Alaster & Xander Meet

Xander came by the hospital on Wednesday; Alaster was less than 12 hours old.  When he arrived I went downstairs to meet him in the lobby so I could walk him up to our room.  As we made our way I was doing my best to prepare him for what he was about to encounter.   Not that we were concerned, but I just wanted to gauge his mood moor than anything else.


When we walked in to the room, Alaster was laying in bed with Mommy and as soon as he saw them he smiled, pointed and joyfully squealed, "Baby!"

"Baby!  Mommy!  Baby!"

Leaning over saying, "Hi Baby, Hi Baby."

And here is the big kiss from big brother.

Needless to say, Xander loves his baby brother; all he wanted to do was hold and kiss Alaster.  The more we let him explore his little brother the more and more interested Xander became in him.

Xander loved the fact that Alaster was holding onto his finger so tightly.

Xander sat there for quite a while letting Alaster hold his hand.

We took off Alaster's socks to show Xander his toes.  He tickled his brothers toes and then gave them a big kiss.

Alaster's First Bath

Getting all scrubbed up and ready to go.  His big brother is coming to see him after all with their Auntie Kaity and Uncle Luke.

All sudsed up and washed behind the ears.

Who of us doesn't like having our hair washed?  Alaster isn't any different.

Can you see the size of his toes?  They are like little fingers almost; just long, skinny and adorable.

Alaster Xaeden Is Here

Alaster Xaeden Penberthy

Born October 6th, 2010

6 lbs. 12 ozs.

20.5 inches long

He is quite a bit smaller than what the doctor has estimated he would be.  We were expecting him to be not just as big as Xander, but actually bigger.  To our surprise he is 1 lb. 6 oz. smaller and an inch shorter.  He is so tiny compared to our first born, but just a beautiful.

Our Freshy is still wet behind the ears in this one; he's only moments from the womb.

I know you can't see it, but his eyes are wide open looking around and checking me out.

Proud Mommy snuggling with her baby boy.

Outstanding!  What a beautiful family.

Is Mommy happy to have you out of her or what?  Praise the Lord for no more nausea.

Another shot of him fresh from the womb.

He is so much smaller than Xander was at birth…he's so tiny.

Looking around and checking things out.

Still Laboring - Not Much Fun

After 7 hours Lisa is still laboring and she is not having any fun at all.  The contractions don't seem to be spread out at all, but just one big, ongoing contraction with a few seconds every-now-and-then when it eases up.

Ahhhh, the joy's of labor pains - At this point I'm wondering if this is bettor or worse than the nausea she suffered throughout her entire pregnancy.

She's tossing and turning trying to find a spot that's more comfortable than another - she's not having much success.

There we are…a few seconds of rest.

I was able to take as short nap on what can only be described as better-than-nothing.  I suppose they could provide me with nothing to lay down on but the floor, but the thought of that makes me want to puke.

When it's not being used as a place for a weary Father to rest his head I'm told it's put to use down in the dungeons as some kind of torture device for those who neglect to pay their overdue hospital bills.

With little to do, but come up with creative and humorous ways for me to stay out of the way, I've taken to wandering the room studying the artwork on the walls as if I'm in the Louvre.  I pretend that I'm standing in front of a rare and expensive painting savoring its beauty.  As I stand there, I enjoy the moment of pause and do my best to absorb the moment…(pretend you hear the sound of a needle scratching across a vinyl record).

…then I realize I'm staring at this.

Somehow I just can't see Lisa squatting in between me and her sister Melissa wearing a pink leotard as a way for her to make it through another contraction.  That just isn't gonna happen…know what I mean?

Labor Has Begun - Alaster Is On His Way

The goal last night was to get Lisa to begin labor.  I made her walk forever, climb up and down stairs, eat spicy salsa, but to no avail…so we thought.  We headed off to bed at around 10.30 thinking it was all in vain.  But at around 4.30 AM all the work began to pay off.  Throughout the day the contractions kept getting closer together and more intense.

At 2.53 PM Lisa sent me a text message at work that said, "you better come home."  I came home and we loaded up and headed for the hospital.  Xander was here with us, but we forgot to take a picture before he went home with Auntie Kaity and Uncle Luke.

So Alaster's journey has begun; we pray that all goes well and that he and Lisa are healthy and safe.

All plugged in and ready to go; now it's just hurry up and wait!

Two very excited parents…he's finally on his way.

She's all IV'd up and getting the fluids.

Lisa is loving those contractions.  They are getting closer and closer, and stronger and stronger.

Lisa's Devotional

Lisa wrote a devotional for this week's Foursquare Weekly Prayer Guide; click the link below to read it.

Click here for Lisa's Devotional



Lisa Penberthy - Wife, Mother, Theologian, Friend, Follower of Christ and all-around Woman Extraordinaire





Lisa's Birthday & Baby Celebration

Tonight we celebrated Lisa's 35th birthday and the coming arrival of Alaster Xaeden.  Lisa had a great time; we all did.  It was an awesome breath-of-fresh-air to get our minds off of all the challenges of this pregnancy and focus on joy of Alaster's pending arrival.  Thank you to all our friends and family for coming and lifting our spirits, it was a blessing to have all of you over to Lisa's shindig.

Here are a few pictures from the party…

Mommy and Xander having way too much fun.

R'N and Lizza - Best Friends Forever

Bob and our good friend Dawn. 

All the kids having a great time in the backyard.  Xander had so much fun
sharing all of his toys and sandbox. 

Noah has got some pretty awesome talent don't you think? 

Our good friends Josh and Mendy striking a pose. 

We have the best Sydney in the whole world, and she was at our house.
How awesome is that? 

Our friends Derek and Beth getting their party on.

Lisa and her friend Debbie.  Good thing Lisa is 9 months pregnant and unable
to move from the couch, these two can do some pretty serious damage at a mall.

Madi and Xander having fun playing house.  That's my boy! 

Who's wants some made-from-scratch carrot cake cupcakes from Uncle Bob? 

Lisa getting some help from the peanut gallery blowing out her candles. 

Xander sharing his Uncrustable with Daddy. 

Lisa and our beautiful niece Taylor.

Our precious niece and cousin Savannah.

Grandpa Woody sampling a little X-man toe-jam.  No worries Grandpa, I've had
some before and it's not that bad. 

Xander and his favorite Auntie in the whole wide world…his Auntie Kaity.