Four little angels

During December, four little angels came - my mom, Courtney, Brett's mom, and Lisa - over the course of the month to meet Hank and to stay with us to help us out. It was so wonderful to have their help and to have their company as we learned how to take care of our new wee one!

Grandma meeting Hank at the hospital

My mom booked her flight once we went to the hospital and she was out here the next day. It was so fun to see her meet Hank for the first time. She was so excited to get to the hospital she could barely contain herself. When she saw Hank for the first time she was in love. She was a huge help as we navigated home life with a baby those first few days! She designated herself as the official baby holder while she was here...he was definitely spoiled by the time she left.

Saying goodbye :(

When we dropped my mom off at the airport for her to catch her flight back to Texas, it was in that moment that I realized how hard it was going to be to live so far from our family now. I felt so bad for my mom because she had to say goodbye to this little guy and wouldn't be able to see him for a few months. By that time he would have changed so much! OK so part of my emotional breakdown was because I had just had a baby and every time I turned around everything was making me emotional! ;)

Courtney meets Hank!

Brett and I had a day to try out parenthood by ourselves and then Courtney came and stayed with us for about a week. We didn't do anything exciting while she was here other than hang out with Hank. She enjoyed her visit even if we did make her cook and clean the whole time! Just kidding on the cleaning - not kidding on the cooking. Court and Brett took care of everything around the house which let me focus on Hank and that was such a treat!

Grandma Paulson and Hank

After Courtney we had one week by ourselves. It was a good week because we were forced to do everything on our own without help. That was nice and all but I was super glad when Brett's mom showed up a few days before Christmas!! She is the ultimate worker bee. I was probably capable of taking care of me, Hank, Brett, and everything else but with Kathy around...why???? She is so fabulous at doing it all and not even showing a sign of being tired. We were very thankful to have her with us for about a week and Hank was again spoiled. She never wanted to put him down!

Lisa and crazy faced Hank

Lisa arrived in town just as Kathy was leaving so they got to see each other for a little while. Lisa was dying to get out here all month since she was finally an aunt and was ready to take her turn hanging out and holding Hank. Lisa's little boys are 7 and 2.5 years old so she is a pro at taking care of little boys. I was happy to have her here teaching me her tricks and smothering Hank with her hugs and kisses as only an aunt can do!

Hank's first month was filled with so much love from these four little angels. I can't imagine how I would have made it through without them. Each of them were here at different stages of Hank's first weeks at home with us and I have so many sweet memories of that time because our family was here to share it with us. It's amazing that I was ever able to hold him at all...everyone felt it was their duty to cuddle him and spoil him every minute they were here. When Lisa left, I was sad because the last of our angels was leaving but I knew they'd be back soon enough!!

-a