Home, Home Again...

Patrick is back at home! On behalf of Patrick and his Mom, I'd like to thank all of you for your love and support. Having family and friends like you is a wonderful blessing that is sincerely appreciated. You can probably imagine how much it means to Yolany and me. Patrick is definitely glad to be home, as are his exhausted parents. Here is a picture of the little angel in his crib that I took last night.

Quality Time

Mom, Dad and a very content Patrick having fun! Patrick's chair vibrates and has the sounds of a tropical rain forest--birds, frogs and running water--to help soothe him!

Sunday Morning

Patrick and Mom have the whole feeding/burping thing down! Unwavering commitment to the routine is vital: Dad changes Patrick's diaper, swaddles him and then takes him to Mom, who feeds and burps him. After which time he usually sleeps for a couple of hours or so. This procedure is repeated 12 to 14 times a day.

Santiago Pineda

This photo of Santaigo Pineda just arrived from Honduras! Congrats to Ale and Chilo! Nice work, Guys! We had a great video conference with the proud parents last night! Ale is as beautiful as ever and Chilo is a proud, beaming father! You can check out Santiago's blog at www.santiagopineda.blogspot.com

Hang Ten

Santiago Pineda

Chilo called early this morning to let us know that Santaigo Pineda was born around 2:00 am CST in Tegucigalpa, Honduras! Alejandra and Santiago are resting well; Chilo is ecstatic! We are patiently awaiting photos! Bien hecho, guys!

One Month and Counting

Patrick Bradford Hyde is one month old today! He had a huge day, packed with all kinds of fun stuff. First, he went to the pediatrician for his one-month check-up! The Hep B vaccine wasn't very enjoyable (even Mom cried!), but we found out that he has gained 40 ounces in 22 days. He now weighs 8 pounds and 11 ounces! After the doctor's appointment, we headed over to Tom and Hyla's for birthday cake and coffee. From there the family went to Target, where Patrick picked up a couple of new items for his wardrobe. All in all we had a great day. Here are a few pictures...


Starting the day with Dad on burping duty


Patrick with his beautiful mother waiting for Dr. Moore


Patrick enjoying Hyla's lap!


Another take of Mom, Hyla, Patrick and Dad


Patrick after a hard day of running around

Waking up

A shot of Patrick a few minutes after waking up. He seems to have established a sleeping pattern that we all can live with--he's up every two to three hours for a quick snack and then falls right back to sleep. Tomorrow is Patrick's one-month birthday! He also has a check-up at the pediatrician. I will definitely keep you posted...

Nap Time

I could spend hours leaning over Patrick's crib watching him sleep. I am captivated--fully, completely. An indescribable sense of peace always washes over me.

Burping Duty

Dad giving Mom a little respite by taking a hand at burping Patrick

Sunday Stroll

Mom had her doubts, but Dad and Patrick finally convinced her that a stroll around the park would be fun! It was the farthest that Yolany has walked since giving birth three weeks ago, so she is a little tired. Patrick, as usual, seemed to take it all in stride.


Mom getting Patrick ready


Mom being Mom


Dad driving Patrick's coach

Kadi and Patrick Bonding

Kadi and John stopped by to see Patrick this afternoon. Kadi is heading back to Chicago tomorrow and wanted to say hasta lluego to Patrick! He responded by sleeping on her lap for an hour and a half. Mom, Dad and Patrick sincerely appreciate all of the love and attention that she has given us these past two weeks. We are counting the days until she returns in May!

Hyla, Tom and Kathy

Thanks to Aunt Hyla, Tom and Kathy for bringing lunch over to the house today! David stopped by for a bit, as well. Kathy met Patrick for the first time, which was very exciting. We had a wonderful time.


Tom holding Patrick


Kathy giving Dad (and Patrick) a lesson in good burping technique!

Down Time

Patrick enjoys a mid-morning nap. He settled down last night around 1:30 am...after which time he was up at 3:30 am, 6:00 am and 9:00 am for feedings and then fell back to sleep without any drama or hysterics and that, as our buddy Martha Stewart would say, is a good thing.

Patrick's First Road Trip

Yolany, Patrick and I spent the afternoon in Norman. We visited the University of Oklahoma and looked at a couple of houses. This 22 mile jaunt represents Patrick's first road trip. Numerous strangers came to meet our little angel--all commenting on what a wonderful disposition he has! Below is a photo of Patrick prior to being strapped in for lift off! And yes, that is a Bob Dylan t-shirt he's wearing!

Two Weeks Old

Patrick with Professor John A. Murphy

Patrick shares a moment with Uncle Todd

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Patrick is 12 days old! Today was his "expected" due day. He graciously decided to join us a few days early. This photo is indicative of his afternoons. Mom just finished giving him a sponge bath and a feeding. He responded by promptly falling asleep.

Patrick's Baby Shower

A very special thanks to Kadi for organizing Patrick's baby shower. It was absolutely wonderful!


Bree, Shannon and Yolany are all smiles!


Dad, Mom and Patrick


Jim and Yolany with Patrick's new OU gear! Boomer Sooner!


Tamara and Amy enjoying the festivities


Dominique, Chris, Lena, Kadi and David admire Patrick


Uncle Todd, Amy and Jim having fun!


David, Lena, Chris and Ryan staying close to the food!

John and Kadi with Patrick

Professor of Philosophy John A. Murphy and Kadi, who came all the way from Chicago, playing with Patrick

Weighing in...

Patrick gained five ounces since his last doctor's visit a mere five days ago. Apparently all that time spent nursing is paying dividends! At 6 lbs. 2 ounces he is still a bit under his birth weight of 6 lbs. 6 ounces; however, Dr. Moore says that is completely normal at this early stage of the game.

Next pediatrician appointment in a month to check progress.

Night Moves

Wow! Patrick slept from 3:00 am to 5:00 am, fed and then slept again from 5:45 am to 8:00 am! Oh, how the little things in life are so special. This is a monumental breakthrough for him in the sleep department, which is a good thing, as I was beginning to view the onset of night much like Will Smith in I am Legend--with a great deal of trepidation! We will have to wait and see whether or not he can prolong the magic this evening.

Patrick is set to return to the pediatrician this morning for a weigh-in. Dr. Moore wants to make sure that he is making sufficient gains. Considering how much time he spends latched onto his mother, I expect an increase in his weight.

We'll keep you posted.

Chilo and Ale are next!

Chilo and Alejandra Pineda are expecting their first child, Santiago, May 5, 2008. They call from Honduras almost daily to check on Patrick and Mom.


CBH with his hermano, attorney and fixer, Jose Cecilio Pineda, aka Chilo


Yolany and Alejandra de Pineda, February 9, 2008, saying hasta lluego to us at the airport

Inside the Blog

Coach K. keeps Dad company as he diligently works on Patrick's blog

Did somebody say Sponge Bath?

Chillin' in the crib

Father and Son

Patrick sleeping on Dad's chest after a hard night of pounding breast milk!


An ariel view

Patrick Goes to the Pediatrician!

Mom and Patrick in the waiting room prior to his first doctor's visit!


Dr. Kevin Moore of the Pediatric Group talks with Mom and patiently answers 362 of our most pressing questions


Dr. Moore checks Patrick's vitals


Mom is all smiles after Patrick gets a clean bill of health from Dr. Moore

Patrick at rest...

St. Patrick's Day Clarification

Thanks to Kadi for passing this on to us:

"So that St. Patty's day would not interfere with Holy week, the church, per papal decree, recognized Saturday March 15, 2008, as the official St. Patrick's Day.

So, little Patrick was born on St. Patrick's Day 2008."

First Night at Home

The fact that Patrick slept all day Monday, coupled with his desire to eat every two hours last night meant that Yolany and I got to sleep around 5:30 am! Had we only had the foresight to film last night's adventure. As it was, Patrick could only look on in agitated amazement as his parents tried to figure out the root cause of his discontent--hunger, bloated gas, too cold, too hot, dirty diaper, etc. As soon as he settled down and appeared to be on the verge of sleep another round of Felliniesque chaos would ensue...

It is amazing how one reacts to a stranger's screaming baby versus their own. I suppose one has no vested interest in getting to the root of a strange baby's discomfort (just be quiet!), while it is of paramount importance when the child is yours. I will cut the crying infants of the world and their parents a lot more slack in the future.

Oh, and after four nights of very little sleep, I take back my earlier "machismo" comments about sleep being overrated. Sleep is NOT overrated; in fact, it is a very beautiful thing...when you can get it.

Patrick sends his best.

Hasta la proxima.

Monday Morning

CBH and PBH


Young Patrick asleep in Mama's arms on Monday, March 17, 2008.