The faaaamily

Sunday afternoon watching the FA cup.

Mug shot.

Bath no1

Relaxed. Serene. Wonderful.

Wrapped up babies. Ahhh, lovely. Cosy for bed.

Followed by an enormous rejection of mother's finest, which negated the whole bathing experience for young Master Howes.

Richmond Park

We needed to get out of the house on Saturday so hit the biggest park that London has to offer.

Fetch with John the ball.

A runner disguised as Batman.

Shrove Wednesday

Just a day out, but Bess quite enjoyed bolognaise filled pancakes (yes - a bit odd). Ensured she could deploy her knife as well as her fork though.

Comparisons

Bess at 7 days. Dink.

James at 10 days. Bigger.

For absolute clarity, it is the same outfit.

Rites

Initiation into the house begins in conventional fashion.

Bess: 'Everyone touch your nose. Good - you can stay.'

Smoochingtons.

Friday 25 February 2011

James Hovee Howes was born at 4.19pm at St Thomas' Hospital, London.

Weighing in at 7lbs9oz, he was, and is, surprisingly blonde haired, healthy, and so far, quite a happy chap.

Bess is dealing with the addition well. Mike and I are smitten kittens, though feeling the burn at the end of every day a little earlier and earlier.

We've had lovely greetings, well wishes and excited visitors - all of which have been great. Thanks to all.

Some pictures....

Get this one out the way first....mother and child.

James.

Father and son.

Like the coalition government we had been waiting the challenge of labour. A still from our late night, party political broadcast.

Saturday sun down. Nearly ready to go home.

Sunday morning introductions.

Happy reactions.

James arrived into the world with one accessory. This season's must have junior buggy, especially for Bess. What a thoughtful chap. She hasn't stopped marching up and down the kitchen since.

James, refreshed.

Invasion of the body snatchers.

Safe.

Smackers.

Grandad, Lyn and James.

Granny and James.

To the park.

Bess: 'Not me guv'.

The waiting

And so to the baby in waiting.

We have been on pause for what seemed like forever..... but at 40weeks and 3days I felt that something was going to have to give. A trip to the pub for Mike on the evening of Thursday 24th ended with a text from me suggesting that I thought we might need to make a trip to the hospital pretty soon...