First Days with Henry

We had lots of visitors while we were in the hospital. I did an awful job of taking pictures this time, so I apologize to those whom I didn't get pictures of!

 

All bathed and ready for his first full day!

 

 

Sweet DeeDee drove all the way to Memphis with Jane to meet Henry and then turned around and drove back to Jackson in the same day. What an amazing friend! I am so glad we got to see her!!

 

Hi Mom!

 

 

Big brother wanted to hold baby "Hengry." He does a really good job actually.

 

BooBoo got home late Thursday night, so she got to meet Henry on Friday morning!

 

Thomas discovered that the hospital bed went up and down...he had lots of fun pushing all of the buttons!

 

And watching Sprout...

 

On Friday, Henry had his pictures made. He was not very happy because he does not like to be cold.

 

Snuggled up with BooBoo waiting for his pictures.

 

 

Ready to go home. Wearing the same outfit that his Daddy went home from the hospital in!

 

So tiny in his car seat.

 

 He didn't like his crib very much the first night. Henry really likes to be bundled up and the swaddle just isn't enough. So his current bed is his bouncy seat. He only wakes up once in the middle of the night if he sleeps in that seat so we are going with it for the time being.

 

 

Good morning, World! First morning home and wide awake.

 

 

Patrick's Dad came back on Sunday and brought his Grandmother to meet Henry. She spent two days holding this baby tight. Henry loves to be held so I think they were both in heaven!

 

 

Thomas has been asking us for a pet for months. We have talked about getting a fish and he likes that idea. Grandmother gave him a fish tank that lights up and has a background of fish that swim around. He loves it and has to watch it as he goes to sleep now. My kind of fish!

 

We have spent lots of hours sitting outside enjoying the pretty weather and watching Thomas play in his new sandbox that Papa made for him. It is amazing...the benches fold down as a cover to keep out leaves and animals. Thomas has been in heaven. I love that I can watch him play out the backdoor while I make dinner. Thank you, Papa!

 

 

 

On Wednesday, we went on our first walk. The weather was too pretty not to enjoy. This little angel seems to be thinking hard during our walk.

 

 

My new wide load...the double Bob is amazing. Thomas is excited about his new ride and I am excited to be able to walk with both kiddos. Lots of miles to be logged in on this stroller!

 

Sweet Henry...such a good sleeper!

Henry's Hospital Photo Shoot

The pictures from the hospital photographer came in today! It seems like that was an eternity ago and yet it was only last week. This cute little fellow is as sweet and good as he is beautiful! He is a wonderful sleeper (praise God!), a so-so eater, and only cries when I change his diaper. His big brother has been so sweet and gentle to him. Our transition to a family of four has started off more smoothly than I could have ever expected!

 

I will post another update soon but these pictures speak for themselves.

 

 

 

 

 

And just a little comparison for everyone who is wondering who Henry looks like....he favors his big brother, but I think he has a look all his own. One thing is definitely the same in both babies - a head full of hair! Henry is on the left and Thomas is on the right.

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday, Henry Caldwell Walker!

On Monday, I went to see Dr. Kennedy. My fluids had dropped to 5.5. While this is not below 5, the baby's fetal movement had noticeably decreased and the combination concerned him. So we scheduled a C-section for Wednesday, which is his surgery day and happened to be 37 weeks exactly. I was so relieved to know the end was in sight and also to know that Dr. Kennedy would be delivering the baby.

 

The Walkers came in town on Tuesday night. Lisa, Annie and Brian couldn't be here this time, but we have Facetime'd and sent pictures constantly! We checked in at noon and by 2:53 pm, Henry Caldwell Walker was born. He weighed 6 pounds, 9 ounces and was 19.5 inches long. He came out screaming and that was the best sound I could have heard. With an early baby boy, you just never know about those lungs.

 

 

Henry got to come with us to recovery since he was 37 weeks. We enjoyed some snuggle and nursing time. My pre-op nurse, Lauren, was able to stay with me through the OR and post-op. She was the best! She also happened to have been my post-op nurse with Thomas - the one I have bragged about for years because she helped me with nursing. What a small world!

 

After a few hours, we made it to our room and a short time later, Mimi brought Thomas up to see us. He was so excited to see baby Henry, Mama and Dad. He insisted on bringing his huge giraffe stuffed animal with him to show Henry.

 

Our first picture as a family of four...even days later, I don't think it has truly set in.

 

Thomas was so curious about Henry and I don't want him to be scared around him, so we had some snuggle time so he could take a look and touch the baby. This is one of my favorite pictures from the day. I am one lucky Mama to call these two sweet little boys mine.

 

Henry told me that he wanted to get his big brother a present. He knew just what Thomas would like and we made sure to have it ready for him when they met for the first time.

 

 

Everyone got to meet Henry...Mimi and Tino with their second grandson!

 

Thomas gets very concerned when Henry cries, so Nana was explaining that when babies cry, they are just talking.

 

Thomas got to hold Henry. Look at that sweet face! He is going to be a wonderful big brother.

 

Tickling Henry's feet!

 

LuLu got in some snuggles with Henry too!

 

We are so happy to have our new baby boy here. Welcome to the world, Henry! We love you so much!!

Moments

Amanda sent me some sweet pictures from the church Easter Egg hunt since I was home resting. Thomas and Charlie are the best of friends! Look at how cute they are holding hands and giving hugs. I think they were both a little overwhelmed by the number of people at this egg hunt and apparently Thomas was upset because the Easter bunny was not at this hunt. Can't win for losing with a two year old!

                            

                         

                                

I found this cartoon on Pinterest and I literally burst out laughing....Thomas and Patrick have been devouring the huge chocolate bunny part by part. 

                          

On Monday morning, I put the second car seat in the car. I had my doctor's appointment later that day and decided, better safe than sorry. The sight of both of those car seats in the car made me pause for a minute....two babies. My first, although not really a baby anymore, still needs constant love and care. And the second, baby Henry, a newborn....oh my, am I ready for that again? I am so ready to meet him! The only thing that keeps me from being paralyzed in fear is remembering just how fast the newborn stage goes. There may be miserable moments but they are just moments - passing so fast that some days you forget. Forget the crying, the sleepless nights, the spit up stained clothes and the shower- less days. But you remember the sweet faces and moments you captured through pictures and best of all, you survive!

        

While my boys were hunting eggs, I finished up a little baby project I had been meaning to do for weeks. It was so peaceful to sew in my dining room on a pretty day listening to the Van Morrison station on Pandora.... No TV, no talking, no computer. This is the first time I have pulled out my sewing machine since Thomas was born. Not a major project...just added some cute fabric to plain burp cloths. I took a few to get monogrammed. They turned out really well and so easy! I like sewing when I have the time.

                       

Spring is here and that means lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. How big is this kiddo....he ate the whole ear of corn by himself.

                        

DeeDee and Jane were in town for a quick visit. We played at the park together for a little while along with some other girls we graduated with and their babies. Tried to get a good picture of these two but that was almost impossible because neither wanted to be still. Jane was so precious and kept coming up a patting Thomas. One day he will love it when a beautiful girl dotes on him!

This little girl wants to do everything the big kids can do!

            

At the EUMK auction a few months ago, I bought the item Thomas's teachers gave....a movie and ice cream date. Thomas and Charlie both went with Ms. Heidi and Ms. Laura to see Rio 2 and then to Ben and Jerry's. I wish we had a picture of all of them together. They had the best time...can you tell? They love their teachers and so do I. Such sweet and patient ladies. Amanda and I enjoyed much needed manicures and pedicures while the boys were so happily entertained! A win-win for boys and mommies!

                        

Quick baby update....my fluids had gone up a little on Monday after my weekend of good rest so I bought myself another week. I am supposed to rest "as much as possible" this week and we will test again on Monday. Even the doctor chuckled slightly when he said that knowing I have a 2 year old at home. Thanks to good friends and family, I have been able to squeeze in good rest this week.

 Fun fact: if they decide to take Henry on Tuesday, I will be 36 weeks and 6 days, which is exactly how far along I was when Thomas was born. I would prefer to wait until at least Wednesday so Dr. Kennedy can do the c-section and we will be that magical 37 weeks full term!