Andrew meets the family

It's hard being born into a brand new family. There are all kinds of new people to meet. Everyone wants to hold you, make faces at you, and even visit you in the hospital.

The day that Andrew was born we had delusions that Wendy and baby would be able to get some sleep. It didn't quite work out that way. From almost the minute that Andrew was born we had a constant stream of relatives coming in to admire our new addition. It amazed me how well the family spaced themselves out. We had someone visiting with us constantly until late that evening. Yet, we never had more than two people visiting us at the same time. As one group left, another would be walking in with little to no overlap. It was actually nice. We were able to visit with everyone for a short period of time and they were able to have some time alone with the baby. We are so glad that everyone came. Andrew's lucky to have such a good family and so many people who love him.

Grandma Stuart

Grandma Stuart

Grandpa Stuart

Grandpa Stuart

Stuart Grandparents

Stuart Grandparents

Stuart Grandparents

Aunt Debbie

Aunt Lizzie

Canfield Cousins

Uncle Eric

Meeting cousin Nigel

Meeting cousin Nigel

Aunt Melinda

Uncle Scott

Great Aunt Marsha

Meeting cousin Samuel

Meeting cousin Samuel

Ashton Grandparents

Aunt Karen

Aunt Dejah

Meeting cousin Eliot

Uncle Brian

Uncle Kevin

Bringing Andrew Home

I had two conflicting emotions this past Sunday when we were able to bring Andrew home from the hospital. The first emotion was expected; excitement. We get to bring our tiny little boy into our home and create a brand new family. How exciting is that?

The second emotion that I wasn't quite expecting was trepidation. I think Wendy expressed it well when she stated that it's comforting to be in the hospital because if you don't know something,or if something goes wrong there is someone just a short button push away. Suddenly when we're home alone with him, we're alone. Everything stops at us. It is a jointly exhilarating and sobering thought. Welcome to being a parent I guess.

Andrew did not like getting into the car seat

Exiting the hospital

Getting into the car

Mom and baby in the car

Arrived at the house

Going in the door

Down into our apartment

All the other stuff from the hospital

Welcome home Andrew! 

I'm not sure how it happened but both Wendy and I have constantly had the song "Glad you Came" by The Wanted running through our heads. We feel the chorus expresses much of how we feel upon bring home our little boy.

The sun goes down
The stars come out
And all that counts
Is here and now
My universe will never be the same
I'm glad you came

First Bath-time

The hospital is good about making sure that new parents have all of the skills required once they take the new baby home. Parents are the ones who change diapers, track feedings, and keep the baby dressed. Staff typically only assess the baby and leave all personal cares to the parents. The one exception to this rule is bathing. It appears that bathing is complicated enough that it requires a nurse to show how to complete each step to the process. 

Getting Baby ready for bath

Soaping the baby up

Rinsing baby off

Rinsing baby's head

Lotioning baby - The only part the nurse let us do

Dressing baby

Getting ready to swaddle

Swaddled up

I don't know about any of you but I feel like an expert now. I imagine I will continue to feel this way until we give the baby his first bath at home.

Introducing the new and improved Stuart family

 The full family:

Ben and Andrew:

Wendy and Andrew

And the one you are most interested in Andrew.