Four (+) Christmases

With the newest addition to our family right before Christmas, it felt like Christmas was busier than ever.  Between the sleeping habits of a newborn and lots of family to meet, Christmas was quite the marathon and we wouldn't have changed it for the world.  In typical grandkid style, Henry certainly racked up.

The first Christmas celebration started off at Jojo and Toppy's house, where we also celebrated Uncle Tom's birthday. Henry meet his cousins, Elizabeth, Thomas and John William. Aunt Tina took photos of their special meeting.

 Sneak peak of the Powell family Christmas Card

Henry's first, but not last, stocking - Thanks Jojo & Toppy!

A few of Henry's Aunties. Thanks for coming Aunt Rita, Kels, and Carly!
special thanks for the yummy food and toys

Next, we went to DeeDee & Granddad's for Christmas Eve

 Henry's other stocking. I think we could stuff six of him inside it. Thanks DeeDee & Granddad

Then, Great Grandmother Powell's for Christmas Dinner

 With Great-Aunt Beth

With Great-Uncle Phil

 With Great-Grandmother Powell

 Henry is sporting the new outfit from Jojo and Toppy

Then, back to our home for Smith Family Gift Opening

Henry, of course, slept through the whole thing

Finally, we rounded off the marathon with a visit from Great Aunt Sandi and Great Uncle Chance all the way from Colorado. 

Henry and Great-Aunt Sandi. Somehow I missed the picture with Chance. Next time!

All in all, it was a wonderful Christmas season. Kyle and I are very blessed this year. Henry is the best gift that we have ever received (sorry Mom and Dad!). Henry slept through all the gift opening but we certainly enjoyed all the merriment. We look forward to future Christmases and cannot wait to see Henry ripping into gifts with the same gusto as his cousins this year.  A special thanks to all of our family who made Henry's first Christmas a success.  What a whirlwind! 

Its time to sleep. What a holiday!

LPS

Henry's first "Portraits"

So when the hospital photographer came into the room to do photographs, I wasn't really expecting much.  But when these pictures came back, I was so excited and impressed. Piedmont hospital photographers, good job!  So of course, we had to get prints and the digital copies of the pictures.  Henry just a couple days old and he is already a natural in front on the camera.

Welcome to the world Henry Powell Smith!

Let it be said that I am a terrible writer. Trust me, I am not being modest. Please ignore grammar mistakes, syntax errors, and the like. Kyle and I decided to create this blog to share photos and stories about the newest member of our family, Henry Powell Smith.

We welcomed Henry into this world on 12-12-2011 at 4:47PM. Because Henry was breech, I had to have a c-section.  So the whole thing was rather planned and actually suited my type A personality.  Although we did not know the sex of the baby until he was born, it was no surprise that Henry was a boy.  In private, Kyle and I had always called the baby bump Henry (occasionally Hank). Kyle was determined to have a boy and well, he got his Christmas wish.  As for me, I was just happy having a healthy baby.

So Henry came into our world and we both could not be more in love. Of course, we think our child is absolutely amazing and we like to brag about how great he is at nursing, at sleeping (I think (2) 3.5 hr shifts at night is pretty great), and about how strong his neck already is. I mean he will be crawling in months, just kidding, we are just typical proud parents.  Although, to Henry's credit, my mom, Jojo, likes to remind me that I have a good first baby. Henry is great and our support system is amazing. We are so fortunate to have all of our immediate family around us. Even with the craziness of the holiday season, our parents have made multiple trips to see us, bring food, see and play with Henry. I mean, my father-in-law has even helped us with some minor household repairs.

Enough writing and now to the good stuff. Pictures of Henry!!  This first post might have one too many but it has been a great first two weeks or so.  Well minus Christmas events, those pictures will come soon.

So pre-c-section shot, my belly button never became an outie.

 It's a boy! Henry's First Picture, well beside the ultrasounds....

 7 lb, 3oz!

 First picture of me and Henry

 Henry with Toppy and me

 the Smith men, Dad, Henry and Granddad

 Smith Family 3

 Henry with his mom and his Jojo

 Me and Henry about to leave the hospital, please note the adorable sweet pea hat.

 Wait, did they really let us go home with him? Do we have enough blankets? We need hats! We need burp cloths!

 DeeDee and Henry just relaxing

 Henry with Aunt Erin and Uncle Coop (btw thanks for the yummy food!)

 Snoozing on my boppy. 

Jojo and Henry