Thursday, September 4, 2008

... y el gran dia llego

(Fotos y mas fotos en: http://picasaweb.google.com/macandchen/Sept08MarcArrives#)

Esta historia empieza el día del trabajador (primer lunes de Septiembre en USA), alrededor de la 1:30 de la mañana, cuando Lily empezó a sentir contracciones. Hubo otros síntomas que no voy a describir ahora, pero todas las señales eran claras, el momento que habíamos estado esperando durante los últimos días había llegado por fin. Era la hora de tomar las maletas, la sillita, las cámaras y salir rumbo hacia el hospital. Si es cierto que todo gran evento y viajes importantes tienen una banda sonora, en este caso serian los grandes éxitos de Phil Collins, ese era el CD que sonaba mientras conducíamos dirección al hospital, siempre recordare el recorrido cuando escuche estas canciones: hacia el Sur en Clark, al Oeste en Bryn Mawr, al Sur en Ashland y luego Oeste en Foster hasta llegar al hospital.

La admisión en el hospital fue rápida, nos pusieron en lo que llaman una habitación de transición e inmediatamente empezaron a monitorizar tanto a la mama como al bebe. Las contracciones eran fuertes y regulares, las cosas parecían estar ocurriendo deprisa, la realidad seria bien distinta....

Alrededor de las 7 AM, las contracciones empezaron a ser demasiado dolorosas para Lily, sintiéndolas como un dolor muy fuerte y agudo en la parte baja de la espalda... A las 9 AM le pusieron la epidural (gracias a Dios por los avances médicos!), funciono como un reloj suizo, Lily fue capaz de descansar y dormir tranquilamente, la otra consecuencia fue que el progreso del parto se ralentizo considerablemente. Las contracciones seguían su curso, pero la dilatación ocurría muy despacio... y cuando digo muy despacio es realmente MUYYYYYYYYYY DESPACIO... Era casi media noche cuando Lily estaba finalmente lista para empezar a empujar, lamentablemente los efectos de la Epidural estaban desapareciendo, Lily puso todo su empeño y esfuerzo, también las enfermeras y la doctora, pero no iba a ser posible que Marc saliera mediante un parto natural, era demasiado grande y Lily estaba sintiendo muchísimo dolor otra vez. Después de casi 2 horas intentando decidimos recurrir a la cesárea... sin ninguna duda esta fue la mejor decisión posible.

El personal del hospital empezó inmediatamente a preparar el quirófano y a la mama para la operación... a papa le dieron un traje azul, una mascara, cubre zapatos y un gorro y le pidieron que esperara en la habitación hasta que el quirófano estuviera listo... Estos fueros los minutos mas largos de mi vida, es difícil intentar expresar la mezcla de emociones que sentí: excitación, miedo, estrés, alegría... todo al mismo tiempo.

Alrededor de las 3:30 AM vinieron a buscarme. En la mesa de operaciones había una pantalla, yo me senté al lado de Lily sosteniendo su mano y acariciando su cara, pero sin ser capaz de ver la operación... el tiempo parecía volar rápidamente mientras intentaba entender las conversaciones entre el personal medico, tratando de analizar los ruidos y sonidos.... de repente alguien exclamo: "el bebe esta fuera" a lo que rápidamente siguió un llanto fuerte de Marc. Se que las cosas cambiaran y que lo que hoy suena a música celestial seguramente seguramente nos ponga de los nervios muy pronto, aun así... nunca había oído nada tan lindo... Lily empezó a llorar inmediatamente y yo la seguí enseguida, especialmente cuando la enferma apareció de detrás de la pantalla con Marc en sus brazos, esa primera visión de su carita y cuerpo es sin duda la experiencia mas impactante en toda mi vida, allí estaba, se veía grande y fuerte, moviéndose y dando patadas, lleno de energía. 9 mese de ilusión, de anticipación habían llegado a su fin y el final era ese increíble pequeño hombrecito que habían colocado allí, en la mesa de la enfermera, al que estaban limpiando, pesando... esa personita que no paraba de moverse y emitir sonidos... Un cuerpo pequeño lleno de energía y con toda la vida por delante... Podría haberme ahogado en mis propias lagrimas que empapaban la mascara y no me hubiera dado cuenta... Todos los comentarios y experiencias que nuestros familiares y amigos habían compartido no son capaces de comunicar la energía del momento... El pequeno Marc llego a las 3:50am el 2 de Septiembre, su peso fue 3.870 Kg. (8 libras y 2 onzas) y midió 51 cms, el parto desde que llegamos al hospital hasta su nacimiento duro 26 horas!!!!!!!!

Una vez que la cesárea acabo nos llevaron de vuelta a nuestra habitación, era la hora de descansar para la mama y el bebe de descansar después de todo el estrés y el esfuerzo... y era hora de que papa empezara a cuidar a ambos, reflexionar sobre todo lo ocurrido, admirar a su hermosa y valiente mujer y su bebe... también era hora de ocuparse de las relaciones publicas :), hacer decenas de fotos, enviar mensajes de texto y e-mails, llamar a la familia...

El resto del día paso volando entre visitas de enfermeras y doctores, las primeras tomas de pecho, cambios de pañal, mas fotos, mas mensajes y emails... así como llamadas y visitas de familiares y amigos, todos ellos sacando tiempo para cerciorarse que los 3 estábamos bien, para compartir su amor y su afecto... Para todos vosotros, tanto los que pudieron venir a vernos, como los que no pudieron, para todos los que están tan lejos físicamente que no pudieron venir aunque sus corazones y almas si lo hicieron... para todos vosotros un enorme GRACIAS por todo el cariño y soporte durante este viaje maravilloso, OS QUEREMOS, incluso cuando nos cuesta llamar y/o escribir, siempre os recordamos.

Con todo el carino de la familia Carames-Chen!

Marc, Lily y Miguel

.. and the big day arrived

(Lots of pictures available at: http://picasaweb.google.com/macandchen/Sept08MarcArrives#)


This story starts on Labor Day at around 1:30 am when Lily started feeling strong contractions, there were other signs which I will spare here that clearly indicated the moment we had been waiting for days had arrived. It was time to take the bags, the car seat, cameras and go to the Hospital. If big events and important trips are to have a soundtrack, this one's was Phil Collins' greatest hits which was the CD that was playing on our way there, I will always remember the journey when I listen to these songs: South on Clark, West on Bryn Mawr, South on Ashland then West on Foster all the way to the Hospital.

The admission process at the Hospital was quick, we were placed in what they call a transition room where they immediately started monitoring both Mom and baby, contractions were strong and regular, things really seemed to be developing fast, little did we know...

At around 7 am contractions started to be too painful for Lily to bear, she was feeling very sharp and strong pain in her lower back... At 9 am Lily got the epidural (thank god for medical research!), it worked like a charm, she was able to rest and sleep great, the downside was that the whole labor process slowed down considerably, contractions kept coming, but dilation took a very long time... when I say long I really mean LONGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG... It was close to midnight when Lily was finally ready to start pushing, unfortunately at that time the Epidural was starting to wear down, she put an amazing effort and both the doctor and the nurses were great, but it was not meant to happen through natural delivery, Marc was just too big and Lily was feeling a lot of pain again, after a couple of hours we decided to go for the cesarean... without any question that was the best decision we made.

They immediately starting preparing the room and the mom for the surgery... dad was given a blue jumpsuit, face mask, shoe covers and hat and was asked to wait in the room until everything was ready... I have to admit, those were some of the longest minutes in my whole life, difficult to even try to express the mix of emotions: excitement, fear, stress, happiness... all at once.

At around 3:30 am they came to get me. They setup a screen so that the dad-to-be can sit close to mom's face and hold her hand without being able to see the actual surgery... time seemed to fly quickly while trying to understand the ongoing conversations, making sense of all the noises around.... then out of the blue somebody said: "baby is out" which was followed quickly by Marc's loud crying voice, I know things will change and what know still sounds like music from heaven may become nerve-racking soon and yet... I had never heard anything so beautiful in my whole life... Lily started crying immediately and I followed shortly, specially once the nurse came around the screen holding Marc, that first glance of his little face and body it's the most intense experience in my whole life to date, there he was, he looked big and strong, already moving and kicking, full of energy... 9 months of illusion, of anticipation had come to an end and the end was that amazing little human being placed there, at the nurse station, being cleaned and weighted, moving and making noises... A little boy full of life with all time in the world in front of him... I could have choked in my own tears as the mask got wet and heavy and I wouldn't have even realized.... All comments and shared-experiences from family and friends don't come remotely close to the real thing; even as I type this I realize I'm not able to convey the energy of the moment... Baby Marc had arrived at 3:50 am on September the 2nd, his weight was 8 lb 2 oz (3.870 kg) and he was 51 cm long, the whole labor process took nearly 26 hours!

After the cesarean was completed they moved us back to our room, it was time for both mom and baby to rest after all the stress and effort... It was time for daddy to look after both of them, to reflect on all that had happened admire his beautiful and brave wife and his big baby boy.... also to take care of the PR portion: take lots of pictures, send text messages and emails, call family...

The rest of the day flew by in between nurse/doctor visits, first breast feedings, diaper changes, more pictures, more text messages and emails... also family and friend visits and phone calls, taking time of their busy schedules to check on all 3 of us, to share their love and support... to all of you, the ones who could stop by, the ones who couldn't, the ones who are really far away and wouldn't be able even if they wanted to... to all of you a huge THANK YOU for your love and support and encouragement through this amazing journey, we love you all, even when we take a very long time to call and/or write, you are always on our mind.

Love from the Carames-Chen family!

Marc, Lily and Miguel

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Family, friends and presents...

This is a long overdue post, one to give a big THANKS to our families and friends for the presents received over the last few months of pregnancy.

Our family from Altea started early sending us tiny little clothes for Marc almost immediately after we announced Lily was pregnant, it was a great surprise!

Our friends in Chicago followed shortly during our home warming party and kind-of-but-not-quite baby shower: clothes, gift cards... and even the coolest running stroller ever which Papa Miguel and Marc will use heavily putting miles on it by Lake Michigan!

Our family from Altea also sent us a big money gift which was enough to pay for everything we've had to buy so far: crib, stroller, car seat, bouncer, etc, etc, etc

Our family from China sent us cool clothes that will keep Marc warm through the long Chicago winter.

Yesterday we got one more package from Altea with all sorts of cool things for Marc...

There go a couple of pictures, we really appreciate every body's love and support during these last few months, it feels good to know so many people around the world care for us.

Once again a big THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!




Space management...

Living in a condo space management is critical... with Chenxia (Lily's sister) visiting and Marc's imminent arrival we had to decide what to do with the crib, etc...

We finally decided to temporarily move the crib to our bedroom, the move took place on Sunday and it involved a good amount of furniture re-shuffling, it was like playing with Lego, we finally managed to fit everything nicely.

There go some pictures from Marc's room (now crib-less):

Friday, August 22, 2008

I've been chained....

Well well well... those of you living in the US may be aware of the chain bowling ball tradition, basically they have a very heavy iron chain attached to a bowling ball in one side and to a pair of hand-cuffs in the other.


When you are about to get married your co-workers hand-cuff you to the bowling ball and make you walk around the whole day trying to find out who has the key, you ask people and they are supposed to tell you if they ever had the key and if they did, who did they give it to....


In my department, they've taken this tradition to the next level, for folks about to have a baby they have a new "device", basically:


- somebody bought a plastic baby doll.

- filled it with concrete.

- attached the same heavy iron chain and pair of hand-cuffs.


The basic "rules of the game" are the same.


Yesterday was my day to "suffer" this nice tradition, my co-workers prepared a surprise meeting, brought the chain-concrete-baby and showed some videos of crying babies using the projector... We went out for lunch to Chili's and I only manage to find the key at around 2:30pm.

I have to admit it was fun and a very cool surprise, it was nice of them to take the time and effort to prepare the whole thing, thanks guys!


Some pictures were taken with cellphones....