I get this

I've always understood when proud parents post gagillions of photos of their kids on a blog, and I figured I'd be doing the same when Tommy was born.  I just didn't fully understand why - I just can't help myself, he's amazing.

My parents drove up (flew low altitude) from Phoenix to see their grandson Friday and came straight to the hospital since we were still stuck there.  I took them home Friday night late, and realized I had almost nothing to eat in the house.  My poor old folks made peanut butter toast for dinner, and washed it down with water since I didn't even have a decent beverage.  They also ate this for breakfast Saturday morning before heading to the hospital.

Katie was finally discharged from the hospital Saturday, which moved at the typical bureaucratic pace (I can't wait for the federal gubment to try running the show...).  We finally arrived home about 3pm.  My folks made a huge grocery run so we had meals, and I had all the family over for dinner that night.

Last night was a little rough - my only mission was to get Katie some sleep (she didn't really sleep Monday-Friday nights, and was in bad shape).  Tommy was fussy early, so Katie fed him frequently until he barfed milk all over.  I got a quick lesson in how to pacify an infant, and she ended up with several hours of sleep.  I commented this morning that we had a rough first night - Katie corrected me that it was MY first night...

Enjoy the photos

My nephew Patrick was highly entertained by the medical tape up to the point where Uncle Jon had to rip it off his face...

Grandmas...

Tommy's Here!

Thomas Gordon Bakker was born by C-section at 9:58am Wednesday, June 16, 2010 - after 24 hours of labor.  Does this mean Tommy won the first argument with his Mom?  Our son is named after his Grandpa Bakker, and Great-Grandpas Gordon Bakker and Gordon Scheer - 3 amazing men that Katie and I love very much.  Technically he's Thomas Gordon the III - my Dad is the II, and my dad's grandpa is the 1st. 

I've been chastised today for not posting pictures yet.  I emailed a photo to everybody I know, what's the big deal?  Enjoy a few of the best pictures from the last couple of days.  For my family members that want copies, you can just copy them from the website...

My beautiful wife "before".

After 24 hours of labor and just before the C-section.

The first photo of my son!

Getting cleaned up and checked out immediately after delivery.  Tommy was screaming before they even pulled him out.

8lbs 1.3 ounces

Proud Grandparents

Grandpa is going to have 3 grandsons around - I can't wait to see what kind of trouble they all get into.

Grandpa Pat with the 2 newest grandsons.  Tommy's on the left, and his 3-week old cousin Henry is on the right.

Tommy with cousin Henry.  Henry is busy explaining the wonders of milk and breastfeeding, which must have worked because Tommy had the 2 largest meals yet this evening, though he has been breastfeeding quite well so far.

For the official record, I've changed all his diapers so far which isn't bad considering I've NEVER done this before.  I seem to be an authority on the subject already...  I also gave Tommy his first bath which he mostly enjoyed.

Thanks to all our family and close-friends for their love, support, and prayers.  We've been waiting for this day for a long time, and many prayers have been answered in our son's arrival.

Monday Update

Nothing to report yet. I'm off work and we're cleaning the house, expecting company soon. We had an insane wind storm over the weekend that blew branches and leaf-litter all over Centerville. I filled an entire trash can with leaves and sticks after I tried burning all the dry stuff (and most of the green stuff too). It made a huge smoke plume that wafted straight into 3 nieghbors homes. I suspect they all had open windows because a number of them came running over thinking my whole house was on fire. I whipped the fire into a full conflagration quickly which ended the smoke, but they all seemed a little hacked. Little do they know what's coming to their neighborhood (tenting of fingers "Monty-Burns" syle, while muttering "eeehhhxzzzellleennnnntttt"). Soon Katie and I will breed an entire army of Little Bakkers to control the world!

Weekend Update

Tommy has not arrived yet.  My emotions are best expressed through song and interpretive dance.  However, since I cannot sing or dance, please enjoy a skit by one of the greatest comedians of all time.  Thank you.

You're going to want to turn the volume up briefly...

Paige, I dedicate this posting to you. May your evenings be filled with a solemn peace and sense of security knowing that Tommy finally has a place to lay his little head! I boldly took the first step towards official dad-hood tonight by assembling the first of many items for my son.

Assembled by Dad, but bedding by Grandma.  My terrific Mom made 6 fitted sheets, and that awesome quilt.  As is typical for Tommy's Mommy, everything coordinates nicely.