The Window Seat....

....is complete! More nursery pics to follow!

Introducing Arman Parvez (aka Manu-Bear)

Shirking my Blog Duties...

Yes folks, I've been made aware by multiple people that updated pictures of our little guy are long overdue. Between the Diaper changings, burpings, bottles, and naps, I haven't had a chance to update. However, don't worry. I've been taking a lot of pictures, and I hope to post them today. I'll try to this afternoon. For now, here's what we're up to at the moment: Baby's First Checkup!

Happy 31st Hour!

and what better way to celebrate than with more PICS!

Baby Pics!

Sorry for the delay, everyone! Without further ado, introducing baby Parvez!








mom and baby continue to do fine. Here's a selection from the first 1000 or so pics I've already taken. Parents are en route from our home town as we speak. He has been exceptionally calm throughout today. He looks about, whimpers occasionally, and rarely cries.

Fingers crossed that this disposition keeps! Expect more pics once the family starts to arrive...

It's a Boy! (we already knew that!)

Tahera and baby are doing fine. 6lbs 15oz, born @ 3:01am. And he's lanky like his old man!

pics to come, patience everyone!

It's Time!!!

Greetings, and good morning from Magee Women's Hospital! It's April 23rd at 12:30 am, and I am sitting bedside in the Labor and Delivery Wing, awaiting the imminent arrival of our son, [insert name here].

Monday morning Tahera began to have infrequent mild contractions, which steadily progressed throughout the day. By very early Tuesday morning we were both up and her contractions were happening every ~10-15 minutes. We both suspected that a certain someone's birthday was going to be very soon, so I took paternity leave and accompanied T to her scheduled OB appointment. By that time, we were up to roughly every 8-10 minutes, and they were noticably stronger. The doctor noted that it could be any time, but it was also possible that she could continue this way for another week.

Well, as anyone who knows Tahera will attest she's pretty big on sticking to schedule. No more than 3 hours after her appointment, her contractions had progressed to under every 5 minutes, and we headed off to the hospital!

So far things have been progressing quite steadily. It was a pretty uncomfortable for T until she got her epidural, but since then, smooth sailing (she even let me take that picture!). Immediate family have all been contacted, and we're expecting the Parvez and Ejaz clans to descend upon Western PA starting tomorrow AM.

She's still got a little ways to go, but we're expecting him to be along any hour now. (for you doctor-types, she's +1, 8cm, 100%)

Thanks for checking in, and stay tuned for more updates!

Slow Day

So yeah, Long time no post. Lots of things have been happening here at Casa di Parvez. Since it's a slow day on the Neurology service, it seems like a good time to do an update.

Delivery 2008

Yes folks, as of Wednesday of last week, our little peanut had served a full term as the incumbent baby in Tahera's belly. The votes have been cast and it's unanimous: We'd like to see our little buddy make a graceful exit from "office." However, he stubbornly refuses to even give the slightest suggestion of wanting to come out. When we talk about it, he gets angry, undoubtedly pouts, and then gives his opinion on the matter by kicking Tahera squarely in the liver. He then elbows her navel for good measure. I sense it won't be this week either, but hey, you never know.

The baby's room is ( (still) essentially) done. The window seat only needs 3 front pieces mounted with finishing nails, and a coat of white paint, and presto. It's certainly at the point I can comfortably call "Parvez Done," which helps to explain why the last hour of work is taking so long to be embarked upon. We'll get there. Maybe even tonight, if I ever get out of work.

Otherwise, We seem to have all the baby essentials. Carseat? Check. Stroller? Check. Co-Sleeper? Check. Crib? Check. stuffed animals, books, bottles, binkies, burp cloths, rattles, socks, shoes, helmets, parachutes, x-ray specs? Freakin CHECK. Sanity? well... so far so good, but that'll probably be the first thing to go.

Tahera has been busily preparing final details regarding our trip to Magee Women's Hospital. For all interested parties, expect to find some pertinent information (directions, etc) coming your way very soon.

When the time comes for the actual delivery, I'll be sure to have plenty of techie-techie on hand, as I'm sure peanut can't wait to get started with that stuff (he is a Parvez, after all). The hospital has internet access, so I plan on blogging frequent updates while we're there for all you viewers at home.

Work

Like I said above, I started the first of 2 months of Neurology a week ago. It's interesting, and certainly it's a change of pace (I am here typing this, after all..). The days themselves are longer, but it hasn't been quite as strenuous as my last 3 months of Family Medicine were.

I have a month of medical care for psychiatric patients back at WPIC in May, then Neuro again, then I'm done with 1st year! WPIC has a pretty generous paternity leave policy, and I've saved up some vacation time, so I'm going to get to have a fair bit of quality time with our son after he's born.

The plan as of now is this: I'm taking a week off starting when peanut signals he's ready to move into a larger living space (complete with window seat!). Subsequently, I'm going to return to work for a few weeks, then take another 2 weeks off. I'm figuring on there being a fair amount of people staying with us in the immediate post-partum period, and as the crowd starts to dwindle, I'll be starting my 2 weeks off and can pick up the slack.

Even though the header of this paragraph is work, as you can see, there's more important things on my mind at the moment.

What else? (Welcome Matt!)

Aside from all of the above, T and I have had time to go on a few adventures lately. Matt Oldfield, a dear friend of ours from HHDS, has taken the plunge and joined the ranks of Western Pennsylvania. He's taken a job here in Pittsburgh and we're proud to now call him "Neighbor", (even if he still lives like 35 minutes away). This past weekend, we took him to one of our favorite greasy spoons here in the 'burgh. De Luca's Restaurant is "Home of the Best Breakfast" in the city. The food is delicious, portions are huge, the service prompt, and the atmosphere... Did I mention how good the food was? Ok, so it's kind of a hole in the wall, but whatever, good eats is good eats.

We welcome Matt to the City of Bridges, and look forward to many fun and carefree days ahead, that is, of course, until his Bundle(s) of Joy arrive sometime next fall! Then we look forward to playdates, and many future apologies to the Oldfield family for the horrid words my kid is surely going to teach theirs.

Ok. Pager's going off. Time to get back to work!