The Swarrell Life

This is about 12 hours after Trinity was born. Beth brought her two boys, Spencer and Payton with her. They are usually rambunctious like any boys would be, but they were super well-behaved on this occasion. Although Payton was unusually interested in my lunch until I told him it was scalloped potatoes and not mashed. He wasn't sure about that, so he lost interest. BUT, as Spencer took his turn holding the baby, Payton started rocking the chair and singing. Need I say more? Check the video out. You might have to turn the volume up to hear it. Oh yeah, this is a video of Trinity in the heated bed right after she was born:

Talk about a holiday rush I sure do miss the city...uh...no.

Yesterday was momentous: not turkey, exercise! We went for our first walk, all the way to the end of the block. The problem is that it was cold and the wind was making Trinity upset. I don't blame her, it was cold! The funny thing about this picture is that you can't even see her in the stroller! She is still so small and so precious. I can see her growing so much, even after only six days. I hear that it only gets faster. I am continually amazed at how well Autumn is handling this new chapter in life. She has been a nursing machine! She is still recovering from labor, but has been so consistent. Thanksgiving was good, but to be honest I am a little distracted. Don't get me wrong, I am very thankful for many things, but the holiday slipped by me this year even though I spent it with family. Why so distracted? This picture says it all:

For all of you wanting pictures, here are some more of my favorites. It is interesting watching the changes in Trinity as she grows day by day. Her eating and sleeping is changing as Autumn's milk comes in. The kid can eat. People say she looks a little like Autumn. That may be true, but she eats and sleeps like me. Good for you, Trinity. Good for you. These are black and whites that I took while we were giving her a little time in the sun. The contrast is irresistable to the photographer in me. I think they are very dramatic and really capture how I feel about her. My feelings are very plain as I look at her. I love her, no more and no less.

So many people have told me how having a child will change everything and how you can never really express it in words. It's true, it's true! I think that the delirium of not sleeping much can cause a sudden loss of vocabulary, but even if that is the case, there simply is no way to describe how I feel right now. All the political stuff goes away. I only care about my family right now. I have a couple new shots that connect in my mind to the feelings that I have. They are of my wife and daughter during feeding times. That is the connection. That is what parenting is all about. I am so proud and happy that my wife has that connection with Trinity. I wish I had that connection. But I have others and those blow my mind too. I was changing her diaper and had her all clean and fresh. She yells when I change her. I was about to put a clean shirt on her, when I bent down and kissed her belly, told her I loved her and laid my cheek on her belly. She quieted down when I touched her. It ...

Born To Aaron and Autumn Harrell on November 22, 2008, at 1:24am. She weighed in at 6lbs, 3oz and is 19 inches long. She is absolutely beautiful! Autumn is doing great, tired but healthy. I have a few pics here, but more are posted on my facebook profile . I'll post more and talk more later, this is just a taste of what's to come. My wife is truly amazing to have carried this baby for so long and then given birth to bring her into our lives. Amazing.

Here she comes! It is 2:30 in the afternoon on Friday, November 21st. This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it! I have sang that song since I was a kid, and I now know how true it can be. We are getting ready to head to the hospital to induce labor. This is the last day that our family will be only two, okay maybe tomorrow too. But nevertheless, our house and home will never be the same. I will never be the same. Autumn will never be the same. We will never be the same, and while I rejoice in the pending arrival of our daughter, I can't help but mourn the loss of our life up til now. We have a great life, and while the addition of a child will make it even better, there are so many things that I know I am going to miss. I am going to miss the tranquility of our life as man and wife. I am going to miss the freedom to come and go as I choose. I am going to miss the flexibility that comes with being able to eat or go whenever I want to. But I look forwa...