We had a little party for Avery’s 3rd birthday. Four of his friends came to help celebrate along with our friends and family. The night before the party our oven broke so we had ginormous Costco cupcakes instead. I’m sure the other parents we’re appreciative of the extra sugar we dispensed to the kids 😉
We had a great time celebrating and visiting with everyone. Avery really enjoyed his presents this year. He’s getting pretty good at opening them.

Last weekend Avery turned 2. We had a celebration for him, though we kept it a bit smaller than his first birthday. This year Avery really enjoyed his cake (last year he wouldn’t touch it). And he opened his presents with only a little help from cousin, Nicole.

Our little boy turned one today! We had the customary 1st birthday party attended by family and a handful of ‘friends with kids’. The party was slightly chaotic with kids running/crawling in all directions, while parents and family snacked on hors d’oeuvres. I think everyone had a great time.
Lindsey and I are both amazed at how quickly this first year has gone by. He was just a little baby so very recently, and now he’s starting to look and act like a little boy.
Mommy picked up balloons in the morning.


Partygoers.

Yummy cupcakes.

Jono’s noodles.

Not a cupcake fan.


Done with this.

Lindsey and I came home from the hospital on Saturday afternoon. We ended up staying three nights, which was great because the nurses had lots of wisdom to share. When we got home Grammy and Papa had the house cleaned and dinner on the stove. We’re lucky to have such a loving and supportive family.
Overall the childbirth experience was incredible. We experienced a range of emotions from excitement to worry to bliss. The 19 hours of labor before the c-section were taxing on both Mommy and I, but made the ending even sweeter. Meeting our son was the best moment of our life.
Here are some of our favorite images from the hospital.
Right after Avery came out the surgeon put him over the curtain so Mommy and I could see him. The moment only lasted a second, and through all the tears this blurry image is pretty much how we remember it.

Avery had a “good set of lungs” according to the doctors. When Lindsey and I heard him crying we both burst into tears as well.

After Avery was dried off and wrapped up they brought him over for Mommy to see him. The neonatologist took my camera and got a few pictures of us together for the first time.

His first bath. Both sets of grandparents and Auntie Ashleigh were in the room with us.

Sporting the universal pink and blue hat they give all babies.

Later in the evening Avery became pretty alert. Here is one of the first pictures where he is wide awake.

Lindsey took this picture of Avery and I at almost 1:00 am. The first, second, and third nights we got very little sleep.

Here he is being peaceful after a meal.

Pretending to be inside Mommy again.

This morning at 9:01 am Lindsey and I finally became parents. Our son, Avery Liam King, was 8 pounds 13 ounces, and 20 inches long.
Here’s a quick picture. We’ll share more later…