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Say Hello To Felix Howlett
Felix Howlett arrived at 9am this morning, weighing in at 7lb 9oz, following a very short labour of about 4 hours. Here he is later on this afternoon, taking a little nap on my belly.
Needless to say it's been an emotional rollercoaster of a day. At the start I was telling Karen to be a big brave soldier. Toward the point of delivery I was telling myself to be a big brave soldier as I tried to fight back floods of tears, Karen pushed the head out and my first born ventured in to the world.
Having the baby at home was definitely the right way to go. It's almost surreal how quick it was all over. We woke just after 5am and Karen was having contractions four minutes apart. By 6am the midwife was here and Karen was 2cm dilated. By 8am she was 5cm. By 9am he was born. It was all so quick I didn't have time to get the temperature of the birthing pool down to sub 36oC and so it never got used.
At one point the living room was scattered with all sorts of medical kit and canisters of laughing gas. By 11am it was all cleared away, back to normal and the only evidence of it being anything other than a normal day was the little bundle of joy dozing in the corner.
It might be a bit quiet here for most of the week as I deal with it all. When I return I'll try my best not to turn this in to a Felix love-in photo-fest detailing his every movement. No doubt he'll be making a few appearances, but I'll try not to stray off topic too much.
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Congratulations! What an exciting time (and I am glad that it was a reasonable four hour deal and not a thirty six hour slog - same wonderful product at the end, but yours sounds like the easier way to go).
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Congrats!
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Doh! There goes any chance of a new article or database this month...
Welcome to the Dad club - the best club in the world!
Many congradulations.
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Congratulations and well done!
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CONGRATULATIONS!! Let the fun begin!
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Jake
I'm so delighted to hear that Felix has now safely arrived. I must admit, I've been keeping a watching brief here as the weeks have progressed.
I'm glad that Karen had such a wonderfully short labour - and that you've so obviously enjoyed the experience of having the birth at home.
Please accept the best wishes from everyone you worked with at our organisation (no names, no pack-drill!)!
Very Best Wishes - and have a wonderful Festive Season.
Joe
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CONGRATULATIONS !!!
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Congratulations. Nice to hear everything went well.
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Oh my gosh, he's beautiful, Jake. Congratulations. Thanks for sharing. All the best to Felix and the family.
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Great news, Jake. All the best to you and the family.
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What a beautiful little nephew cant wait to see him on Saturday and give him a big kiss.
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Fabulous! Congratulation, Jake.
Aside: Can we get a pool going for when Felix writes his first "hello world!" app? heh...
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Congratulations !!!
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Congratulations Jake and Karen! Your new adventure begins!!!
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Congratulations'
I'm curious about your choice of name because some close friends of mine also named their recent newborn Felix.
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congrats Jake, enjoy the future :)
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Congratulations!!
Glad it all went well. All the best for your family.
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Congrats Jake and Karen. All the best ;o)
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Welcome to the parenting club Jake. It's the most rewarding pursuit you'll ever experience. Take it from a dad of 3 girls. Oh, and well done to Karen.
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Congratulations to both of you :-)
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Congratulations! So this is what a Domino 17 developer looks like.
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Congratulations - we had our first almost two years ago and it has been fantastic - a great way to keep life in perspective.
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Congrats Jake... Hope that it's all Happy! Which is what Felix means right?
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Congratulation Jake and all the best for your family ;o)
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Congradulation.... Have a great time bringing up your child
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Congrats to you and your family!!!
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Nice one - congratulations to the missus (She after all did and will be doing most of the work...)
Your life has now changed. Enjoy!
---* Bill
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Congratulations to you and Karen!
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Welcome to the club Jake! Glad everything went well so far...with any luck you'll have a champion sleeper on your hands :-)
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Congrats Jake & Karen! and last but not least, a big congrats to Quinn becoming a big sister.
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Congratulations guys!
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Congrats Jake & Karen! Hello to Felix ;-)
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Wow! Congrats folks! What a cute little guy. Those cuddly little naps on your tummy are a treasure unto themselves. Only got daughter #1 to do that twice or so. It's good to be a papa bear. :-D
Bring on the bragging and pictures - your readership demographic will be completely understanding, I assure you. :-)
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Congratulations Jake & Karen and WELCOME wee Felix!!
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Congratulations!little Howlett!
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Congratulations to both of you!
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Congratulations first to Karen who had to do most of the work. Then a welcome to Jake in the world of fathers, may your sorrows be small and your joys be much.
And a welcome to Felix. I wish you that your life will be as your name says.
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Congrats, nice to hear some good news!!!
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Congratulations!
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Congratulations!!!
Well done Karen!!!
Jake, welcome in the "Father's club"
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Congratulations!!!! Have fun and enjoy this.
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Congrats !! Welcome to Felix. Best wishes for all your family.
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Congratulations to the happy parents! My son Marc was born one year ago on 30 december. This is one of the best things that can happen. I wish you and your family all the best!
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Congrats Jake & Karen!!
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Congratulations to you both and happy birthday to Felix.
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Congratulations to you and your family!
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Congrats, well done et al. Good luck to all of you.
Jon
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Congratulations Jake! Wooo-hoooo from Mannheim, Germany
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Congrats Jake, Felix is absolutely gorgeous! What a perfect early christmas pressie for you & Karen :o) Enjoy your little bundle of joy & have a lovely Christmas.
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Oh, how lovely Felix is!
Congratulations Jake!, you're in for the most beautiful journey one can make... watching a child grow. Enjoy! ;-))
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Congratulations Jake! Almost got the tears rolling just by reading your post and thinking of my two kids' birth.
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Congrats to you and yours....
Now teh fun begins ;-)
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Congratulations, and enjoy as much you can!!!
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A very warm welcome to this world Felix, congratulations to you and ofcourse mum and dad!
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Congratulations to you and the whole family.
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Congrats Jake & Karen!!
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I didn't make it first and I won't be the last. Still, here are my congratulations to and best whishes for you guys. There's nothing like seeing your kids grow up. Reserve as much time as you can for little Felix, time really flies!
And I hope Quinn feels mighty proud to be a big sister, now.
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Congratulations!
Loks like Karen is an even better developper then you are :) Way to go !!
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congrats karen. he's so cute. all the best to you, jake, quinn n baby felix xxx
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Congratulations to you all!
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Congratulations!
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Congratulations!
Good luck to mam and dad!
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Congratulations to you both.
Enjoy the time ahead.
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Beautiful! Congratulations!!
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Congratulations to you both!
Welcome to the "My dad is my hero" club.
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What a beautiful boy and a great name too. You are truly blessed.
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best of luck to you and your family
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Congratulations to Howlett´s Family !!
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Congratulation ! Best wishes.
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He's a lovely baby! Congratulations to the whole family. I hope mother and baby (and daddy!) continue to be well.
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Fantastic Jake! Congratulations. Best wishes to you and the rest of your family.
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Congratulations!!
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Congrats!
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Congratulations Jake and Karen!
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Congratulations and best wishes to all of you!
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Welcome to the world Felix!
Congratulations to all of you!
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Very Best Wishes and have a Mery Christmas and Happy New Year
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Welcome "Lucky one"!
:-) stw
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Mazel Tov!
He certainly is a cute little guy. Best of luck to all of you.
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Jake and Karen,
Congratulations to both of you! My firstborn is from this December 1st. Enjoy Felix's puppy size as intensive as you can, babies grow fast and visiting friends and family may distract you in your bonding with him!
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Mabrouk,
keep him away from domino ;)
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I just wanted to say Congrats!!! I remember the first time I saw my son, it was the most beautiful moment in my life. Words can not describe it. Well enjoy your need addition to the family. :)
Gerald
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Hey Jake (and Karen)
Congratulations! Wow, I'm soooo pleased for you both ... it seems everyone around me has had children in the last few months or will in the next few!
So while Karen is up a few times in the night, maybe you can prepare for that ... and knock up some new Web 2.0 stuff, etc?
Only joking, chill, life's just changing shape for you pretty rapidly I guess :-) I'm envious, I wanna be next!!!
Marky Mark
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Congrats to the 3 of you:
Felix for being such a good boy by coming in this world so fast
Mom for all that suffering and bad words she may have said to you (but she didn't mean it)
and Jake, who didn't faint, cried like a baby and stayed there to help mom as much as he could (I know I felt helpless while my wife was screaming!!!).
Now your job is to take care of Karen as much as you can for the next few weeks.
Happy fatherhood and you'll see: it does bring back the child in you for many years.
; )
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Congratulations!
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CONGRATULATIONS!!!
This is a huge change in your life. As a father of 2 boys I can only say, there's nothing better than kids...and you get to play lego again ;-)
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congratulations from Rockville, MD - USA! Enjoy each moment-
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Congrats!!!!! Welcome Felix!
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Hey!
Man, congratulations to you and Karen. Is a very pretty boy!.
And welcome to the no-naps/no-sleep age :-D.
.::AleX::.
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Thank you all from the four of us. Everything is going well so far. He's just had his first bath and a big supper. We all love him, as do the visitors we've had so far. He still brings a tear to my eye if I sit and look at him for long enough.
About the name, as Ethann asked - it has nothing to do with anything really. Nothing to do with there being a Felix in Bond films and one having just been released. Mere coincidence that your friends chose the name as well. It's just a cool-sounding name I suggested and, to my surprise, Karen liked it too.
I could write a whole entry on the naming process as it was quite a big deal for me. Having grown up with a cool and unusual name (well, I like to think so) I wanted to offer the same gift to my child. My name is something I'm quite proud of and I enjoy introducing myself to new people.
Whereas my mum was quite daring and original 31 years ago (my younger brother is called Leo), nowadays it seems like everybody is using odd names. Quinn (only not odd because I'm used to it?) goes to school with a girl called Arizona and a boy called Lyndon! Karen teaches a boy called Devon, one called Levi and a girl called Tequila. It's all gone a bit mad. Never wanting to be conventional I'd actually thought about being different by using a normal name like John or David. Instead I think I've chosen a name that meets my strict criteria:
* Isn't too long and can't be shortened.
* Doesn't need to be spelt.
* Has no other confusing variation (Helen or Hellen?)
I thank my mum (dad didn't care apparently) for not only my name but not giving me a middle name (Felix won't be getting one either). One of the things I think people forget is how often the child will have to fill out forms - either in person or over the phone - and how stressful this can be with an odd or complicated name. Although I always find myself spelling Howlett out I've never had to spell my first name or repeat it more than once. Hopefully Felix will find the same is true with his name. Although, with the proliferation of call centres and the idiot phone operators now, I wouldn't be so sure.
The hard part was not being different but not being ridiculous. Sure he might get picked on at school and the cat thing is bound to haunt him, but this isn't always a bad thing. Karen and I both agree you'll get picked on about something at school. Your name is probably the least harmful aspect you could get derised for. I remember the daft things people said to me: "Jake, Jake. Bake me a cake" or (singing) "Jacob's Cream Crackers and good for your knackers" etc. None of it bothered me at all. Well, apart from being called Jacob, which people often wrongly assume is my real name.
One of the hardest parts of the naming process was controlling Karen. Ptolemy was a late favourite boy's name for her and for a girl - wait for it - Peiter! Both of which I had to give a resounding no to, naturally. A girl called Peter?!
BTW: A girl was going to be called Minnie and will probably still get used at some point. Don't go pinching!
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Congratulations and best wishes for you and your new life!
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Jake and Karen:
I'm so glad the labour went well - and was nice, short and sweet.
As all have said, make sure you enjoy as much time as you can with the little bugger, in a blink of an eye Felix will be riding your new bike, borrowing your car and pushing you off the computer...teehee
Congratulations from the gang here at PCIS!
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Congratulations to you and Karen and best wishes to Felix!
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Congrats, Jake, on your successful replication...
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Congratulations to you both!
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Congrats to you and the wife. My wife and I had our first baby 4 weeks ago today (a boy named Cole).
It is quiet a blessing and quiet a challenge. Hang in there and for a while let everything else go.
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Congrats to all of you, well done to your wife, she's the bravest in this story :)
Congrats to you for not fainting, someone else up above said it right: your life just got changed, enjoy !
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Jake, best wishes to you on your newest adventure- lead on young Dad!
Walk a Little Slower Daddy
"Walk a Little slower, Daddy." said a little child so small.
I'm following in your footsteps and I don't want to fall.
Sometimes your steps are very fast, sometimes they're hard to see;
So walk a little slower Daddy, for you are leading me.
Someday when I'm all grown up, you're what I want to be.
Then I will have a little child who'll want to follow me.
And I would want to lead just right, and know that I was true;
So, walk a little slower, Daddy, for I must follow you!!
- Author Unknown
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Congrats and best wishes to you all!
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Congratulations! All the best to baby and family!
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awesome!
we have lots of pictures of me and my daughter from the first year or so, and most of them are of her sleeping on my belly. :-)
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congrats best wishes to you and your family.
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Congratulations Jake and Karen!
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Congrats Jake,
Congrats Karan,
Let Sai bless you all.
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Welcome to the world of parenting. The most rewarding job you'll ever have!
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Congrats to you and your family! Looking forward not only to your notes & related posts but also to posts about your family and new baby.
Here is some advice... Never let down your guard when changing the diaper of a little boy! Those things are like water pistols I swear. Many people have learned the hard way...
;^)
Wishing you the best from Canada!!!
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congrats.
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Congrats to all 4 of you!
You have all those great 'firsts' ahead of you -
* first time Felix smiles at you
* first time he grabs your finger
* first time he throws up all over your shirt!!
All the best!
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WOW! Congratulations to you all! :))
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Congrats Jake!
Welcome to the world of fatherhood.
Welcome to the world of sleepless nights.
Welcome to the world of worries.
Enjoy these precious moments!
Regards,
Peter
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Excellent news - congratulations! 4 hrs - that's good going, well done Karen! :)
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Congratulations and best wishes!
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Congrats Jake...
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Felicidades with your @baby(Jake;"Karen";"Felix")
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Congratulations Jake! Until you experience with your own child, there's no explaining or understanding the feeling of seeing nature take it's course.
Those tears you fought back might come again over the next few months when you can't sleep :)
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Jake,
Congrats!
I have long believed (ever since my son was born 22 years ago) that being a parent allows one to love unconditionally. I can't say that I'd ever loved truly inconditionally prior to Ben's birth. When he was very little (the first month or so after his birth), I slept on my back with Ben sleeping on my chest. Some caution against that, but I'm a very light sleeper and to a baby, I think it was a wonderful way to feel secure. For both of us, it was a definite bonding time.
The greatest privilege of my life has been to be a parent and to have been able to watch as a tiny infant grew into a wonderful young man.
Post all the pictures you want!
Cheers,
- Joe
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Congratulations and all the best to you and your new family member.
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Chiming in a little late here, but congrats Jake and Karen!
(only problem is that you'll officially have to remove the word 'spontaneous' from your lexicon for roughly the next ten years ....)
Best wishes!
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Congratulations from a stranger .... I just happend to stumble by your blog....Your baby looks like a gorgeous angel, I wish you and your family all the very best of luck!
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Congrats & Welcome to the Father's club.
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Congratulations to you and the whole family.
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well what a beautiful boy you are Felix !!! just like your mama. karen jake & quinn you are so lucky to have such a heatlthy bundle of joy he is truly gorgeous.well done karen your a star , we are thinking of you all and hope to see you soon. we love you x lynsey ,dave & ruby elizabeth xxx
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I have two beautiful sons but seeing a baby always makes me clucky. Grats!!
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Congrats Karen and Jake. All the best for you and Felix :-)
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I read you blog frequently and enjoy it very much. Well anyway good luck with the little boy and congrats to you and Karen. Let the new life begin!
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Alle besten Glückwünsche und Alles Gute Euch allen! Frohe Weihnachten und einen Guten Rutsch - vom Gerald aus Hamburg, Deutschland.
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Jake,
It's been a while since my last visit and looks like I popped in at the right time to hear the big news. Congrats! Hope you and your family have a great holiday season!
Jon
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Jake, Congratulations and very best wishes to all the family.
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:-))
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Congratulations to Jake & Karen. And to Quinn as well. And of course, to Felix for having a set of fabulous parents ... ;-)
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Congratulations to the three of you. Does that mean you will have to start being sensible now!?
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Congratulations all, nice Christmas present!
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Hello Felix ... Merry Christmas
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Congratulations!
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Congrats to the three of you.
Enjoy every moments with the new extended family and try to take pictures of the little boy at least every month: it's amazing to see the change while viewing it later.
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Congratulations to you all - relax (from blogging at least) and have a wonderful X-mas as well!
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Congratulations!
He's beautiful... See? Practice pay off!
Don't forget it while planning the next one, practice a lot! ;-)
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Just want to wish a merry christmas to Jake, Karen, Quinn and the adorable Felix.
P.s. Love the name you guys picked!
All the best,
Heather
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Am I too late to be added to the PDF File? :) Just kidding, congrats, enjoy the holidays, Felix-Navidad.
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Congratulations for you,your wife and the rest of your family!
Felix, i wish you a wonderful live!
Happy Christmas for all of you!
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Congrats Jake & Karen ....
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Lovely!
My late congratulations.
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