Middle Names

Once again, thanks Rhea, for lending space on this page so your distant relatives and friends can also stay in touch with your baby sister:

Hailey Joanna Amara

Joanna - after her Grandmother Joanie and Amara - after her Grandfather Ammar on the other side.

Rhea was able to speak to her Grandma overseas from the taxi on the way to register the birth of Hailey, just before the names were inked into the official form at Mercy.

Solo Artist

This is pure RTMT.

Collaboration.

Working in partnership with her big cousin Lorelei and her dad on this one. The new crayons and sketch pad are a big hit.

My baby sister

All pride, tlc, and tender kisses so far. A little baby acting on the side but so far doing really well with the new role.

Three ladies

Self Explanatory.

Sisters Meet.

Amazing experience for all. Lots of giggles and excitement - followed by an attention shift to the shiny helium balloon.

Thank you for the overwhelming amount of emails, calls, visits, messages, and #mentions from friends and family. We hope to get back to all of you soon.

Feeding Frenzy

Almost 24 hours old and already firing on all cylinders. We've seen a long list of firsts already.

Two highlights:
- woke (for the tenth time) this morning to some sweet serenadeing from a house wren just outside our window on a section of scaffolding

- our third dirty diaper in less than a day.

- her big shiny blue-ish dark grey eyes.

- three smiles that she served up only for Mother in a private moment together.

- basically she is a miracle.

Well that's more than two but we gotta run for a bath.

Thank you Rhea for being such a patient and understanding big sister and for letting us use your blog.

... Eyes Open for the First Time.

It had to be for Grampa. Not only that, but she attached and fed properly for the first time immediately afterwards!

Hailey's First Visitors

Grandma, Grampa and Sophie came over this afternoon and generated a serious performance.....

Tekin' Breeze.

Going for a stroll in the new wing at Mercy. (Good place to spy on the embassy hehe).

Walkin and Rollin

Mommy Jules doing great already. Surgery Schmergery.

Rest time.

Perfect in every way. Little sister Hailey is getting lots of rest along with Mom and I am told that no children under 9 years would be allowed in the facility.

No rush I supose although I can't wait to film the first encounter. Thanks Carolyn for spending the morning with us!

A few minutes worth of breast feeding already although things are pretty low key with more snoozing in order so far.

Only a couple blinks of the eys so far for Hailey - like this world is still to scary and bright for more than a peep.

Baby Hailey!

Born about 7:45 am this morning. Seven point three seven pounds, excellent APGAR scores. Both doing great, mother and baby snoozing now. Lots of Black hair just like Rhea had.

Rhea is a big sister today.

Getting Ready For Baby.

Helping clean up the house for the expected new arrival. Exciting times.

Sideways Smile

Slide Impact

Be careful with this high speed, steep angled, wooden one at PopEyes on Vlissengen Rd. Its crazy-scary fast - and addictive we found out.

We did sample every single one at the new playground at the national park as well. None quite as quick but the curving blue plastic one in the central jungle gym got top marks by our judging panel of one.