Friday, June 17, 2011

He's here!!

After MUCH anticipation, waiting, inpatience, false labor, and watching 4 friends who were due the same week as me have babies....mine finally came :)  And he's PERFECT!!!  I could not be more in love with this little boy!  I really didn't know how I was going to love him as much as my girls--cause it turns out i like them a lot.  But he has completely won me over and I will never be the same!

Technically he was a week late, but UNtechnically, he was 2 weeks--as in, i thought for sure he'd come at least a few days early because Eliza did.  He had different plans.  And although my impatience is what's ruled my life for the past 15 days, now that he's here I barely even remember it :) 
(40 weeks pregnant)

(41 weeks pregnant!!!)


My water broke yseterday morning, around 5:30 am.  I had been saying all along how awesome it would be to have my water break before labor even begins--that way i'd be SURE to get to the hospital in time.  And lo and behold--it did!  My dear neighbor came over to be with the girls until our sitter got there, and we arrived at the hospital at 6:30am.  Labor didn't really begin until after 10am, and even so it was VERY early labor--contractions 10 mins apart, and fairly mild.  We walked the halls, bounced on the exercise ball, and tried to get things going.

By about 1pm, the Dr. convinced me to start pitocin.  I'd been hoping to avoid that stuff, since i didn't have a great history with it with Grace, but they started me on the lowest possible dosage, and within 2 minutes my contractions went from every 10 minutes to every 2-4 minutes. 

By 3pm, I was dialated to a 4.  By 4pm, I was ready for my epidural.  And by 6pm I was ready to push!!  My epidural only really took on one side, which wasn't too bad until about the last 5-6 contractions--holy moly those were INTENSE!  but soon after I started pushing, and everything was BLISS and HEAVEN and i could feel just enough to know that my son has the BIGGEST head--but it didn't hurt :)

When he came out he was blue as blue can be, and i was freaking out.  All the nurses kept saying how great he looked, but all i could see was a little blueberry and i wanted a strawberry!  Sure enough, after a minute or two he pinked up a bit, and i got to hold my son.  And I've fallen....
 madly...

 in...
LOVE!!!!


He was born at 6:33 p.m., and much like i'd anticipated--he is our biggest baby--8lbs 5oz.  20.5 inches long, and a 14.25 inch head (13-13.5 inches is average)

 
Reid left soon after he was born to go get the girls.  They could not have been any cuter with their baby brother.  Grace was protective, Abby was excited, and Eliza was curious about everything.   

They were here until about 9:30, and then Reid took them home, where our dear friend spent the night with them, so Reid could come back and be here with me and get his own turn with our little boy!


So far he's a really great baby.  Nursing is going well.  He sleeps all the time.  He likes to suck on his fingers and hands and binki. 




And he still doesn't have a name.  Logan and Asher are officially off the list, though i do still like both of them.  It's narrowed down to:

James Reid Allred (named after Reid's great-grandpa, James Allred)
James Ashworth Allred
Harrison Reid Allred (Reid's grandpa was a Harry, but I can't quite do Harry :)

I really like Harrison, Reid really likes James.  But in the midst of thinking about this last night, i was surfing through some shows and landed on PBS airing a James Taylor concert.  And of course he was singing "Rock-a-bye Sweet Baby James."  So that song has been in my head all night, and it's made me like James a whole lot more :)  Maybe it was a sign...



Whatever your name is, we LOVE you little boy!!  Thank you for finally deciding to come face the estrogen-loaded Allred home that is your new world :)  We needed a little boy!!!

33 comments:

Karen said...

I'm tearing up and loving this baby already :) He's beautiful and I love all the names you are narrowed down to. Congratulations!

Kristen Harmon said...

Congrats, Allred fam!!! I know just how you feel - I figured loving one baby would be the same as loving another, but when the very instant that I held little Adam-man in my arms... something in me just burst & I was heads over heels! Those sweet little boys, there's just something about them - I'm so happy for you to finally have one!

Denita said...

Aww, he is so cute. And you look bee-u-tiful!! I love all the names, but I just have say two things: 1. I totally think that song was a sign and 2. If you go with Harrison, you know eventually he'll be called Harry. Just sayin'.

{I don't normally make suggestions, and this JUST came to me, but have you considered sticking your mom's maiden name in there somewhere? Or is that weird?}

Anyway, we are so excited for you guys and can't wait to see your little guy in person sometime.

Elise said...

Yay! Yay! Yay! Congratulations! I'm so glad you're all well and healthy and the birth went smoothly. I too love both your name choices, but I do agree with denita that Harrison will get called Harry (I like Harry) but if you don't... Anyways he is absolutely gorgeous, as are you. We are so happy for you all and I really really hope we can see you soon and meet little Mister Allred too!

Emily Alexander said...

YAY!!! I'm so happy for you guys! He's darling and I'm glad it all went well. Newborns are the best, enjoy!!

The Busby Family said...

That is so wonderful!!!!! Emily i am so happy for you guys and he is sooo adorable!!!! Congrats!

The Busby Family said...
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Kyrsten said...

YAY! He is beautiful! Just remember that I am still pregnant and will be for another 5 weeks, so it could be worse. Oh, and Max's head was 15 1/2...the nurse measured it twice. Can't wait to meet the lil' guy.

Caroline Welsh said...

Oh dearest Emily.....I am so far away and yet feel like your description of the story makes me feel right there with you. He is so handsome and perfect. What an angel. I wish I could hold him and kiss those sweet cheeks. I am so glad everything went well. I love you so much!! What a beautiful family. You two sure know how to multiply and replenish...if you know what I mean. By the way I am on my way to the country where the Emily story began. Viva Espana! I will call you when I get home. love you.

Team Millward said...

First of all, I LOVE the picture of you on the exercise ball. Seriously, classic! Secondly, he is to die for!! I cannot wait to meet him! I'm so excited for you guys and mostly for you since I know how miserable you have been this week prior to labor :)

Pink Caboose said...

Oh he's so sweet. What a great post! I know how you are feeling right now, probably just staring at him & thinking OMG I really have a boy!! Only I was thinking the opposite. Congrats to you guys!

Stacey Mom said...

He is such a cute little guy, and I can't wait to hold him. I'm excited to see what name you choose. Boy names are so much harder than girls. I do love both choices though. Harrison is so cute and we've been pretty good with Christopher so far about using his full name so.... good luck deciding, glad I'm not the one having to decide! What an adorable baby, congrats!

Rachel said...

Congratulations! I'm so impressed you already have a post up! You look awesome by the way!! I'm so excited for you! He's such a cute little guy!

Dana said...

So happy he is finally here!!! He is absolutely perfect. Emily how do you look that great after having a baby - I need some tips for when my time finally comes in 10 weeks! Can't wait to meet him - and I knew you would just LOVE having a boy!!!

MariLouise said...

Aaa! He looks JUST like you. Not a single bit like Reid. :P DARLING.

Venise said...

Congrats Emily...Your little guy was born on Ammon's birthday.

Venise said...
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Isa said...

You rock. Congratulations!

Kevin Ashworth said...

GREAT. Looking forward to meeting Boy X soon!

Michelle said...

Oh my gosh, how exciting! He is soooo beautiful, congrats!!!

Shirlee said...

Super cute! So glad that you can make boys. I've decided that they're pretty fun myself.

Great labor story. Glad that everything worked out okay - including that head!

turleybenson said...

HE IS SO BEAUTIFUL! Congratulations! An I have to weigh in on the name- when I read the list I just thought, oh, his name is James Ashworth Allred. Was that a sign? Maybe.

I'm so happy for you. As always, you look amazing. That boy is seriously beautiful. And I'm kind of an expert on beautiful baby boys :)

Melissa Snyder said...

Congratulations Emily and Reid! He is beautiful. I am so happy for you guys. Having a boy in your family will change your lives. We know, we have three of them and a girl on the way. I am glad that labor and delievery went well. You all look so good and so happy. Best of luck to you on everything.

Candace said...

Congrats, I'm sooooo excited for you guys! I'm so glad that everything went well. He is such a cutie and I'm sure that you'll have plenty of help from the girls =) Good luck with four kids!

Marci said...

CONGRATS Emily and Reid! He's darling! Hope you're adjusting well and loving that cute little boy.

spideybrian said...

Um, seriously, he's ADORABLE!!! And you do look DANG good in those pics!!! WHAT is that about? So beautiful!

Congrats, I'm glad he's here, and I hope I feel the same way about my morning sickness as you do about having been overdue cause right now...phew!

LOVE you guys!

Boss Lady said...

Oh Emily! I love him and you and your sweet family! I wish I could give you all a cuddle. Love you SOOOOOO much!

Heather said...

YEAH!!! CONGRATS!!! He's ADORABLE! I cant wait to meet him! You look great! Way to hang in there girl!

P.S. I told you you would love your little boy... no worries about it now huh!? It's amazing the feelings you get when he gets here huh!?

dkeaquinto said...

YAY for little boys! You look wonderful and I can't wait to meet him! Vince is excited too!

wilfordfamily2003 said...

YEAH!!! He was worth the wait. What a handsome boy. We are soooooo thrilled for you! We are so grateful we got to see you a few weeks ago. Welcome to the world baby you have the neatest parents ever! (You look great Emily!!!!) I bet you have more help than you know what to do with. I remember feeling that way with my little ones. I'm so glad Reid gets to help you out so much these next few weeks while you all settle in.

Ben and Suzie said...

I heard about the new baby and had to check out the blog! What a CUTE baby boy! Congrats!

Tiffany said...

Oh. My. Gosh! I'M madly in love with him after that story and those pictures! Congratulations!!!! I'm SO happy for you guys and glad that he is finally here!!! Ohhhh! Enjoy this time and call me if/when you have any little boys questions! :) Love you!!

Amanda said...

He is so sweet! Congrats to all of you!