by Ann Waterman
Baby John arrived one day past his due date in the early afternoon of a cold February day. At 8 pounds, 9 ounces, he’s the runt of my brood, but unlike his brothers (who arrived 11 and 9 days late, respectively), he was punctual — and for both these things, this mama is grateful!
I’ll regale you with the full-blown birth story later, but I was able to have a successful second VBAC, and I’m happy to report that this has been my easiest recovery by far, though breastfeeding has been kicking. my. butt. You’d think nursing would be a breeze, this being my third baby and all, but the first week is always tough, with engorgement and sore nipples making every latch painful. It’s not nearly as bad as my first nursing experience, but I think it’s just going to be one of my postpartum recovery trials.
Breastfeeding woes aside, I’m relishing all the things I love about newborns: their heavenly smell, downy heads, furled hands, and satisfied milk smiles. John also has a propensity for snoozing on my chest, which makes him particularly winsome and has given me a great excuse to just lie down, rest, and recover.
Meanwhile, my husband has been doing a great job holding down the fort. He’s fortunate to get two weeks of paid paternity leave, and he really enjoys this time, since he’s a homebody and loves to hunker down with the family.
The big brothers have also adjusted well to their newest sibling. James welcomed us home with a little confetti shower to celebrate (and responsibly cleaned up afterwards), and Peter — who was most recently the baby — has surprised me with how warm and gentle he’s been toward John. I was a little anxious about that initially, seeing as he’s still little and quite attached to his mama, but so far his favorite thing to do is to sit beside me and “pet” the baby. Of course, I’m prepared for some regression when I’m flying solo and things get a little bit crazy, but I’m glad we’re off to a good start.
To celebrate his arrival — and to help win over his older siblings — John came home from the hospital with some birthday cake:
The boys loved it. We also got them a few small gifts, which served as a welcome distraction when everyone was oohing and aahing over the baby.
What do you love most about newborns? Do you have any tips for helping children adjust to a new sibling?
Images: Ann Waterman, Kathy Waterman
Hello, I'm Zoe Saint-Paul. I'm a writer, life coach, and new mama to twins who's trying to live "slower" in a speed-obsessed world. Here we chat about life and love, food and design, and everything in between -- all at the right pace. So grab some tea, pull up a chair, and join the conversation. Feel free to 
Oh, he is just the sweetest! I can already see his brothers in him, too. Enjoy every last minute of the babymoon, Ann!
I have to say that one of the joys of having kids is seeing the different permutations and variations of the gene pool that arise.
Love the idea of birthday cake home for the siblings! Might steal that this time!! Congrats Ann and fam! And welcome John!
Thanks, Tracy! We just swung by the grocery store to pick one up — nothing fancier than that!
I, too, love that idea of a birthday cake. Congrats — he’s beautiful and does indeed look like a Water-baby!
We’re having fun comparing him to James and Peter when they were babies! I think he might favor his oldest brother a bit more, but there are some Peter characteristics as well.
Congrats! He looks so precious!
Thanks, Kari!
Ann, congratulations to you and family! Baby John is just beautiful and precious. I know your older boys will be wonderful big brothers. God bless you all.
Thank you, Karen!
I think John is going to be a dead ringer for his Dad. Looking fwd to many more years of playing Lego!
That will be many, many, many more years for you!
We have done the b-day cake after every new addition and the older siblings love this tradition, especially when they are given the chance to decorate the cake and even put up some streamers and balloons.
You know, I think I may have gotten the birthday cake idea from you, EML. You’re full of good ideas like that!
I have to give the credit to that idea to my Mom. She did that will all of us when we were born.
So adorable!
Thanks, Therese!
He’s an angel. Congrats on your VBAC and good luck with the breastfeeding!
Congratulations, Ann! He is such a beautiful baby! And it sounds like you have a great support system over in your neck of the woods! I think the best time post-partum was having my husband around for an entire week, and the older boys really enjoyed that as well.
My only advice to helping older siblings adjust is to give them important “jobs” with the baby. Even if it is small, they might enjoy the chance to feel big and important and like they are helping their mama. I also tried to have a special story hour with them every day while the newest baby napped (if I wasn’t napping with him, that is!).
Thanks, Lauren! I love the idea of giving older siblings “jobs”. Peter has been enthusiastically fetching diapers for me — hoping the novelty doesn’t wear off because it really is a help!
My oldest regressed after his sister came home, I won’t get into the story as he is a dad now himself and would not appreciate me sharing some embarrassing
moments. With that said, we always talked about the new addition as his sister, and how his sister was coming soon, and here is your sister..
All in all he was and is a wonderful big brother and I believe he has passed that on to his children..
Thank you Ann, proud grandma
I think I know this older brother you speak of! And you’re right — he’s a great big brother and a fine father!