He's here…
Posted on | February 21, 2009 | 59 Comments
The little Sprout is here. Born at 10am on Friday. 7lbs 14oz, 20 inches.
I am currently attempting to remember the fine art of one-handed typing.
It makes everything so much easier to have already done this once. People probably told me this, but I somehow I didn’t hear them. Things are so much easier this time.
DH and I both get all the little signals and whimpers and coos. Together, we’re a rockstar baby-caring team this time around. We’re not shattered by the urgent sound of newborn crying or the gas or the poop. We know things will be okay, and because we know this, everything seems so much more enjoyable. This is not to say I wasn’t entirely shocked (and had forgotten completely) by the vast number of diapers a newborn produces in a day. Holy poop.
But also, the little guy seems to be remarkably mellow; perhaps because he got to hang out on my chest wrapped in warm towels for nearly an hour after he was born–before he was even weighed. Maybe all that snuggle time with mama made him a chill babe. That, and the fact that he weighed a good pound more than his brother at birth.
Labor itself was so much shorter–7 hours all told (compared with Bean’s 24.) And even though the actual giving birth portion of the program hurt like hell (Worlds Greatest Understatement. No drugs.) I felt much less traumatized afterward, and we went home the same evening after being given the green light from the doctors.
(Perhaps more on that in a separate post. I am a little peeved at doctors right now. And I am totally convinced they are out convince women into thinking they are going to be incapable as mothers. The attending pediatrician asked, after conceding (unwillingly) that there was no reason we needed to stay at the hospital, if I had had any trouble breastfeeding last time because really, I should consider either spending the night at the hospital or picking up formula to supplement with on the way home, just in case I didn’t produce enough milk. Um. Right.
With Bean I was scared shitless by all of this, and it totally made me doubt my instincts. With Sprout, I just shrugged. Tried hard not to roll my eyes. And of course he’s been a champion nurser and the sweetest little peach. My boobs are the only ones who have forgotten what it was like to have a full time job. Ouch.
All in all I am smitten. He has a dimple when he sleep smiles in his right cheek, and eyelashes as long as Bean’s were–but totally different eyes and nose. He smells yummy. And I’m not pregnant. And suddenly, food tastes divine. And Bean is the best big brother ever.
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59 Responses to “He's here…”
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I am Christina Rosalie
Hello. I'm so happy you've stopped by!
I am a multimedia storyteller, digital strategist, idea starter, stalker of wonder, finder of four leaf clovers, MFA graduate student, and mama of boys. My first book,
will be published by SKIRT! Books in September, 2012.
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February 21st, 2009 @ 9:57 pm
Awww. He’s beautiful. Congratulations!
February 21st, 2009 @ 9:57 pm
Oh, such wonderful news! He is a beautiful baby! Congratulations!
And as a total aside, I think you’re a complete rockstar for managing this in only 7 hours (well, and nine months) and especially for managing this without drugs!
Hooray for the new baby boy!
February 21st, 2009 @ 10:07 pm
congrats! I LOVE not being pregnant any more too!
February 21st, 2009 @ 10:11 pm
welcome, little sprout. you are much loved … and adorable.
and doctors are asses. they did the same thing to me. you aren’t even supposed to produce milk until day 3 – only colostrum. a baby cannot even digest until that point. mother nature knows best – that’s why it works that way. dumb asses.
sorry. i hate how they can make a new mommy feel.
love you, lady.
February 21st, 2009 @ 10:14 pm
He is so beautiful…congratulations to you all!!
February 21st, 2009 @ 10:21 pm
Congratulations!! He is delicious! I cant wait to see some pics of Bean and Sprout together!
Warmest wishes to the lovely family!
-K
February 21st, 2009 @ 10:23 pm
He’s born, he’s home, you’ve posted. This is pretty impressive! Is it weird that I think he looks like you? I mean, I know he’s three minutes old, but I see your face in there already.
Congratulations to your whole family.
February 21st, 2009 @ 10:59 pm
Thank goodness you were not intimidated by the doctor. I’ve been wondering what you would call the new baby. “Sprout” is perfect!
February 21st, 2009 @ 11:32 pm
Aw. Congratulations! Things sound perfect. I am in awe of your ability to get to the computer so fast!
February 21st, 2009 @ 11:33 pm
Congratulations! He’s beautiful. Enjoy the “bliss bubble”. And yes, it IS so much easier and relaxed and fun the second time around.
February 21st, 2009 @ 11:48 pm
He’s beautiful! Congratulations to all of you.
February 22nd, 2009 @ 12:08 am
I love this picture and hearing more about it… talk soon!
February 22nd, 2009 @ 12:38 am
Wow. Congratulations!! He’s beautiful!
February 22nd, 2009 @ 1:07 am
congrats! sooo happy for you and your fam
i’m glad he’s healthy, enjoy every moment!
February 22nd, 2009 @ 1:14 am
oh he is gorgeous! i see so much bean in him!! perfect perfect. and you sound so happy. i too found that #2 was a much smoother ride. big hugs to all four of you – i can’t wait to see and hear more. much love!!
February 22nd, 2009 @ 3:07 am
Congrats! He is beautiful!
(I’ve been reading your blog for a while, love your letters to Bean from years ago. We call our son Bean, too, both in real life and on our blog. Not sure where that came from, but your Bean is a good role model. Happy newborn time!
And yes, keep trusting your body, not the doctors!
February 22nd, 2009 @ 3:35 am
Congratulations!!
February 22nd, 2009 @ 3:53 am
Congratulations!
February 22nd, 2009 @ 4:34 am
What a great job you’ve done! And not being pregnant anymore: BONUS! haha! He’s adorable. You’re ALL adorable. SO SO SO happy for you!!
February 22nd, 2009 @ 6:45 am
Congratulations! Welcome Sprout!
February 22nd, 2009 @ 7:27 am
Hi Sprout, you look just like your big brother!
Congratulations to everybody, he’s a real sweetie
February 22nd, 2009 @ 7:55 am
Wonderful news!
When you posted on Friday morning I started to wonder what sort of moniker you would provide for the new baby: “Sprout” seems perfect!
He is absolutely snuggly looking. So cute.
February 22nd, 2009 @ 8:15 am
Welcome to the world, tiny Sprout!
February 22nd, 2009 @ 8:44 am
well that’s lovely news. So happy it went well, and you are enjoying the first few days. I agree he looks a lot like his brother! and as a mother of two boys, second is easier, and boys are lovely.
February 22nd, 2009 @ 8:44 am
Congratulations, and what a gorgeous little boy Sprout is! I can see Bean in his face. I am so glad things are going so well for you all! Well done.
February 22nd, 2009 @ 8:53 am
Congratulations! He’s beautiful — so glad he’s healthy and safe.
February 22nd, 2009 @ 8:59 am
Congratulations! I’m so glad the birth went well and that you guys are handling the first days with ease. He is beautiful!
February 22nd, 2009 @ 9:13 am
Many congratulations to the four of you!
Sprout is just beautiful.
And did I win? I got the exact date, the weight and the length, and I was only half an hour out on the time.
It was a guess, of course, but I used the weight and length of my own son. I couldn’t use his birth date as it has just gone by, so I used the date and time of an important appointment I had.
Enjoy these early days this second time around.
February 22nd, 2009 @ 9:36 am
Beautiful baby! Congratulations on your new addition–and not being pregnant any more. They’re so much more fun *outside* of the womb:o)
I don’t know what it is with doctors and hospitals. We tried to get them to release me and the baby early on our second child, but they wouldn’t have it. I hadn’t needed an episiotomy or stitches and I was doing sit ups 2 hours later, for Pete’s sake. (It was summer. I was young. I wanted to wear a bathing suit.) Perhaps that made them wonder if I was right in the head, I don’t know. I figure there must be some real idiots out there, but I don’t think most of us are in that category. #3 and #4 were born at home, so no issue there.
February 22nd, 2009 @ 9:37 am
amazing amazing amazing YOU !!! and oh man is he gorgeous!!!
Bravo oh Christina!!!! you are the goddess!!
February 22nd, 2009 @ 9:47 am
Warmest best wishes to the four of you…he’s beautiful.
February 22nd, 2009 @ 9:48 am
He’s just beautiful, amazing – everything that a new baby can be, he is! Sweet Sprout! I’m so glad that all around things are good – and what is that newborn baby smell? It’s like a drug. If they sold it on the street, I would be a goner.
Happy babymoon!
February 22nd, 2009 @ 10:13 am
Awe! Just like that
What a beautiful little sprout! Congrats to you and your family!
February 22nd, 2009 @ 10:29 am
Yea! Congratulations on the sprout!
February 22nd, 2009 @ 10:34 am
Hi, I’ve been lurking here for a while but felt a need to come out to congratulate you. Your son is beautiful. Enjoy the feeling of loveliness you’ve so wonderfully described.
February 22nd, 2009 @ 10:44 am
So many congratulations! I love that you are calling him sprout here! Your writing inspires me often – thank you.
February 22nd, 2009 @ 11:09 am
Congratulations! Little Sprout looks so beautiful and content
Enjoy all your beautiful brand new moments with him!
February 22nd, 2009 @ 11:22 am
Many Congratulations… isn’t the second time around a blessing? It made me wish I could go back and do the first three months over with my first. I was so freaked out that I didn’t know how precious new-born babies are. He is absolutely gorgeous…I am only a little jealous. Not enough to go THERE…
February 22nd, 2009 @ 12:05 pm
congratulations! this is bliss…
warmly,
gem
February 22nd, 2009 @ 12:12 pm
yay! congrats!
(i can’t believe how soon you got a post up)
February 22nd, 2009 @ 12:17 pm
Oh Congrats…he is beautiful!
February 22nd, 2009 @ 12:53 pm
Congratulations! A sterling job all round, he’s just beautiful!
ps Bet that Doctor was only about 15 and wet behind the ears!
February 22nd, 2009 @ 6:09 pm
He’s beautiful. I see a resemblance to Bean in the photo. And I love that you’re calling him Sprout. Congratulations to you all.
February 22nd, 2009 @ 6:47 pm
hooray for you! hooray for the little sprout! for all of the now-bigger family. amazing.
February 22nd, 2009 @ 11:43 pm
I wish you all the love in the world.
February 23rd, 2009 @ 12:14 am
Congratulations!!
February 23rd, 2009 @ 12:23 am
He’s just so beautiful!
February 23rd, 2009 @ 8:09 am
Congratulations! He’s beautiful.
February 23rd, 2009 @ 9:33 am
Congrats, Christina! He’s absolutely beautiful. You and DH make damn cute kids.
February 23rd, 2009 @ 9:35 am
He is a beautiful baby and very lucky to have you as a mama. Enjoy him!
February 23rd, 2009 @ 9:50 am
It is so exciting and wonderful calming at the same time to see sweet newborn babes on two of my favorite blogs – yours right here and Ali Edwards’. Oh, the beauty. My best wishes go out to both of you and your families.
P.S.: Actually, babies seem to sprout almoust everywhere I look these days. Is it a change in perspective or are there just – more babies?
February 23rd, 2009 @ 9:52 am
Congratulations, Christina! What a beautiful baby boy! Enjoy every little newborn moment, and enjoy not being pregnant anymore!
February 23rd, 2009 @ 10:02 am
Congrats! And thanks, as always, for sharing your thoughts so beautifully. As my partner and I gear up for the process of growing our family, this post is especially comforting. Looking forward to hearing the stories of you four!
February 23rd, 2009 @ 10:09 am
Another ‘lurker’ here wishing you many wonderfully amazing days with the newest addition to your family – CONGRATULATIONS!! Isn’t it such a great feeling the second time around – the confidence knowing you have one child that you’ve done well by totally puts your mind at ease. It’s also so great to have evidence that trusting your gut is usually the way to go! Best wishes for smooth sailing ahead. I love your blog because you are so honest and grounded – you sound so happy and content in this post – you deserve both!!
February 23rd, 2009 @ 10:28 am
He’s beautiful. Congratulations!!
February 23rd, 2009 @ 11:21 am
So,so sweet!!!
February 23rd, 2009 @ 11:03 pm
many many congratulations to you, DH and Bean!
March 10th, 2009 @ 7:07 pm
A doctor, but doesn’t know the basics about milk not coming in the first day OR that supplementing with formula, it could actually SABA TOSH production… the more they suck, the more we make… Ugh. The frustration is endless…
Not to mention, should we REALLY have to take any breastfeeding advice from the sex with no breasts (functioning, anyway)
Beautiful baby! Reading your blog is like reading poetry! Wonderfully written poetry.
December 31st, 2009 @ 3:16 am
[...] February Sprout was born, after seven hours of labor, four days after his brother’s fourth birthday. I yelled a lot of [...]