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Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Adrian

After a week of teasing, slow contractions, Adrian arrived with sudden and surprising alacrity. There is a long story about Emily’s induction being pushed back and back and back and the room being unavailable, then available, then unavailable, and finally available for good. The story also introduces Backpacking Dad’s delivery room snack regimen, the Irish nurse from Belfast, the room next door to the one Erin was delivered in, and lots of Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares streaming over the free wifi the hospital offered.

But I won’t tell that story. I keep looking for something funny and all I end up with is something amazing.

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My son, Adrian Cashel Burns, was born at 8:44pm on May 16th, 2009. He was over a pound heavier than his sister, but scored lower on his Apgars. His feet and hands were less wrinkled rubber than his sister’s, but so was his head less hairy. And that’s all the comparing I want to do between Adrian and Erin. Erin has been stunning me for two years, and I don’t want to water that down; Adrian has been stunning me for two days, and I don’t want to treat him as Second and only Second.

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He sounds like a kitten when he cries.

He slept in the crook of my arm for part of his first night in the world.

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His diapers are so small; his pants are so big.

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Erin loves him already. She assures us that he’s sleeping, assures him that “It’s okay, Adrian,” and keeps trying to grab his face so she can look at it.

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Emily thinks she screamed during labour. She didn’t; not once.

It’s all gone tiny hands and tiny toes.

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This is my son, Adrian.

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114 comments:

Kelley @ magnetoboldtoo said...

*swoon*

Make me one?

Sandi said...

Welcome little one!

PunditMom said...

I think we need to introduce him to my new baby step-granddaughter. Of course, she's an older woman -- she's 11 days old!!

kittenpie said...

Congrats again, Shawn! He's very newbabylooking... And Erin, Cashel - Emily has some Irish, does she?

My Bottle's Up! said...

congratulations again. you can tell just how smitten you are with your precious one already. it's in your words, your tone. it's beautiful.

continued well wishes for a good recovery to your wife and continued happiness for your new family.

leel said...

sweet post. sweet fresh little face. thanks for sharing!

congrats again to all!
leel

Katie Bonk said...

So sweet! Congrats to you and Emily. Erin is going to be a GREAT big sister. :)

passinthru said...

He's lovely. It'll be a fun challenge for you...the second is a bigger change than any after. Get everyone some rest.

CT Mom said...

Great post - beautiful family!

mumma boo said...

Congratulations!! He's adorable! I bet he'll be as smitten with you as you all are with him. Best wishes to everyone and speedy healing to Emily!

The Hopeful Elephant said...

Welcome to the World...I'm still waiting to see him in a hockey jersey!

SciFi Dad said...

Welcome to the land of documented infancy, Adrian, and congratulations, Emily, Shawn and Erin.

As cliche as it sounds, Shawn, enjoy these initial days... they'll likely fly by faster than they did with Erin, simply because you're splitting your time now.

Again, congratulations.

Jenni said...

Welcome to the world, Adrian, and congratulations to the Backpacking Dad family. He is perfection. Good work, Mom & Dad.

Daddy Files said...

Congrats. That's a handsome boy.

Karen said...

I'm so glad he'd finally entered the world. I know he's a dream come true for your family.

Karen said...

Congratulations to the happy family. He's beautiful.

for a different kind of girl said...

He's perfection, and will no doubt make your lives a brand new adventure! I'm so happy for all of you. Congratulations again.

p.s. - Any chance they sell models like him in the hospital gift stores? Because I really, really want one.

Rachel said...

Congrats! What a proud Daddy!

Kris said...

This is just amazing. Congratulations. They are such little miracles.
Good luck,
Kris

mom2nji said...

Awww he is beautiful! Congrats!

SP said...

Congratulations! He is beautiful

bikerchick said...

Wow. Just wow. He is remarkable and perfect.

Della said...

Healthy AND adorable, you just can't beat that!

I love it when dads write love letters to their kids like this. Dadly love is such a treasure :)

BusyDad said...

Freakin awesome. Congrats to all of you!

Jo said...

Congratulations - he is adorable - you have an amazing family :-D

Don Mills Diva said...

He is absolutely stunning!

Many, many congratulations...

Anonymous said...

Oh my dear, he is GORGEOUS! And seriously, every time I see a pick of your sweet precious girl, I think, "Can she get any more gorgeous?" You two make beautiful children! Congrats to you guys!

Lunasea said...

He's very, very beautiful. Welcome to the world, Adrian!

Unknown said...

He's a stunner! Congrats :)

I can't find my blog said...

You're all beautiful! Welcome to this crazy world, Adrian. You've got a few great people to guide you through. Blessings, one and all.

CaMaTaDaLisMa said...

Beautiful post! Beautiful son..daughter..and wife. Beautiful you.

My hugest congratulations to you all.

Jenny Grace said...

Oh. He's perfect. Also? Your wife's hair looks unbelievably good for someone who just had a baby.

Sarah @ BecomingSarah.com said...

Congratulations to you and Emily on the birth of your healthy, handsome son! And congratulations to Erin as well for becoming a big sister =)

Amo said...

He is precious and beautiful in every way! Congratulations.

Lynn @ Walking With Scissors said...

Quit it. Just quit having beautiful babies and then posting about it so people like me, who are supposed to be finished, get baby fever all over again. Sheesh.

He's a doll! You have a gorgeous family. Congratulations. :)

Kae said...

congratulations. he is so gorgeous. I want one now!

tiennie said...

Congratulations to your family! He is a doll!e

OM said...

Good looking kid there!

Great pictures too.

Congratulations.

KelleeAnne said...

Another beautiful addition to your perfect little family! Congratulations and thank you for sharing!

Carrie @carrieloves said...

Congratulations!

manda said...

GAWD! I want another baby! He's just perfect, so beautiful and sweet little Erin, how precious.. I'm dying over here, dying.
Congrats!!!

MereCat said...

Simply beautiful! What a perfect son. Many, many congratulations. Your family is scrumptious. I'm so happy for you on so many levels.

Lisa @ Crazy Adventures in Parenting said...

Oh, he is GORGEOUS. I love your descriptions- so vivid, so filled with adoration for him. Beautiful! Congratulations again!

caramama said...

Congratulations!!!! He is so beautiful! Heck, your whole family is just beautiful!

Martin said...

Congratulations.

He is a fine strapping size of a boy.

Well done to you all, enjoy.

RebTurtle said...

Congrats you two! Looks like you might need a bigger backpack....

MFA Mama said...

Okay I officially have an axe to grind with your wife because NOBODY has any business looking so pretty RIGHT AFTER HAVING A BABY. I think there's a law. Adrian is a cutie :)

Jill said...

What a sweet, sweet post for a sweet, sweet boy. Congratulations!!!

And p.s. You will continue to compare them, it's only natural. so don't be too hard on yourself :-)

Aunt Becky said...

He's amazing. Congrats.

ComfyMom~Stacey said...

Congratulations! He is adorable!

Stephanie N. said...

I'm so happy for you! And for Emily for no longer having to wait for him to come out. Sounds like you have a future procrastinator on your hands.

CrookedPigtails said...

Welcome, little Adrian!

Wonderful, sweet post.

PAPATV said...

So crazy to think only 7 months later how I can look at your son and think "My wife's right, I kinda DO want another one."

Congrats, Shawn!

Beautifully written!

Kate G said...

Fantastic.

Christine Gram said...

Holy smokes. This is the first time that I've seen a baby and thought "oh, I'd like another." I need to find someone to babysit... that usually cures me.

Congrats! Can't wait to read about the new family dynamic.

Kristy - Where's My Damn Answer said...

Congratulations :-D !!!

Becky Mochaface said...

Congratulations! He's gorgeous!!

Maria Melee said...

Wow you guys found cute newborn clothes. AND A CUTE NEWBORN.

Congrats to all four of you. What a beautiful family.

J from Ireland said...

Oh my God he is beautiful. Congratulations to you all.
The very best and all the rest to you.
Erin and Adrian, Irish names? Knowing where Belfast is? Have you Irish connections?

Erin said...

He's adorable. Absolutely adorable. Congrats.

OneZenMom said...

Congratulations! He's beautiful. You all are. Wishing you lots of wonderful second firsts. :)

Michael Blanchard said...

Awesome. That's about all I got. Awesome.

the new girl said...

So beautiful.

This is also, like the best ever post about a new baby.

Perhaps it comes from the clarity of NOT being the, uh, pusher-outer.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! He is adorable.

Chicky Chicky Baby said...

That is one seriously gorgeous baby. You done good, Daddy-o.

Congratulations to you all!

anymommy said...

It sure is. Beautiful - all of you. Congratulations again.

Anonymous said...

those look like some nice strong feeties he has there.
and absolutely adorable ones, at that!

DGB said...

He's a good lookin' lad.

Huge congrats to you and your family.

Twenty Four At Heart said...

Oh he is SO cute! Adorable!

Mum-me said...

Congratulations to the whole family. He is a handsome little boy.

Anonymous said...

I just got told about your blog this afternoon. So this perfect and lovely post about the birth of your son was the first post of yours I ever read. And then I went on to scroll back through the last year of this blog, while my kids watched an hour and half of Phinneas and Ferb (clever, clever show).
And what I have to say is this: You are really, really good. And also this: The way you write inspires me to be a better writer. So truly, thanks for sharing.
Jennifer
thesearedaystx@gmail.com

Secret Agent Mama said...

A million congrats to you and your family!!

Jenny said...

Ohh congratulations! He's adorable! :) So glad to hear big sister is fitting into her new role nicely. Only good times ahead. :)

James (SeattleDad) said...

Congrats Shawn. Adrian is a handsome little guy.

Jennifer said...

Congrats to you all :) He's beautiful!!

Anonymous said...

He's gorgeous. Simply and completely gorgeous.

That's really all I can come up with to say.

illahee said...

he is absolutely adorable. and that does NOT help my current bout of baby lust.

congratulations!!

Kim said...

Congratulations !! He is a beautiful addition to your family !!!!

Mandy said...

the first of many wonderful tales!

LiteralDan said...

Congratulations from me, and virtual congratulations from my wife, who is not allowed to see this post of cute tiny baby pictures.

When I decide we should have another one, then maybe I'll dredge these out for her.

Bianka said...

Yippee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

yellaphant said...

CONGRATULATIONS! He is absolutely beautiful!

Otter Thomas said...

Congrats on a beautiful little boy.

Kevin McKeever said...

Congrats. Do they make double kid backpacks? You know, one in front, one in back.

Island Mummy said...

Congratulations on a beautiful baby boy!
Hope you and your wife manage to get some sleep! It's a lot harder with a toddler saying "mummy don't sleep!" when you just want to nap on the couch because the baby's been up 5 times in the night.... Sigh

But it's worth every sleep-deprived moment.
: )

Amy Urquhart said...

He's just gorgeous, Shawn, congratulations to all of you!

sam {temptingmama} said...

Ya! Congratulations!! He's adorable and your family is very beautiful!

I'll never forget his birthday since it's the same as MINE!

Jane Devin said...

Adrian looks so big! Even his fingers and toes look huge to me. :-) We just had a five pounder in my family, so maybe it's that...or maybe you've got a son who's going to be playing some serious hockey.

Congratulations!

Kimberly said...

He's beautiful!! Congrats Daddy!!! :)

OhTheJoys said...

Congratulations, my friend. Here's wishing you sleep.
Best,
J

Brian (AtHomeFather) said...

AWESOMENESS ENSUES.

Many congrats to you and your entire family. A job well done.

Our boys are exactly 4 months apart - Nate goes in for his 4 month shots tomorrow. We'll have to get those guys together for some play dates (I'm in San Jose).

Get some sleep!

-Brian (At Home Father)
http://www.athomefather.com

Swirl Girl said...

MAZEL TOV to the Burns' family!

He's beautiful!! and the picture of your wife and daughter with him is precious!!

kyooty said...

Congratulations!!! what a cute little bundle

Jon said...

Congrats, BPD. That's some good baby making.

Redneck Mommy said...

Emily makes beautiful babies.

Congratulations to the Burns family.

I can't wait to corrupt him.

Heh.

Amy Watson said...

congrats, BPD! a son and a daughter... it's difficult to rival the blessed-ness. wow. he is perfect, and i hope you're all enjoying these magical days. my first son, my Levi, was also born on 5/16 (2001). It's a good day to be born. blessings to each of you.

Marta said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Anonymous said...

Congrats! He's adorable!

clueless but hopeful mama said...

OMG! Congrats to you all! I will be following little Adrian and your adventures with my own newborn, born just three days after yours. What a crazy ride!

mommymae said...

100th!

seriously though, congratulations to you all. what a precious boy.

i hope you get that mewling on video. my oldest cried like a kitten when she was born ad we were so overwhelmed we missed it.

Whit said...

All kinds of hugs and cigars.

Unknown said...

Congratulations! What a beautiful baby.

Unknown said...

What a beautiful boy! What a beautiful family! Congratulations. Enjoy the Babymoon!

Mr Lady said...

You're killing me, Smalls. That was gorgeous. Congrats to the whole Burns family.

Jerri Ann said...

holy cow you guys make beautiful babies, not that I am surprise that your wife can make beautiful babies, but you? Just a normal ol guy...how ever did you manage that? hehehehe

Congrats!

Debby@Just Breathe said...

It was suggested to me that this was a great blog to read so here I am. Congratulation on your son, you have a beautiful family. Take care and God Bless.

Rachael said...

Ho-leeeee cow, he is absolutely perfect and adorable. Congratulations!

Melanie Sheridan said...

Oh!!! Welcome Baby Adrian. Mwah mwah (insert baby voice kissy noises here). Congratulations to you, Emily and Erin!

BabyShrink said...

Oh, Shawn, everyone looks so gorgeous and perfect. I'm so happy for you all! I won't soon forget the photos of you holding your Adrian. Talk about precious!!

Again, congratulations and much aloha to everyone.

Mary@Holy Mackerel said...

BIG CONGRATS to you!!! So happy for both of you! Babies are such miracles. Neverending joy, and always so special. Enjoy.

Avonlea said...

Awwwwwwww!!! Congratulations! The tiny hands and toes slay me.
And good choice on the birthdate, Adrian; May 16th is my birthday, too, just *mumble*mumble* years ago.

JOdee said...

He is beautiful!

Christina said...

Totally late on this, but congrats!! He's a handsome little guy - go figure, considering his parents.

jill, mike & lucy said...

wow Shawn, congratulations! didn't even know you guys were preggers...guess i should read your blog!