Learning Thai

We're delighted to be able to introduce Silas! He was born yesterday (August 23) after a seven hour induced labor. He's a fairly big baby (especially by Thai standards). His birth weight was 4.27 kilograms (9 lbs, 6 oz.) and he's 53 centimeters (20.9 inches) long. He was pretty beat-up looking from the ordeal of being born, with bruises and a lot of swelling but is looking handsome today. He got a little stuck on the way out and had the cord wrapped around his neck at birth, but recovered just fine. Here are some pictures...

Silas with Dr. Anong, Candice's brisk and efficient obstetrician and great delivery coach.

His big sisters were very anxious to see him and ran into the room to hold him. They loved taking turns holding him and were particularly impressed by his big yawns and small toes. Claire said over and over that she couldn't believe she has a "real baby brother" and Eliza kept calling him "my baby."

We're blessed to have Leanna (Candice's mom) with us for several weeks. She's keeping the girls at home while we're in the hospital. Thanks for all you do, mom!

We're amazed by how much larger our family looks now.

Thanks for all of your prayers. We really felt your love and encouragement over the last few days. Candice had a faster labor than with either of the two girls and we are very grateful for that. We're looking forward to finding out what raising a baby in Thailand is like. We've already learned that the baby is expected to stay at home until it's one month old. I'm sure we'll break some cultural taboos along the way and get scolded by some of our old-lady friends!

-Tom and Candice