Party of FIVE: Some more hospital pics

The little boys were smitten with their sister from the very start, and luckily in the two weeks since she's been in our family their obsession has only grown. That first time that T and Ever held Miss Quinn the air was full of "Ahh, she's so cute!" and "Hi Sister!" and "She's so fun, I love her!" They wanted to count her toes and touch her face (after sanitizing, of course!) and ooh and ahh over her sweet clothes and bow. Luckily my mom took a video of their reaction which I'm sure I'll cherish forever, but this picture also makes my heart burst just a little. I'm so lucky to call ALL of these kids mine!

Talmage has taken the transition like a stud. He's still learning his routine of school and soccer and piano and is extra tired when he finally gets home, but he hasn't taken his exhaustion out on me or on Quinn (just a little on his little brother Ev!) He loves that sister of his, and especially likes to whisper secrets in her ear. Luckily in the hospital he whispered loud enough for me to hear his sweet nothing, "Hi sister! Do you remember me?" It made me so happy, and reminded me of this post.

Everett has actually surprised me with how much he loves his little sister, this from the boy that desperately wanted a brother up to the moment she was born. But now that she's hear, bam! he's in love! He's the official diaper man and takes his job very seriously. He also likes to pick out a bow everyday to match her outfit. He is a fabulous big brother for Quinny girl. Unlike Talmage though, Ev is taking some of the transition out on me (and Mema). That little boy is spi-cey, that's all I'm going to say!

Wigginton family- party of 5. Gosh, that's exciting! Our new family's first picture.

I don't know how we would be surviving without my mom. No, let me rephrase that: we would not be surviving without my mom. She is taking care of all of us and keeping up with our busy city schedule. She's a saint. I love that we got this picture of Mema, Mommy and my first daughter, little Miss Quinn. In fact, all of the pictures on this post were from my mom's phone and I was smiling ear to ear when I found them yesterday!

 

And this picture. Oh, this picture! James and I brought Quinn home in a taxi, and called my mom to bring the boys down when we got close. Everett immediately grabbed his dragon mask he made in preschool because he wanted us to see it so badly. As soon as Quinny was out of the cab those boys were surrounding her and talking to her and basically being just so super cute. This is bliss.

Could she be any cuter?

 No, I believe she could not.

P.S. BOWS!!!

Quinny's First Days

I still can't quite wrap my head around the fact that I was fully pregnant when I left my apartment on October 1st, and then after a short subway stint, an elevator ride to the 10th floor and a little OR action it was like wham, bam, thank you ma'am I was no longer pregnant and was holding the cutest little human in my arms. Surreal is what I like to call it. That, and a miracle. And kind of weird, right? This morning I went on a very, very slow walk around the block (think, sslllooowwww) and ran into a man who lives in our building. He hit it right on the head with, "So...last week that baby was inside you and now she's hanging out in the bassinet? I can't figure it all out!" Me neither. Making babies, birthing babies, caring for babies; the fact that it's at all possible is a wonder of the world to me. 

But anyway, la-dee-da, below is an ever-so-brief (ha!) travelogue of our days in the hospital. Another thing I still can't wrap my mind around? The fact that I left the hospital with a healthy 3-day-old baby. No extended stays. No NICU. No "Your baby probably isn't going to make it" or "This really isn't your fault" or "He stopped breathing, emergency surgery, side effects, risks and consent forms." Nope. After a couple of sweet nights shared with Miss Quinn (and a roommate--no private rooms were available at the inn!) I sat in a wheelchair with a baby in my arms and was pushed out into a rainy, noisy New York City that seemed more beautiful than I remembered. I'm pretty sure I have Quinn to thank for that!

So, here you go: 

 Heading to the hospital on an early Wednesday morning. 

 We figured our Subway days were going to be over for awhile (well, mine at least) so we opted to take the train to Columbia instead of a taxi. It was a very entertaining trip as we documented, well, just about everything!

There was some confusion about surgery times and we were a little scared that Quinn's birthday was going to be delayed, but luckily the charge nurse worked her magic and by 10:18 we were holding a baby girl in our arms, just as planned. And let's just state the obvious--Quinn's hair was the envy of all the other newborns! Seriously though, she's a looker!

Then came the visitors:

 GG and Mema (Papa and the boys were there as well but I need to get pictures from my mom. The brothers should have their own post anyway, right?)

 Dr. Bonanno on the left is the wonderful doctor who delivered Quinn, and on the right is Winnie, the nursing student who followed my case from pre-op to post-partum (and her first c-section!)

 We finally settled on the name Quinn Isabel. The story behind the name Quinn is found here, and Isabel is after my beloved great grandmother Margaret Isabel Chase Crowe.

 Me and my girlfriend!

One of the sweetest things about welcoming Quinn into our family is seeing how much her Daddy adores her. Don't get me wrong, he LOVES his boys, but there is something about the way he looks at his little girl that makes me melt. 

 A super blurry picture taken by a cab driver that wanted to get us in the cab and on the road as quickly as humanly possible. Welcome to New York City, Quinny!

Daddy and Quinn inside getting ready for her first crazy, bumpy, and totally "normal" cab ride home. The cabby wouldn't even wait for car seats to be buckled or seat belts fastened. Oh bother.

 These little ones are beyond lucky to have the fantastic grandparents that they do, and I'm grateful that they were here to share in Quinn's birth.

And then came Quinn.

Quinn was delivered in a room full of women who fulfilled their doctor duties with the loving demeanor of midwives. My OB held me in her arms as the anesthesiologist placed my spinal, and then as my warm body melted into the table I saw a multitude of sisters surround me to carefully prepare my body to welcome our daughter.  I say our daughter, because as these women washed and cleaned me, asked how I was doing from over the curtain (and then laughed when I would say, "I'm great! How are you doing on that side?) and ultimately opened my womb in a miracle of modern medicine I quickly realized that sweet little Quinn belonged to every soul in that delivery room--and we were all better for it.  It wasn't all that long ago that stories like mine ended in tragedy, but these glorious doctors gave Quinn and I the chance to live our days together; they gave us life. C-Sections are not glamorous and they are not easy, but they are miraculous and my heart is so very grateful that they are possible. I've always craved the birth stories of ancient days where women would surround women in encouragement, love and support to bring life to earth, and in that Operating Room in New York City that was my exact experience in delivering Quinn. It was perfect.

Quinn's Daddy was the lone man in the Operating Room and not only did he allow me to drain his hand of all color when the pressure intensified, he also said prayer after prayer that his girls would be OK. Sometimes I am struck at what a great partner James is and how lucky I am to be with him--this was one of those times. That room would not have been complete without his presence, and I realized that I had something now that the women of yonder-years probably craved--their love by their side during the miracle of birth.

So Quinn is here. She's been here for a week today in fact. And oh what a beautiful, amazing week it has been. My world is looking a lot more pink these days, and feeling a lot more sweet. I've taken approximately a million pictures of my flower this week alone--be warned of future photo dumps! 

But for now, the simple announcement I've always wanted to give: 

 

 

Quinn Isabel Wigginton

October 1, 2014

8 lbs 13 oz

20 1/2 inches long

A letter to Mr. Quinn from Heather Quinn in anticipation of meeting Ms. Quinn

Dear Mr. Quinn,

It was 29 years ago this month that a dashing young Navy-man and his blonde, beaming wife entered your doors looking for the perfect nursery paint for their impending bundle of joy. No matter that they, at 19, were just babies themselves, their enthusiasm and commitment to both each other and that bulging baby bump were contagious, and you found yourself taking them around the store to inspect every shade of pink on your premises. The woman was giddily picking out pinks and purples while the young man, a talented artist who took his responsibility for creating a haven for his daughter quite seriously, would close his eyes and imagine how the colors on the walls would paint a picture of the life he would help create for her, and them--this new family they were starting.

I don't know what you saw in this young couple, besides the enviable Farrah Fawcett flip on her and his adorable high and tight buzz cut, but you saw something. You marched them up to the front of the store with a cart so full of paint it could have turned every room in their house (and heck, probably the exterior too) into a little girl's wonderland, and then you said the unexpected. You looked at those two young people square in the face, wished them all the luck in the world, and told them that every can of paint they picked out in the store that day was absolutely free. The couple left in grateful tears (after, knowing her, a hug and maybe even a kiss on the cheek was given to you as well) knowing that their little girl was entering a beautiful world with beautiful people who were good. So, so good.

I'm writing you this letter because you are an integral part of my family history. Those cute young people were my parents, and that baby born just one month after your encounter was me, Heather Quinn. My parents were so touched by your selfless act that they gave me the middle name Quinn, hoping that I would have the same charity that you so effortlessly exemplified. I grew up knowing that my name stood for goodness, and was so proud of sharing my names' roots that my college roommates started calling me Heather Paint-Store McKee!

After being married and having two adorable and feisty little boys of my own, I am expecting my first daughter who will be born this fall. I've known her name since long before I ever knew I'd be blessed with a daughter. She'll be named after me, but mostly after you: her name will be Quinn.

All my life I've wondered about you and why you did what you did. Maybe you respected the devotion in my parents' eyes, or recognized that as teenage parents (albeit, married already 2 years at that point!) they needed all the help in the world. Maybe you had once been a young, poor parent on the receiving end of an act of goodness, or maybe you hadn't, and charity was just as much a part of your being as your dark hair and brown eyes. I really don't know. But there is one thing I do know for sure and one thing I would like to say: 1. the Quinn name will always be held with respect in our home, and 2. thank you so much for doing what you did.

Once little Miss Quinn is here I'll be sure to send you pictures. I'm sure she'll be just as delightful as her brothers, although let's all pray that she's a little less rambunctious! And just FYI, upon finding your name and address online I called my parents, married over 30 years by this point, and asked them to verify that I had found the right Quinn. Without hesitation my Mom said, "Yes! That is it! That is the place!" We spent the next few minutes reflecting on good people and good memories.

Yours Truly and SO Many Thanks,

Heather Quinn Wigginton

***

I've been trying to reach the Quinn's since April (when I wrote the letter) to no avail. I was fearful that we'd never re-connect, even though I wanted so badly to tell them about how our Miss Quinn is coming and the goodness that came from their actions. Well, just a few weeks ago my parents were visiting family in Washington and adventured over to Whidbey Island (near the Navy base where I was born) and hunted down that Quinn paint store. And guys, it was still there! My parents met the son of the man who gave them free paint so many years ago, told him the whole story, and they even took a picture because, as our new Mr. Quinn friend said, "Of course, we're family!" Gosh. My heart has been so happy to pass on the name Quinn in general, but now, oh now...well let's just say there have been a lot of happy tears! I finally was able to send my letter, so now I wanted to share it with everyone else. And just for the this story couldn't possibly be more perfect record, in our email exchange Mr. Quinn offered to supply and send all the paint Ms. Quinn will need for her nursery. I know, right? I hope he wasn't too disappointed when I told him that his namesake may just be sleeping under the dining room table!!!

They be learnin' things.

{Ever tried to get the attention of 6 3-year-olds at once? I was super good at it!}

B week was at my house, and in case you're ever co-op preschoolin' it and are signing up for letters--definitely pick B! I mean, what doesn't start with B? (except Captain America, sorry Ev) Day one we made Bee's out of B's, made and ate banana berry bread, built buildings with boxes and played with balloons. Day two we focused on bears (Going on a Bear Hunt and Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see?) with activities and treats all focused on bears--gummy bears were definitely the highlight! We also worked on colors on day two. This is such a great group of kids and I'm anticipating a wonderful year of learning and growth for Ever Knight.

Making and eating their banana bread!

Everett is a very visual/artistic kid and I was super impressed at his attention to detail with this coloring activity. As you can imagine, almost every single other child scribbled one color over their whole paper and called it quits after 3 minutes. Everett, on the other hand, sat at the table for 20 minutes and colored each individual animal their respective color. He's an impressive Ev!

 {In the picture I am wearing Jim's Killers shirt, and you'll see T, Ev and Quinn at the library with me}

Last week James and I were able to go to Talmage's class for back-to-school night. In true me fashion, I choked up multiple times as his amazing teacher described what he would be learning this year. He {and we} are lucky to have such a fabulous school and fabulous teacher in our neighborhood. Have you ever felt so profoundly grateful about something that you can barely talk about it without crying? That's how I feel about this situation. I know T will learn so much this year, and more than anything he will truly learn to love school.

I loved finding his work around the room and made sure to leave him a little, secret love note in his writing folder as well. These were two of my favorite pieces--left you'll see an NYC moving truck, one of his obsessions as we start feeling cold weather again! And on the right is his soccer practice--subway stairs, big coaches and flying soccer balls.

A Pirate's Life for Me, and Ev

I'm kind of in a feel-bad-for-the-second-child chapter of my life because let me tell you, Everett has done a whole lotta been carted around lately. Somehow our lives are revolving an awful lot around that first child, what with school and soccer and piano and such and Ever Knight, well he's along for all those "quick, we're going to be late" hop in the stroller and run like mad kind of rides. And since our days are so packed around school hours, we need every second of the mornings to just get things done--and then there's the whole I'm making him nap WAY earlier than normal because, again, we gotta be on brother's schedule and usually I end up having to wake him up anyway. Sigh. We're still learning the ropes I guess. But that sweet Ev, he really has been a champ (while missing his brother horribly, tears people) so today I decided to buck up, buttercup and take him on a date for donuts. Free donuts at that and in costumes to boot. Yes, it's Talk Like a Pirate Day again and good old Krispy Kreme did right by us for the second year in a row. Last year the boys dressed up together but in the absence of T, Ever begged for me to dress up with him. Ever wondered what a 9-month-pregnant pirate looked like? Well eat your heart out with that picture. ARRR!!!

For the record, I bought that pirate costume at a thrift store for $5 in the Bronx when T was 19 months old and it has been worn every single season since. Now that is $5 well spent. Also I should mention that the manager at Krispy Kreme remembered us from last year, and even asked where, "the other boy was." Sniff. Tear. At school. She gave us tattoos for Ev and T, a bouncy red balloon, two dozen donuts for dressing up, and when she saw Everett marveling at their special pirate donuts she gave him one of those as well. She also said she was excited to see us next year with a baby pirate in tow. Gold star, that manager, a gold star should definitely go to her. Everett was in attention-heaven and loved that everyone was looking at us. And yep, as we walked through Penn Station pretty much everyone was looking at us! He also made a rule that we were only allowed to speak in pirate voices while we were dressed up, so we made quite the adorable scene on the C train. I love that little pirate and was so glad we could share such a fun, special morning together!