Shane's first web video

We've finally figured out the whole video on the internet thing using our digital still camera. Thanks to several of you who offered tips.

Here's a short video starring Shane...well, he's sleeping, but he's still the star. Perhaps because during the pregnancy there was constant noise around us, Shane seems to sleep best when there is noise. In this case, Hillsong music blasting away. Enjoy!

(For people new to the web-video thing, just click on the "play" button twice. The voice and image don't seem to be exactly synced, but we'll work on that.)

Shane's Progress Report

Grandpa and Grandma Spotts are here and taking LOTS of pictures, some of which will soon be featured. In the meantime, a report on our little guys progress. Shane and I had our 6 week doctors appointment yesterday. He only cried, and quite fiercely, during his DPT and Hep B shots. Right in the upper thighs. But he recovered quickly. Recovery took a little longer for Grandma Spotts :) Because Shane is our "Indian baby" he will be receiving all the immunizations that babies here receive. Fine by us, although I will still be consulting my bro since he's a "child immunization pro"--this is what he does for a living.

Shane is now a very healthy 11 lbs. 5 ounces (good job me). His belly button looks great after the cord fell off 2 1/2 weeks later! He is holding his head up more and more, turning it on his own, and rocking to the left and right in my arms. I really have to hold him tight these days. He likes his baths but it's all about the timing. He coos and smiles regularly, especially in the morning which plants a smile on Ben's not-a-morning-person face. He's a fierce eater and not so much a consistant napper in the day. He and I are in boot-camp nap training these days, an emotionally and mentally exhausting must-do. He's sleeping through the night which gives me more rest than I've had in a month. This is a good thing which gets me through the tiring days.

He's an overall happy kiddo. There's lots of love being poured into his life, and that the best training of all.

Ben's other baby?

About a week after Shane arrived, she arrived. She sits in the corner of our living room 24 hours a day and hums quietly. She is white, beautiful and well-behaved. She has stolen my heart. Curious?

We bought an inverter. This wonderful piece of equipment consists of a huge battery, some wires, and a thing that converts the electricity from the battery into the current to power our fans and lights when the power goes out. It gives us power for about 4 hours and we are thrilled to have it! Power outages are common here in the summer and often scheduled for 2 hours a day.

The other new thing at the Spotts home is a beautiful coat of snow on our roof. Well, actually it is a double-layer of white paint called "Surya Cool Home". The special paint promises to keep the cement roof from soaking up the heat of the sun. And, so far, it seems to be keeping the interior of our house much cooler during the summer heat!

We are grateful for both of these things. Now if we could just turn on the tap and be assured that water would come out. (Even when it does, there is never enough pressure for a shower so we're experts at bucket/dipper baths.) Or if we could find a way to keep the mosquitoes out of the house. Or if we didn't have to drive the car through raw sewage running across our street. But that's the challenge of living in a developing country!

Some days it is fun and some days not. But we're convinced that we're in the place we should be and that makes it bearable.

Care package wish list

We're always thrilled to get stuff in the mail...and quite a few people have sent us care packages since we moved 17 months ago. Thank you because we know it is a sacrifice of money (for postage mostly!) and time for each of you!

Below is a wish list that we'll periodically update. We'll put a link to this list on the side of this blog so you can always find it. We've selected items that we can't get in India, or are very expensive here. Most of these are items that usually do fine in the mail, but for things that may melt or get stolen, contact us and we'll have someone hand-carry them over. Of course, you can use this list to brainstorm and surprise us with something not on the list, too! If you do want to mail us something, PLEASE contact us by email to confirm our address and the best way to get it here.

The list starts with the least expensive and includes a few "splurge-items" we love at the end.

• school programs or newspaper articles that mention you or your family
• newspaper clippings about local news (i.e. Hood River News, The Oregonian)
• music or book review clippings
• cartoon clippings
• photos of you and your family (our frig needs decorating!)
• newspaper/magazine clippings about children-at-risk
• microwavable kettlecorn
• Cliff Bars (carrot cake flavor is Lib's favorite)
• candy: Butterfinger, white chocolate Kit Kats, black licorice (favorite is organic brands)
• magazines: any flyfishing, any sailing, any running/health mag, Cooking Light, Real Simple, Wired, Relevant, Reader’s Digest
• powdered hummus mix
• cereal: Honey Smacks, Cheerios, and Rice Crispies (these are $10+ a box over here!)
• Parmesean cheese
• pretzels
• root beer flavored anything
• Bath & Body Works hand liquid soap
• dried fruit (non-sugared; especially pears, cherries, and peaches)

Splurge-items!

• Glutin-free products
• freeze dried fruit (non-sugared; especially blueberries, peaches, strawberries)
• smoked salmon (check out http://www.ilovesalmon.com/!)
• iTunes gift cards
• Garrison Keillor CDs (Lake Wobegon stories)
• DVDs (see our DVD Wish List)

Have enuf for now of these, but will probably "re-add" them to the list in the future:

• beef jerky
• Altoids strips (also called “smalls”) or gum
• coffee beans (whole; extra bold flavor)
• hot chocolate packets
• hot apple cider packets

Bath Time Again

Shane loves his teddy onesie. But he's about to be de-robed.

A fully exposed Buddha-belly. There's a six-pack under that milk belly.

Smelling baby-fresh, after a warm bath and Bert's Bee's Apricot baby oil on dry hands and feet. Shane loves Daddy-time.

Mossy’s: Not Welcome

Mosquitoes are definitely not welcome in our home anymore. They never have been visitors we welcome kindly, and we don’t appreciate their abrupt and intrusive behavior when they come for a visit. Especially now.

Shane had been sleeping his crib for one week when I began to notice little red swelling bights on his cheeks, legs and arms. One morning I found about eight bights on his face, bights that our friend called “kisses.” I don’t too heartily agree with that term. Nonetheless, it was time to give the mossy’s an official farewell party.

While I’m sure Spiderman “spiders” nicely, and Superman is quite super, and the Incredible Hulk is actually quite hulky, and Batman isn’t as scary as those venomous flying creature, the Super Hero in our home is quite distinctly Dad himself. And though can’t fly, he is quite super, definitely hulky and only venomous when his soccer team losses. Dad Ben swung into action!

First the packed-up Pack-n-Play was unpacked. Both he and my dad (visiting) assembled it, and found a mosquito net that fit perfectly within a few hours that very night. This would be Shane’s alternative bed until a net was found, or made, for the crib (which has slatted sides).

Ben then took careful measurements of the crib and scavenged the entire city for another net. After visiting several stores and making some phone calls, The Store was found among the rubbles. He came home as proud as a lion that’s caught his first meal of the night. The Pack-n-Play was put away, the crib reassembled and wah-lah, a mosquito net that not only fit perfectly, but wasn’t that hideous either.

Although Shane still gets an occasional bight during early a.m. feedings with mom, he sleeps much more soundly these days. Or is that mom and dad who do? Meanwhile, Super Hero Dad stands guard waiting for another mossy to bight. And when he does, watch out!

Notice to all mossy’s: The American blood-buffet has been cancelled in Hyderabad, India.

Four Weeks

Shane is entering his fourth week of life. His pediatrician says he's gaining weight, looking happy, and my-oh-my what a handsome boy.

Or did I say that? He keeps Ben and I smiling with his million-dollar facial expressions. I'm in the process of counting his fat rolls. So far so good.

We love you Shane.

US vs. India delivery

A few people have asked how the delivery and hospital stay were different here in India vs. in the USA. Obviously, we've never had a baby in the US, but based on what we have heard from friends, here are some (mostly pleasant) differences:

• Over here the husband is rarely allowed into the delivery room, but I got in
• They were happy for us to take pictures and video in the delivery room
• Over here you have to move to three different rooms during the delivery
• Most of the nurses and helpers don't speak English! We used a little bit of our Hindi.
• Some doctors insist that you don't let the kid sleep under the fan (and give other traditional advice)
• They refuse to do any circumcisions until a couple weeks after the birth; we convinced them otherwise but tramautized the hospital staff in the process (they hate to see any baby cry, ever!)
• You don't have nurses coming in all night. Just a visit at 8:30pm (just after dinner) and then at 7:15am in the morning when they serve you tea
• After 7:30am, there are four types of staff visiting your room: doctors, nurses, doulas (older ladies who bathe mother & child, change diapers, etc.) and cleaning ladies. Libby wanted to take the doulas home.
• The food for both patient and one guest (me!) is almost all rice; no meat, only some eggs for the mother
• Tea and snacks are delivered to your door at 7:15am and 5pm
• Visiting hours are very very strict: from 5-8pm and a guard walks down the hall ringing a bell at 7:45pm to warn the familes milling about that it's time to "make a move"
• If you order "room service" (the cafeteria will deliver to your room), then you have to pay cash since they won't just add it to the bill
• There are pediatricians and anesthesiologists in-house 24-7!
• The entire cost of the delivery and after-care are (understatement!) very reasonable: $760

Finally, for all the curious people who have been on the edge of your seats out there: YES, I have changed several diapers and lived to tell about it.

Sleepy Happy Shane

Dreaming of ...

...Swimming with mommy. Preferably in a warm ocean. Preferably in crystal-clear ice-blue waters. On a tropical island. With cold lemonade on tap.
...Flyshing with daddy using a 4 weight rod with weight-forward line and a wooly bugger size 12 on a small mountain stream (I didn't make this up. My husband just dictated this to me after telepathically communicating with our son).
...Reading all of Charles Dickens books. Four times
...Double-tall soy latte's. Iced in the summer.
...Sailing in Hood River with the ever-messy, wind-in-your-face-and-hair look.
...Grandpa Spotts' blueberry pancakes. And canned peaches. And pears.


No wonder he's smiling!

Dr. Evita and Andi and Gareth visit photos

Gareth and Andi are originally from the UK and working in India for two years. They have become good friends and shared a celebratory bottle of Sula champagne with us during their visit to the hospital!

Dr. Evita Fernandez is our doctor and Shane's first crush. Read more about Dr. Evita...she is an amazing woman who lets God use her to bless many people every day.

Sometimes I Feel...

Shane Daniel

Why the name "Shane"? Shane means "God is gracious." We desire for our son to grow in grace, to love others with the strength that only grace can give, and to allow himself to experience grace from his family.

Why "Daniel"? Although it is my dad's middle name, this is the name he goes by--Dan. In honor of Grandpa Crawford, Shane shares his middle name with the man who gave me life and who continues to give of his life and compassion to people worldwide.

Shane, we've been waiting for you!

Here's a copy of the e-announcement that we just sent out. We'll post more pictures and fun stories in the days ahead.

* * * * *

On Thurs. morning (Feb. 8th, 11:41am IST), Shane Daniel Spotts arrived. We are thrilled and things went smoothly in so many ways: a traffic-free drive across Hyderabad, wonderful staff at Fernandez Hospital, a safe delivery (with help from an epidural), Ben was allowed to be with Libby the entire time, and the one “deluxe” room (which simply means it has air conditioning, a little cot for dad to sleep, etc.) was available when we checked in! It’s evident to us that God’s hand was upon the whole event.


The other details on Shane:
7 lbs. 5.5 oz (3.33 kg)
20.5 in. (52 cm approximately; because they usually don’t measure the length of Indian babies)
Blue eyes (we think)
Fair skin (because Indians always ask; of course his skin is also red, if upset, and blue, if cold, etc.)

We just got home from the hospital a few hours ago. We’d appreciate your prayers for all that is ahead. Ben will take some time off for paternity leave and Libby’s parents arrive on Monday. We are thankful to God for Shane, for the miracle and sanctity of life, and for you and your interest in us!

With love,
Ben, Libby and Shane

2+1=3

Our Favorite will soon arrive. Favorite curly smile, Favorite clingy snuggles, Favorite forever memories, Favorite tussle of hair. Fatigue, new challenges, difficult adjustments ahead, yes. But our Favorite.

Week 39. In a matter of time our family of two will be three. In a matter of time, our very flesh and blood, the miracle of a child, boy or girl, will be ours to hold and to have.

We are simply overwhelmed by the gifts you have sent, lovingly made, and intentionally asked about. We say thank you, THANK YOU.

Carpe' Diem. Seize the day.

We Have No Pants

My folks dropped by for a three-day visit (they'll be back in two-weeks). We toured the hospital where Dr. Dad and Nurse Mom meet Dr. Evita, saw the labor ward, and noted the highly professional medical facilities. Dad bought a gift for Dr. Evita. Fancy chocolate you might ask? No. A pocket-sized doppler. Mom couldn't stand having the doppler in the house and Baby S. to use it on. So before handing over the gift, dad administered an at-home check-up and we listened to the heartbeat--thud-thud, thud-thud.

Another highlight was the 7 a.m. walk with dad. He said hi to every person we passed, picked up a newspaper, and we were back home just as Ben and mom rolled out of their beds. With hazy lazy eyes they gazed at us, disgusted by morning-people who sip coffee and have the boldness to welcome the day with a "Good morning!"

On Friday while the guys fastened in the car seat, mom and I attacked the baby room with stealth. At one point I commented, I guess several times that "we have no pants" (in lue of trying to find baby pants) at which point the guys stuck their heads in the room and said, "You have no pants??" Ben continued to repeat "We have no pants" throughout the day at random moments suffering us all into giggles and laughs.

It was great having mom and dad around. The next time they see us, life could be totally different. Though some things may never change like morning walks, morning "good mornings", and jokes on who has "no pants".

Family time is good time. And sometimes it's funny too.

Pregnancy Update and Refresher

In lue of our delivery date nearing (Feb 13th), here's a brief update and refresher of already known facts and maybe some new ones.

Facts:

• At week 37, I'm considered full-term.
• Total weight gain (all the ladies want to know) is 22lbs.
• My folks will be here for either the delivery or post-delivery. First they have medical training in a nearby state, and afterwards will fly to Hyderabad arriving on the due date of Baby S.
• We (still) do not know the sex of our baby (and won't). Yes we have a hunch and that's a secret.
• A name has not been nailed down, but we're close.
• The baby room is furnished with a crib, makeshift changing table (aka: single bed), diapers, clothes, wipes, and my favorite, a rocking chair.
• Continued exercise throughout the pregnancy has freed me from too many aches and pains, though I am ready to sleep on my tummy, practice yoga moves, and run again.
• Specific cravings: apple juice just before bed and oranges. Lots of oranges!
• Ben will take time off for baby/mother caring.
• Ben's folks have tickets for mid-March. They'll stay two weeks. And volunteered to babysit so Ben and I can take a date for our three-year anniversary.
• Baby S. has regular bouts of hiccups.
• I've read them all!, picked and nibbled at some great concepts, thrown out legalism, and come across one or two great reads. Feedings, sleep schedules...thank you for the grace of Your guidance.
• And finally, Feb is a popular time for babies due to the auspicious time that comes nine months prior--May. A religiously-held "lucky" time to marry, thus conceive as well, on the wedding night. We joined the ranks without even knowing it!

Time Keeps on Ticken

The clock is ticken.

Week 36 ends. Month nine and no turning back. Dr. Evita will begin to evaluate the "readiness" of my body to deliver. The hospital bag is (partially) packed. The crib is (partially) prepared. Baby clothes are drying on the line outside. Grandparents have tickets to India. I'm tired. Fatigued. Anxious. I can't wait to meet you! Ben arranges for the installment of an AC so the whole family doesn't melt this summer. I stay awake at night baby names whirling in my head. Ben does the Bill Cosby impression of Lamaze breathing. We think it's hilarious. Labor won't be.

The clock is ticken.

Labor and Delivery 101

Ben was doing his homework last night. Reading through a chapter "for spouses only" in the pregnancy book, let out a few gasps, asked some provoking questions ("They do WHAT with forceps?!") and landed on the section about cheering his beloved wife through "pushing." This conversation followed...

So Babe, do you want me to cheer "push, push, push" along with the doctor, or should I kick everyone out?

Well Hon, I really don't how I'll feel right th.....

But think of this: when you are running a race, are you encouraged by people cheering for you?

Yes, actually I...

Alrighty then. I'll have the doctor and staff line up and, "Give me an L, give me an I, give me a B.."

I'm not sure if humor will be the best for me right th...

No. It's gonne be great. We're bringing in the pom-poms.

Not only do have to worry about forceps, I now have the head-cheerleader planning routines to chant our way through delivery, pom-poms and all.

Clippin' n' Snippin'

Today I am clippin’ n’ snippin’. It’s called “nesting” and I’m supposed to be madly dashing around the house dusting every nook and cranny, killing every cell and molecule no matter how miniscule, of germs I may find. I’m supposed to be folding and unfolding baby clothes, testing out every cream, every ointment and every medication that will be put on, under or into my baby. Ben, on the other hand, is supposed to be finding new hobbies he’s never loved before but now finds great pleasure in, like assembling a 500-piece do-it-yourself “easy-to-assemble” bookcase in 15 minutes flat. Or planting a crop of corn in the dust of our front yard and grunting at the end of the day how fulfilled he feels, how he’s “redeemed the day.”

I’ll definitely let you know when this happen. Maybe that’s what today was? Today I clipped and snipped off “for sale” tags on baby clothes, toys, and blankets. I definitely have a sense of satisfaction. Like removing the “Do Not Ever Remove” tag off your pillow. So I did this with some baby’s clothes, etc. More plastic containers to fill, so there was also time spent arranging miniature everythings. I have a sense of satisfaction in appearing organized for the time being. Ben hasn’t planted a new crop or assembled any bookcases lately. But he is working hard to keep the car clean, dust his bike, replace broken tub lights, hang framed art, manage finances, suggest ideas for the baby room, take me diaper shopping, check the health of our plants… oh wait. That’s all normal.

Nesting. Hum. What does it mean to you?

Beautiful Foot

I never liked my feet. I ran around barefoot for a good 10 years before I was forced to wear socks and shoes. During those ten years, I had some tough toes. But I also suffered severe pain from my heels that cracked and bled. My feet have an allergic reaction, different than athlete's foot, when left uncovered. My dad often bandaged them up in long strips of white cloth until the hurt healed.

So my torn, bleeding and calloused feet really were ugly. But it wasn't until I was 18 years old that the truth about my feet was realized. Flying high above the lush forests of Madagascar in a six-person airplane, I was reading my Bible. Romans 10:15, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. It came at me sharp like a blade.

For it was on this day that I had spent many hours with abondanded and rejected twins. Nestled in a small village, twins were a curse and a taboo, literally thrown away. The forgotten ones. I'd spent the day in a rescue home for the twins. It was one of the first moments in my life where a tangible expression of sin crushed me, heart and soal, so tremendously.

From that day on, my feet became beautiful. And Romans 10:15 became my life verse. I felt like God had whispered a personal, tangible message of his love and dreams for my life. He took my uglyness and made it good.

So it's no surprise that at our last ultrasound, all Ben and I were able to see were feet, and more feet. Our baby was all folded up, and all he/she allowed us to see were feet. What beauitful feet.