Our chick has hatched. Our son, Tiny, was born at 10:08 a.m. 26 Oct. 2017 at Changning Maternity Hospital (长妇幼) in Shanghai.
At birth Tiny weighed 4080 grams (9 lbs., 8 斤 1 两). His length was 52 cm (20.47 inches).
Tiny’s beautiful mother, my wife Elaine Du, is doing well, having completed her 月子 or month of post-partum recuperation. Elaine’s sister Regina flew down from their home province of Heilongjiang and helped us.
Tiny is the nickname of Craig Eugene Brelsford II. We say “Tiny” instead of “Junior.”
Tiny’s Chinese name is 杜泰宁 (Dù Tàiníng). 杜 is Elaine’s family name. 泰宁 sounds like “Tiny” and is the name of the county in Fujian where the bird-rich mountain Emeifeng is located. Our 2015 Emeifeng trip is one of Elaine’s and my best birding memories.
Tiny’s first life bird was Japanese Tit, calling below our window at the hospital.
Elaine and I are happy beyond expression and deeply grateful.
Here are some photos from the first month of Tiny’s life. Wish Tiny well by leaving a comment below.
When my parents, sister, Elaine, and I posed for this picture in Debary, Florida on 12 Feb. 2017, little did we know that Elaine was already with child. (Craig Brelsford)Elaine had a smooth pregnancy. Here we are on 21 Aug. 2017. We were about to have Elaine’s pregnancy pictures done at Mǎruìshā Értóng Shèyǐng (玛瑞莎儿童摄影). (Craig Brelsford)Tiny moments after birth, 26 Oct. 2017. Watching the birth of any child is moving; witnessing the birth of one’s own child is moving beyond words. (Craig Brelsford)Daddy holding Tiny the day after Tiny’s birth. (Elaine Du)Tiny the thinker ponders while Elaine his mummy beams. (Craig Brelsford)Tiny the holy man raises his hand to bless the world. (Craig Brelsford)For the moment at least, Tiny has blue eyes, like Daddy. (Craig Brelsford)Tiny the little citizen poses for his U.S. passport photo. (Elaine Du)Tiny in his crib, 9 Nov. 2017. (Elaine Du)The crew from Mǎruìshā came on Day 8 and turned our guest room into a photo studio. They were very professional and did a great job. (Craig Brelsford)Elaine showing Tiny cards with simple designs. (Craig Brelsford)When Tiny is well-rested and has a full belly, then he is ready to learn, even at his young age. (Craig Brelsford)Craig Brelsford holding his baby son, ‘Tiny’ Craig Brelsford. (Elaine Du)Sleep now, Baby Tiny, Mummy and Daddy will take good care of you. (Craig Brelsford)
Featured image: Craig Eugene Brelsford, known affectionately as Tiny, 8 days old. Photo by Mǎruìshā Értóng Shèyǐng (玛瑞莎儿童摄影).
FURTHER READING
This post is the first in a series celebrating the Brelsfords’ children. See also
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Craig Brelsford
Craig Brelsford is the founder of shanghaibirding.com. Brelsford lived in Shanghai from 2007 to 2018. Now back home in Florida, Brelsford maintains close ties to the Shanghai birding community and continues his enthusiastic development of this website. When Brelsford departed China, he was the top-ranked eBirder in that country, having noted more than 930 species. Brelsford was also the top-ranked eBirder in Shanghai, with more than 320 species. Brelsford’s photos of birds have won various awards and been published in books and periodicals and on websites all over the world. Brelsford’s Photographic Field Guide to the Birds of China, published in its entirety on this website, is the most Shanghai-centric field guide ever written. Brelsford is a graduate of the University of Florida and earned a master's in business administration at the University of Liege, Belgium.
View all posts by Craig Brelsford
13 thoughts on “Say Hello to Tiny, Our Beautiful Baby Boy”
Congratulations Craig and Elaine. I am still impressed that Craig was able to take me birding in Shanghai just 3 days after Tiny’s arrival. All best wishes. Dan
What a beautiful way to introduce your beautiful little miracle to your friends.
As Tiny’s (little Craigie’s) grandmother, I can’t express how thrilled I am to have this new angel in our family. I know how much you wanted to be a father, you and Elaine will be wonderful parents. Can’t wait to meet him in person and give him the biggest hug. Love you all so much, Mum
My beautiful nephew! I cannot wait to meet him and hold him. He is perfect and Glenn and the boys and I are so happy for you guys. But you already know this! Now get him over here quickly! 🙂 Like you said, I may never give him back!
Congratulations!!! Thanks for sharing the photos! Craig, I have known you for quite a few years now and we have some history. This is such a great chapter in your journey and life adventure. All the best to you and Elaine, I know you will make exceptional parents. Hopefully we will get to have a face to face visit some day. I am so thrilled for you both!!
Craig and Elaine, your sweet chick is beautiful. And your joy in him comes shining through too. Love all the photos. I look forward to meeting him. Catherine.
The warmest congratulations from the three uf us in the Chinese-Swedish Zhao-Bengtsson family! Forgive me for being such a lousy social media and e-mail contact, but I hope you still know that I am a friend in real life! It was so nice to meet you last summer, and we look forward to meet the three of you next time we’re back in Shanghai!
Congratulations Craig and Elaine. I am still impressed that Craig was able to take me birding in Shanghai just 3 days after Tiny’s arrival. All best wishes. Dan
What a beautiful way to introduce your beautiful little miracle to your friends.
As Tiny’s (little Craigie’s) grandmother, I can’t express how thrilled I am to have this new angel in our family. I know how much you wanted to be a father, you and Elaine will be wonderful parents. Can’t wait to meet him in person and give him the biggest hug. Love you all so much, Mum
That sure is a cute “LIL BUB.” I have shown his pics to several of my friends and they all gave rave reviews!!! Dad
Beautiful young baby… a hatchling, if you’ll pardon the birding expression 🙂
Warmest congratulations to the whole expanded family! Jon.
Hey Craig & co!
This is incredible news and great to hear. Enjoy this!!
I wish the whole family only happiness for the future.
Florian
My beautiful nephew! I cannot wait to meet him and hold him. He is perfect and Glenn and the boys and I are so happy for you guys. But you already know this! Now get him over here quickly! 🙂 Like you said, I may never give him back!
Congratulations!!! Thanks for sharing the photos! Craig, I have known you for quite a few years now and we have some history. This is such a great chapter in your journey and life adventure. All the best to you and Elaine, I know you will make exceptional parents. Hopefully we will get to have a face to face visit some day. I am so thrilled for you both!!
Welcome, little one, to a wonderful life surrounded by loving family members and a lifetime of fantastic adventures with birds that await you!
Congratulations to Elaine and Craig! Amazing!!! A colorful and interesting world is there for Tiny!
Craig and Elaine, your sweet chick is beautiful. And your joy in him comes shining through too. Love all the photos. I look forward to meeting him. Catherine.
The warmest congratulations from the three uf us in the Chinese-Swedish Zhao-Bengtsson family! Forgive me for being such a lousy social media and e-mail contact, but I hope you still know that I am a friend in real life! It was so nice to meet you last summer, and we look forward to meet the three of you next time we’re back in Shanghai!
Wow! An interesting record of Tiny. Wish Tiny a happy life!
Marc (寿带)