Everett James weighed 7 lbs 5 oz, is 20 1/2 oz long, and has quite a bit of cute blonde hair. I have spent the past several days more thankful than ever for camera phone technology, which has allowed me to see for myself through plenty of pictures and two video chat sessions that Everett and his parents are all happy, healthy, and enjoying the chance to get to know one another. I am so proud of Nate and Ashley for keeping calm throughout her extended labor and trust that this final "test" of pregnancy will serve them well as preparation for being parents of a newborn. I suspect they needed this lesson less than I did, since they tend to "go with the flow" better than I do, and since Ashley has plenty of experience with littles. But if they did need a reminder of how to manage stressful circumstances where you feel like everything is out of your control, and all you can do is wait until things change, they got a good one!
Selfishly, I am quite excited to have a new little baby in my life! Seeing Everett's pictures and hearing about how he's doing gives me a chance to reminisce about when Nora was an itty bitty baby, and it is easy to be nostalgic about that time now that Nora sleeps 12 uninterrupted hours a night, makes nursing a soothing experience, goes down for naps instantly, can stay in the same clothes all day long, and is almost always pleasant and content. : ) It will be so much fun to see and hear about Everett's development along the way. I am also very excited to watch my brother continue to embrace being a dad. It has been fun for me to see how Nate has grown, changed, and come into his own as Ashley's partner. It's also been a pleasure to find out what a positive influence she is in his life and how they've learned to balance one another out to make such a strong, happy pair. I can only imagine it will be even more enjoyable to see the ways baby Everett enhances their family and changes their outlooks on life. Everett is so fortunate to have parents who are so loving and devoted to one another and to him.
I am also excited to find out what it's like to be an aunt. I perceive my responsibilities to include offering all the support and encouragement I can while also withholding any and all "advice" unless it is specifically solicited. I have more than one year of round-the-clock on-the-job training, so I know a lot of things now that I wish I'd known when I was in their shoes, but I think the best way for them to figure everything out on their own. How things work for them and their little guy won't be the same as how things have worked for me, Billy, and Nora. At the same time, Nate and Ashley, I hope you know you are not in this alone, that I'm more than happy to act as a sounding board for any questions or problems you might have, and we'd love to help if there's anything we can do to make the road easier for you. I love you guys, and I love your little guy, and I can't wait to see you all in a few weeks!!
And now for the photos. Here's the first picture I saw, with Nate holding Everett, where I could really make out his face.
When we woke up in the morning, Nate had posted this one of Everett's first bath. I showed it to Nora after telling her that her cousin had been born while she slept. She said "HIIIII!" and pointed at Everett's face. When I asked her, "Do you see the baby?" she started saying "Bayybeee! Bayyybeee!"
Later that day, we got a chance to video chat with the little guy and his parents. Everett was even awake!
Mom was at the hospital when Everett was born and got to see him shortly after birth!
Mom was at the hospital when Everett was born and got to see him shortly after birth!
And here is a photobomb of other adorable pics!!
The only minor drawback of Everett's arrival is that it's really made me feel like Nora is not a baby anymore. She's still a little thing, but she walks so well, has so much hair, and has a smile so full of teeth that she definitely seems like she's in a whole different category than her little cousin. Oh well... time marches on!
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