Outing to Cheddar Gorge

Yesterday we went to Cheddar, the home of cheddar cheese, and toured Gough's cave, where they still cave-age cheddar for over a year. And we bought some to bring home, of course.

(Jane got some gluten and the trip ended with vomit in our rental van. But before that, it was good.)

Jane was on break from school for this past week and will head back tomorrow. I'm taking a few more days, but I hope to be able to resume pick-ups and/or drop-offs sometime soon. Alice does well in the sling. Of course, things like weather and feeding schedule may complicate things.

Inside Gough's cave

Cheddar aging in the cave!

Jane reminding us to stop and smell the... daffodils

Lunch at a tea house (that almost certainly served Jane gluten)

My dad attempting to give Andy bunny ears

Alice with her eyes open, probably taken a week ago. She already looks different.

About to open a gift from folks in Andy's department

Grandpa John and Alice

Jane and Alice

Jane listening to her audio tour of the cave

Thinking about cheese

Jane, Grandpa, and I climbed the 276 stairs, called Jacob's Ladder, to see a bit more of the gorge

Jane was trying to climb on the rocks a bit, and my dad was trying to snap a picture of it. So I snapped a picture of him.

Arrival

Oh hello. Were you waiting for an update?

Alice Margaret joined us a little over a week ago. My dad and Karen came into town, and my water broke the night of their arrival. I "went back to sleep" (yeah right) on the advice of the midwife, the grandparents-to-be (-again) got Jane off to school, and shortly after I had a strong contraction. I told Andy it was time to go to hospital.

We arrived there around nine, and Alice debuted before noon! It was so different than Jane's birth, primarily in the speed! I didn't have time to sample the delights of gas and air for pain relief during birth, but I did end up using it afterward prior to having stitches. (It's good stuff.)

We stayed in hospital for two days and they just observed Alice's progress. She seemed happy enough for them and we were released home as planned. Andy's taken some time off work, Jane's gotten some special outings with her grandparents, and Alice is nursing, pooping, and sleeping well. The first two, anyway. Her sleeping is about what you expect with a newborn.

Buttery baby

Birthday!

Jane meeting Alice

Jane's Spider Gwen costume

Andy and Alice

Sisters at home

Grandpa John meeting Alice

The picture doesn't show it that well, but Alice is jaundiced. We're working on it!

Alice in the sling while we got coffee across the street