Homecoming

The view of Charlotte from the hospital window.

Welcome to your new home Alekzander!

Christmas tree @ the hospital...
look what I found under the tree! ;)

Snug in his car seat on the ride home.

The Swistak family is home and in front of
the stork that we've used to celebrate over 10
friends' births... now its Alekzander's turn!

Update: turns out he was actually 21"


Our awesome neighbors (the Woodmans) had balloons
on the mailbox and this cookie cake waiting for us on
our front doorstep! Alekzander is quite a stud...
good looking & solid little man that he is! :)


Finally coming to a rest in the nursery and
about to meet his crib for the first time :)

Special somethings...

Alekzander's (not so small) footprint which has already left a lasting impression on our hearts.

Snuggles, sunshine, snoozes, and showers have done my soul well these past 2 days. It is like a time warp in the hospital, but we are amazed at all the incredible people that have crossed our path since Wednesday morning at 7 a.m. We're savoring this last day in the hospital (coming home Sunday) and the extra TLC that Alekzander and I are receiving.

A sweet story from earlier today... Alekzander had 2 small feedings back to back and kept snoozing on me. We decided to dress him and get him ready for a little stroll around the nursery block and he got so mad! He was still hungry, or so he thought, but couldn't keep his little eyes open. I tried to calm him down and he finally began to relax...especially when the church bells started ringing at noon. The music lasted a good 10 minutes and the bells seranaded him to a sweet, peaceful sleep. It was precious.

Happy 1 day old Alekzander!!!

Thanksgiving night... settled in (at the hospital) and Alekzander and I have all of our Broncos gear on for the Turkey Day game! Even playing the Giants at home the Broncos are underdogs by a touchdown and with the 4 game slide we've taken, things don't look really good for us... but a guy can hope and a fan is always loyal.

It would be an awesome for them to 'win one for Alekzander' and Grandpa Swistak said on the phone that he would give the Broncos winning any other games if they could win this one for him!

One big problem... the hospital doesn't have NFL Network. Searching around online I eventually found the game hosted @ Justin.tv and we were good to go. In case you don't know... these websites have people all over the globe that have suped up computers connected to their TVs and they graciously broadcast the game for free for those that can't get them in their areas (like me, my Dad in NY and Brother in Italy). This host was from Germany and had over 3000 people watching (more on that later).

Broncos leading 16-0 at the half!

Watching online like this gives you a chat window off the to side. Talking with other fans and being a proud new Dad, I told everyone how I just had a baby boy and he's wearing his Broncos gear!


Near the end of the game, I was told that the channel host was going to say something about Alekzander over the live feed to everyone watching! I called my Dad and told him to listen just in time to hear (in a very strong German accent)... "Congratulations Alekzander Svveestock! Zee Newest Broncos Fan in US". At first my Dad thought I had somehow hopped on his computer and said that myself but I explained how over 3000 across the world just heard that. This was a big deal because these channel hosts don't normally interrupt the broadcast.

With the game in the bag, I got off the phone with my Dad after talking about how cool it was to get a Broncos win for Alekzander when I realized that with only a couple minutes left in the game, it was almost the exact time he was born the day before. I watched the clocks closer than the actual game from then on and sure enough... time runs out, Broncos win 26-6... and its 11:26pm!

Happy 24hrs of birth present to Alekzander!!!

Thanksgiving

As could be expected Thanksgiving will forever have a deeper meaning in the Swistak household!
Our baby boy was delivered to us less than 24 hours ago now and already he has rocked our world in the greatest of ways! I'm sure some of it has to do with the sleep deprivation but holding him and having him here has made time have no meaning. It feels like we have already known him, held him, loved on him for days and days already.

I'll watch Ashley and Alekzander sleep and time will stop... he'll be awake and looking around and waving his hands in the air (like he just don't care) and minutes will feel like seconds.

Psalm 100
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations."

When I first heard him cry it truly was a joyful noise... I was reminded that it is God that had made Alekzander as he entered through gates with thanksgiving. I constant prayers are that Alekzander will grow to know and love the Lord as we have and continue it to future generations.

Ashley... THANKS for GIVING me the gift of a baby boy!

Welcome Alekzander John Swistak!!!

Now introducing... standing (laying really) 21 inches* and weighing in at a whopping 8 pounds 15 ounces...

ALEKZANDER JOHN SWISTAK!!!

Arriving just before midnight on Wednesday, he wasn't officially a Thanksgiving Day baby but he sure gives us reason for thanks!


Will post more info/pics/updates tomorrow but Dad needs some sleep!!! We've been here and on go since 7am!!!

*edit/update:  they had him @ 20" after birth but at his first pediatrician appointment at less than a week old they actually measured him out and he was 21".  I asked the doctor if it was possible for him to grow an inch in such short time and he just laughed.  He said they must not have measured him correctly at the hospital.

its GO time!!!

Have been at the hospital all day (since 7a)... we are in the delivery room and waiting for the planets to align. Water has broken, contractions are going, dilation is happening ... just need to progress further so here we wait.

Ashley is truly being a rock star mommy! She has been a champ and is in great spirits.



Posting a picture of what will probably be Alekzander's first outfit... will be fitting since it looks like he could be born after midnight tonight which will be THANKSGIVING!

2000 and Late!

Is it really possible that there is an 8 pound 8 ounce baby inside of me??? That is the estimate from the qualified pro today at the doctor's office. I think its time that he comes out... as it is now, I'm so 2000 and LATE!

At our 40 week + 1 day appointment today, we had a non-stress test (NST) for baby, an ultrasound, and then a chat with the doctor...

Regarding the non-stress test, this little guy is far from stressed. He had to be woken up several times by jingling keys in front of my belly and massaging my belly. All he wanted to do was sleep. I think he was boycotting one of the nurses (who is not my favorite) and just wanted to be left alone. The stimulation amidst deep sleep caused him to pass the test; his heart rate (baseline of 144 bpm) jumped the appropriate 15 beats each time he was jolted awake. But all was well with the NST.

For the ultrasound, we learned that he has plenty of fluid. On a much more shocking note, he is estimated to weigh close to 8 and a half pounds. The average baby measures in the 50th percentile at this point in the game. Our big boy measured in the 79th percentile. Andrew complimented me on making a good baby home... maybe too good??? We did get to see a profile shot of his little face... complete with chubby cheeks and a little button nose!

When we finally got to see the doctor, he said everything looks great. I told him that the baby really is ready to come out. He asked for proof. I told him that he's 8 pounds 8 ounces... isn't that enough? The doctor's first response was - "That's not so big..." By the end of the little consultation, I think he called my baby big about 3 or 4 times. Not quite the pep talk I wanted!!!

Regardless of his size, he will come out one way or another. Hopefully soon. The receptionist told us she hoped we'd be holding our own little "butterball" by Thanksgiving. I hope so too!