Settling into home

Mom, Dad and Toler are now home safely and are trying to figure this parenting thing out without a team of expert nurses to hold our hands.  After our red-eye flight home last week, the entire family just needed some rest and rarely got out of bed other than to feed each other.  However by the end of the week, Grandma Glenda, Granddaddy Gerald, and Aunt Mary John came for a brief visit to see Toler and help around the house.  Aunt Mary was excited to meet Toler for the first time and feeling was mutual. 

Toler meets Aunt Mary John

Toler was also excited to see Grandma Glenda again and benefited from her sewing skills for the bedding for his cradle.  Toler's cradle was originally hand made by his Dad's Grandfather (Toler's Great-Grandfather Hartley) for Dad.  Hartley not only provided Toler with a family cradle, but also a middle name.

Made by Clarence Hartley Smith (Feb '79), used by Toler Hartley Smith (Feb '11)

Toler has also been very busy at home with his first pediatric visit (now 6lbs even), his first bath at home, and his first stroll around the neighborhood in his fancy new wheels.

 First Doctor's visit outside of NICU

Mommy giving Toler a bath in the sink



Toler's big ride around the neighborhood


Toler's parents are trying to adjust to life with a newborn NOT in the NICU, with feeding every 3-4 hours, when Toler decides to stay to a schedule.  Change, feed, hold, sleep repeat is a common cycle around the house right now.  For the most part Toler is good with the new arrangement, but we think he might have figured out that with enough fussing he will be picked up by a loving parent, unlike the NICU.



A face you can't refuse

A big part of our return is now turning over our guest bedroom into a full blown nursery.  With the help of Dad's good buddies, all of the guest bedroom furniture has been moved to our storage unit.  Piece by piece, the nursery is slowly coming together, and Mom is excited to stretch her decorating muscle for her little boy's room.

I want to continue our praise and thanks for all of our amazing family and friends who have helped our transition home, without your help our return home would be less comfortable.

Love,
Steve, Emily and our little stinker Toler