Mama's 6 week check up... can I vent here?

Today has been an unusually busy Tuesday.

We started the day with my 6 week post-partum check up at the OBGYN's. They adored Henry of course... and I loved every minute of it. Sadly, after I checked in I found out I wasn't meeting with my doctor but with one of her many nurse assistents. They are lovely people, but second string is never as satisfying as the star of the show. I'm fine with one of the nurses doing my exams and taking the stats.... but I was really REALLY sad to not get to say thank you, say goodbye, and be able to talk and hear about my birth story from my doctor. When I asked the nurse if it was possible to talk to my doctor... she just looked at me with this blank stare, "well, what ever for?". I said I wanted to talk with her about my story and hear it from her perspective. She matter of factly replied it was unlikely that she would remember the details from everyone's birth since she does so many. "Was there something specific you wanted to know?". My emotions (hormones) were surging at this point. I understand what she was saying, but I have been so disappointed with this whole cookie cutter-30 second appointments-experience with the OBGYN.

Believe me, I prepared myself for this experience to be different from the midwife experience, but I guess I am just so surprised to find the parts that I thought were fundamental to anyone going through this .... to be missing. I felt left at the alter. I felt that my experience didn't matter to her... its just mine to share with myself. Like a girl that just lost her virginity and wants to cuddle and talk about it... but instead her prince charming has fallen asleep. UGH. Then, the nurse gives me a complex for asking. Maybe I'm asking too much... its possible... but I'm a sensitive girl that appreciates her intimate moments... and the birth of your child is defintely one of the most intimate life offers.

Thanks for listening.

We leave for N.M. tomorrow so stay tuned for vacation pictures when we return.

I'm 12.5 pounds!

The unofficial current weight is 12.5 pounds. Since birth... I have lost 4 pounds and he's gained just about that... hope this pattern keeps up.. I've got about 20 more to go! (Photo courtesy of sissy Ayla... playing in the back seat with Henry on our way back from Sunday dinner.)

Something sad and something happy

Two weeks ago today, we said goodbye unexpectedly to our sweet GOODBOY. We found him lying in the fresh cut grass in the sun... a complete mystery as to what brought on his untimely death.

Ayla and I had the great privilege of witnessing him being born into this world on October 6th 2003 in our home on King Street.



He was incredibly sweet and LOVED his soft white belly to be rubbed.... but he also was big for adventure.

He rarely came in the house; he prefered the fresh air. He adored MAX and would try and play with him often, but MAX would usually get confused by his affections and go hide under the bed. We miss you so much GOODBOY!!

Loss is never easy... maybe its just post pregnancy hormones... but I get weepy all the time thinking of GOODBOY and how much I miss him and how sad I am that little Henry will never get to meet our beautiful cat.

The little something that is happy ... is walking out onto our porch and finding this incredibly gorgeous blossom to start my day. Hibiscus are so vibrant and welcoming. Reminds me of sweet sunshine.

A celebration cake and one cute baby

This week we celebrated a huge milestone for Ayla. She lost her last baby tooth... her 20th tooth came out on Tuesday while at a sleepover. Dr. Scull's staff really wanted to pull it on Monday when she was in for a visit, but she stood strong to endure whatever it took for it to come out on its own (just a LITTLE stubborn like me... yeps). At her 10th tooth, the tooth fairy started leaving her candles much to her confusion... all was revealed when we all 20 candles for all her baby teeth showed up on a glorious homemade cake with homemade icing and homemade ice cream on the side... YUMMO! Not sure what message this tooth fairy is sending by celebrating with sugar filled treats... go figure.

Henry is so animated and adorable. Every picture he seems to get cuter and cuter and more fun...

Growing like a weed

I think all this rain is not only making our lawn grow like crazy, but Henry too.

We graduated from the newborn diapers when he was only 2 weeks old. (By the way... We are so loving our diaper service. Clean, soft, fluffy diapers on our doorstep every Monday. Another thanks to all of you who gifted us certificates for our diaper service... WE LOVE IT! THANK YOU!)
At 5 1/2 weeks old, he's officially grown out of 0-3 month clothes and on to 3-6 month. Instead of a pile of onesies, we have graduated to some really cute stuff... here he is in a baseball outfit. Play ball, yall!

A Saturday for all things British

Saturday, we went for a double shot of Harry Potter. I'm starting to figure out this pumping mama's milk thing... so Dody had some fun Henry time while the rest of us went to the 5th Harry Potter movie. As much as I appreciate time to do other things outside of Henry... my emotions are still quite attached.
Moments before we left for the movie, the mail came and with it came the 7th and final book of the Harry Potter series.
Jim was racing out the door with one pant leg on in great anticipation. And he spent the rest of Saturday reading his little heart out.
Finally after I got Henry to sleep... I flipped on to see David Beckham's American debue playing with the LA Galaxy... ended up watching the whole game. Something like 16 of their 17 games will be televised this season. Love it.

Henry's Blue Steel

Zoolander... eat your heart out!

Super Tuesday!

Henry is one month old!! It's been a remarkable first month.
~ Henry born on Father's Day (Did yall know Jim was born on Mother's Day?)
~ Born a whopping 8 lb 15 oz.
~ At 2 weeks old weighed in at 9 lb 15 oz.
~ His belly button is so cute!
~ He's such a wide eyed little one... awake and aware of people and his environment
~ He's pretty much settled into a sunrise and sunset schedule.
~ He is incredibly strong. He's holding his head a lot of the time and his little hands are like little vice grips. Now I remember why mom's cut their long hair off with young babies. Ouch!
~ He's really starting to coo and talk more... there's simply nothing more precious than the sounds from an infant.

The second thing that makes this such a super Tuesday... is that sissy Ayla is home!!! We picked her up from the airport tonight and celebrated with yummy chinese food. Thanks so much Jilly Bobo for having her... but we are SO happy to have her home!

Granma Joan and Grandpop John head home

Friday the 13th, our visit with the grandparents came to an end. It was such a treat to have Jim's parents here for 2 whole weeks.


The time flew by as we all fell easily into the baby time warp.


I am so incredibly happy they were able to come and be witness to Henry during the precious newborn days. Thanks so much Joan and John for everything. We miss you so much!

A big Tuesday

Two big outings for Henry on Tuesday. First Grampop John, Henry and I went to Daddy's work, while grandmoms Joan and Jan went for tea at the new Steeping Room.

We had take out Wendy's for lunch and then Henry met "all the people in the neighborhood". He was an absolute angel. Asleep during lunch, then awake just long enough for the rounds, ate a snack and went back to sleep on the way out. We went home and both Henry and I had a nice long nap. I really need to do that more often. I almost felt rested. :) For dinner, we all went out to Papa and Jan's for an incredibly delicious filet dinner and really good visit. We learned a lot about both John and Papa's experiences through the years and how the technology of their careers changed so dramatically over the years. It was so interesting. I hope they both write down their memoirs to share with their families. Henry almost slept entirely through dinner, but he joined in for some visiting. Thanks so much Papa and Jan for such a yummy yummy dinner!! We had a great time.

Uncle Jack's birthday and the Maryland style Crab Feast!

Saturday, we picked up the crabs and Grampop John and Daddy Jim went to work on steaming the feast for Sunday.



Here's Jim trying to revive some of the not-so-lively crabs... there's always a few that don't make the journey alive, but this batch had an unfortunate 13 that were unsalvagable.
Here's Henry and Grandma Joan relaxing in the afternoon breezes.



Sunday, we all joined up at Dody's to feast and celebrate Jack's and Henry's birth!

His beautiful smile

Attempts at catching a newborn's smile is impossible at best. You basically have to camp out with the camera attached to your eye ... praying one crosses his face. What makes a newborn smile anyhoo? Then, after all the waiting, actually capturing it on camera is equally challenging. I couldn't believe my luck today... must be that 7/7/07 thing. Hope it makes you smile right back. ;)