Christmas Day

Uncle JP and Uncle Chris

Hi guys - hope you are having a great time in Bali. Happy Christmas from us all in California (and happy birthday Uncle Chris we sent you a little message on Facebook).
Hugs from us all.

Road Trip

Eoin's cheeks are so chubby they wobble in the car. Here he is enjoying a trip around the Marin headlands and listening to U2.

Two months old

Where has the time gone? Eoin is two months old today and we think that we have a rugby player in the making.
Eoin now ways 14lbs and is 24 inches long!!!!!! People constantly think that he is 3 or 4 months old. He has left all his baby clothes behind and is now wearing 3-6 month clothes.
New tricks include rubbing his eyes when he is tired; holding his head up; head butting mommy and daddy when he tries to stand up on your knee; admiring himself in the mirror; talking and smiling lots and finally almost sleeping through the night!

Golden Gate Bridge

We went to Sausalito today for lunch and a little shopping. It was a beautiful sunny day but there was a cold wind. It was Eoin's first time crossing the Golden Gate Bridge and he slept right through the event.

After lunch we headed up to the Marin Headlands and got blown away some more but we did get some amazing views over San Francisco and out over the Pacific. Sometimes you really can't fault living in California.

Splish Splash I'm taking a bath

Eoin is too big for the kitchen sink now so he gets to have his bath's in the big tub. We've moved his bath later so now it is part of his night time routine. After his bath he gets a massage and some milk and then he sits with us while we eat dinner. Then a little later he gets a diaper change and he goes into his sleep sack. Then we feed him and sing some lullabies. At the end of the feed we sing him his last lullaby and he goes down and the best bit he is only waking up once a night around 3am!

Visit with Eoin's birth family

Today was a big day for us all as Eoin's birth family visited us in Palo Alto.

Skye and Hailey had a great time seeing Eoin for the first time. They were really interested in him and wanted to help lots. They both pushed him to the park and back. And they helped him open one of his christmas presents.

We think he looks like his birth sisters especially Hailey; they look like they have the same nose.

First visit to the park

We had fun today! Eoin's birth family visited us. It was the first time that he got to meet his birth sisters Skye and Hailey.

We went for lunch and celebrated Amy's birthday. The girls were very excited to be able to sing happy birthday to their mom.

After lunch we had to run of some of the cheesecake and so we went to the park that is just one block from our home.

Eoin had his first experience of the park and seemed to like it. He loved swinging with Mommy and almost fell asleep. Maybe we'll start going to the park more often now.

Happy Birthday Uncle Joe

Eoin's not quite old enough yet to make you a card but this is the next best thing! Have a great day.

Eoin finds his voice

Daddy's work

Yesterday we visited Daddy at his work. Eoin was shown off to everyone and they all remarked what a good baby he was. All of Andy's colleagues thought that Eoin's big hands and long fingers will make him an excellent computer engineer just like Daddy but Eoin seemed not to like that idea because that was the only time he woke up and whimpered in the whole trip!

Playtime

Eoin loves playing with his new baby gym/play mat. He is starring into a mirror that is above him - it keeps him entertained for ages!

Just for Uncle Joe Part II

Here it goes - this is Eoin having a cry (well not a full on cry I couldn't stand there with a camera and record him really crying that would just be mean!).

Just for Uncle Joe

Uncle Joe wanted to hear more of Eoin's noises so I recorded the little fella while he was in a ''I'm tired but not going to go to sleep' mood. Look out for part two and you'll see what it all leads upto. Are you sure you want to come visit Joe? Enjoy!

Eoin's first cold

Eoin's got his first cold poor fella. He is miserable if he is flat and so I've taken to putting him in his sling to keep him upright. I've also put baby Vick's rub on my chest so that he can smell it. We also put the shower on full and take him into the bathroom to get lots of steam so we are hoping that between these two things we can make him comfortable.

Eoin's favorite place

Eoin's favorite place seems to be the changing table. If he is fussy he is most likely to calm down there (or curled up on my chest). He smiles and coos at us as we change his diaper. Eoin loves to stare at the little bugs we have stuck to the wall next to his changing table. He really seems to stare a lot at the ladybugs and red butterfly. He loves being naked and having a good kick. And he is a very happy boy if a bath follows the getting naked part!

Homer the Monkey

We got a great new play mat for Eoin with tons of developmental stuff in it. Included was a monkey which I have decided to call Homer as I think it has a very close resemblance to Homer Simpson (or is it that Homer Simpson resembles a monkey?)

Eoin is very good at entertaining himself for about 20 minutes in the morning, which is great as it gives me a chance to get a shower. When he is bored of being on his own he is super funny because he doesn't cry he justs gives a few shouts until you come and then he beams at you.

Burping Part II

We've created a second verse to our burping song! So to the tune of Frere Jacques.

Burp, Burp, Burp,
Burp, Burp, Burp.
Big burp please,
Big burp please.
Tummy will feel better,
Tummy will feel better.
Big burp please,
Big burp please.

Yeah I've burped,
Yeah I've burped.
Clever boy,
Clever boy.
Tummy does feel better,
Tummy does feel better.
Now I'll sleep,
Now I'll sleep.

Not having as much luck with the sleeping part as we did with the burping part lol!

Santa

We went to the IAC holiday party today and got to have our first visit with Santa. Eoin really wasn't very sure of the whole thing but at least we got to see friends and catch up with them.

Burping

We have come up with the perfect burping song to sing to Eoin and it normally produces a burp by the end of one rendition. So to the tune of Frere Jacques.

Burp, Burp, Burp,
Burp, Burp, Burp.
Big burp please,
Big burp please.
Tummy will feel better,
Tummy will feel better.
Big burp please,
Big burp please.

Works (nearly) every time.

Funny Parent Moments

So we have both had a couple of funny parent moments in the last couple of days.

Yesterday we went out for brunch with Granny before having to see her off to London. Andy was holding Eoin before the meal and he told me he was damp. I was a little surprised as I had just changed him before we left but sure enough he had a huge wet patch all up his back. So off to the restrooms we went. Once I had undressed him I realized what the problem was - his diaper was only half on and he had a huge builders crack showing! (not sure if builders crack is an English term so a quick explanation - workmen such as builders often wear tool belts that weigh their pants down and so when they bend over you get to see a builders crack).

For the last few weeks Eoin has been sleeping between us in bed (don't worry we have this cool sleeper thing that has hard sides so we can't roll over on him). Last night we put him in his cradle by our bed but this meant that he was further away from Andy. In the dead of the night Andy woke with a start and jumped out of bed confused. When I asked him if he was ok he said he hadn't heard the baby and was worried. After a quick look at Eoin for reassurance Andy went back to bed and slept through the night.

Christening

Eoin was christened on Sunday at Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Palo Alto. It was a wonderful day spent with friends and family. We were very excited to have Amy, Eoin's birthmother, join us for the day. It was so good to see her again and catch up.
Eoin wore the Campkin/Pomianowski family christening gown which dates back to the early 1800's. Fr. George did a great job at the christening and nearly got the pronunciation of all of Eoin's names right. Eoin slept through the whole thing and didn't even flinch when the water was poured over his head. Our favorite part was when all the children at the mass where invited to welcome Eoin to the church. They all came up and blessed him on his forehead.
Katie fulfilled he godmother duties perfectly and represented our other godparents who were back in Ireland and England. We know that Katie is going to be a great god mommy (especially when it comes to teaching Eoin to swim!).
After church we had a big lunch at one of our favorite restaurants and before we knew it the sun had gone down and we were all exhausted.

Four weeks old today

Eoin is four weeks old today and has come home from his one month check up.
He now weighs in at exactly 10 lbs which puts him in the sixtieth percentile. He has grown taller and is 21.5 inches (55 percentile) and his head circumference is now 37 cm (40 percentile).
He is still eating 4oz every three hours (occasionally every four at night).
Eoin is beginning to try and smile at us but he still mostly smiles in as he is falling asleep.

Baby showers

Our friends threw us two wonderful baby showers this week. On Wednesday Margo and the volunteers at the clinic had a spectacular Champagne and Tea Party in honor of Eoin. He received so many great gifts and all remarked on how well behaved and relaxed he was.
On Saturday our good friend Dorothy threw a more traditional American baby shower for us. Our young friend Jordan came along and held Eoin for the first time. Everyone had a great time and had a good laugh at the silly baby shower games.
Thanks Dorothy and Margo for making our week so special!

Big boy clothes

Eoin has grown so much that he is beginning to fit in his big boy clothes.
Newborn and most of his 1 month stuff is ready to be boxed away and replaced with his 0-3 month clothes.
While he looks super cute in his big boy outfits we kind of wish he would slow down a little and remain small for a little longer.

Visit from Granny

Granny arrived safely from London on Friday. We are all very excited to have her here to celebrate Thanksgiving and Eoin's baptism and of course for her to spend lots of cuddle time with Eoin.

So alert

In the last week Eoin has really become so alert and interested in the world around him. He generally stays awake now for most of the morning and maybe an hour in the afternoon. It's so great to be able to have playtime with him. We sing songs, maybe have a baby massage and yesterday we had our first bath together. Eoin loved it so much just floating in a big bath of water. He seems his most content when he is in the water.
Today I noticed that he really does have big feet. His feet are almost too big for a lot of his sleep suits and his 0-3 month socks. Maybe Andy's dream of having a pro soccer player will come true!

Eoin & Sappho

Sappho is so great with Eoin; if he really starts to cry she comes running to make sure he is ok. And she's taken to trying to groom the little fella but Mommy and Daddy are mean and won't let her (never mind her tongue is like sandpaper!).

Now our other cat Seamus is nowhere to be seen when Eoin cries. He has taken to living under our bed and only comes out for food.

Mommy moments

So I guess sleep deprivation makes you do crazy things...so far I've managed to

1 put moisturizer in my hair;
2 walk all the way to the post office only to remember it's a holiday so it's shut;
3 put clothes washing tabs in the tumble dryer;
4 spell Eoin's middle name wrong in an email announcement;
5 sign my name satan instead of saran on an email (well t and r are right next to each other on the keyboard!)

But you know I can't even explain how great it is to be a mommy. I can't stop smiling and wondering how my heart has room for the love that I feel for our little fella! Parenthood is truly an amazingly wonderful experience.

visit to the beach

We took Eoin for his first trip to the beach yesterday. It was a gorgeous sunny day and not too chilly but all the same Eoin was wrapped up well and was toasty in his sling. We saw seals and lots of birds but no whales this time. We can't wait till he's old enough to build sand castles and go rock pooling.

Lunch with Auntie Katie

On Friday we went for lunch with Auntie Katie. Eoin was great and slept right through. Auntie Katie was very good at eating one handed! The waiters were trying to work out if Eoin looked like me or not; the consensus was he had my cheeks!

Blanket time

Eoin hanging out with his blankie that came all the way from his grandparents in Ireland.

Bathtime

Eoin loves just lying in the warm water and he especially enjoys water being gently poured on his tummy and head. His foam bath support was such a great buy. It keeps him so warm and safe in the water. He feels so cozy in it he sometimes falls asleep.

Play time

Eoin practicing his kicking on his new toy which was a gift from our friends. Andy has him under a strict training regime already. After all it's never too early to try and make the Arsenal football team.

10 best things about Eoin....

1. His big brown eyes that focus on you with such determination.
2. His wonderful smile as he falls asleep.
3. His funny little laugh that he does as he is falling asleep.
4. The smell of his head - someone should bottle the smell of a baby's head.
5.Cuddle time at two in the morning when the world is so quiet and it is just the two of us.
6. His mouth and lips - he expresses himself so much through his lips. He puckers them up in his sleep and clamps them shut when he has had enough food.
7. His long fingers that always seem to find their way out of the swaddling and into his mouth.
8. Swallowing noises while feeding.
9. His vice like grip on our fingers.
10. His little hairy 'hobbit' ears.

two weeks old today

Eoin is two weeks old today and he has grown by over a pound. He weighed 7lbs 5oz at birth, then dropped to 7lbs and is now 8lbs 4oz. Eoin now weighs the same as Mommy did when she was born.
He is beginning to hold his head up and watch the world. He follows us with his eyes and focuses on us when we feed him or sing to him.
His favorite things are of course milk, being sung to and falling asleep on Mommy's chest to the sound of her heart.

Firsts

We've had lots of firsts over the last few days.
On Saturday we all went to our first baby massage class. We learned lots and most importantly Eoin loved it. He loves having his head stroked and his feet massaged.
On Sunday Eoin went to church for the first time. He was a star and slept right through. Everyone there agreed that he is a very handsome boy.
And finally today Eoin had his first chiropractic appointment where Dr Kiser tuned up his spine and helped with the constipation Eoin has had for the last few days. Within an hour of his adjustment he did a huge pooppy diaper!

Feed me!

Eoin trying to find his fingers which he normally does before he wants food.

Growing fast.

Eoin's hair has started to go a little curly. This was just after his bath (which he slept through). We can't believe how quickly he is changing. His face seems to grow and change everyday!

Halloween

All dressed up for Halloween. Eoin looked a little funny as his outfit was way too big for him but still we had to enter into the spirit of things! He wore his owl hat which was a gift from the Swami Family and his pumpkin romper suit with pumpkin socks.

Lullaby

Eoin loves to be sung to. His favorite lullaby is Rain Beautiful Rain by Ladysmith Black Mambaza.
Saran is constantly making up little songs to sing to him about whatever is going - sneezing, sleeping, going for a walk etc. We can't wait till we can teach him to play music; with his really long fingers we think he'll be a great pianist.

The best things about baby....

We keep dwelling on how Eoin has changed our lives so much. We can't quite believe that he is here with us. We love him so much and can't even begin to imagine life without him anymore!
I have been known to start crying just because the smell of his head is so good. We laugh with him when he does his funny little laughs as he is falling asleep. We smile with him as he looks at us and recognizes us. We get lost in his big brown eyes as he stares at us during feeding. And most of all we hug him and love him so much.

Doctor's Visit

Yesterday we had our one week old check up with our doctor. Eoin is doing really well. He now weighs 7lbs 10 oz. He passed all the tests like gripping and moving his head, arms and legs. We've noticed that he is getting really chubby cheeks and the beginnings of a double chin.

We got to meet more of the clinic volunteers today who all agreed that he is a very handsome boy. We're going to go back tomorrow to see Dr Harry who is a volunteer; he used to be head of pediatrics at the clinic and we promised him that we would visit on Halloween when all the doctors and nurses get dressed up and have a little fun. We love our little visits to all our friends at the clinic - it is just the right walking distance and it's a great excuse to get Jamba Juice or Starbucks!

Bouncy Chair

Eoin loves to sit in his bouncy chair after a feed and watch everything that is going on. The chair has a vibrate setting and also plays music. We love the vibrate setting as it really soothes Eoin if he is fussy. He often hangs out in his chair while we eat.

Earthquake

Only eight days old and Eoin experienced his first Earthquake (it was a first for mommy too!). It lasted about a minute and measured 5.6 but we are all safe. We went outside and waited by the house till it was over. We met all the neighbors and had a little natter before we went back inside to pick up the few items that fell over.

Moby Wrap

We tried out our Moby Wrap sling today and we love it!!!!
It took a little while to work out how to put it on but once we got Eoin all tucked up inside he was so warm and snug he fell right to sleep. We went for a walk downtown and stopped for a drink and he never stirred. He feels so snug and secure in it and it keeps our hands free. Definitely a winner!
(Will try and remember to take a photo next time).

Nap Time

Andy managed to capture us all having a nap this afternoon. Eoin likes to stay awake just after a feed and watch the world. He falls asleep about half an hour after food and normally stays asleep until his next feed which at the moment are every two to three hours.

Godmother Katie

Today we went to our church for the baptism preparation class. Katie who is to be god mother came too. We're going to have Eoin's baptism at the end of November when Andy's mom will be visiting from England. Eoin slept right through the class - bet he doesn't sleep right through water being poured over his head at his baptism!

First Bath

Eoin didn't like his first bath....he cried the whole way through. But he did love being wrapped up in his nice warm towel (the nurses advised us to warm up his towel in the tumble drier before use and it did the trick!).

Big brown eyes

We love Eoin's huge brown eyes. When he is awake he loves to watch us and turns to look at us when we talk to him.

Adoptive breastfeeding

Breastfeeding has been fun!
Yesterday was the first time that Eoin latched on without much of a fight but it's still not a good latch. It's getting better and we are both becoming more comfortable with it. We've got about two days worth of breast milk left and then we will have to supplement with formula (I've been pumping a storing the milk that I make). There are so many formulas out there how do you choose? We ended up going with Similac Organic. The plan of action is to let him latch on for as long as he wants at the start of each feed and then top up with formula. It's been difficult to keep up with the pumping on top of looking after a newborn but I'm getting maybe four pumps in a day. And hopefully once we've seen the lactation consultant next week we can improve Eoin's latch.

sucking fingers

Eoin has found his fingers. He sucked his fingers while Mommy and Daddy managed to eat dinner together.

double duty

We were a little worried about how the cats might react to Eoin but both the cats have been great. They sniff him lots; Sappho comes into the room if Eoin cries and Seamus runs away if he cries!

off for a walk

We had our first walk together today. We walked to the doctors office for our first well baby check up. All was perfect and Eoin got a clean bill of health. Of course it was nearly impossible to get out of the clinic as all the nurses, doctors and volunteers that Saran has worked with over the last three years wanted to see the little fella. He has the star of the show!!!!

pronunciation

We've had lots of questions on how to pronounce the little fellas name so here goes:

Eoin = Owen but it is the Irish spelling
Abe = Abae a Filipino name chosen by Amy his birth mother
George = well that's just George chosen in remembrance of a very special man Andy's dad.

Hope this helps!

Eoin Abe George Pomianowski

Eoin Abe George Pomianowski - 7lb 5oz, 20 inches long with big brown eyes and lots of dark straight hair. Born at 12.36 PST on 22 October 2007.

Pandemania

So orginally this blog was called Pomianowski Pandemonium but last night when I was telling Katie about our new blog I called it Pomianowski Pandemania. We all liked this new 'saran word' so much that we have decided to keep it! Yet another 'saranism' to add to the book.

Getting started....

Well we thought we'd give this blogging thing a go. We thought it would be a fun and easy way for everyone to keep up to date with what is going on here with us in Palo Alto. Watch this space for updates on how our adoption is going (www.andyandsaran.com) and any other stuff that might be going on with us.