So, looks like the phase one gas has … passed … shall we say? That’s well and good since it returns mommy to only a couple (maybe three) night feedings and much less cranky-ness which she appreciates. We all do, really.

Of course, now he’s transitioned into the “hour-long leisurely dining experience” phase which include stretch breaks, looking around, generally relaxing while mommy waits for the multi-course experience to resume.

We’re also starting to get some unique cries for different needs which is fun to hear. The all-frown wail of general frustration (which typically leads to “baby chicken” cluck-cry if it goes too far,) the stretch, grunt, and squeak of hunger, and the new single-blast cry of bodily function (gas, diaper change, etc.) That’s my favorite so far. The baby equivalent of a husky teamster “Yo!”

Now Sullivan’s mommy will disagree with me. “Agreeableness” is often subjective and baby Sullivan has been less than pleased with his level of life service lately. The gas pains come in waves so we don’t get the constant screaming, but it’s turned him into the “little man who doesn’t know what he wants.”

Eat a little, no not good enough. Hiccoughs wake me up. Frustrating. Now maybe I’m hungry? Nope, just wet diaper. Nope, just gas. Nope, I am hungry. Very hungry. Nope spit up all that food. Why would you give me all that? No, maybe mommy should just hold me all night? Yes, that would be great, thanks.

He’s very frustrated with the whole deal so far.

I can only say, calm down little fellow, it only gets more intense from here. I mean “life.” Hopefully not the gas pains …

But thankfully we have still been blessed with a relatively agreeable baby. Poor little guy has been gurgling in the nethers for the past couple of days (which does make one cranky and tends to keep mommy up nights) but he’s been remarkably passive about the whole affair except for the occasional outburst.

Everyone came by this morning to celebrate Ella’s second birthday ever and Sullivan got to meet his great-grandparents for the first time (pics in the gallery.)

Update: I’m learning a new skill: the one handed type. Hold baby in one arm and type updates with the other. Seems all right so far until I need access to complex words or anything left of the letter “g” … Shift key is none too convenient either …

Ok, the first two albums are up, highlighting wee Sullivan’s extended stay at the hospital and his eventual triumphant return home.

The shot here is from the calm after the storm when we finally got home again. Or possibly he’s practicing to be a radio announcer.

http://www.bulldogphoto.com/private/main.php/view/damon/sullivan/

You need the visitor’s password of course. Most of you already have it and if you don’t – email me or Jill to get it.

May 18th, 2006 – Our son is born after 9 or 10 hours of induced labor and from now on (at least as far as Jill and I are concerned) there will always be a little combined genetic spin off wandering around on the Earth. I can safely say that nothing really prepares you for what you think or feel when it happens, and I can also say that everything prepares you in some way. It was wonderful and fascinating and really it was just the start of the adventure.

He didn’t even have a name yet before he was taken away and whooshed up to the ICU where he spent the better part of the week recovering from low blood sugar brought on by his forcible entry. Doctor called it “traumatic birth” and we called it “typical.” He had decided to come out facing up, instead of down. You see, facing down is much easier on babies and mommies in delivery terms. But if you’re just starting the life adventure why not start big? Facing upward means you get to see lots more stuff when you first come out, daddy and doctors and such – plus it means mommy gets to push roughly twice as long, the doctors get to bring in forceps and baby gets to come out with a conehead twice the size of a normal head. That, folks, is much better TV.

We named him “Sullivan Carter Brown” on Tuesday the 23rd after we had a chance to get to know him (through brief visits during the NICU visiting hours.)

Now he’s a real person.

I’ll write more on the specifics of his arrival later since most folks are going to be reading this thinking “where in the world are the pictures?” Coming right up …