Babies' Early Visitors

In the first days after the boys were born, I had a lot of pain and discomfort and didn't feel up to having a lot of people around, but we did have some low-key family members come into town to help us out.

First to visit: Steve's parents came by to see us in our last couple days in the hospital and to assist with our transition home.

Grandma Loveridge with newborn Henry:

Grandpa Loveridge with newborn Jack:

In addition to bringing a ton of very much appreciated diapers, they brought us a bunch of frozen meals, saving us on several occasions when we were so caught up in caring for the boys, we hadn't planned anything for our dinner.

The day after our arrival home, my sister-in-law Tiffany (first of the boys' 12 aunts and uncles to visit) and Tiffany's son Tim (first of 15 first cousins they need to meet) came into town to help us out. They did a fabulous job of caring for the boys, allowing Steve to run errands including taking me to the medical center to get follow-up labwork without having to drag the kids along.

Aunt Tiffany with Henry, Cousin Tim with Jack:

Henry plays with Aunt Tiffany:

Cousin Tim and sleeping Jack:

Uncle Lee stops in for the day to hold the boys (Jack on left, Henry on right):

My parents drove up in their RV to stay for the second half of August and first part of September to help around the house and with Steve's and my return to work after Labor Day. With their help, the transition was fairly smooth and Steve and I have settled into a reasonably comfortable routine where I work 3 1/2 hours in the morning and Steve works 4 hours in the afternoon.

Grandma Pool feeds Jack:

Grandma Pool with Jack, Grandpa Pool with Henry:

In addition to chipping in to care for the boys, my dad did a ton of gardening to keep our house from looking completely abandoned, finished Steve's house painting project (so now our house is all one color - a lovely yellow), helped Steve put up crown molding in the bedroom and kitchen, moved some display cabinets we wanted out of the kitchen, and assisted Steve in making a lot of progress on our long-unfinished bonus room stairs project. My mom spent most of her visit holding our fussy Jack, which freed us up to do other things. Steve and I were even able to go out to lunch and happy hour a couple times while my folks were here. They were fabulously generous with their time and were a huge help.

As I started to feel better, we were able to have more visitors. 

On the way driving from Oakland to their new home in San Luis Obispo, my brother and sister-in-law stopped by long enough to get a family picture from my side. 

Me with Henry, Steve with Jack, Uncle Jim, Grandma Pool, Grandpa Pool and Aunt Brooke:

Steve's friend from work Christina gets a hug from Jack (I adore this picture, so sweet):

Steve's sister Natalie and family came by for the day over Labor Day Weekend. They brought fabulous food for us, including an absolutely delicious beef soup, their amazing chicken adobo (seriously one of my all-time favorite foods) and traditional Loveridge banana oatmeal cookies. I ate way too much; it was fantastic.

Cousin Rosie holds Henry while Aunt Natalie looks on:

I demand that Uncle Richard lean into the shot with Cousin Josh and Jack:

Aunt Natalie holds Jack, Cousin Nathan holds Henry:

The kids were all great with the boys (and even helped feed them) and we look forward to all the other cousins meeting the newest additions to the family.

We know that not all of our far-flung friends and family can make it to Santa Cruz to visit. We're looking forward to making a trip to Southern California once we get this parenting of infants thing a little more figured out so the boys can meet more of their adoring public.