Welcome To The World Baby Henry

It's official!!  I'm FINALLY a Grandma!!!  Henry Enzo Clouse joined our family tree on February 8, 2011.  He is a BEAUT!!!!  Teeny little fella weighed in at 7 lbs 1 oz... 20 1/2" long and has a head full of dark hair.  He is truly his Daddy's clone with bits of Momma's personality thrown into the mix.  I know ALL Grandma's proclaim their Grandbabies are just the sweetest, prettiest babies ever.... and I must admit... this is also true with Henry.  Henry has his fathers looks and laid back disposition... in fact... he is a sleeper and has to be wakened to be fed... in fact... today Henry is a whole week old and sleeps from midnight to 6:00am... then he has to be wakened to feed.  He rarely fusses and is quite alert when he is actually awake.  I told my daughter this is exactly the kind of baby most new Mom's wish for because he is just so sweet, laid back and easy. 

I am currently in Akron Ohio with the new "House of Clouse" family... thus the reason for the long stretch since my last posting.  It's been a bit hectic and busy... but... WONDERFUL!  Both Grandpa and I made it in for the birth... and I had the honor of being in the delivery room with Lauren and Kevin, along with my oldest daughter (Amber) who is a labor and delivery nurse.  I honestly never wanted to be in a delivery room to witness a birth (I tend to be quite squeamish with blood and such)... ESPECIALLY my own daughter's delivery... however... when I was requested to be there... how could I say no??!!  When I said SURE!!! I'd love to be in there with you... I thought that I would remain behind the bed and out of the view line... but... it's like watching a train wreck... once you see the head coming, you can't stop looking!  It was the coolest thing I have EVER seen in my life!!!!  Sooooooooo glad I was forced to witness the birth... it was the most AMAZING moment in my life thus far!  Unfortunately... there is video documentation that Grandma was like a cat on catnip during the birth... all but jumping off the walls!  I was just soooo excited! 

There is literally no describing how incredible being a Grandparent is... too priceless for words!  I also find it quite amazing how all the men in our family have gone completely gaga over Henry!  They are all baby holding hogs!  Once they get their hands on him, they have no intention of letting go until the baby is literally taken from their arms... I definitely did not expect this reaction from the men... the women for sure... but not the men.  And I think it is the look of complete wonderment in their eyes while they are holding Henry that takes me by surprise as well... but I love watching the men with Henry. 

Grandbaby #2 (Liam) is due in just a couple of weeks and now that I know what to expect... I am giddy with anticipation!  I will  also be staying with Momma #2 for a couple of weeks postpartum.  I feel sooo much more prepared for Liam, since we have learned via trial and error with Henry on how to be organized in feeding, diapering, breast pumping and packing/loading/traveling.  In just one weeks time we feel we are now a 'well oiled machine'... and it is amazing what can be accomplished with one hand holding the baby and the other preparing bottles, diapering and bathing. 

Abundant with Blessings and looking foward to all the lessons these babies will teach us as they themselves grow and learn.  My new favorite pastime is holding and snuggling Henry.  I have already claimed "Grandma's spot" to nuzzle... which is on his neck, between/under his ears and chin.  Henry is a cuddle bug snuggler, and he doesn't care who does the cuddling or snuggling!

Before closing this post... I have to share the funniest thing that has happened since Henry's birth.  Lauren and Kevin have a year old dog (Zoey) who on day one was quite confused... thinking Henry was a toy... but she quickly learned he is the new alpha-dog in the house and is now very protective over Henry.  On the rare occasion when Henry fusses... Zoey has to come sniff or lick Henry's toes and ear to make sure he is ok.  Last night after Lauren had breast fed Henry...  she fell asleep (aka passed out from exhaustion)... head back on the couch, mouth wide open (close to snoring)... both breasts still exposed... I had taken Henry out of her arms to change his diaper and Zoey was army crawling up next to Lauren... like she usually does to claim her spot next to Lauren.  All of a sudden I hear Lauren yelp and startle awake... she thought she still had Henry in her arms and he was rooting to nurse... but... it was actually Zoey who decided to seize the moment and give her breast a big slurpy lick... and when Lauren startled awake and realized it wasn't Henry, but Zoey who wanted to suckle her breast... Zoey just sat and looked at her like "WHAT!!! I didn't do anything"!  Sooooo wish we had caught that on video... it was hilarious! 

This blog that started out as a tribute to Julia Child and has since become a random thought/experience blog will most likely have many more postings about the joys of Grandparenthood and/or about what precious new thing these babies accomplish or do.  But one thing is for sure... you can bet that Grandpa is going to encourage their interests in sports... especially golfing... Grandma is going to encourage their interests in the world of culinary treasures and we both will encourage them in world travels/cultures and the love of wonderful food.  Oh what fun we are going to have helping them discover the world. 

Welcome to the world Baby Henry... and Liam... we await your arrival and look forward to watching you boys grow up together as brother cousins!