter of fact all three of my children were given the Estimated Due Date (EDD) of June 17th.

Had they gone full term, Max and Maya would have been born on June 17th.  But three years and five weeks ago Max and Maya were born five weeks early on May 14th.  This is what they looked like five weeks after they were born.

Today is our newest little baby's EDD and I am wondering if he will decide to come today.  I have already been pregnant with him 35 days longer than I was with Max and Maya.

Not that I am complaining.  While I am heavy, large and awkward, I'm very glad this baby is full term.  It was hard having 4 lbs new born babies.  I am hoping that this one is a bit easier because not only will I have only one baby, but he will come out strong and chubby.

Lonnie says that the baby is waiting for me to agree to name him Tyrone.  If that is the case you can expect me to still be pregnant next year at this time.