Hail to the Redskins!!!

Henry was absolutely ecstatic about today's win over the Cowboys. I was explaining the long history between the Washington Redskins and the Dallas Cowboys and he couldn't get enough. He was cheering and raising his arms to say "touchdown!" Needless to say, he had a great Sunday afternoon.

FYI, I've added some pix to the slide show below and archived many of the older pix. The hospital, bath, and other pix can be found on the right in the "web album" section.

Henry's First Road Trip

Congratulations Ann & Sean!!! Jenny's high school friend Ann Aydlett got married this weekend to Sean Sanderson in Roanoke VA and we got to witness it all. Leading up to the weekend we were not sure if we would be able to make it as Jenny was still recovering and the pediatrician said Henry should not be around too many people. By Friday Jenny felt great and Henry wouldnt stop clammering about meeting all "Aunti Ann" so we drove to her sisters house in Baltimore to stay the night and split up the trip.

Kathleen took great care of Riley while we got back on the road down to Roanoke, VA Saturday morning. Henry did great in the car. I think he enjoys car rides as he usually just falls right asleep. He ate well when we stopped to feed and change him and the drive was absolutely beautiful.

The wedding/reception were fantastic. Jenny got to see all her high school friends (and their babies!) and little Henry got to meet evereyone for the first time. We kept Henry in the stroller for most of the evening to protect him (per the pediatrician) and he just slept the evening away listening to the band. The drive home Sunday was just as easy as the drive down with Henry and Jenny sleeping away in the back seat. A couple stops to feed Henry and one to pick up Riley and we were back home.

It was a really fun road trip and Henry said he can't wait to go on another. I told him we'd be heading back to VA in the coming months and he was very excited :)

more pix added below

Sleeping with big brother

Henry finally got some time to hang out with his big brother today. They were both a little tired so they decided to just take a nap together.

Rubber Duckie, You're the One...

Henry was a little sleepy while I was trying to feed him. To help wake him up, Todd went to change his diaper upstairs. As I was waiting for Henry's return, I heard Todd yelling and laughing loudly. It turned out Henry had the urge to tinkle in the middle of the diaper change. And the next thing Todd knows, Henry is covered with pee! Needless to say, it was time for Henry's first bath!

Thank you to Angela and Christine for the bathtub and cute towel!

Day 6, and counting...

We are all doing great and trying to learn Henry's little mannerisms. Jenny is still working on recovering and keeping little Henry fed. Jenny's mom has been a huge help this week dropping by a couple times with dinner and helping to clean up the kitchen a bit. We can't thank her enough.

I added a couple pix to the slide show and enjoy the video of Henry sneezing below...

Day 5 as parents...

The past few days have been a complete joy. My parents came up from VA to visit us in the hospital and meet their first grandchild. Jenny's family came in from DC, MD and locally to visit us as well. We were even lucky enough to have Jenny's oldest sister visit from Alaska! All the support from family and friends has really meant a lot while we were in the hospital.

So far we are getting adjusted to life at home with little Henry. The first two nights in the hospital we let him stay in the nursery with the nurses so we could catch up on some sleep. The first day home he slept about 4 hrs at night. Sunday night he slept for almost 5 hours. Monday afternoon we saw the pediatrician for the first time and she said Henry is doing well. Henry has lost 5 oz since birth and the doc thinks he has lost all he is going to lose and is starting to gain weight. We go back this Friday for our next check-up.

Many, many pix below, enjoy.

Please welcome Henry Thomas McDannell

Jenny's labor started early Thursday morning about 6am. By 9am she was having regular contractions so we called the doctor who said to come in to the office. After a short visit, the doctor said she was still at 1cm and to go home and wait for Friday when she was set to be induced.

After returning home Jenny's contractions began to get stronger and more fruequent till we met the 5-1-1 rule so we called the doc again around 4pm. They said to come in and after inspection found she was at 3-4 cms and that we would be admitted to the hospital right then.

After a couple more hours of contractions Jenny got the epidural (approx 6:30pm) which was a true blessing as she had almost no pain for the rest of her contractions. By 8:30pm the doctor said it was time to push and push she did. At 9:54pm we welcomed Henry Thomas McDannell into our family. He was born at 7lbs 14oz and 21 1/2 inches.

As I post this it is Friday morning 10am and Jenny and Henry are doing great. She is currently trying to get Henry to breast feed and rest while she can.

Thank you to all of our friends and family that have contacted us over the last couple days, your compasion means the world to us. It is such a great feeling that you all were thinking about us.

We are currently scheduled to check out and return home on Saturday, more to follow in the
coming days!

See a few pix further down.