Saturday, November 17, 2012

Our newest family member:

On November 9th, 2012 at 10:23 pm EAT (East Africa Time), we welcomed the newest member of our family in the the world. Our son, Flint Declan Madrano captured our hearts from the moment we lay eyes on him..and he simultaneously urinated on us. It is amazing the love that we felt from him from the moment we got to meet him.

During the past week since he was born, we spent several days recovering from a traumatic and unwelcome cesarian section delivery in the hospital. The hospital experience was very poor for us and for Flint, and I have not decided yet if I will blog about what we experienced. Perhaps I will at some future date. 

For the time being, I am so consumed by the love and joy I feel for my son and for my husband and would prefer to focus on that. Leaving the hospital was a tremendous relief and Jason and I felt thankful to be back in our apartment with Flint. I find myself staring into his face for hours on end, marveling at this amazing life that we have created and will be responsible for protecting and nurturing. The other day as I was looking into his post-breastfed, sleepy face, I began to think about the life he would live and wonder who he will be. It occurred to me at that moment, that it is very likely that in the last couple year or within the next couple years, another baby will be born with whom Flint may fall in love with and start his own family one day. To think about all the people he will cross paths with, and to imagine how their lives are starting out or progressing was pretty neat.

I hope that he always knows and experiences love, that he develops confidence in himself, and that he always chooses for himself the path that matches his values and interests whatever they may be.

Jason put together the birth announcement while I recovered in the hospital. He did a mighty fine job of it, if I do say so myself:


He he is just seconds after arriving into the world:


His initial weight was 3.045 kg, or 6.75 lbs roughly. He was 47 cm long. 


Flint is posing next to a photo of Jason when Jason was the same age..a few days old:


All babies born in the Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi are entered into their "database:"




Here Flint demonstrates some of his facial muscle maneuvers:







Yawns are contagious, even at 1 day of age:


Dad and Flint share eye contact:



The nipple goes here, mom:


Flint loves the swaddle and a full tummy:


Smitten:





3 comments:

  1. Alana and Jason, my biggest and best congratulations with the arrival of your lovely Flint!! I am so very glad you shared the photos of him. You brought tears to my eyes with your sharing of your happiness! I wish you all - all the best and brightest wishes ! Keep us updated and take care of yourselves. I will share the news with your former coworkers!
    Love,
    Elaine (since i can't get my name to show)

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    Replies
    1. Elaine, thank you do much for your well wishes and kind words. I am so happy to share photos of our little guy and thank you for passing them on to everyone at work. I think of everyone at the office often and hope everyone is well.

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  2. Great pics of a beautiful baby boy! Congratulations!
    Mike

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