On our way Home

Here we are on our way home from the hospital! We are so excited to be back in our familiar surroundings again. Note Nicola and Felix's matching brown "going home" outfits.

What's In a Name?

Felix Swehla
(Nicola's Great-Uncle)

Many people have asked us about the name Felix, as it is not the most common of names. Felix is named for Nicola’s maternal great-uncle Felix Swehla. Felix was Nicola’s grandmother’s brother and the two of them were very close throughout their lives. Nicola visited her "Uncle Felix” many times over the years, and remembers him fondly as a warm, generous man who always welcomed her into his home and beautiful garden with open arms and a hearty laugh, no matter what Nicola's hair color or clothing style were at the time. He was a great storyteller, and passed on many tales of the fun and hardships of growing up in a close knit Czech family in rural Michigan. His positive outlook on life is a trait that Nicola and Susan hope to pass on to their son.

Ann and Richard Drodt
(Nicola's Grandparents)

Felix's middle name is Richard, named after Nicola's maternal grandfather Richard Drodt. He was a loving father and husband who worked hard at his factory job in Toledo and on his family's farm. He made a mean cherry wine in his basement and served as the unofficial barber for family and friends. When Nicola was 12, Richard passed away due to complications from Parkinson's disease. Nicola did not get a chance to know him very well, but she does have fond memories of gathering eggs with him from the henhouse when she was very young.

Who is Pepicék?

Pepicék is Felix’s nickname. In the months before his birth, Nicola’s brother Adam started calling Felix Pepicék. The name comes from the children’s opera Brundibar by Jewish Czech composer Hans Krảsa. Pepicék is the name of one of heroes in the story. The opera was composed in the days leading up to the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia in 1939. It was performed by Jewish children in the Terezỉn Concentration Camp on more than 55 occasions. Most of the children who performed the work, as well as the composer Krảsa, perished in Nazi camps. A few years ago, playwright Tony Kushner and writer Maurice Sendak adapted the opera into a wonderful children’s book.

The name appeals to our shared Czech heritage, and to our commitment to honoring the spirit of resistance to injustice in the world. You can read more about Brundibar here, and here.

Yay! He's here!

Felix Richard Svatek-Pine arrived safe and sound at twelve minutes after midnight on March 26, 2007. He was born 9lbs, 9oz with a full head of brown hair. He amazed his parents with his calmness and his chubby cheeks.