KEENAN IS ONE MONTH OLD!

Vanessa's baby Keenan is one month old today. In honor of his advanced age, I put him on his belly for tummy time. It was a bit of a joke, really, since our little son came out of the womb with an amazing strong body and the ability to lift his head and look all around. So, to get back at me, Keenan didn't cry, he rolled over onto his back. Not bad for a one month old who was born 3 weeks early.

Keenan, or Quinoa (pronounced "Keen Wah") as Van and I call him, is a strong little guy. We jokingly call him The Humanoid, because he is so much more like a six pound grown man than a newborn. He has no baby fat, he already needs a haircut, he can stand on my lap when he leans against my chest, he looks all around and into your face and sizes you up intelligently. I am half expecting him to walk across the floor next week. "What's the youngest baby to stand up?" Daddio asked. We better look that up.




"I think Keenan is going to be a running back. Big wing span, sprinter legs, monster-grip hands. He'll be 5' 9" and fast. He'll be on the high school team in town - The Tigers. GO TIGERS!"

This month of Keenan's life has been, well, chaotic.

First, we got home and I started not sleeping. I've been doing the night shift and the day shift, leaving me ill equipped to take, let alone upload, pictures.

Second, Jack was scheduled to go to Germany for the World Track and Field Championships, to coach Auntie Shea-Shea in the heptathlon and the high jump. Friday before he left, he put in a job application for the Head Coach position with Boise State University. Monday morning, the Boise State Athletic Director called and said, "We'd like to interview you. Can we fly you up today?" So off went Daddio, in his seldom-worn blue suit, to interview in the Northwest.




He was gone two nights and BOY! was that hard on me, with our nocturnal newborn and mother-loving toddler trying to adjust to the big new change. The 10 hour job interview went extremely well. Daddio flew home Wednesday morning, got off the plane, and had to go directly to work for a mandatory meeting. I was none too pleased he had a mandatory meeting during his paternity leave, but that's the way it goes.

Turns out, Jack's boss has decided to step down from her position as Head Coach after 18 years. That's what the meeting was about. So. Another job opportunity: the one we have been hoping for since we moved to California four years ago.

Daddio came home from his interview in Boise and the meeting at work kind of blown away. "This has to be the weirdest week of our life," he said. That is quite a statement. Then he brought in his luggage and jumped in the car to go get my mom and Aunt Cyndi, Daniel and Matthew at the aeropuerto. They arrived for their summer surf vacation. Jack left for Germany the next day.

Having Grandma Patty, Aunt Cyndi, and Daniel and Matthew visiting was quite a God Send for me while Daddio was away for a week. They had fun, too, I think, although it's always um "different" vacationing with a toddler let alone a newborn. Aunt Cyndi wrangled Vanessa like a pro, and Grandma kept house and fed the livestock. Daniel and Matthew explored the county as only 10 and 12 year old boys can - water slides, game rooms, skate boards, bumper boats, banana bikes, segways, ATVs at the dunes... things none of our other visitors would even think of.

Stupefied by lack of sleep and only a half cup of coffee per day, I sat in the recliner, nursed Keenan day and night, and pondered our fate. We watched Auntie Shea-Shea on TV.

When Daddio arrived home, we learned that the Boise State job had been offered to the other finalist. Although we were excited by the opportunity, we didn't get too upset. We wondered if we could really move this month. Jack would have had to fly from Germany to Boise to start work.

The Cal Poly Head Coach job is not a sure thing for Jack to get. In fact, a new Head Coach can come in and fire some or all of the staff in order to hire his or her own staff. So, for the first time ever, Jack and I are worried about whether or not he has a job in a month. The Athletic Director hopes to have a decision made by mid-October. If Jack is fired, that would be a difficult (impossible, perhaps) time of year to get a track and field job. All track and field jobs open in June, July and August. Jack 's application is in and our fingers are crossed.

Here's the local newspaper's article, with a quote from Jack:

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/224/story/814263.html


In the midst of all this, Vanessa is dabbling with potty training herself and weaning herself from breast feeding. She has also demonstrated a bit of a cognitive leap, most notably marked by more language expression. This morning she was speaking to us in Spanish. She had to point it out to us, because we don't know Spanish.

In all ways, VH1 is walking a little taller in her princess shoes. When we went to her preschool ice cream social Vanessa marched off to the ice cream line, got a dish of ice cream, and made her way through the self-serve line of condiments. She did it all by herself, and communicated her needs clearly enough to the ice cream line staff that they did not wonder where her parents were.

Daddio takes her to the track for workouts with Sharon and Chris. Last week the Cal Poly football team was practicing. Van was fascinated. "Daddio? Can I touch them?" she asked. "Not 'til you're much older," he said. "HEY GUYS! PUT ON YOUR HELMETS!" she shouted from the sidelines. They cracked up at that. We think Vanessa thought they were robots.

Next week we are going to be interviewed for an 8 minute CNN documentary on open adoption, along with birthmom Nicole, Zoey, and two other adoptive families and birthmoms. The week after that, Daddio's paternity leave ends and the interviews begin for the Head Coach position. The week after that, Daddio will probably go to Bordeaux, France to coach Auntie Shea-Shea at the Talence multi-event meet. (I'm foolishly toying with the idea of going.) The week after that will be our 18 year wedding anniversary. That pretty much rounds out September.

We have no idea what October will bring.

And oh yeah - we bought a new car because we couldn't fit two car seats in the back of the Saab safely.

"HEY I'M WITH THE KIDS"

Daddio and I are pretty darned excited to finally join the ranks of parents with two children.

"Mama, my baby [brother] is a 'nuggler." Vanessa is pretty stoked, too. She is so digging her new role.

I remember when Vanessa was born I said to Daddio, "Millions of newborns survive first time parents." Now I say to him, "We are not the first family to survive having a second child."

You may know that I am nursing Keenan, because I am still nursing Vanners a little. The bonding with our adopted newborn - who is programmed to comfort to the sound of his mother's voice and smells - is crucial. So far, so good. I smell like milk, he hears my voice when he is being fed said milk, and he trusts me already as a result.

How is Vanessa taking all this. "Expect regression from a 2-3 year old when a newborn is brought home," the experts say.

The second morning home from the hospital, Vanessa climbed onto the big potty unbeknownst to us and dropped a number 2 into it. When she announced she had done this we didn't believe it.

The third morning home from the hospital, after falling asleep with Daddio with no nursing whatsoever, VH1 came in to see me in bed saying, "I want the boob, Mama."
I said, I'm sorry, you can't have it right now - "
"Because baby brother needs it, right? Okay!" and off she went.

When I carry Keenan in his car seat, Vannerkins puts her hand on the handle to help me.

She gets us the boppy and delivers it to our laps, saying, "There you go. That's for the baby."

She loaded some toys on top of Keenan when he was hanging out in the swing. Luckily, they were light weight.

"I think my baby brother wants me to hold him!" she will randomly exclaim. She often holds his hand and tickles his curly hair.

I have been explaining the need for Keenan to nurse more than her, so he can grow, and she seems to be getting it. I say, "You can nurse out of the right side in the morning and after dinner. We'll save the left for the baby (because there's usually more milk in it)." "Yes, she says, that one is full of the heart beat. He likes that."

And Keenan? He is a dream baby! He is serene and good natured. Unlike his big sister, he sleeps for hours, travels very well in his car seat, and rarely cries. Jack and I are incredulous. Daddio is taking a month of paternity leave, which is great, because Vanessa needs attention.

Baby Keenan stares into our eyes, he quiets when I am near, he is trying to stand up, and he can lift his head up and look all around. He is strong like Vanessa was and Daddio thinks he has quick feet. His ankles are still bent up towards his shins, "No ballet for him," I said. "Perfect sprinter form," Daddio noted. He has super quick feet.

On Monday Keenan had his first pediatrician's appointment. "He has excellent muscle tone!" they said. He's only lost one ounce in his first week, so they know he's eating and didn't even schedule a weigh in for Week 2. "He's perfect," they concluded. Yes, he most certainly is.

After that, Keenan had his first professional photo shoot with two photographers who shot him for their portfolios. I had to sign a model release for him. I'll post the shots when I get them.

On Tuesday we packed Keenan, Vanessa and Fleur into the car and headed to Granny's house, because Fleur needed to fly home to Madrid. We said goodbye in a rush, since we thought her flight left at 10:25 pm, but at the last minute we figured out it left at 9:10 p.m. Daddio grabbed Fleur in his arms before she had her shoes completely on, ran to the car, sped to the aeropuerto, and they ran to their gate. I think Fleur thought that was neat. Daddio? Not so much. Fleuritadita made her flight and they had a tearful goodbye at the gate. What a fun time we had with her and now Vanessa knows what it's really like to have a big sister. We think the experience was invaluable and perfectly timed.

At Granny's, we had a small reception for baby Keenan, with cousins Krista, Adrienne and Anthony, and Uncle Mike and "Auntie" Carol (Auntie Susan's sister) there to receive him. Keenan was mellow, but big sister was sprinting for three hours inside the apartment. "Vanessa is a three ring circus!" Auntie Carol remarked. Yes, yes she is.

Also that evening at Granny's we met with the social worker to sign the final papers for Keenan's adoption. IT'S OFFICIAL. Keenan is our son! We have a bottle of champagne from Champagne, France, thanks to Fleur's parents, and a Cuban cigar from Cuba, thanks to Sharon who just competed there. We are going to celebrate this little guy's birth in style! Nothing but the best for The Key Man!

We are in touch with birthmom Nicole each day. I talk with her on the phone and Jack sends her a daily picture. She is already experiencing many surprise blessings since she left the hospital and says she herself has experienced a rebirth with Keenan.

Yesterday sweet baby Keenan was one week old. He and I, sleeping together on Granny's couch, were awake from 4:00 am to 4:20 am, his labor and delivery time, saying prayers together for Nicole.

Auntie Anne called to read me these verses, for Nicole and for Keenan:

Psalm 139

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.


Keenan is a Celtic name meaning "Ancient little one." We believe his name was written in God's book at the dawn of time and that God has been preparing all of us to receive him exactly as he has come to us. He is adopted and was perfectly planned.

WE HAVE A SON!

Yes, the baby shower thank yous were not even written and the tie-dye onesies not yet washed when Nicole called to say that "something was happening." That was Tuesday night. We set the alarm to get up and drive to L.A. first thing Wednesday morning, but baby Keenan couldn't wait.

We got a call from Nicole at 4:00 a.m. that went like this: "Mary? huh-huh-huh-huh-huh. I'm in the car huh-huh-huh-huh-huh on the way to the hospital! huh-huh-huh-huh-huh THE BABY IS COMING." And then we got the call that he had arrived, before we had left the driveway.

Baby Keenan Jackson Hoyt was born at 4:20 a.m. on Wednesday 07/29/09 at Little Company of Mary Hospital in Torrance in Room 316. He weighed 5 lbs. 3 oz and was 18 inches long. The cord was wrapped around his neck, but he was born with excellent APGAR scores. We met him when he was 4 hours old.

When I said, Room 316? Well that's an easy number to remember, thanks to the bible verse, Nicole and friend Alice looked up John 3:16 and read, For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Nicole said that moved her greatly.

Keenan has dark brown hair that looks like a fur coat and feels like heaven. Jack said, "I'm going to rub a bald spot on his head, this hair is so soft I can't help touching it." Keenan was pink with red feet, dark blue eyes and a dimple, but he's getting tanner by the day, his feet still look like skis but are not so red now, and we think he'll have brown eyes soon. His hair looks "wrinkled" like Vanessa's did at birth.

He sleeps, eats and voids like a champ. We took him home on Friday - a 6.5 hour drive with traffic and pit stops - and he didn't cry once. Vanessa and I sat in the back seat and each held one of Keenan's hands as he slept.

Quotes from Vanessa:

"Baby Keenan makes me a big sister."

"Oh, he's so cute, and he has curly hair, like me."

"I'm so happy!" Why? "Because I have a baby brother!"



Vanessa was very excited to hold the baby and cried heartily when she had to let go. The first night home, Vanessa made up a couple little songs about being happy and sharing. She said they were for her baby brother, Keenan.

Keenan settles to my touch and voice. He even smiled for me when I sang to him.

Birthmom Nicole is doing very well. She is gracious and insightful, even through this emotional time. Sister Zoey and Grandma Debbie were present, as was our international house guest, Fleur, and several of Nicole's best friends. Nicole is a blessing to us.

Please pray for God's peace, trust, and wisdom for both Keenan's birth family and adoptive family over the coming days as we finalize this adoption.

FAMILY BABY SHOWER

So much has been happening I can scarcely blog! I can scarcely take photographs! Most important of all, we had VIPs in the house over the weekend... birthmom Nicole, her 4 year old daughter Zoey, her mom, Grandma Debbie, and her friend, Uncle Nanny (real name: Jerome). And - of course! - Vanessa's baby brother.

I told Nicole that people just don't have baby showers before they adopt - that's unheard of. So to have Nicole offer to attend kind of left me and Jack speechless. Most people are nervous about adopting because of the fear it will fall through before the baby is in arms and the last legal document is signed. These are not concerns for Nicole: this adoption is a done deal. She is perfectly comfortable welcoming our (collective) little son into the world together. Nicole is one amazing woman!

Last Thursday, Jack drove home from his coaching clinic at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in San Diego, so he swung by to get Nicole and Zoey at home. They all arrived to our waiting arms and we all headed off to the Farmer's Market.

On Friday we all decorated for the party together, trying to neutralize the princess pink all over the house in honor of a tiny boy. Blue streamers, blue balloons, blue frosted cupcakes, blue plates and napkins - we even hid the princess dresses and dolls and remade the bed and changing table in blue. Bring on the BOY.

Having three girls in the house proved to require a great deal of sharing and, um, mediating. My goodness. All in all, they adore each other. Fleur and Zoey had a slumber party in the big bed together and everyone fawned over Milo. Sure, we had some, um, issues around sharing the lone pink cowboy hat, and tears were shed over who got to sit in the middle of the backseat, and who got to walk Milo on the leash, but other than those occasional moments, the weekend went very smoothy.

On Saturday, the party started at 11:00 a.m., the sandwiches arrived at 12:00 p.m., the gifts were opened about 2:00 p.m. and the tie-dying and water balloons fights went on the whole time. Surprise guests included Auntie Susan and cousin Julia from Modesto, "Auntie" Nell and Braidy from L.A., and "Auntie" Shea-Shea's godmother and cousins from Riverside.

Some of the usual suspects - our homies - were with us, too. Moms and babies from our birthing class and mothers group, "Uncle" Chris and "Auntie" Shea-Shea, neighbors Jennifer and Vanessa's b.f.f. Andrea, my work friend Lisa, and of course our big, new extended family. In all, we had 25 people, including 11 children. My only regret is that I could have taken more pictures!

After the shower guests left, we had time with Nicole, Zoey, Grandma Debbie and Uncle Nanny. We went out for seafood tacos, then home for ice cream, and hung out chatting before bed. Sunday we were up for coffee and breakfast before a beach walk to the tide pools.

Our VIPs all left after that, but we felt warm and fuzzy and feeling like we were never going to be the same again, in wonderful new ways.

Are we blessed, or what? This is the mother of our baby!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

Yesterday we retrieved 6 year old Fleur from the aeropuerto and Let The Fun Begin doesn't (begin to) describe what's going on around here. Woo hoo!

We stayed with Granny, then Daddio, Vanners and I greeted Fleur at the gate, after she had flown half-way around the world alone. Yes, that's the kind of girl she is!

Of course I had a spectacular fall just before we headed off the aeropuerto, and we worried that I broke my arm! So no pics yesterday from me - my arm wouldn't work. Daddio had to do everything. Thank goodness he's so supremely capable. No gaggle of giggling girls is a match for this Olympic coach. No siree.

After a picnic lunch and some playground exercise, the girls snoozed in the backseat of the car for our 3 hour drive home. Then, fireworks in our park at night with Uncle Chris. All very fun indeed.

Today, b.f.f. Andrea (a.k.a. AJ) came over and we think our house has become the princess girl hangout of the universe. Of course princesses are not above beach walks and howling like puppies - it's not all tiaras and unicorn stickers - but most activities do default to the wearing of the princess attire.

Fleur will be attending the YMCA camp five days a week for the month, to help her language immersion.

Next big event? Our BABY SHOWER - with our beloved birthmom present - on July 25th. Can you make it?