The Holmes Family Blog

April 24 (Ashley's Due Date) came and went, and time seemed to stand still! Long bike rides, Long walks, you name it. Nothing would make this baby come out!!!

THE BABY ROOM WAS DONE

 

 THE BABY WAS FULLY COOKED

 

CHORES AND PROJECTS HAD BEEN FINISHED!

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TIME TO SEE WHERE THAT BABY IS!

ONE STRESS TEST LATER, AND THE DR. WAS SENDING US TO THE HOSPITAL!

car packed

mommy packed

Donuts to bribe the nurses!

Wow, Ashley really looks like she is in a hurry as she sits down for a relaxing lunch on the way to the hospital...

all checked in!

Uniform is on!

A visit from the Big brother to top it all off!

A hug and kiss later, and it was showtime!!!

 

Don't worry, Patrick won't be delivering this baby. He was just locked in a room in a surgical gown and a camera left with nothing to do other than take pictures and pace back and forth!

 

ON APRIL 28th, AT 1:54 A.M., HARRISON ROBERT HOLMES JOINED OUR FAMILY!

6 LBS 11 OZ

19 1/2 INCHES

One tired Mama tries her very hardest to stay awake while Daddy takes in every detail of their new baby

After Harrison and Mommy got their tired Hello's in, the grandparents got to take a peak at their newest family member in the Nursery.

 

Now, in every Fairy Tale, the charmed prince has his challenges before he slays the dragon and sweeps the princess off of her feet. 

Prince Harrison faced his biggest battle right at the start and needed a little extra help before he could come home to Mommy and Daddy.

Although Daddy was a wreck riding along with Harrison as he was transported to the Children's Hospital, Hudson assured him later that it was very cool, and that HE wanted to ride in an Ambulance!

 

Once we were settled into our new digs at the NICU, everyone tried to spend some quality time with Harrison before his big day in surgery.

Even Hudson came by to help hold Harrison with Daddy

 

Meanwhile back at the other hospital, Hudson was having meal time in Mommy's big comfy bed.

Back at the house, preparations were being made for Harrison's grand arrival!

 

On the day of surgery, Daddy spent some quality skin to skin time with Harrison

Daddy kissed his little prince goodbye, wished him luck, and waited with Grammy for his return.

Harrison got lots of visitors in the NICU. Even Dr. Big Brother stopped by!

 

Hudson (Dr. Big Brother), was most impressed with the video aquarium on the floor of the lobby. We spent lots of time playing with the fish.

Mommy was finally released and allowed to come visit her little man.

Back at the house, Lola played babysitter and watched Hudson as he played trains.

 

In the mornings, Hudson was a huge help to Daddy and the two of them would make Mommy nutritious green smoothies to help get her back on her feet!

After her smoothies, it is off to the hospital to read to Harrison.

All those good books helped Harrison stay relaxed, and he was recovering in record time!

Hudson came by to hold Harrison's hand and assure him that everything would be okay.

Harrison thought his big brother was funny

Back at the house, people were getting restless waiting for the prince! New activities were created as Doh Doh demonstrates Virginia Beach Sled Dog Racing

All the trips back and forth late at night to the hospital can be tiring

Hudson pitched in and took care of the dogs.

Before long, Harrison was taken out of his big scary bed, and given the closest thing to a crib that the hospital had.

Hudson kept an eye on the house and just relaxed while we were tending to Harrison

Harrison was finally allowed to be clothed

and cuddled...

 

Finally, after months and months of baby-safe foods, Mommy was got to have Sushi!

 

Having fought through the worst, Harrison toughed it out for a couple more days while the doctors ran their tests and made sure he was clear to leave.

 

Daddy and Hudson killed time doing their favorite things, like going to the zoo and watching the monkeys...

Then after, they would come and tell Harrison all about it...

People started to wonder if Hudson and Harrison looked alike at all. Can you tell who is who???

Back at home, grandparents spend plenty of time spoiling and cuddling with Hudson so that he doesn't feel left out.

Meanwhile at the hospital, Patrick and Ashley kill waiting time taking plenty of pictures with Harrison

Harrison passed his car seat test with flying colors!

 

DayDay, Patrick, and Hudson took in some Monster Truck action on the beach...

hot dog... check..... bun.... check

we love monster trucks!

Harrison is stripped of any and all IV's. Now let's ditch the heartrate monitor!

Hudson, DayDay, and DohDoh took in a movie to pass the time

one last check of his surgical incision, and we were cleared....

ONE FINAL PICTURE, AND WE ALL HIT THE ROAD! HARRISON HAD GRADUATED FROM THE NICU IN RECORD TIME.... 11 DAYS FOLLOWING MAJOR SURGERY

Mommy had been hard at work making milk in preparation for HRH's arrival! THE DAIRY IS OPEN!

Everybody was oohing and aahing over Harrison when he got home...

We excitedly got the Nursery prepared for the first in-home diaper change!

Guess who wanted to help!

Hudson hand-delivered the official diaper

Even the dogs were there for support

Lucy was first on guard duty

Hudson helped set up his swing

Lola took the next shift

While Harrison settled in, Hudson checked our strawberry patch to see if we could start picking soon.

We had our first family story time

Lola called dibs on the first evening shift

Hudson showed Harrison how to play on his mat

During the day, Hudson would spend time with Grammy and Papa so that Mommy and Daddy could help Harrison adjust to life at home... I'm not quite sure why Hudson's cup is so much bigger than Papa's!

Finally it was time for the first Strawberry Harvest!

 

sometimes big boys miss being little and playing with their old toys. Hudson occasionally jumps in to try the old gear out.

Hudson also has his big boy toys. Ages 8 and up??? Nonsense!

Sometimes when the grandparents are in town, we get up a little bit early and go to get the whole house Donuts!

sprinkles are our favorite!

still testing out the old gear...

New baby means new baby gear. Taking the old Chariot for a ride with some cool attachments...

you're never too old for a trip down the slide!

Here Harrison, have some food that is way to big for you

Being the child of 2 dentists means getting tortured with impression material even while you sleep...

hands and feet? check!

Time for some grocery shopping.... but where to we put the groceries???

Nothing like the first time you get pooped on!

Meanwhile, outside, Papa is abused with a game of ring-around-the-rosie

They watch planes together

they wrestle

Hudson shows true sportsmanship and helps papa get up

 

It took a little longer than expected, but we finally had Harrison's newborn shoot at the house...

Grammy, Papa, and Hudson watched Shaun the Sheep while the studio was being used downstairs

3 GENERATIONS OF HOLMES MEN

 

Sometimes you're not quite ready to get up from a nap, and everyone ends up napping in the toddler's room.... This is also called, "quick honey, check to see if we have a carbon monoxide leak!!!!"

 

And just like that, Harrison's crazy journey here was over. 

He was home, healthy, and happy.

We are so lucky to have the family that we have. Harrison is 3 weeks old. We had family in our house every day over the past 3 weeks helping us get adjusted to our new life. The grandparents left with 3 weeks of incredible memories, and we couldn't be more thankful to have them in our lives!