Family portrait

Today we went for a walk! Outside!

New normal

So, wow, a week just went by. We've been over here, adjusting to this new life and figuring each other out. All things considered, it's going quite well. We had a few rough nights but we're learning how to schedule our days in order to encourage Hank to sleep at night, and routines are forming. Turns out he's a pretty neat kid.

sleepy

let's go Pens!



first bath... not a fan


best friends


Saturday morning

We hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving... Guess it's pretty obvious what we're thankful for this year.

- Val

They call it "labor" for a reason, you know...

Yes, I know.

One week removed, it's still a bit difficult for me to process what it took to get Hank into this world. Adam and I have been talking about it bit by bit, and certain parts are coming into focus while others have already begun to fade away. Last week at this time we had checked into the hospital, excited that I had progressed to 7 cm with relatively little discomfort, thinking we'd have a baby in our arms before we knew it. But it would be twelve long hours before we got to meet the little guy, and I'm not sure either of us had any idea what was coming.

Birth fulfilled many of the stereotypes - it was amazing, and difficult, and life-changing, and all of that. It was the birth I wanted, and that I had hoped for without knowing if I could hack it. We did it - Adam and I did it, because I could not have done it without him - without interventions or drugs. Many factors worked in our favor, and some worked against me. My labor progressed naturally (though much more slowly than I might have liked) and the midwives attending the birth never imposed any time limits or deadlines on the process. No one ever told me there was a problem or suggested that there wasn't satisfactory progress, and I was constantly encouraged by everyone in the room. Also, Henry held up incredibly through days of contractions and four hours (!) of pushing, his heart rate staying strong and never giving anyone reason to worry. He was posterior presenting, however, which accounts for the long labor and pushing and the back pain I experienced. Still, I don't feel like I did something extraordinary... things just progressed and happened, and I got through them one step at a time, and then suddenly he was here, screaming and eyes open and none of that mattered any longer. Looking at the photographs now, I'm amazed by the look of happiness and energy on my face after the birth. Overall I'm incredibly grateful for the experience, even if it had its ugly moments. And besides, the outcome is so very cute and snuggly, it's hard to hold a grudge.

Tina, the midwife who delivered Henry.

- Val

our first babysitter

Her method of calming is mostly obsessive licking, but Henry doesn't seem to mind.


p.s. No babies or dogs were harmed in the taking of this photo, nor do we let her lick the baby. It is inevitable, however, that if Addie is left to her own devices, she will give him the most exfoliating tongue bath he'll ever have.

Pictures

As far as the first couple nights go, it wasn't so bad. We got some sleep (almost 3.5 consecutive hours last night) and Henry must be eating well since he's not losing much of his birth weight.

As promised, here are some more pictures.


No occasion would be complete without at least one self-portrait, so this was the first father-son portrait.



And the first family self-portrait. Henry's best side isn't really facing the camera, so we'll work on it next time.

One of many contorted facial expressions.


It's a cool, grey day in Pittsburgh, but staying inside and changing poopy diapers sounds like the perfect Saturday to me.

-dad

Welcome home, Sir Henry.

When we left the house on Monday afternoon to go to a previously scheduled (41 week) appointment at the midwives' office, I said something like, "We might be coming back home tonight, so let's not get our hopes up." Fortunately, we left with bags in tow and our recovering dog ready to be taken care of by very gracious neighbors. Three days later, we've returned to our house and a recovered dog with those suitcases and one additional person.

As you all know by now, this guy was born Tuesday, November 17th at 9:34am.

Henry Leo Cummings's fighting weight started at 8 lbs 9 oz and 21 3/4 inches long, which just might give him a chance against his slightly older cousin Garrett.

We're still processing everything that took place this week, but we're pretty thrilled to have everyone healthy and ready to start this adventure. Thanks to everyone to has visited us, emailed us, fed and cared for our dog and generally conveyed happy thoughts in our direction. They were appreciated more than you all know.

Stay tuned over the coming days and weeks for more about us and him trying to figure this all out.

-dad