Baby Announcement

Update March 17th, 2008:

Day 3 little Lucas gets a hearing test and a vision check and he passed with flying colors. Sarah is breast feeding him and those two are still trying to figuring out the routine. So, after a full exam we check out of the hospital and come home to spends his first afternoon by the fireplace asleep. I wonder how the cats are going to feel about all this?

Update March 19th, 2008:
Day 4, well they tell you it is going to be hard, that you won't sleep or have a moment to yourself, but it is not real, until it is REAL. And here, now, at 4am it is very, very real. Mind you, Lucas is an angel, he never "screams" and only cries if he wants or needs feeding, burping or changing. We are lucky to have such a content child. That said, he still needs feeding and changing EVERY 3 hours and I am grateful to have this time away from work and NYC life to spend here in Belfast with Sarah and the baby. I have no clue how I would be able to handle a full workload AND the overnight feedings. I am exhausted just thinking about it and have nothing but respect for those that have pulled it off.

I only have another 3 weeks with Sarah and Lucas before I leave for home (NYC). Sarah will be joining me in NY soon enough after I leave, but just the thought of being separated from the two of them for even a day is rough. I am turning into such a mushy papa... but it is so easy when they look up at you and smile your name...

Another thing that has been on my mind is how much I love and respect my parents. To think that they cared for me as much as I do for Lucas, sacrificed everything to tend to my every need for so long. And all I did was give them Hell from the age of 13 to 21. I just wanted to recognize them and that I now understand what they did for me. Big kiss to the parental units.

Ok, time to sleep, all three of us.

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Even more photos here: http://flickr.com/photos/vrooom/sets/72157604169968309/show/

Update March 20th, 2008:
Day 5 was a big day for baby Lucas Lara, his wee belly button is finally free of his umbilical cord. It just popped off, clean as a whistle. He did not even take much notice of the fact, so i don't know why we did, but it was all the talk for a while. Ahh, so much joy in this 6lbs paper weight we call Lucas.


Update March 26th, 2008:
Day 11: Where to begin? Today we registered the birth of Lucas Marcos Docherty Lara at the Castlereagh Borough Council, a beautifully constructed build, I might add. He is officially exists.

I am on the night feeds, this give Sarah time to get some much needed sleep under her belt. It is working out well since I am basically still on NY time (5 hours behind Belfast). I head to sleep after Lucas' 4am feeding (equivalent to 11pm EST for me) and he sleeps until 7am GMT when Sarah takes over. A tidy little system that seems to be working well. I could go to bed with Sarah and just get up to tend to the feedings, but as it turns out, if Sarah hears the baby cry or fidget her body just wont let her sleep. Best if I keep Lucas downstairs where she can't hear him and let her get some deep REM sleep.

I am amazed on how synchronized the two of them are, breast feeding really binds them closely together and if she hears or see the baby cry she says she can feel it in her boobs. She says she actually feels the milk production happening in sync with Lucas' cries and in anticipation of his needs. I can verify it first hand. One thing this birth has done is renew my faith in mother nature and the natural cycles we somehow lose sight of as we go about our busy lives.

Here is a lovely photo of Lucas at day 8. Is that a hint of a smile?:
















Update March 28th, 2008:
Day 13: Today I caught Sarah singing a lullaby to little Lucas. Enjoy, I know I did. The voice in the background is Sarah's mum.




Update March 31st, 2008:
Day 16: It has been 2 weeks since little Lucas has come in to this world and as I reflect on his development I can't help but make an observation. William Gibson once wrote that jet lag was an effect of the mortal souls virtual speed limit. That aircraft and your physical body can travel far faster than the metaphysical body can and as a result your spirit "lags" behind, slowly being reeled in to rejoin you in your new location. It is a masterful piece of writing:


in a life of suffering
filled with injustice and sorrows
all one can do is fall
as gracefully as possible

i hold high
and as teachers
those who do it with acceptance
quite courage
and love

after all
in a culture of commodities
where everything is for sale
and nothing sacred 
what else is there to be thankful for
than the friends and family
such a life
most surely brings


April 24, 2008 
It has been 5 weeks since Lucas was born and people from all over the world have sent their love and congratulations. No, I am serious, literally from around the world. Here is a map of the visitors to this web page over the last 35 days.

705 visitors from 204 cities in 35 countries! Thanks to each and every one of you...


Quick Note: If you wish to send your congratulations, just pop it in the comment section below this post instead of emailing it to us. We want to share them with everyone... Thanks for all your lovely emails.