Aaron took this picture of Annika and me the day we brought her home.
11.28.2008
11.21.2008
The Price of Miracles
I found this article, ironically, in the Providence Journal online this afternoon. It's about premature babies at Women and Infants, something I've suddenly experienced very closely in the past week.
It's been a hard week with Annika in the hospital, but we are realistic about her condition. There are many reasons to feel blessed, despite her illness. She will be home Sunday or Monday. She is strong and in good health. In the NICU, this is great news.
I saw more than a few families immediately confront a fragile newborn and weeks or months in the NICU. The parents of these babies must make critical and wrenching decisions daily. They must also endure a slow vigil in which progress is measured in grams and milliliters and days, during which the setbacks are often greater than the successes.
Before this week with Annika, I'd never seen babies so small as some of her neighbors. By comparison, she's fat, pink, and alert --- and still spent more than a week in intensive care. It's a hard place to be, to have to return to every day. This article provides a little window into it.
It's been a hard week with Annika in the hospital, but we are realistic about her condition. There are many reasons to feel blessed, despite her illness. She will be home Sunday or Monday. She is strong and in good health. In the NICU, this is great news.
I saw more than a few families immediately confront a fragile newborn and weeks or months in the NICU. The parents of these babies must make critical and wrenching decisions daily. They must also endure a slow vigil in which progress is measured in grams and milliliters and days, during which the setbacks are often greater than the successes.
Before this week with Annika, I'd never seen babies so small as some of her neighbors. By comparison, she's fat, pink, and alert --- and still spent more than a week in intensive care. It's a hard place to be, to have to return to every day. This article provides a little window into it.
11.17.2008
Annika Update
Good news! Annika is recovering very well from her initial breathing problems. She's out of the hood and in a little enclosed crib, breathing now through a nasal tube. Her breathing has improved to the point that I was able to nurse her today, which is a big step. The kid has been dying to eat, and enjoyed it so much she gave herself hiccups. So, we're making progress. She will remain in the hospital to finish her course of antibiotics before being discharged at the end of the week.
Five days ago I had no concept of what a hospital was like. I hadn't spent a night in one since I was born. Just the process of labor and delivery was educational. Now, I have had a newborn in the NICU, and I have seen more than I ever could have fathomed.
The NICU is a difficult place to be. After a few days, I've seen a pattern. At first, you're in shock, numbly reoounting the horrible details of what you've been told is wrong with your baby. The second phase is the spontaneous sobbing. Provocations great and small prompt you to weep senselessly. Ultimately, you accept what's going on, and you rise and fall with your child's condition. A good report is an exultation, while a rough night or bad news undoes you completely.
Fortunately, saints be praised, Annika is going to be fine. Not being able to hold her for the first 30-something hours was hard, but her prognosis is excellent. And although it's exhausting to be recovering from the delivery and schlepping to the hospital, I'm able to be more of a mother to her every day. The circumstances this week could be better. But for what they are, it could be so much worse, and I feel blessed nevertheless.
Five days ago I had no concept of what a hospital was like. I hadn't spent a night in one since I was born. Just the process of labor and delivery was educational. Now, I have had a newborn in the NICU, and I have seen more than I ever could have fathomed.
The NICU is a difficult place to be. After a few days, I've seen a pattern. At first, you're in shock, numbly reoounting the horrible details of what you've been told is wrong with your baby. The second phase is the spontaneous sobbing. Provocations great and small prompt you to weep senselessly. Ultimately, you accept what's going on, and you rise and fall with your child's condition. A good report is an exultation, while a rough night or bad news undoes you completely.
Fortunately, saints be praised, Annika is going to be fine. Not being able to hold her for the first 30-something hours was hard, but her prognosis is excellent. And although it's exhausting to be recovering from the delivery and schlepping to the hospital, I'm able to be more of a mother to her every day. The circumstances this week could be better. But for what they are, it could be so much worse, and I feel blessed nevertheless.
Metal Hands
This is not only a very touching photograph of my lovely daughter Annika. It's also an inadvertent flashing of the universal heavy metal hand gesture by me. According to heavy metal legend, the origin of metal hands is an Italian gesture meant to ward off evil spirits. We'll take it. But make no mistake. My kid also rocks.
Annika & her Mama
It's a challenge with the tubes and wires, but we both rather enjoy it when I can hold Annika. Her breathing rate becomes completely normal, which also helps. I find that I am relaxed and happy, despite the setting. The NICU is exhausting, overstimulating --- too many alarms and noises like an arcade. You can hear the alarms in your head when you're not there. If we can kick it there, we can do it anywhere.
11.15.2008
Annika Has Arrived!
Annika Tipton Archer was born on Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 8:15 pm. She weighed 8 pounds, 2 ounces, and was just shy of 20 inches. She is gorgeous, strong, and healthy, with a full head of dark hair and a very sweet face.
Annika, unfortunately, aspirated some meconium in utero, and has suffered from some lung problems since she was born two days ago. Her breathing rate is 2-3 faster than it should be, and she has some fluid in her lungs. She is in a breathing hood in the NICU at the hospital and will be treated for pneumonia for the next 6 days.
The hood is dreadful, with a collar that is going to make my daughter loathe turtlenecks, chokers, and doublets. It's also terrible to see a monitor on a foot and an IV in her hand, and little sensors all over her chest.
But the good news is that she is strong and healthy, and is already showing signs of improvement. She had a small collapse in her lung, which happens in about 1 in 10 kids (and more so if meconium is involved). Fortunately, it resolved itself overnight. The doctor is going to begin to wean Annika off the oxygen in the hood and down to a nasal tube so I can nurse her.
Annika should be home on Friday. In the meantime, I will be going back and forth alot between home and hospital. I was discharged this afternoon and I'm back home with Aaron and the cats.
To those who have called or texted, I'm sorry I've not been in touch. The prognosis is very good for Annika, but I'm going to be occupied. I love you all. I'll keep updating the blog with her progress. Aaron took some pictures, so I'll definitely get those posted soon.
Annika, unfortunately, aspirated some meconium in utero, and has suffered from some lung problems since she was born two days ago. Her breathing rate is 2-3 faster than it should be, and she has some fluid in her lungs. She is in a breathing hood in the NICU at the hospital and will be treated for pneumonia for the next 6 days.
The hood is dreadful, with a collar that is going to make my daughter loathe turtlenecks, chokers, and doublets. It's also terrible to see a monitor on a foot and an IV in her hand, and little sensors all over her chest.
But the good news is that she is strong and healthy, and is already showing signs of improvement. She had a small collapse in her lung, which happens in about 1 in 10 kids (and more so if meconium is involved). Fortunately, it resolved itself overnight. The doctor is going to begin to wean Annika off the oxygen in the hood and down to a nasal tube so I can nurse her.
Annika should be home on Friday. In the meantime, I will be going back and forth alot between home and hospital. I was discharged this afternoon and I'm back home with Aaron and the cats.
To those who have called or texted, I'm sorry I've not been in touch. The prognosis is very good for Annika, but I'm going to be occupied. I love you all. I'll keep updating the blog with her progress. Aaron took some pictures, so I'll definitely get those posted soon.
11.12.2008
Baby Update!
Five days after her due date, we have an update on Annika's progress. I had a doctor's appointment this morning, and it's time! I will be admitted to the hospital this evening, space permitting, to be induced. It could be tomorrow if there isn't room, or if there are emergency patients ahead of me. We're waiting on a call from the doctor's office to find out one way or another.
Either way, it looks like Annika's been waiting for the full moon, which is tomorrow. She'll be here by the weekend! Aaron and I are excited, nervous, and very much looking forward to our daughter's safe arrival. I'll post photos ASAP.
Thanks again to all of you who've been checking in with us. We appreciate all the love and support from everyone, and can't wait to introduce you to the newest member of our family. Stay tuned!!
Either way, it looks like Annika's been waiting for the full moon, which is tomorrow. She'll be here by the weekend! Aaron and I are excited, nervous, and very much looking forward to our daughter's safe arrival. I'll post photos ASAP.
Thanks again to all of you who've been checking in with us. We appreciate all the love and support from everyone, and can't wait to introduce you to the newest member of our family. Stay tuned!!
11.09.2008
William Eggleston at the Whitney
I discovered yesterday that the Whitney has an exhibition of William Eggleston's photographs. I greatly admire his work, and have been inspired by it for years. I would love to get to New York to see it. Alas, it runs only until the end of January, and I won't be able to be there until mid-February. So instead, I ordered the exhibition catalog and can't wait to devour it.
Eggleston is considered to be the first fine art photographer noted for his use of color. His quality of light, and the everyday "snapshot aesthetic" of his images, are two of the best known attributes of his work. Check out his website.
11.08.2008
Republican High School (Part 1)
Part 1 of 2.
I just read on Daily Beast an article from the New York Times about how Sarah Palin is firing back at the anonymous "jerks" in the McCain campaign who made fun of her clothes and said she's dumb.
When did the Republican Party turn into the "Mean Girls"? Is this how far they've fallen? Read this article through the lens of, say, a high school newspaper audience. Or younger! This is really more of a situation on which you should be counseling your tween daughter on the way home from the Hannah Montana concert. Adults, grown men and women -- who have just been on the national political stage -- really ought to know better. On both sides.
To the McCain campaign leaks: Yes, it's titillating to hear the gossip about what a bitch Sarah Palin is. I don't like her either. I'll admit I kind of like bonding with you about what a bitch she is. But you need to own up to it if you're going to call her out anymore. Grow up.
To Sarah Palin: You too. Grow up. And I mean that in all the best possible ways. There are things you need to learn, sister, before a lot of us are going to take you seriously. And when you choose to be baited by petty bullshit, it doesn't help. Calling these guys jerks because they rightly pointed out some flaws in your game makes you look like a child.
Truth is, kid, they're right. You've got things to learn. You need to travel. Read some books. Find out what's going on in the world, other than from FOX News. Consider other points of view. The person you will become as a result of your work might actually help you live up to your ambitions. I might not always agree with you, but I'd respect you a hell of a lot more if you did.
I just read on Daily Beast an article from the New York Times about how Sarah Palin is firing back at the anonymous "jerks" in the McCain campaign who made fun of her clothes and said she's dumb.
When did the Republican Party turn into the "Mean Girls"? Is this how far they've fallen? Read this article through the lens of, say, a high school newspaper audience. Or younger! This is really more of a situation on which you should be counseling your tween daughter on the way home from the Hannah Montana concert. Adults, grown men and women -- who have just been on the national political stage -- really ought to know better. On both sides.
To the McCain campaign leaks: Yes, it's titillating to hear the gossip about what a bitch Sarah Palin is. I don't like her either. I'll admit I kind of like bonding with you about what a bitch she is. But you need to own up to it if you're going to call her out anymore. Grow up.
To Sarah Palin: You too. Grow up. And I mean that in all the best possible ways. There are things you need to learn, sister, before a lot of us are going to take you seriously. And when you choose to be baited by petty bullshit, it doesn't help. Calling these guys jerks because they rightly pointed out some flaws in your game makes you look like a child.
Truth is, kid, they're right. You've got things to learn. You need to travel. Read some books. Find out what's going on in the world, other than from FOX News. Consider other points of view. The person you will become as a result of your work might actually help you live up to your ambitions. I might not always agree with you, but I'd respect you a hell of a lot more if you did.
Immaturity and the Youth Vote (Part 2)
Part 2 of 2.
The problem is, they're both right. McCain's people are being petty, yes, and it reflects poorly on them. But they're also right. Africa is not a country, William Ayres is not relevant, and neither is the fictional character of Joe the Plumber. Sarah Palin may just have been unprepared. But she might also just be dumb. Either way, we've just endured 8 years of George W. Bush, and we're all set with dumb for a while. To paraphrase Chris Rock, it's not so hard to imagine a Black President. We've just had a retarded one for the last 8 years.
Taken in combination, this is why the country has swung the other way and chosen the Democrats. Ironically, the Republicans' childish behavior seems to be costing them with the youngest voters. Another Daily Beast article discusses what the electoral map looks like, based on just the votes of the 18-29 year old demographic:
Yup. Here's a clue for the Republican Party. That's 455 electoral votes. Do you see how blue that map is? It's gone from well-known to glaringly obvious that you need to engage the youth better. Clearly, acting immature doesn't give you street cred with the sophisticated constituency of the youth vote. It lost you an election, and yet the behavior continues.
The American voter must be 18 years of age or older. Therefore, he or she has likely graduated high school, and is ready to have outgrown it. We are adults, and we want to hear solutions and ideas about actual issues. We are not interested in fighting over boys and clothes and who's smarter and who's prettier and who's a loser and who's hanging out with who. Grow up. We have real problems, adult, big-boys-and-girls problems in the world. And these are the things that are important.
The problem is, they're both right. McCain's people are being petty, yes, and it reflects poorly on them. But they're also right. Africa is not a country, William Ayres is not relevant, and neither is the fictional character of Joe the Plumber. Sarah Palin may just have been unprepared. But she might also just be dumb. Either way, we've just endured 8 years of George W. Bush, and we're all set with dumb for a while. To paraphrase Chris Rock, it's not so hard to imagine a Black President. We've just had a retarded one for the last 8 years.
Taken in combination, this is why the country has swung the other way and chosen the Democrats. Ironically, the Republicans' childish behavior seems to be costing them with the youngest voters. Another Daily Beast article discusses what the electoral map looks like, based on just the votes of the 18-29 year old demographic:
Yup. Here's a clue for the Republican Party. That's 455 electoral votes. Do you see how blue that map is? It's gone from well-known to glaringly obvious that you need to engage the youth better. Clearly, acting immature doesn't give you street cred with the sophisticated constituency of the youth vote. It lost you an election, and yet the behavior continues.
The American voter must be 18 years of age or older. Therefore, he or she has likely graduated high school, and is ready to have outgrown it. We are adults, and we want to hear solutions and ideas about actual issues. We are not interested in fighting over boys and clothes and who's smarter and who's prettier and who's a loser and who's hanging out with who. Grow up. We have real problems, adult, big-boys-and-girls problems in the world. And these are the things that are important.
Still Waiting
Many thanks to those of you who have been calling and texting to see what's up with Annika. My due date came and went yesterday --- so much for Mama's intuition that she'd be early. I wonder if punctuality is going to be a problem for this kid. I will find out early next week how things are progressing. I'm not sure what day I'm meeting my midwife yet, with Tuesday being Veterans' Day and a holiday in Rhode Island. But I'll certainly keep the updates coming. And I'll return those phone calls too. Needless to say, I'm not feeling all that sociable at the moment. But it's good to know folks are thinking of us while we wait. Can't wait to talk to you again, with the good news that our daughter has arrived and we're all doing well.
11.04.2008
President-Elect Obama
I'm grateful to have had a unique perspective on the rise of Barack Obama to be the President-Elect tonight. I voted for him for U.S. Senator in 2004. It seems like he's been on this road to the White House since not long after that. It's been a long campaign, and it's been hard fought. I'm happy tonight for the turn our country has taken. The problems we face are global problems, and we have elected the best possible ticket to lead the US. I respect McCain, but I'm relieved he's not going to be President. More than anything, I'm glad for everyone that this is over. And that it ended the way it has.
Waiting for the Polls to Close
With Annika's due date on Friday, I think I know how Barack Obama and John McCain feel right now. I'm waiting for the inevitable. Just as it's clear (but by no means yet certain) that Barack Obama will win, I'm also somewhat sure of the outcome of the pregnancy, labor, and delivery. I have good reasons to hope for an Obama victory, a good delivery and a healthy baby. Though I also have to be realistic that anything could happen.
I can empathize with the candidates: they are tired, but still keep going. Like me, pregnant and due, they know it's about to end. But when? The results will take an undeterminable amount of time to be known. So, pregnant and president-elect, we wait.
And just as there are lots of loved ones checking in on me, perhaps the candidates' phones are ringing too. Only they can tell you if they feel like talking. I don't particularly. I'm alright. Just trying to make sure I have my life in order. Got the car seat installed, made a baby supplies run. Compiled paperwork, made some lists. It's not visiting 7 rallies in 7 states in one day, but it's similar.
Like the election results, Annika's birth is imminent. Every hour it all gets a little closer. The Presidential candidates and I are doing everything we can to come out ahead. Before long, the long process will be done, and a new era will begin.
I can empathize with the candidates: they are tired, but still keep going. Like me, pregnant and due, they know it's about to end. But when? The results will take an undeterminable amount of time to be known. So, pregnant and president-elect, we wait.
And just as there are lots of loved ones checking in on me, perhaps the candidates' phones are ringing too. Only they can tell you if they feel like talking. I don't particularly. I'm alright. Just trying to make sure I have my life in order. Got the car seat installed, made a baby supplies run. Compiled paperwork, made some lists. It's not visiting 7 rallies in 7 states in one day, but it's similar.
Like the election results, Annika's birth is imminent. Every hour it all gets a little closer. The Presidential candidates and I are doing everything we can to come out ahead. Before long, the long process will be done, and a new era will begin.
11.02.2008
Rodeo Girls on Horses
Polaroid Transfer, Maine, 1999.
Probably my favorite of the Transfers I did back in the day. It's been years since I've used the technique, going back to the lamps in 2002. I always liked the idea of illuminating the transfers, and might pick up on that idea again.
I've posted a few of these old Transfers to get me motivated to start doing them again.
Vatican Doorway
Polaroid Transfer of a slide I shot at the Vatican in 1999. I've been flirting with doing Transfers again for ages. The current project is getting together a batch of digital files to have slides made so I can do a new round. When I have time.
archermonster & archerzombie
Even though I've not been blogging much lately, all has not been quiet on Blogger at the Archer house. Aaron has started not one, but two blogs recently: archermonster and archerzombie. The former is his journal blog of whatever's going on. The latter is where the years of zombie preparedness are beginning to shape themselves into a narrative.
You can check them out via the links above, or in my links section in the right hand column.
You can check them out via the links above, or in my links section in the right hand column.
800th Post!
Tonight we reach a milestone on Icon: my 800th post since January 2005.
Sorry I've been away. I'm not feeling very sociable these days. The baby's due date is Friday, November 7. So we're working and nesting. And resting. And while I'm waiting, there's not a lot to report. We're making progress toward delivery. I'll spare you the details.
So I've not been in a talkative mood. I'm bad at returning calls, I never blog, and I'm ignoring Facebook. And I'm sorry. I think it's part of nesting.
I do expect that I'll get back into a photography mode once Annika is born. Perhaps there will be a lot of photographs of the kid soon to come. I'm leaning toward pictures more than writing. But my computer situation vis a vis photography is still tenuous. I'll do my best.
If you've been reading for a while, thanks for staying tuned. I don't think I ever thought I'd hit 800 posts when I started this. I'm confident there is more to come soon.
Sorry I've been away. I'm not feeling very sociable these days. The baby's due date is Friday, November 7. So we're working and nesting. And resting. And while I'm waiting, there's not a lot to report. We're making progress toward delivery. I'll spare you the details.
So I've not been in a talkative mood. I'm bad at returning calls, I never blog, and I'm ignoring Facebook. And I'm sorry. I think it's part of nesting.
I do expect that I'll get back into a photography mode once Annika is born. Perhaps there will be a lot of photographs of the kid soon to come. I'm leaning toward pictures more than writing. But my computer situation vis a vis photography is still tenuous. I'll do my best.
If you've been reading for a while, thanks for staying tuned. I don't think I ever thought I'd hit 800 posts when I started this. I'm confident there is more to come soon.
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