Laboring

Posted on annePosted in projects

For many, Labor Day marks the end of the summer. People attend parades and parties, or take the boat out for one last ride. For me, Labor Day turned into a day of reflection over all the things I’ve labored about the last few weeks.

I can’t believe just two weeks ago I was re-packing my bag for the hospital and laboring over what to bring. I was driving Matt nuts with lots of last minute favors. He was running to the store, cleaning things around the house, and organizing. I kept laboring over the fact that any minute the baby would arrive and we would have a house full of people. I wanted everything in order.

We only had a few things left on our list when we went to our last doctor appointment on Aug 21. In the waiting room we talked about our agenda over the next couple days and how excited we were to be parents soon. To our surprise, the baby was ready to start the process THAT morning. Off I went to triage!

After several tests, I moved into my room.The nurse told me to order my last meal.

More than 24 hours later, it was determined I needed a C-section. Matt and I were prepped for the operating room

and shortly after, I heard a newborn baby’s cry. I will never forget the look of shear joy on Matt’s face when he saw him. He turned to me and said, “He’s so cute!” over and over.

The baby was placed next to me and I was wheeled to recovery.

I stared at him in complete awe. I dreamt about him for nine months and here he was in front of me. What a miracle!

When we got to recovery, the nurses we’re dying to know the little one’s name. We told them, “Padraig David Baron” in unison. We were so excited to announce a name we had kept secret from everyone for so many months. The nurses had never heard the name, so we explained it is the Irish version of Patrick. The middle name David is after my father.

Matt and I spent a long time soaking in the awesomeness of our new little one. We just stared at him, speechless that we had made this beautiful baby. But this awe soon turned to excitement.  We couldn’t wait any longer to introduce Padraig to his family!

Matt, the baby of five children, introduced the fifth grandchild to his mother.

I, the first born, introduced the first grandchild to my parents.

My dad was so moved that the baby’s middle name is David.

Matt and I told our family about the birth and how amazing the doctors and nurses were. We also told them how everyone in the operating room couldn’t get over how cute Padraig was with all that hair! My mom pulled his hat off and was shocked!

Once we put his hat back on, Padraig slowly opened one eye to get a glimpse of his new world.

He melted everybody’s hearts with each new expression. When Matt placed Padraig back in my arms, he opened his eyes.

Over the next several hours, nurses performed lots of checks on me and baby. Padraig got his feet inked up

ready for official footprints. His feet are so large that the nurse had to do the prints on an angle to try and fit them in the box!

Afterwards, he got his first bath.

All of us found it very entertaining, but he was not so thrilled.

Padraig, Matt and I have been home since the 25th enjoying our new family life. Lots of friends and family stop by daily, offering love and support and an occasional hot meal. We are so happy to be surrounded by such great people!

We are figuring out how to manage on a daily basis with the help of my mom. She has abandoned her home and family to help us be successful new parents. We are eternally grateful. My dad comes on the weekends to see his wife, complete things off the honey do list, and of course spend time with his new grand baby. People ask mom how long she’s staying and she always replies, “until the cows come home.” Sorry dad, but I don’t think the cows are returning to this pasture any time soon.

Thank you all for the well wishes the last two weeks. I’m so glad Baby Knitspot has such a lovely and caring blog family.

Enjoy your holiday everyone! I will be spending the day staring at this face…

68 thoughts on “Laboring”

  5. …and what a face! Gorgeous baby. Blessings Erica, Matt, baby Padraig and grandparents. Enjoy this new addition to your family.

  6. Oh my gosh! Newborns aren’t supposed to be that cute! He’s adorable! That hair is awesome! He’s gonna be a great baby knitwear model.

  7. Padraig is absolutely beautiful. That last shot of him brought tears to my eyes. Best wishes to you and your growing family.

  11. Padraig is one beautiful baby. Congratulations to you all! Enjoy every second of these sweet tiny-baby days.

  16. Gorgeous photos, Padraig is such a beautiful baby! Thank you so much for sharing with us all. He has a huge family of honorary aunties and uncles!

  18. Congratulations! He is absolutely adorable! And what a sweet photo story you put together to hare with us. Thank you!

  21. Congratulations to you and Matt, Erica!! Hitting all five continents was pretty great, but that sweet little boy is your loveliest accomplishment of all!

    Enjoy every single moment!!

  30. Erica, Congraulations to you and your husband on your beautiful baby; he is just adorable. Enjoy every minute (even though it’s challenging sometimes) because it goes by all way to fast…..

  31. These photos are absolutely incredible! It is true that a picture is worth a thousand words. He is precious and so very beautiful! Congratulations Momma B!

  33. Congratulations!

    What a beautiful name for a beautiful boy! Enjoy every moment. They grow up so fast.

  37. Congratulations Erica and Matt! Padraig is absolutely precious! Now, Mom, you have to consider how to make the standard sock patterns bigger for your son’s big feet. Best wishes on that!! hehehe

  40. Such a beautiful and well written story to read this morning.
    It brought tears of joy to my eyes. Health and happiness to you all.

  41. A lovely story and beautiful pictures to document it all. Congratulations to the blessed parents and grandparents.

  45. I know I was around for all this excitement, but to read your beautiful account of that incredible day is heartwarming and of course kleenex worthy!! You’re a wonderful writer and I’m so proud of you and your beautiful family, love you!!!!

  49. What a beautiful baby! Treasure every moment; they grow up SO fast! I know you’ll have a wonderful time being a mom; it’s been the greatest pleasure in my life. With a beautiful boy like Padraig, though, how could you not?

  50. AWWWWW!!! He is beautiful! Enjoy this precious time with your wee one. They grow up far too fast!

Comments are closed.