Author Archives: tandysolo

In the interest of brevity, I’d like to say that I am entirely in awe of Li Han’s resilience in the face of this new human’s constant and immediate need for her body. It’s been 51 hours now of pretty much non-stop nursing — right on the heels of 36(?) hours of her body racking itself open, and then pushing to deliver a human. Miracle de Dieu!

We’re adjusting to this new reality as we get used to this exquisite new human.

We’re hopeful to be home tomorrow; much depends on the effectiveness of the blue light machine.

The days meld together; I’m sure there are already 1000 images of this child. But here are two of my favorite Li Han- Tali moments. I can’t link the videos here but can share if you text me:

We are so grateful that our child is strong and healthy. And she’s relatively serene much of the time! We’re very blessed to introduce you to our first child, your grandchild, cousin, niece, and perhaps soon-to-be friend: Arden Leigh Solomon-Chan. Come visit us!

With love and great rejoicing,

Li Han & Tandy

mama and baby are thriving. baby was born at 6:21 PM central time, More later but mama is sleeping and my hands are full with this exquisite, serene, beautiful baby and we’re the only two typists in the room!

Thanks for being with us on this beautiful ride.

Kidding, I always knew, but now I KNOW know, if you know what I mean.

Baby is good, Momma is good. But it’s been a ride. Baby still inside. 

Anyone reading this is beloved to us — you’re either family, longtime close friends, part of our cherished community in some other sacred way. So yesterday Li Han promised her family that she would share the whole journey, and that it may get gory. Before she fell asleep just now, she asked me to update you and when I asked what to share, she said, 

“they’ll want to know it all.”

So if you’re sqeamish, just pass over this one. I deleted a couple of videos because there was too much blood and humanity in them for comfortable sharing, and I hope she won’t mind. 

Main things:

1. We’re so blessed to have amazing medical people among you who have been on the wing, helping us make decisions along the way. Thank you. We also have a great medical team here at the hospital.
2. Li Han has been so grateful for all of your communications and gifts of encouragement. Your texts and emails have been comfort and succour.
3. Unmedicated, Li Han labored with contractions from about 1 AM last night til about an hour ago and got to 8 centimetres dilated. However, the combo of ”decels,” or indication of baby distress during contractions, along with what looks to have been ineffable pain, means that Li Han and her team chose to introduce an epidural about an hour ago.
4. The medical team have prepared a “labor tray” so they’re planning for a natural delivery but the midwives have several times told us to not rule out cesarean. However, the nurse just came in and said that the baby looks really good and she thinks it’s very unlikely at this point.
5. I’m going to skip the hours of drama — most of you have given birth or are married to people who have — and just post some pictures. Li Han is healthy and not in pain anymore and the baby looks good!
6. With luck, it’s likely that we will have a baby by the end of August 26th — a birthday present for birthday twins grandmother Rosalind and Uncle Jin Han!

Well, it’s a rare quiet moment in the womb cave, otherwise known as the labor and delivery unit. 

Katie the birth Doula is finally catching some sleep and I’ve been pushing hard on Li Han’s lower back during contractions. 

This is a slow process and I hate that she’s in so much pain given that, 30 hours in, she’s still not yet in what they officially call ‘active’ labor! Typing this on the interstices — here are some pics. 

A bit later: It’s gotten pretty intense so you might not hear from either of us before the baby comes. 

Blessings to you all!

 Well, it’s a beautiful morning for a baby to be born!

I am in a Lyft heading back to the hospital with a variety of things that Li Han has chosen to make her feel more strong and more at home.

I had the blessing of our amazing birthing Doula to be with Li Han overnight while I went back home to sleep. Now the real work begins and I had no idea the emotional impact I would feel from hearing my beloved in pain. Clearly I did not watch enough birthing videos! I find myself irrationally angry at the baby for causing this extraordinary discomfort.

I imagine that those of you who are spouses and partners and non-birthing parents have felt that feeling.

Are very dear friend Jana has arrived and, in addition to our dear friends Ingrid and Eva visiting last night, it is like old home week, this birth, everyone coming together to be with Lihan as she and her body usher in this miracle.

that’s enough from me! Heading upstairs to labor and delivery with a yoga ball, some of Lihan‘s favorite pieces of art, a beautiful Dreamcatcher given to us by our dear friend Anne, And some homemade soup that li Han requested but that I believe she is now too far along to be allowed to eat.

I thought about so many of you in the middle of the night, so many of you whom we adore and respect who have been through this process. We will continue to have so much to learn from each of you. All hail, MOTHERS! 👶💚🔆💚👶

Dear family and friends — 

We’re writing to let you know that our baby Tali (womb name, will change soon!) had chosen to be born today.

🥰👶🥰

Li Han’s water broke at 4:45 AM and we are at the midwives’ office getting a pre-labor check. We’ll likely head to the hospital about 4 PM unless this check-up suggests we should head over earlier.

I’ll update every few hours at this link and you can click a box there if you’d like to have regular email updates. 

Thank you for having been with us on this rather long journey to get to this point and we look forward to being with you on the journey ahead as new parents!

With love and gratitude,

Li Han and Tandy