Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Difficult Pregnancy, Easy Delivery

I was going to post a few photos but are experiencing some kind of server proxy error. Oh well. You'll have to trust me that Lu-Yu is a beautiful and unique little soul. I'll try with the photos again later tonight.

Where to begin?

How about waking at 4:00 this morning and not being able to get back to sleep. So, I donned my runners, slipped out of the room without waking anyone, and headed to St. Lucy's. The lights weren't on (good sign), so I just hung out a while, and then ran the sweaty Tainan streets for an hour or so. For me, it was the perfect end to my pregnancy -- and I was ready to deliver.

Sheri's preparations were more pragmatic: woke, showered, ate, packed. (I'm quoting her verbatim, but let it be known that I was the one who did the packing.)

We arrived at St. Lucy's at around 9:30, got to meet the wonderful staff and some of the volunteers who have been with him for all these months, and took our place with our fellow waiting parents, Lynne and Timothy. Dave got ready to take some photos, and Olivia and Maya slouched on the couch bored. Suffice it to say, that was the last little bit of boredom I suspect that anyone will see for quite a while in our family.

Trumpets sounded, and out came Chien-Lu (13 months) and Lu-Yu. As a bit of comparison, Lynne and Timothy were handed their beautiful, quiet boy, and he settled comfortably into their arms. Lu-Yu? Holy smoke. When I say that he is energetic, I'm not using the right word. Frenetic maybe? Like a runaway locomotive on a steep downhill run? That's pretty close.

He marched down the hall, the nannies saying that he was going to see his baba and mama, and meanwhile he quickly sized up everyone -- caregivers, parents, children -- and without hesitating, he grabbed Olivia's hand and continued on towards the door to the outside. Maya quickly caught up and grabbed his hand too, and we all trailed after them. No snuggling on the sofa, no time for sentimental tears. It was play time! Within fifteen minutes my shirt was soaked with sweat, up and down the three flights of stairs, in and out of the chapel, through the parking lot, out to see the scooters on Shengli Road, into the nursery, climbing trees, balancing on walls, back flips off parked cars (okay, the final three were just visions of the future ahead of us).

I thought that the transition would be difficult. I imagined that he would cry and reach for his nannies, that he would have a fit in the taxi, and sob the whole plane ride. Umm, didn't happen. Until he passed out around 4:30, he was nonstop action, giggles, jumping, chasing, rolling on the floor, eating bananas on the fly, running the hotel hall with his sisters, pulling toys in and out of his backpack, flipping through his board book, driving his plastic truck, fitting the paper cups together, and on and on.

He's most definitely a boy, and most definitely a toddler, and I'm proud to say that he feels like both a Martin and a Spisak. Gosh, what a lot of work we've got ahead of us!

He's now out of the bath, kind of mellow, and looks like he could fall asleep again any minute. It's been a long day for him -- and he's got a whole new world to explore tomorrow...

11 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

am @ asia's ( terry told me how easy this is!!) what a little ball of fire!! am trying to picture allthat is happening, can't imagine the joy you are feeling .wish i was there!! xxoomom

10:30 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Whoo-hoo! Jake and Sam have a boy cousin! Can't wait to see all of you on Sunday.

11:02 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Incidentally, I enjoyed in the change in tone of your posts. Contemplative, meditative, spiritual... and now to hell with all that.

After spending these few days with Frida, I'd say it's a good thing that Lu-Yu sounds resilient.

11:09 AM  
Blogger David and Janalee said...

Congratulations!!! your posts are so fun to read. Get ready for the world of boys...and those three things you were imagining in your future? Just you wait until he gets stuck at the top of that tree and has to wait 20 minutes for Luke to get home from work to get him down!
So happy for you all.
Janalee (yahoo group)
Mom to 4 boys and Maya

11:43 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

EXCELLENT!! Finally. Ah yes, the wonderful world of boys...welcome my friends!! It's only begun!! Love the writing Luke, like we are there too...Thank you! Hugs, Kelly & fam

12:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yippee!!!! I'm so excited. I love reading all that is going on. I can't wait to see the pictures! Congratulations. Boys are pretty awesome and uncomplicated creatures.

Jan
Mom to Judson, Sawyer and ANsley

12:06 PM  
Blogger Luke Martin said...

Wish you were all here!

3:03 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I had tears running down my cheeks...from laughing at the description of your 1st meeting Lu Yu. Doesn't sound a thing like the other mtg at the WS. He's gonna take the world by storm. We love hearing about your trip.

Kiki and Co.

4:31 PM  
Blogger Ann said...

CONGRATS!!!! Wow he's sounds like a flurry of energy. I'm so excited for your whole family to finally have him in your arms!! NO time for sentiment...you've got a boy that's ready to play. It's awesome.

4:36 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Too cool! Just read the Taiwan blogs and showed the kids the pictures of all of you guys and Lu-yu. We can't wait to meet this little ball of energy when you get back!

Ratty is doing fine and is being absolutely spoiled by Elizabeth.

Thrilled by your experience in Taiwan (finally -- woo hoo!!!) and can't wait to hear the details and hug all of you!

Love and prayers,
Susanne :)

4:51 PM  
Blogger Amanda said...

Very Exciting!!! Great post...What a fantastic Meeting day. It will make such a wonderful story for you to tell and retell. He sounds like an amazing little person. I can't wait for a reunion.
~Amanda

Hey guys, this is Chris. It's amazing hearing the story of your meeting day. It brought back all of the emotion/excitement of our day. I am so happy for you and can't wait to meet all of you and reunite these boys.

9:05 PM  

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