A big and little brother

Wendy and I have tried as much as we can to prepare Andrew for the appearance of his younger brother. We both have so many great memories with our siblings that we were excited to introduce Andrew and Cameron to each other.

To help, Debbie gave Andrew a little doll that we used to show how to hold, to rock, to put into the swing, and even to diaper. Andrew's favorite part was (and is) changing the diaper. He would go grab a diaper, wipes, and his doll and spend quality time changing the babies diaper. A few times he even insisted that the "baby" eat dinner with him at the table.

The difference however between a doll and a baby is that a doll doesn't take other people's lap space, especially not at inconvenient times. Andrew by and large has taken the arrival of the new little brother in stride; with the lone exception of lap time. If Cameron is on the lap the Andrew wants to be on; he doesn't throw a fit or cry. He just goes to the person holding Cameron and points out another person for them to give the baby to. There is no pattern to whose lap he prefers.

Beyond lap hogging; Andrew has shown a lot of interest in his little brother.  Andrew kisses Cameron, hugs him, and even begs his parents to hold him.

Showing little brother the fun monkey

Wendy and I decided to try to have a little brother with big brother photo shoot.

Andrew's done with pictures

Well...not completely

Andrew took this picture

Looking forward to teaching Cameron the fun things in life

Activities at the hospital - A Birthday party!

A hospital is not usually the place that one thinks about having a good time. If you think this, you do not know the Ashton and Stuart families. In the hours after Cameron's birth, there was a fair amount of holding Cameron and playing with Andrew, lots of treats (caramel popcorn, truffles, licorice), presents for new baby and big toddler of toy trains and bubbles, and lots of family.

Grandma Stuart said it best, "This is such a fun birthday party!"

Proud Ashton Grandparents

Andrew enjoys hospital breakfast...

...and lunch.

Flying with Grandpa

Alas, all parties must end. The hospital (actually we) decided that one day of hospital partying was enough. The day after Cameron was born we brought him back to our little basement apartment home.

Heading out

Of course, even at home there are plenty of opportunities for adventuresome babies to entertain themselves.

Welcome to the new Stuart

As we were going to bed Sunday night Wendy commented, "Ben, if you have anything you want to do before the baby comes...you should probably do it right now."  After thinking for a second I rolled over and went to sleep.

Wendy tells me that her labor pains started around midnight. Like the champ that she is, she didn't wake me up until three thirty. Her contractions were a couple minutes apart by then so we decided it was time to go to the hospital. 

Our plan had been to delay going to the hospital longer than we did with Andrew as we live so close to the hospital and it would more comfortable for Wendy at home. We thought we had delayed longer, but after checking in we were slightly disappointed (deflated might be another word) that Wendy was only dilated to 6 cm. Still great for laboring alone...but a centimeter less than last time. 

Not to worry, Wendy did amazing and the rest of the labor went faster. When we entered the hospital I made sure to ask for a room with a tub. Wendy had enjoyed the "spa treatment" jetted tub during Andrew's labor and this time was no different. Wendy spent the majority of the next few hours in the hospital in the jetted tub.

At 7 o'clock the nurse changed shift. She checked in on us. Then our midwife, Pete Barnard, checked in on us. Then two minutes later, after they all left, Wendy had a big contraction and yelled out, "I want to push!" I pulled the call cord and immediately, so it seemed, the entire labor and delivery staff rushed into the room.

Wendy started to push, and 20 minutes later at 7:28am Cameron Ashton Stuart was born. He was 8 lb 4 oz. and 19.5 inches.  He also came out hungry. As soon as Cameron was placed on Wendy's belly he started rooting. He didn't stop eating for an hour.