Lucas’s little sister is born… and some updates (Feb. 22)
On February 19, just after midnight, Lucas’s little sister was born. It was a big day for all of us, and we were very fortunate that it happened in the basement of our own home. It was especially cool because by the time Lucas woke up in the morning, mommy and baby were resting comfortably in bed. Many people have already seen the picture taken at that moment, either from email or Facebook.
One new update is that she now has a name: Evelyn Mélida Hanson. We’re actually trying out a shortened version of her middle name and calling her Ida – pronounced “Ee-da,” like in the full name in Spanish “Mel-ee-da”. More explanation will come later.
The other update is that the little one is in the hospital. This is about the last thing in the world we would want to report, especially since Lucas’s experience of early life involved so much time in the hospital and we had really hoped that Ida’s early days would be different. The short story is that on her second day of life (Friday) in the evening she had a couple of episodes where she appeared to spit up or choke and then be protecting her airway, which made her cry out and gasp for air. It was quite scary and the advice from our midwife was to take her in to the ER. We were able to get a nurse to come spend the night with Lucas and off we headed to Children’s.
It’s been about 36 hours since she arrived in the hospital and she’s doing well – sleeping a lot but also opening her eyes and mouth and exploring the world around her, which is a joy to watch. She’s had one other episode where her oxygen saturation dropped after eating and so the lactation consultant is helping her practice coordinate her suck, swallow and breath better, which seems to be an issue. Overall, she seems healthy, and seeing her breath, cry, move around, and sometimes breastfeed is so completely different from Lucas’s first days of life. But there are some other things that aren’t quite normal, like the fact that she has slightly low muscle tone. Given the situation, the doctors are recommending that she stay in the hospital for a few more days, just to be observed.
Needless to say, its been a rough couple of days for us – from the elation of Ida’s birth to the fear and unknown of having her admitted to the hospital, and all the challenges of going back and forth to Children’s, coordinating Lucas’s care, etc. We both got some sleep last night but hardly slept at all the previous 3 nights. Which, perhaps, is typical for life with a newborn. But damn… we wanted so badly for it to be different.
One thing we’re sure of is that we can do this. We know what its like to have a child with challenges, and so if that ends up being the case with Ida as well we’ll love her just as much and work twice as hard to make a good life for her. We can actually imagine that reality. And we can imagine a reality where she is a healthy, typically developing kid. We’re feeling so much love for her and Lucas right now, and looking forward to be able to share it more with our family and community. But if you don’t hear from us or see more pictures posted in the coming days… well, now you know why. In the meantime, please hold little Ida in your hearts.
Comments (25)
Jeannie Brown
February 25th, 2015 at 9:41 pm
Burke and Krista,
Just got to read this post. I hope your beautiful daughter is home and doing well. Will have to look at the next post.
Jeannie
cora
February 24th, 2015 at 11:43 am
This sounds crazy, but can you put an ice pack on her head? Jim can explain.
Dena Brownstein
February 24th, 2015 at 7:52 am
Hoping that your days in the hospital are few, and that you are soon home with little Ida and big brother Lucas.We want to meet our new neighbor!
Nitika
February 23rd, 2015 at 9:17 pm
Thanks for taking the time to update your community on all the happenings. Feeling joy for your new blessing, little Ida, and sending love and prayers for all things to be well. Beautiful name, long and short, first and middle :)
Cecilia Kingman
February 23rd, 2015 at 8:55 pm
Alan and I are sending you all our love and prayers. You are amazing parents and little Ida is blessed to have you-as we are all blessed to know you. We are here if you need anything, and will send some food and good thoughts over. Love to you all!
Barbara and Sara
February 23rd, 2015 at 8:42 pm
We, and the entire neighborhood, are here for you. We send all our love to your wonderful family. xxoo, Barbara and Sara
Kristen Beifus
February 23rd, 2015 at 10:38 am
Sending love, strength and peace to you all.
Kristin Mayer
February 23rd, 2015 at 9:46 am
Welcome to little Ida! I heard from Lucas’s classmate Kat about her arrival. We are also sending lots of good wishes your way.
Chris and Tom
February 23rd, 2015 at 7:40 am
Thinking of all of you with our love.
Jonathan Leaning (GRI)
February 23rd, 2015 at 6:38 am
Congratulations Burke and Krista on having the new life in your family. It’s a gift! We all send you positive thoughts for little Ida in the coming days and weeks.
Andrea Parra
February 23rd, 2015 at 6:10 am
Un abrazo enorme para los 4. Ida y Lucas tienen mucha fortuna de tenerles a ustedes como papá y mamá.
Espero conocerles pronto. Toda la buena vibra!
John Cavanagh
February 23rd, 2015 at 4:27 am
Burke and Krista,
Can’t wait to meet Ida. All of IPS is rooting for all four of you. Ida is really lucky she got sent to you.
John
Heather
February 22nd, 2015 at 10:11 pm
oh my goodness sweet people, my heart is with you! i wish there was something more i could do than write this, so much love and strength to you, and know that you can call for anything you need. ANYthing…..snacks? hugs, house-cleaning, favorite milkshake etc etc
Claudia
February 22nd, 2015 at 7:25 pm
Welcome to the world Ida! Congratulations to the proud family. We will be praying for you and hoping little Ida can go back home pretty soon. Abrazos
Great Aunt Kit
February 22nd, 2015 at 1:33 pm
Sending positive thoughts your way and hoping Children’s can deal with
Ida’s issues. Keep us posted on her progress when you have time. Know you
are worrying, exhausted and ready for some rest.
Love and hugs. Kit
Liz
February 22nd, 2015 at 12:48 pm
so many more good wishes, positive thoughts, love, hugs, crossed digits coming from Flatbush. we ‘ve got you snugly in our hearts. hang tight Ida! (lovely name– the full one and the shortened)
xoxoxo liz and kevin
Florence Z
February 22nd, 2015 at 12:15 pm
Wow, congrats, on your new family addition. We will keep little Ida and you all in our daily prayers.
Grecia Lima
February 22nd, 2015 at 12:13 pm
Will be thinking of you and your family! So much love! Please let us know what if anything we can do from afar.
ilana jean
February 22nd, 2015 at 11:03 am
so much love to you two, Lucas, and beautiful, revolutionary Ida.
Chris Lione
February 22nd, 2015 at 10:46 am
All of you are in our thoughts, prayers and hearts.
Sending you love,Chris & Tom
tom
February 22nd, 2015 at 10:06 am
holding you both, Lucas and little Ida (what a beautiful name!) in our
thoughts and prayers. lots of love!!!! tom, kim, benny
Laura Embree-Lowry
February 22nd, 2015 at 9:57 am
sending lots of love, light and strength to Ida and all of you. Y’all are an amazing and beautiful family.
Coralia Solis
February 22nd, 2015 at 9:54 am
Me encanta su nombre especialmente el segundo( ese Es mi primer nombre Mélida Coralia😉).
Les mando muuucho amor y mis mas sinceros deceos que todo salga bien y que mi tocaya pueda regresar pronto al lado de su Hermanito que debe estar extrañandoles. Por favor denle mi amor a Camiloto.
Esther Portillo
February 22nd, 2015 at 9:46 am
You both are such great parents! I truly believe prayer goes a long way, and my family and I will pray for your lil one and to give you both strength. Everything will turn out, believe that in your hearts. abrazos.
Marsha
February 22nd, 2015 at 9:20 am
We are holding you all in our hearts! Love, Marsha/Ruby/David
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