Michael

Everyone we have been talking to has asked us for some more pics of the new little guy. Here goes.

Michael Ryan Morton was born at 0752 on 7 June 2011. He weighed 8 lbs. 11 oz. (which is exactly what Jared weighed), and was 21 1/4" long. His Apgar scores at 1" and 5" were 8 and 9, respectively, meaning he was pretty much an optimally healthy baby. He was born at Fairview Ridges Hospital in Burnsville, MN via a scheduled C-section. As far as the name goes, there is no specific reason that we named him Michael, other than it being a classic name that sounds good at all ages. His middle name is after Ryan Hess, the good friend of ours that died last May. I wouldn't name one of my kids after just anyone, but Ryan Hess was an exceptional person - an example in a thousand ways. I am honored to have my boy carry his name.

I have been given permission by Katelin to say what I am about to say this: Things could barely have gone any smoother. After the surgery, Kate had some nausea, but meds were always able to take care of it before any vomiting, and it had subsided enough for Katelin to eat by the day after. There were no other complications, and Kate left the hospital just over 48 hours after the C-section. Her OB had said to her a few weeks ago that she was "going to love this C-section." It turns out he was right. He is kind of a pioneer in the use of dissolvable staples. They go in subcutaneously and dissolve after a few days, which means no "train track" scars. Also, less chance of infection, less pain, etc.

Everything also went almost perfectly with the baby. He was a little irritable after his circumcision, which I assured him was completely understandable. He has been eating and voiding well, and seems pretty content. His behavior is a lot like Sara's right after she was born. He is pretty mellow. He spends a few minutes looking around and sneezing when he is awake, and then just goes back to sleep.

Everything is now going fine with the kids also. Initially, John refused to come to the hospital. We could not figure out why, but he was just plain not interested in seeing the baby. He eventually came around, and is really enjoying it now. Sara has been enjoying it for months.

Anyway, the pictures are below.

***WARNING: THE FIRST THREE PICTURES ARE FROM THE OR, A LITTLE BLOODY***

Dr. Shibley starting to lift out the head.

Dr. Shibley lifting Michael out. It's hard to tell from this picture, but his first act in mortality was to whiz all over the doctor.

Dr. Shibley holding up the baby for the first squawk.

First picture after they made the baby presentable.

Michael caterwauling next to his official weight readout.

Michael, paterfamilias, materfamilias.

Eating his fingers.

Putting his finger on his nose. He did this for a long time, and it was really cute.

First sleep.

The happy sister.

The (reluctantly) happy brother. You have no idea how many booger and poop jokes it took to get John to smile. Telling him that Michael peed all over the doctor finally put him over the top for a good belly laugh and a great picture.

The Three.

Baby and Dad.

Baby and Mom.