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Saturday, July 10, 2010

Introducing Alten Lee!

I've been meaning to get to this post for at least a week, but have been somehow distracted by something cute and cuddly in the next room over...
Meet Alten! He was born in the wee hours, 3:57 am on June 28th, weighed in at 9 lb 9 oz, and was 21" long. He got a 9 on his 5-minute Apgar, for those of you who put stock in early standardized testing. Though he went a week and a half past his due date he came out with all the signs of being right on time.

The weeks leading up to his birth were getting more and more uncomfortable for Margo. We who once said "The baby can come whenever it wants" began saying "Ok baby, we are ready for you now."

In planning for the pregnancy we knew we wanted a home-birth if possible, and started seeing a midwife in California before we left. Between December and April we had no appointments, because we hadn't yet decided where we would be living. As soon as we set down our roots here in Ohio we started asking around, not even knowing if home-birth was legal in the Refined East. By grace we stumbled onto a home-birth midwife who is professional, knowledgeable, gentle, and inspires confidence and calm.We did end up birthing at home, in our bedroom, in a peaceful, safe atmosphere. It went beautifully, and I was grateful for the presence of our midwife and her team.

Above right shows Alten one day old on a changing pad made for us by friends in California. He's swaddled in a receiving blanket made for us by our Aunt in Florida because, as she said, "They just don't make those blankets big enough anymore."

At this point I would like to say that, from the time we announced the pregnancy up to this day, we have felt surrounded by the love and support of our friends and family everywhere. We've been given patience and understanding, money and gift cards, clothing and accouterments both purchased and hand-made, and words of wisdom and encouragement. We expect we will need a lot more of those last two, especially. Many, many thanks to all of you who kept us in your thoughts and/or prayers. Alten has a ton of aunts and uncles out there, and we tell him all about them :) And now for a bunch of pictures!

This is how Alten and I relax best.



And this is what a well-fed Alten looks like...









He has started training in his parents' disciplines. Here is some deep yoga (we think this is the one he has been rumored to practice for months at a time).






And here he is practicing his Aikido tenchi-nagi.















And finally, here's the whole family...
I think it is safe to say there will be more of this kind of thing in coming posts...

12 comments:

  1. He is so handsome! Congratulations to the both of you!! I can't wait to meet him and am totally delighted to see the pictures. Lots of love is being sent your way! And just incase no one has said it yet, it is perfectly okay to take mid-morning, afternoon, or early evening naps when Alten naps.. it is the only way to make up for those late night and early morning feedings and the sleep lost there.

    Love ya! Cousin Sara

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  2. Such a beautiful boy. Such loving parents. Great to see pictures of your growing family.

    Love to you all from the Noffbaughs.

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  3. Congratulations!
    I thought he must have been born already since that post of Margo's belly a few weeks back.

    Welcome to parenthood!

    Eric in Japan

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  4. Hooray! Congratulations again! I have been checking here every day waiting for the post, and it's a great one. Wonderful pictures, beautiful family. Alten is so precious. Thanks for taking the time to post. I am thinking of you very often, and hope you are doing well. There is so much joy, exhaustion, amazement, questioning, and the rest of the spectrum of emotions in new parenting. I know that you will thrive! Be mindful of your own needs so that you can best care for Alten, and know that the first 13 weeks out of the womb is really another major set of changes and adjustments for body, hormones, emotions, etc. The first 9-10 months counterbalance the first 9-10 in the womb and you will sit in wonder when you are watching a 10 month old Alten (as Leah just turned 10 months this week) compared to where you are now. I'm so happy for you, and here to support you in any ways that I can. Just let me know! Much love to you all.

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  5. DAN AND MARGO AND ATLEN!!
    YEAH! I'm here at my house, with Marisol and Agustin, and I just read your email announcing that you were about to post...and so I had the privilege to see the post with Marisol at my side...it made it all so much better...We send you lots of love and energy!!! The photos are amazing. He's HUGE!!!!
    For my words of wisdom (obviously passed down, as I don't have enough years of experience yet...): Make sure you let him run around barefoot, but only after the bumbleebees fly...and its even better if he stumbles across some cowpatties for extra fertilizer (he'll grow tall and strong!)
    Marisol: Felicidades...es un nino muy bonito...toda buena cosecha de su huerto...
    Agustin: Se ve que va a ser una buena mano de obra para el huerto...un buen deshierbante...
    hugs and kisses...
    J, M, A

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  6. Congratulations! He is absolutely handsome and adorable and beautiful all rolled into one! Sending lots of hugs your way!

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  7. Congratulations from all of us at Bountiful Gardens! We had heard when he was born and are so excited to now see photos of all of you, looking so content...especially Alten! I agree with former posters; get sleep whenever you can, and enjoy every moment with him. We love you...love and blessings, Betsy, for the BG crew

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  8. Woo Hoo! Nice to see/read this. He does look quite big. Margo, I bet you're especially glad he's out in the fresh air!!!! Thanks for posting. I love you!!!

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  9. Welcome to the world, baby Alten. (This is when I love technology - pictures!)And congratulations Margo, Dan and the whole R-M clan. You're such a sweet little family. I'm thinking of you and can picture you three and the joy you're experiencing. I wish we lived closer so we could babysit and visit. Seb and I have been thinking about you a lot and missing you. Love from Seb and Chelsea, too. Take care.

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  10. Thanks and congratulations Margo and Dan. Your pictures say it all, LOVE. See you again soon.

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  11. I just found out about your blog from Abbie. Congrats on your beautiful son. I loved reading your blog. Nancy Webster Reichard Reed

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  12. I am soooooooo glad that I found your blog again! I just found your e-mail, so please e-mail me at cyndi.ruth@gmail.com if for some reason it is kidnapped by cyperspace. He is adorable and I can't wait to chat with you both and catch up. Love, Cyndi xoxo

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