Rank: amateur

Sigh...the top photo could have been so clever and cute were Anneke not such a...wiggly three-year-old. Or maybe were I quicker on the camera settings. Love how the generic Grape Nuts are in focus, though. Sleeping newborns are much easier to photograph.

The beginning of a beautiful friendship

So much to blog about! But will have to wait until later. For now, I'll say that Anneke is an amazing big sister, and we're one happy, tired family.

Home

We are home. It is so much nicer to be home with a crying newborn than
at the hospital.

More pictures will be forthcoming after the sun comes up.

Pictures from Ben's Birthday

All is well here. People have been demanding more pictures so here they are. Diane deserves credit for bringing in the compact flash cards that we forgot to take with us on mad rush out of the house Monday morning. Thanks to her, our fancy camera was able to earn some of its keep.

Benjamin Maurits John born March 7th, 2011

Last night, just after Sunday the 6th became Monday the 7th, Caroline wrote a blog entry celebrating Anneke's birth three years ago. I suspect shortly after hitting "Post," she came upstairs and told me that she just started having honest contractions. Two hours later we called for backup from Diane who came to stay with Anneke. I gathered our bags and packed the car while Caroline labored in bed and in the bath, tracking contractions on her iPhone (yes, of course there is an app for that). As we pulled up to the hospital Caroline declared "There is no shame in an epidural!" I agreed. Alas, there was no time such niceties. The first exam from the resident OB determined the head was in the birth canal. Fifteen minutes and three pushes later our new son was born, within three hours of Anneke's exact three year birth date and time. Our family's future of sharing one birthday between two children looms ahead of us.

I am so proud of Caroline and my new son. Anneke's first words to her new baby brother were "Hi Ben!" Our happy family has grown by one, and it is just now starting to feel less surreal. I look forward to being home as a family again.

-Dad

THREE!

Three years old! I am not satisfied with this portrait session at. all. No matter how fancy your camera is, using it takes practice--in fact, the fancier your camera is, the more practice you need. This was a hastily composed session indeed. But the subject is utter perfection, if you ask me.

One thing I love about Anneke is that she's not a performer--very different from her mommy. All the ways she is different from me are reminders of what a unique little person she is.

Today was the first time Anneke got upset and exclaimed tearfully, "leave me alone!" It was so hard not to go to her, but Dave stopped me and said, just let her be--I remember feeling that way, too. I also love the ways she's like her dad.

I love all the things she is and is becoming. Happy birthday, Anneke Grace.

Thirty-nine weeks!