Wednesday, November 11, 2015

A Year in Paradise

New baby...
Medical school...
Doctorate degree...
Move to the Caribbean...

To see what Dominica is like...
Sure, why not?

This story really goes back a year ago to November 2014. Zach had completed his secondary applications for medical school. We decided there wasn't a better time to start a family than now. I had a great job, Zach was finishing his MPH, I was in my first year of my PhD program, things couldn't have been better! So one thing led to another and here we are one year later!



No really- this is where we live! We relocated to Picard, Dominica for Zach's first year and a half of school after which we will transfer back to the US of A for his clinical rotations and testing. Cyrus and I just joined him on November 8. What a reunion that was!





















Cy really loves being an island baby so far! Our first night here we went to the beach; less than a 10 minute walk from home. Cyrus loved feeling the ocean on his feet! That is, until a big wave went up his nose! That was the end of our beach time for the night. 



 Cyrus LOVES his dad! They are best buds. I don't know how Zach survived without seeing this little guy for 7 whole weeks! Thank goodness for FaceTime. 



We were unable to fly to Dominica on the first try, the weather was bad, and the runway was dark. So, we turned the plane around and went to Guadalupe, a neighboring island. Then after refueling, we went back to Puerto Rico. Grandpa Warner traveled with us, he was a total lifesaver! In honor of Cy's first and second trip to Puerto Rico Gpa got him this cute onsie!




 We did some other fun things this year before Zach left for school in August....



Zach graduated with his MPH! He was in the top 10% of his class and earned a certificate in Global Health through his two study abroad trips (and some other classes, too) to Ghana and Armenia! Woop!


We found out we were having a baby boy! And then..



(This cake by my sister-in-law Megan Warner tasted even better than it looks... if that's possible)

I had three...I know THREE... baby showers for little Cyrus! Huge thank you to my amazing Warner cousins, my mom, and my colleagues/bosses at Huntsman Cancer Institute for hosting. 
I've never felt so much love. 



Let's just say that little Cy was already a ladies man before he even got here!

And speaking of him getting here...



Mom & Dad came to the hospital as soon as they found out I was admitted. 
Dad was rocking his Solitaire game. Mom was awesome support the whole time! Zach's amazing parents also came to meet their new grandbaby. We are spoiled by having the best parents!


My doctor was SO great, and so were the other physicians and hospital staff. Everyone at the hospital knew who I was before they met me. Apparently word traveled pretty quickly about the lady who's husband was away for medical school, but was FaceTiming for the birth of their first baby. Zach rocked it. I honestly felt like he was right there with me the whole time. Which was due in large part to...



My two AMAZING sister in laws, Misty & Britney who were my best cheerleaders through the whole entire process! That was no small feat either, being that I was admitted at 8:30pm on Tuesday night and Cy didn't make his debut until 6:00pm on Wednesday! 



Don't worry though, we had a ton of fun during that long day! 
Misty took tons of pictures and Britney held the iPad for Zach during the birth and after. They've both been my biggest supporters from the moment Cyrus was born until we left Utah. 
Let's just say, he really misses his other moms, and so do I. 



I had the best epidural, I was able to be very mobile and was hardly in any pain at all. I blame my anesthesiologist. She was, hands down, one of the most competent and kind health care providers I've ever interacted with. 



And because the whole entire day of labor was made easier by my epidural...



it was basically a big party with all of my favorite people.



Including this one...



Welcome to the world baby Cyrus Danial Warner!
Cyrus was born on his due date, September 16, 2015 at 5:57 pm in Salt Lake City, Utah at the University of Utah Hospital. Cyrus weighed 8 lbs 1.5 oz and was 20 inches long. 

Cyrus is named after his 5x great-grandpa on the Warner side who was a baptist preacher in Massachusetts. He is named Danial in remembrance of his Uncle Danial Warner. I hope you grow up to be as loving and joyful as Uncle D.

He is perfect. 

One month old, and curious as can be!


And some more pictures... 

because I am his mom... 



and, if I'm not mistaken I think moms are allowed to have picture overloads of their kids. :) 



























Before we left Utah, Cyrus spent all of his time being held and loved by many more family members and friends than I can ever post here. We are sending all of our love and thanks to all of you! Here are a couple of my favorite pictures...


Cheering on the Utes with Uncle Les!



Halloween with your buddies Ava and Batman (aka Easton). 


Grandma Kathryn Walker


Grandma Etta Mecham




Grandpa Alan Walker


Grandma Debra Walker


Grandpa Claude Warner


Grandma Kathrine Warner


And for everyone who thinks Cy looks just like his Dad...



You're kinda right... except for this


If only I had some baby pictures of Zach to compare... Maybe that will be for next time.

Until then, this is me looking for you to come visit us on the island!