First Thanksgiving

So the timing didn't work out for Liam to really be able to enjoy his first Thanksgiving - this was as close as he got to turkey.

And how can you truly appreciate a holiday that's based on the principle of gluttony if you can't partake yourself? But he did get to see relatives in Connecticut that have been longing to see him again or for the first time, like Uncle Ben, in some cases. He also saw relatives from Colorado (Dave, Eileen, Luke and Matthew) whom we don't see that often when we got back up to Needham, and that's really what the holiday season is all about.

Liam was a trooper in his car seat for the rides to and from Wallingford, and his cute Thanksgiving outfit was no worse for the wear at either destination (note - this is pretty much the only age boys can sport clothes with writing on the butt, unless they're taking over Richard Simmons' gig).

Next year, Liam looks forward to seeing all his relatives again, as well as enjoying some turkey stuffing and apple pie!

Visit from Grandma

Grandma came up to visit last week, saying she had "Liam Withdrawal". Mom was happy to have the company. Liam appears to be checking her out...

Boston College vs. Notre Dame

Liam watched his first BC-Notre Dame football game tonight with mommy and daddy, as well as Aunt Moira. Daddy had ambitious plans to make this the first game Liam attended in person, but the schedule makers and Mother Nature had other plans - one rainy night game in November plus a one month old had a high likelihood of equalling disaster.

So we watched from the comfort of our couch and Liam showed his school spirit by donning his BC shoes, which are still slightly large on him. We'd like to think it helped, but it didn't seem like the Eagles needed any outside assistance in shutting out Notre Dame, on their way to a sixth consecutive victory over the seemingly hapless "Fighting" Irish.

Next football season, young Liam will be rearing and ready to go and support the maroon and gold in person.

Voting Day

While Liam still has 18 years to go before he can vote, that didn't keep him from getting in the spirit with his patriotic 2008 outfit and accompanying Mom to the polls! We look forward to explaining to Liam someday that he was alive for one of the most significant moments in our country's history.

Aunt Rachel and Cousin Katelyn

The day after Halloween, Grandma, Aunt Rachel and Cousin Katelyn drove up from Connecticut (Grandma used her new FastLane transponder) to see Liam. It was the first time Aunt Rachel and Katelyn had met Liam, and Katelyn was very excited to meet her new cousin and, more specifically, hold him.

After Aunt Rachel was able to pry Liam away from Katelyn, she decided she would read her cousin a story. In an effort to make up for lost time since she didn't get to meet Liam the day he was born, Katelyn also brushed his hair, observed a diaper change up close and helped to feed the little guy.

Halloween

Liam's first Halloween... His daytime costume was, as friend Mike put it, his "possessed demon candycorn shirt" (although it didn't make it through the day as Liam decided to christen it). Mom & Dad didn't venture out with the little guy; just handed out candy to all the neighborhood kids. We're sure next year will be a big event!

Also of great significance on Halloween - we put Liam in his crib for the first time that night, and it was the answer to our prayers! He has been sleeping consistently in 4+ hour stretches, waking up to eat and going right back to sleep. Mommy and Daddy have been enjoying more sleep at night and wish they had made this move much sooner. Oh well, part of the learning process.

First Bath

Liam had his first bath... quite the experience for Mom & Dad, but not as bad as anticipated. Liam loves the water (only screams when naked and not IN the water) and doesn't even mind getting his hair washed!! Do we have a future fish here? Let's hope Dad doesn't open the pool in late April to start teaching Liam to swim - waiting till June is perfectly acceptable (and warmer)!

Halloween Party

Liam attended the annual ESG (Bill's office) Halloween party for employees' children at the ripe old age of 11 days! Though he slept the entire time, even when we slipped on his Tigger outfit, he was the hit of the party.

Next year we expect less sleeping and more hunting for candy (for mommy and daddy to eat of course).

First Visitors

Our first weekend home (Oct 18-19) was full of visitors - literally, a revolving door!

Nicole, Mom's friend from work, came over Friday night and brought Mom & Dad dinner from one of their favorite restaurants... John Harvard's. Mom even got to enjoy some Harvest Spice while catching up on some work gossip!

Aunt Moira came by late Friday night and stayed over with us. She shared diaper and feeding duties with Dad. She hung out with us again on Sunday before heading back to NYC.

Grandpa came up from CT to meet Liam on Saturday and brought LOTS of food with him (Mom & Dad were super happy... no need to worry about dinners for quite some time!).

Liam met friend Stacey on Saturday as well. He can't wait to meet Chris and their twin girls Hailey and Riley, and hopes he won't end up on Chris' "boys to watch list." A shout out to the Sheehan's who introduced us to the blog site and have a site of their own:

http://familysheehan.blogspot.com/

The Saturday visits (Oct 18) concluded with the Parkers (Siddha and Teal) stopping by after taking their son Will to a Halloween party. Will is an active and well-behaved two year old boy, and thanks to him, we will know exactly how to child-proof our house for Liam when the time comes.

The weekend wrapped up with a another visit from Grandma and Grandpa on their way home from the Cape (they brought a new friend for Liam) as well as a visit from the MacAvoys - Ma and Pa Sleeps (up from the Island for the BC-Virginia Tech game) and Bryan and his lovely southern belle, Mary Kate - on Sunday (Oct 19) on their way out west to do a little apple picking. Liam received his first BC hockey sweater and he can't wait to wear it during the Frozen Four this April.

Liam's new friend:

Going Home

Thursday (Oct 16) was the day to go home.... After a late start (the circumcision got pushed to Thursday, so we couldn't leave at the scheduled 10 am discharge time), we finally left the hospital.

Here's Liam's first ride in his car seat as well as his first time wearing anything but a hospital blanket and onesie!

We were suprised with a greeting at our door when we got home - Thanks Nana and Papa!

Later that evening, Grandma and Grandpa were finally able to meet Liam. They stayed over and managed to get through the night despite some screaming. Sorry!!

The Red Sox played our first night home. We think Liam's new hat brought them luck.... will he be as superstitious as Dad?!?!?!

Our Stay at the Brigham

Due to Liam's arrival time, we were lucky enough to be able to stay at the hospital 3 nights. (If your delivery time is between 8 and midnight, you're admitted the following day... so, in our case, Tuesday despite the fact that Liam was born on Monday evening). Dad says that Liam already has Mom's sense of fiscal responsibility....

Everyone at the hospital was great. The nurses really make or break the experience, and we had some really great nurses. Here's the view from our room. Not bad!

While at the hospital there were lots of visitors. Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Rachel and Cousin Katelyn came up on Monday with high hopes of seeing our little guy, but alas, he held out being born until after visiting hours, so they had to travel all the way back to Connecticut without a peek. But there's plenty of time for visiting in the future. Nana and Papa made their way in every day while we were there.

We were also lucky enough to see Aunt Jess and Cousins Aidan and Owen. Uncle Joe wanted to make it, but the pediatrician appointment ran late and he had a show to get to. Next time!!!!

Liam's Arrival

Well, it has taken a while, but let's get this party (I mean blog) started... We'll wrap up the first three weeks all in one shot (yes, it's been three weeks already) and then hopefully update on a more frequent basis.

Liam Richard Lundell arrived in the world at 10:44pm on October 13, 2008 after putting Mom through 27+ hours of labor (the 2 very bad, Boston sporting events - Pats and Sox - that occured over those hours were not very distracting). Weighing in at 8 lbs 8 oz and measuring 21.6 inches, he's a healthy, happy baby boy (with lots of brown/blond hair) and appears to be freakishly strong for being under 12 hours old, lifting up his own head as soon as he was put onto Mom's chest. We are all doing well and Liam looks forward to taking on the world by storm.

Here's all of us about 2 minutes after Liam arrived into the world as well as Liam and Dad immediately after birth (check out those mitts!)....