Schedual of Events

Since March, I recall looking forward to July, week after week, trying to imagine what it was going to be like having a new baby in our lives. The due date is June 27, the races are July 12 and 20. What was it going to be like? I have dedicated a lot of time over the past four months to being ready mentally, having things ready around the house, and physically for the races. But when the baby comes what would happen? Would birth be smooth? Would we pay for the easy baby that we had with Bijou and get a new one with an attitude? Would I be able to sleep? Keep up with the house projects? Get another swim, bike or run in? I really prepared for it. If that's what you get, then that is the challenge you are blessed with, what ever that is. Well I can now answer that question after a week of experience.

Armand (Arm-nd) Andrew Prest was born last Sunday the 22nd at 10:13am after 11 hours of labor. Mommy was amaizing. She handled things well even when thing didn't go exactly as expected. I am so proud of her for being so brave and confident. Eight pounds, seven ounces, twenty-one inches, all boy. It is different the second time. You know what to expect more so there is a bit more comfort but knowing more made me more emotional. I was so taken by the process of everything this time. So proud of Janet for enduring so much over the past 38 weeks and for finishing so strong. When you hear that first gasp of air and the cry that follows it changes you forever. From that moment to now things are different. We are a "family" now. Not just Janet, Andrew and Bijou. It just feels like so much more to me. I didn't expect it. It just feels great.
Wanting to get home as soon as possible for Bijou, we spent just one night in the hospital. Night one was naturally nervous and not completely smooth. We had to learn what he liked and how he would eat and all that good stuff. Night two was better. Night three through tonight has been better than could ever be expected. He eats two to three times over night, and just gives a half cry-grunt when he is ready to eat. Keep the dipper clean and he is one content baby.
Bijou has been super. We have been letting her take her time warming up to him. She has been very excited to point out "baby" from the start. Every day she helps out more and more. Bringing his blanket or pacifier or helping to "genitally" burp new brother. Occasionally giving a hug or kiss. She has been handling the shift of attention very well thus far.
So all the questions that I had about things around the house and training and such have been great so far. I have no problem dropping any of those things if need be. My joy comes from the blessing that God has given me. The biggest ones in my life are my wife and my children. If I need to give them all my attention then they have it, no question. Being able to get a decent nights rest and having wonderful help from grandma and grandpa and our close friends bringing meals and such, I have been able to get in about seventy percent of my workouts this past week. Much more than I could have expected. I even got to clean the garage for the first time this summer today, with Bijou's help of course. What a helper!
Tonight was Armand's first pontoon ride on the river with the family. What a blessing that everything has been going so well. One day at a time, we do what we can.
What an adventure! How amaizing it is to be on this side of the calender. For the longest time it looked so far away and now we are her. What a blessing.