So Happy Together...

We made it! Andrew Joshua is here, and better than we could have imagined. He made his appearance Thursday, January 27, 2011, coming in at 7 lbs, 12 oz, 20 inches long. The whole thing, like our pregnancy, was so smooth. I started having contractions at 4am on Thursday, we were at the hospital by 7, my water broke at 10, I had an epidural at 12 (yeah!), and he was born at 4:35. We were the first of 6 births in two days at Haywood Regional, including a pre-mature high risk c-section. In a hospital that only has around 350 births a year, it was a major population explosion. We got such great care the whole stay. We were so impressed with the way the doctors and nursing staff handled the stress and took care of us so well.

We had a constant stream of visitors through Saturday when we came home. People who welcomed Andrew into the world at the hospital included our parents (obviously), Sara, Ben, Emily, Robin, my Nana and Papa, Mom and Dad, Papa Robins (Lisa's dad), Cayli, Susie, Eric, Martha Teater, Dr. Prince, Dan and Leslie, my assistant Lynn, Katie and Damon, Katherine, Ann and James, Mike, Jen, Mickey, and Marisa, and I'm sure others my mother-of-a-4-day-old brain can't remember. It was a two day party. Andrew became an expert at meeting new people. It turns out he has excellent people skills.

Since we have come home things have been wonderful. Andrew is awesome at eating, peeing, pooping, and keeping Mommy and Daddy totally mesmerized. He is getting great at nursing and is sleeping in his cradle when we can bear to put him down. Mostly Josh and I just giggle and talk to each other about how amazing he is.

We went to the doctor today and Andrew has gained back his birth weight plus an ounce (7 lbs, 13 oz). He is doing so well, they don't need to see him back for a month, except for when he gets circumcised on Thursday (sad day for baby). We knew he was perfect, but it was fun to hear it from someone else. :-)

Sorry I have been slow to update. I have actually been working on the update for several days, but like I said earlier, Andrew is pretty distracting. Josh is taking beautiful pictures that he is putting on Facebook, so watch for them. I will put them up here too.


"Hi Mommy"


"So what instrument would you like to learn first?"


Andrew was so alert for the first few hours. It was so cool to watch him meet everyone. You could tell he had been waiting months to put faces with these voices.


A small fraction of Andrew's adoring public.


Andrew loves his Nana and Grandma.




My first baby with my first baby.








Aunt Cayli made it just in time for my epidural. Good timing, eh?


I had to put a better hat on him. Those hospital hats are not nearly cool enough for the son of a knitter.


Eric just turned 12, the same age I was when he was born. His parents were living in the house we are in now when they brought him home from the hospital. I'm thinking these guys will be friends. :-)


Drew loves Daddy


Sweet face


Before birth, Andrew had a special talent for hiccups. He continues to be awesome at them.


Andrew tells Daddy lots of stories when Daddy burbs him. Male bonding stuff, I guess. :-)


Mom came by for another visit and Andrew was prepared in his "I Heart Mom" outfit.


The first of many naps, I am sure.




Andrew's Adoring Aunts


My cousin Kym got Andrew this great Ralph Lauren onsie that is the fanciest outfit he owns. It goes great with the hat I made him to match Josh. He looked gorgeous on the way home from the hospital.








I think we will keep him. :-)