Visits from the Grandparents

Last week we were blessed with several visits from Hank's Grandparents. It was really fun, and both Alison and I were really excited to see Hank getting to know his family better.


Grandma Beth and Grandpa Dave came up from Charlotte to visit. Dave had to go back to work, but my Mother was able to stay for several days and help out.


It was really fun having my Mom here, and her help was most appreciated, especially I think by Alison's Mom, who was able to take a few days off and take care of herself and rest up for later.


Alison's father was able to drop by a couple of times. He already is so good with the baby. For Alison's parents this is their first grandchild, and they both are so excited.


He is a natural already.


This picture is so sweet, I had to load it twice.



In addition, we also got to see Grandma Dana, who was able to stop by on Wednesday afternoon.



Our dog Buddy is adjusting to the arrival of the baby pretty well. With the weather being so nice the last couple of weeks, he has been able to enhoy his new fenced in yard.



My Dad did not rush to hold Hank. Being the team player that he is, he wanted to make sure everyone had a turn. So when he came by last week to drop off an excellent coffee cake, we forced Hank into his hands...




Not bad at all. Also, Aunt Lisa and Cousin Jenna were able to stop by, and Jenna took an immediate liking to the rocking chair in the living room.





All in all, we are adjusting pretty well, and are fumbling through the experience of being new parents.

First Doctor Visit

On Tuesday we took Hank for his first doctor's visit. On the way up in the car he got to see a lot of Bristol and seemed to sort of enjoy his car seat.



When we got to the doctor, Hank took an immediate liking to the nurse, who has three boys of her own. Things soon took a dramatic turn.


First thing we did was get him on the table and get him measured. He did not mind this too much, and seemed to enjoy the attention he was getting.


He measured out at 22 inches. Now, I have been told that these measurements can be a bit inexact, but I want to think that he grew a half inch in four days. I did some quick math in my head, always a chancy thing, but that means by the end of the year he should be about three or four feet tall.


Alison and I have been a bit concerned about his weight, so we were a bit nervous when he was placed in the scale. The tension was broken a bit when we saw him pee all over the place, including the nurse.


WOW. Nine pounds, eleven and a half ounces. When we left the hospital he was down just over a pound from his birthweight, so we were really relieved to see that he put weight back on.


His vital signs all looked good, although by this point he was getting a bit upset about being naked.


After the nurse left we were able to bundle Hank up and we waited a few minutes for the doctor to come and take a look at him.


The doctor came in and Hank was immediately sizing him up. The two of them hit it off right away.


While the doctor was entering some information and looking at some paperwork the hospital gave us, Alison attended to Hank. She is already a great mother, looking at the two of them together always seems to make the room dusty.


We got to talk to the doctor for a few minutes, and Alison seemed to relax, as he told us what a good job we were already doing.


The doctor was ready to begin his exam, and that means it time to get Hank bare again.

Things started pretty well.

But soon went downhill.

After looking him over, the doctor told us he was in the 90th percentile for weight, 95th percentile for length, and the 97th percentile for head size. There were no major problems, and soon we were in the car on the way home. Everything went well, and we don't have to back for another couple of weeks.

Home From the Hospital

Well, on Monday October 19 we were able to take our baby Hank home from the hospital. We were told that we would be checking out in the morning. So we both got up early and practiced vital baby-type skills, like...

diaper changing

bonding

reading to him from Soren Kierkegaard's Fear and Trembling
just kidding, it's the new Dan Brown.

Wrapping him up, we noticed that he seemed excited to get out of the hospital.

After taking about 45 minutes to make the 20 minute drive from the hospital to our home, we arrived to find our house spruced up and decorated, thanks to Grandma and Aunt Kelly.

The little guy was not yet impressed with the living and dining rooms. But we had some surprises for him.

Like his Uncle David.

And his Grandma, who is Hank's second favorite person in the house, after his Mommy.

The staff at the hospital were wonderful, and we can't say enough good things about them. It is good to be home, and we have seen a steady stream of loved ones come by and visit, and thanks to Kelly and Mark for the wonderful food. We will see more of them soon, but a quick note to Aunt Kathy, Cousin Josie, and Aunt Pam, our thoughts are with you as you all fight your way through some illness. We miss you all.

Well, it is now day three with our new baby. We are learning a lot, especially about diapers, feedings and circumcisions.

Also, Alison and I have been blessed with a steady stream of friends and family.



Here is the proud Grandma. We are keeping a close eye on her, because she might try and take our baby out the door!

Here is Alison's Aunt Pam, she is celebrating her birthday today, and I think we came through with a pretty cool gift.

Alison has the best cousins! Here is Kelly, she is a natural at this.

Uncle Mark is already vying to be the cool uncle.

The proud Grandpa. He is beside himself, barely knows what to do.

Hank was sleeping, and I thought it would be a good time to take a picture. I obviously guessed wrong.

Here is Aunt Jennifer, she is so sweet too. By the way, congrats on Florida holding out yesterday.


Alison is going to be the best Mom.

We are so blessed with this little guy.



We are getting all kinds of help and support, and it has been really special. We love all of our friends and family that have offered so much love and support.