Tonight I will try to turn in before 2 or 3 in the morning. I've had little sleep, to be expected as a young dad..., since Kailo's birth. I knew it was coming but I didn't quite expect the whole feeling of this little fellow being added to our family and home be so strong. He's fabulous and remains quite miraculous in his whole easy and fun demeanor.
I haven't read a page in the book that I was reading, Running with Scissors, by Augusten Burroughs, since Kailo's birth. I barely have a change to read the weekend New York Times. Oh well, I am not complaining at all, just that live had changed significantly. I went to visit a few customers today, but I made it back home in time to pick up Emi from school. There I hung out with a few other parents in the playground where she usually plays for 30 minutes with her friends after school. Today was a nice day and it was quite warm on the playground.
I did a 100 ab coaster reps and 35 minutes on the recumbent bike. Time for bed.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
About to feed Kailo
I know I promised not to be a gushing parent who can't get enough talking about his incredible bundle of joy. Well, obviously I can't keep all my promises all the time...
Tonight I will try to turn in "early". We haven't had much sleep over the last 2 weeks, but that is to be expected. I don't mind getting up late at night and spending some quality time alone with Kailo. He is still so small, yet we can already see significant differences between his observance of the world since his birth 10 days ago.
I will keep it brief tonight. I had a good 45 minutes on our elliptical machine. Lately I have concluded that my workout streak does make me go to bed too late in general so I am trying to get my workouts in earlier in the day. It makes the evening a little bit easier because I don't have this "task" ahead of me.
More manana!
Tonight I will try to turn in "early". We haven't had much sleep over the last 2 weeks, but that is to be expected. I don't mind getting up late at night and spending some quality time alone with Kailo. He is still so small, yet we can already see significant differences between his observance of the world since his birth 10 days ago.
I will keep it brief tonight. I had a good 45 minutes on our elliptical machine. Lately I have concluded that my workout streak does make me go to bed too late in general so I am trying to get my workouts in earlier in the day. It makes the evening a little bit easier because I don't have this "task" ahead of me.
More manana!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Quickie
It is now 4 in the morning. I just took Kailo back to his crib after feeding him and spending some alone time with him. I don't want to bore anyone with all these baby related blogs, but still, it remains a majestic and fantastic event to see such innocence appear before you and to hold all this gigantic responsibility within you. Kailo is still amazingly little, yet to us he has already changed and grown from his "earlier" days. He sleeps plenty, but when he is awake he is far more alert and observant than before. Emi read to him today and he was totally into it. They say that babies already know their mother language inside the womb. He makes adorable faces, sometimes looking like a wise old guy, other times like a naughty boy. He is sweet with all three of us that's for sure.
Docia has some high blood pressure issues since just before the birth. She is also suffering from bad headaches. She has gone through so much with the pregnancy and birth. It is a shame that she now has to deal with this as well. And here I am without a physical worry in my life. I had a few strong recumbent bike sessions. I now take the hardest resistance for at least 10 minutes during my 30 minutes workout. I also started using the ab coaster. So next time any of you see me, check out my abs, please!
Going back to bed for another few hours. Then the routine of getting Emi ready for school, sharing a few breakfast moments with her, starts all over again. Today we are planning to see a lactose specialist at Docia's clinic. We may also have to check out her health status.
Work wise I am trying to reestablish myself to my merchants as the go-to guy for leads. Slowly it seems to be building again. We will see how this month goes. Last month I made the company required goal fairly easily, the only one in our NY2 Division to do so.
Here is a collage for the ages! My father Heinz (born 1912) in his World War 1 German Army uniform wearing dad Adolf's arms, me in 1953 in my dad's arms, and Kailo in my arms in 2010.
Docia has some high blood pressure issues since just before the birth. She is also suffering from bad headaches. She has gone through so much with the pregnancy and birth. It is a shame that she now has to deal with this as well. And here I am without a physical worry in my life. I had a few strong recumbent bike sessions. I now take the hardest resistance for at least 10 minutes during my 30 minutes workout. I also started using the ab coaster. So next time any of you see me, check out my abs, please!
Going back to bed for another few hours. Then the routine of getting Emi ready for school, sharing a few breakfast moments with her, starts all over again. Today we are planning to see a lactose specialist at Docia's clinic. We may also have to check out her health status.
Work wise I am trying to reestablish myself to my merchants as the go-to guy for leads. Slowly it seems to be building again. We will see how this month goes. Last month I made the company required goal fairly easily, the only one in our NY2 Division to do so.
Here is a collage for the ages! My father Heinz (born 1912) in his World War 1 German Army uniform wearing dad Adolf's arms, me in 1953 in my dad's arms, and Kailo in my arms in 2010.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Some pics of our little family
Please click on this link to view some of Kailo's first picture: Kailo's first days
Thank you and enjoy!
Thank you and enjoy!
Ouch I missed a few days blogging - but not working out!
I guess being a new parent all over again takes away more time than I had anticipated. To my loyal followers (so far 1?) I apologize for not filling you in daily. Regarding my workouts: I had a good 45 min session on my elliptical machine on the 29th, 30 min on the recumbent bike on the 30th and a pretty decent soccer game on Friday night (my team, FC ReUnited lost against the power team of our league, the Fighting Bananas!). Just a bit ago I ended the week on recumbent bike.
The days are spent taking care of Kailo, together with Docia. She is doing a great job with him, and it is beautiful to see how much she loves the little fellow. I try to make sure that I pay somewhat extra attention to Emi, from the morning before she goes to school (making her and us fresh orange juice for instance) to talking to her on her way to her ballet class, and reading with her at night. She loves her little brother for sure. Today all of us went out for a walk in the neighborhood. It was Kailo's first walk around and with the nice early Fall sun it was a great day for it.
On Friday Docia and I went to see her doctor first, followed by a quick checkup with Kailo's doctor. Docia's blood pressure is a bit high and she is taking medication to help reduce it. We bought a blood pressure unit and we will test her at home. Hopefully it will go down shortly.
I love these days, even though there is tons for me to do each day. We do more dishes than ever before, laundry is high on our list now and I still need to create storage for all these new baby things in our lives. But we are managing just fine.
Below is an amazing picture of when I was 4 days old in the arms of my dad on my computer screen, while holding Kailo in almost the same pose. He looks amazingly like me here.
The days are spent taking care of Kailo, together with Docia. She is doing a great job with him, and it is beautiful to see how much she loves the little fellow. I try to make sure that I pay somewhat extra attention to Emi, from the morning before she goes to school (making her and us fresh orange juice for instance) to talking to her on her way to her ballet class, and reading with her at night. She loves her little brother for sure. Today all of us went out for a walk in the neighborhood. It was Kailo's first walk around and with the nice early Fall sun it was a great day for it.
On Friday Docia and I went to see her doctor first, followed by a quick checkup with Kailo's doctor. Docia's blood pressure is a bit high and she is taking medication to help reduce it. We bought a blood pressure unit and we will test her at home. Hopefully it will go down shortly.
I love these days, even though there is tons for me to do each day. We do more dishes than ever before, laundry is high on our list now and I still need to create storage for all these new baby things in our lives. But we are managing just fine.
Below is an amazing picture of when I was 4 days old in the arms of my dad on my computer screen, while holding Kailo in almost the same pose. He looks amazingly like me here.
Emi and Kailo
We think they look alike!
Emi is on the left and Kailo on the right. Both are 2 days old in these pics.
A miracle
Kailo has been home since 1 yesterday afternoon. Docia and he were released from the hospital at 11:30 and we drove home slowly in the rain. He didn't once wake up. When we arrived home we couldn't get into our apartment. Matt, Emi's best friend's dad, had taken care of Lulu, our Portuguese Waterdog, and he closed one of the front door locks that we didn't have a key to. Fortunately he was nearby so we eventually made it inside. Lulu was excited and surprised to see the new addition to our family. So far she has been fine.
Docia decided to pick up Emi from school at 2:40. She felt good enough to walk a little bit. It was a wonderful moment to see Emi meet her little brother for the first time. She held him on her lap and "helped" changing his diaper. So far he is the easiest and calmest baby ever. At 5:30 Babcia and Ania, Docia's sister, came for a visit. Babcia couldn't let go of Kailo, her first and only grandson.
There were a lot of things still to do. Playpens to put together. Breast pumps to read up on and start using. Docia has been pumping and collecting quite a lot of milk. Kailo doesn't quite get the hang of latching on but at least we have milk so Emi and I can feed him as well. He is still so small. He lost a bit of weight, which is normal but he seems to take in his milk just fine. I love sitting with him on my chest and taking it all in. I often think of my mom and how she would have enjoyed these moments as well.
We tried to maintain a fairly normal routine. I did homework with Emi, walked Lulu, and, of course, worked out for 30 minutes. I haven't been as motivated to put in some real rigorous workouts but I've also been quite tired. Docia and I went to bed late after feeding and cleaning Kailo up one more time. He woke up a few times, mainly because he lost his pacifier in his crib. At 5 in the morning he needed to be cleaned and fed. I heated up the breastmilk and he fell asleep quickly. At 7 we had to get up to start the regular day of getting Emi ready for school, preparing her lunch, making breakfast and orange juice for all of us. Docia decided to go for another walk and took her to school. I cleaned up and fed Kailo again who is now fast asleep in his stroller in the living room.
Docia decided to pick up Emi from school at 2:40. She felt good enough to walk a little bit. It was a wonderful moment to see Emi meet her little brother for the first time. She held him on her lap and "helped" changing his diaper. So far he is the easiest and calmest baby ever. At 5:30 Babcia and Ania, Docia's sister, came for a visit. Babcia couldn't let go of Kailo, her first and only grandson.
There were a lot of things still to do. Playpens to put together. Breast pumps to read up on and start using. Docia has been pumping and collecting quite a lot of milk. Kailo doesn't quite get the hang of latching on but at least we have milk so Emi and I can feed him as well. He is still so small. He lost a bit of weight, which is normal but he seems to take in his milk just fine. I love sitting with him on my chest and taking it all in. I often think of my mom and how she would have enjoyed these moments as well.
We tried to maintain a fairly normal routine. I did homework with Emi, walked Lulu, and, of course, worked out for 30 minutes. I haven't been as motivated to put in some real rigorous workouts but I've also been quite tired. Docia and I went to bed late after feeding and cleaning Kailo up one more time. He woke up a few times, mainly because he lost his pacifier in his crib. At 5 in the morning he needed to be cleaned and fed. I heated up the breastmilk and he fell asleep quickly. At 7 we had to get up to start the regular day of getting Emi ready for school, preparing her lunch, making breakfast and orange juice for all of us. Docia decided to go for another walk and took her to school. I cleaned up and fed Kailo again who is now fast asleep in his stroller in the living room.
For those of you who are wondering why we picked the name Kailo. First of all, we very much liked the sound of it. Kailo Kalmann has a nice ring to it. It's fairly unique, yet still easy to pronounce for both our Dutch and Polish relatives. We also did a search on the meaning of the name. As you can see below, it has a Jewish root (Kol, meaning all, whole, every, health) , and a Polish (caly) and Dutch (geheel) tracing.
A quick one
This morning I am reporting from a hotel across the street from the hospital. Today is the day that Kailo and Docia are coming home! Everyone is fine and ready to start living together again. I spend a great day with Docia and Kailo together yesterday. We didn't have any visitors (on purpose) just to spend the day alone with our new little boy. He's a quiet one, that's for sure. He is attempting to latch on for breastfeeding. He doesn't quite get it yet, but I am certain he will soon! After all, he is a boy! Docia and I also celebrated our 9th anniversary of our first meeting, a few weeks after 9/11. Time has gone by so fast.
The night before, after also spending the day in the hospital, I drove home. Emi had called a few times from Babcia's house saying that she was "parents-sick". So I decided to surprise her and pick her up so we could spend the evening together. She was so happy. We drove home, picked up some taco's, ate and walked Lulu together. She asked permission to sleep in bed with me which a gladly granted. I went to bed fairly early (for me that is) and in the morning Emi and I spend another few hours together. She watched a Disney movie as I worked out on the recumbent bike for 35 mintues. I made her nice pancakes, walked Lulu again and dropped her off back at Babcia's. Later she was picked up by her best friend's (Melony) dad Matt for a playdate and a sleepover. She shold be on her way to school now. After school she will be introduced to Kailo first. She and we can't wait!
I am going to eat some breakfast now and then back to Docia and Kailo. The little dude is so tiny and cute. I know most of you will not have a chance to see him this little but it remains a very precious sight to see a baby only a few days old. Docia is feeling much better, she was able to walk around the hospital floor with me. The hospital arranged for a nice "rendez-vous" dinner for the 2 of us. We made it into our anniversary dinner. Of course, I ate most of everything on both plates!
That's it for today. Onwards now to start living the rest of my life.
The night before, after also spending the day in the hospital, I drove home. Emi had called a few times from Babcia's house saying that she was "parents-sick". So I decided to surprise her and pick her up so we could spend the evening together. She was so happy. We drove home, picked up some taco's, ate and walked Lulu together. She asked permission to sleep in bed with me which a gladly granted. I went to bed fairly early (for me that is) and in the morning Emi and I spend another few hours together. She watched a Disney movie as I worked out on the recumbent bike for 35 mintues. I made her nice pancakes, walked Lulu again and dropped her off back at Babcia's. Later she was picked up by her best friend's (Melony) dad Matt for a playdate and a sleepover. She shold be on her way to school now. After school she will be introduced to Kailo first. She and we can't wait!
I am going to eat some breakfast now and then back to Docia and Kailo. The little dude is so tiny and cute. I know most of you will not have a chance to see him this little but it remains a very precious sight to see a baby only a few days old. Docia is feeling much better, she was able to walk around the hospital floor with me. The hospital arranged for a nice "rendez-vous" dinner for the 2 of us. We made it into our anniversary dinner. Of course, I ate most of everything on both plates!
That's it for today. Onwards now to start living the rest of my life.
This is what it takes...
So here goes: yesterday, Friday, September 24, Docia and I went to see our doctor Christina Ramirez on Long Island. She is Docia's delivery doctor at a great women's clinic. We had bought 2 nice coffee table books, one for her and one for Barbara, the sonogram specialist who had recommended us to start visiting this clinic and who had become quite close to us. Well, once there Dr Ramirez decided that we could not go home afterwards, as had been the plan, but that we had to go straight to the North Shore Plainview hospital because she thought that labor had started! So off we went, arranged for Emi to get picked up by her grandma (Babcia). We left our great dog Lulu in the car. Indeed, we were in labor from that moment, 1pm, and I of course stayed on Docia's side while she did hall the hard work. I walked Lulu a few times during a "break". It wasn't easy (it never is?) and I have more admiration and respect for Docia than ever. Well, it lasted for until 1:37am when our son Kailo was born at 6;bs 5oz and 19 1/2"!
It was one of the greatest moments of my life! He got pushed out eventually and I was able to hold him on my lap for 20 minutes while the doctor was "repairing" Docia. He's a great looking little dude. I thought of my mother and how I missed not being able to call her anymore. After 20 minutes Docia held Kailo on her chest and he started to suckle a little bit. We will see how that goes.
Anyway, I left Docia behind at 3:45am and drove home and... I worked out of course, because that's how I have been able to maintain my unbroken workout streak for so long. I "hopped" on the recumbent bike and peddled away for 30 minutes. I went to bed at 5 and just woke up 20 minutes ago. I am shortly going on my way to visit Docia and Kailo for the day at the hospital. But first I decided to put in my daily workout early, so I don't have to "worry about it" later in the day. So off I go to another 30 minutes on the recumbent bike. Quite a day in the life of me...
Anyway, I left Docia behind at 3:45am and drove home and... I worked out of course, because that's how I have been able to maintain my unbroken workout streak for so long. I "hopped" on the recumbent bike and peddled away for 30 minutes. I went to bed at 5 and just woke up 20 minutes ago. I am shortly going on my way to visit Docia and Kailo for the day at the hospital. But first I decided to put in my daily workout early, so I don't have to "worry about it" later in the day. So off I go to another 30 minutes on the recumbent bike. Quite a day in the life of me...
First Diary Entry
So here we go. This is my first attempt at a blog. I know, the Internet has been around a while now, I am quite computer savvy, yet I have never attempted to start a blog. We will see how this will go.
A few things about this blog. I have worked out every single day since January 2nd (I will explain that later) 1991. In other words 7205 consecutive days of at least 30 minutes of aerobic workout, either outside running, swimming, biking, player soccer, or indoors on my trusted recumbent bike, elliptical machine, or whatever machine is available during hotel travel. I have had some close calls during those 19 years, especially during travel.
I will certainly go back from time to time to share past experiences but what is most important is the road ahead. I do need to share a bit of the last few weeks though. My mom passed away on August 23rd at age 86 in her hometown Amsterdam. She went peacefully and full of dignity. I may later go back and explain some of her stories. I am certain that she now rests in peace. I will miss her for the rest of my life but I am also incredibly grateful that I have lived my whole life until now with her as a guiding force.
The other major event in my life is about to happen tomorrow. My wife Docia is about to give birth to our son. Obviously I am quite anxious but full of hope and joy as well. Our 7-year old daughter Emi can't wait to meet her new brother.
That's it for my first entry. Hopefully I can share some of my discipline with my new friends. Thanks and I will be back soon!
By the way, today I worked out for 30 minutes on my recumbent bike. And we received our ab coaster today so I started a slight routine on that as well. I did 100 reps but I am sure I will soon work up to more.
Danny in NYC
A few things about this blog. I have worked out every single day since January 2nd (I will explain that later) 1991. In other words 7205 consecutive days of at least 30 minutes of aerobic workout, either outside running, swimming, biking, player soccer, or indoors on my trusted recumbent bike, elliptical machine, or whatever machine is available during hotel travel. I have had some close calls during those 19 years, especially during travel.
I will certainly go back from time to time to share past experiences but what is most important is the road ahead. I do need to share a bit of the last few weeks though. My mom passed away on August 23rd at age 86 in her hometown Amsterdam. She went peacefully and full of dignity. I may later go back and explain some of her stories. I am certain that she now rests in peace. I will miss her for the rest of my life but I am also incredibly grateful that I have lived my whole life until now with her as a guiding force.
The other major event in my life is about to happen tomorrow. My wife Docia is about to give birth to our son. Obviously I am quite anxious but full of hope and joy as well. Our 7-year old daughter Emi can't wait to meet her new brother.
That's it for my first entry. Hopefully I can share some of my discipline with my new friends. Thanks and I will be back soon!
By the way, today I worked out for 30 minutes on my recumbent bike. And we received our ab coaster today so I started a slight routine on that as well. I did 100 reps but I am sure I will soon work up to more.
Danny in NYC
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