Alasdair William arrived on Sept. 16!

[ATD_Mom]

The most precious little man is riding in a carrier on my belly this very minute. His name is Alasdair William, and we are all absolutely over the moon for the fella. The stats:

September 16, 2007
3:10 a.m.
8 pounds, 11 ounces
Born at home with only myself, DH, and one midwife as witnesses
EDD was 9/10

He entered the world so very quickly, with only 4 hours of "established" labour. Unfortunately, 1.5 hours of that was transition, but I'm beginning to get over that trauma. Second stage - pushing - was non-existent. My body had a fetus ejection reflex, and he literally shot out, surrounded by his bag of waters. So - no cone head! No tearing for me, either.

I do plan to write a complete birth story soon, will post in the appropriate section of the forum. But for now, some photos of the little guy. (We have none from labour/birth/the first minutes. Didn't take out the camera until he was four or five hours old!)

http://bp0.blogger.com/_Fhj5Sr1eQ0E/...s1600-h/05.jpg

http://bp0.blogger.com/_Fhj5Sr1eQ0E/...s1600-h/02.jpg

http://bp1.blogger.com/_Fhj5Sr1eQ0E/...s1600-h/02.jpg

http://bp2.blogger.com/_Fhj5Sr1eQ0E/...s1600-h/01.jpg

http://www.kgspottery.com/September_2007/23/02.jpg

We are having a heckuva time breastfeeding. It's a screaming, crying frightening experience for mama and her nipples most times, but every once in a while the magic latch happens and all is well. When the pain is too much, I pump and DH finger feeds. Some days this is one feeding, others it's all day. The MW has never seen a reaction like mine, or my 24-hour nipple pain, so I'm headed to a lactation consultant next. Wish us luck!

[RachelS]

Congratulations Mama : !!!! What a beautiful birth!!!! I am so sorry that breastfeeding is not going well. Hang in there!!! It WILL get better!!! Good luck with the LC!

Congratulations again!!!

[beautiful_mama]

I popped over to your blog yesterday and peeked because I had been wondering how you were
I saw your pics and stuff...he is GORGEOUS and you are beaming mama! awesome birth! Love all your carriers in your pics too.

CONGRATS!

[Plaid Leopard]

Congratulations on the birth of your sweet boy.
Hope the BF gets easier for you.

[mamas2atti]

Congratulations mama! He is beautiful!

I hope you don't mind me saying, but in your breastfeeding picture (which might have been taken after a feeding?) it looks like your little guy doesn't have his mouth open wide enough or his lips flanged and is on there pretty shallow. This can definitely lead to sore nipples. I am glad you are seeing a lactation consultant. Best of luck to you. Keep us posted.

[stacyg]

~CONGRATS Momma~

Alasdair William!

all the pictures! He is precious! Hope the breastfeeding gets all worked out!

[ATD_Mom]

Thanks so much for the congrats, mamas!

Susan, thanks so much for the advice. I have said your signature phrase to my DH so many times - this pain is common, but it's not right! That photo was taken before my MW showed me the flip maneuver to get my nipple back into his mouth further. The flip, when I get it done properly, has been my savior. Just finished a low-pain feeding, and I am ecstatic! It's incredible how one bad or one good feeding can really affect your mood.

Anyhow, danke again. This mommy stuff is just amazing.

[lactivist]

Congratulations! He looks so sweet and peaceful. Sorry you are struggling with breastfeeding. Seeing an LC is a great idea. Enjoy your little man!
Wendi

[forestrymom]

I had been wondering about you! So glad to hear your little man is here! Its also great that you are going to see an LC, and if you can find a local LLL group, they will be able to offer support as well!

Congratualtions, and welcome Alasdair!

[mimiharshe]

Congratulations mama...he is absolutely beautiful!

[mighty-mama]

Congratulations Mama..

I've been thinking of you, and not seeing you here, so I'm glad it was due to a little man in your arms..

He is precious.. The pictures are adorable... What a wonderful gift.. I'm glad you are seeing an LC, it will work and be wonderful..

best wishes.

[*jeanine*]

congratulations!
hope the bfing gets easier soon!

[Sabo]

Woo-hoo!! He's so handsome. I hope that working with the LC helps.

[mamas2atti]

Originally Posted by ATD_Mom

TJust finished a low-pain feeding, and I am ecstatic! It's incredible how one bad or one good feeding can really affect your mood.

It is amazing! And isn't it amazing how a little change in positioning can make all the difference in the world?

Please keep us posted mama!

[beemama]

He's gorgeous! You have a beautiful little family! Loved the pic of your dh w/the wrap/carrier on your blog.
Hope your nursing relationship continues to improve. Enjoy your babymoon.

[IntuitiveJamie]

I also missed congratulating you, I'm so sorry!!

CONGRATULATIONS MAMA AND BABY!! WELCOME TO THE WORLD!

[~Katie~]

Congratulations! I love the carrier pictures, you've inspired me to try my hand at sewing!

[ATD_Mom]

Thank you again!

I'm so happy to report that a lovely LC came to our house yesterday (free of charge - her services were provided by the pharmacy where I rented a breast pump) and really, really helped out. Basically she just had me put his bottom lip below, instead of right on, the outside of the areola. This .01 mm made such a huge difference. (Also she showed me another position in which to hold him, showed me how to massage the clogged ducts, suggested a hot compress before beginning, etc. But it was the lower lip thing that really did it.)

We're now working on hour 20 of low-to-no-pain nursing sessions! Wooo! Life is so grand.

[forestrymom]

That is wonderful! There is something amazing about the effect a good latch can have on breastfeeding. We struggled with dd and it took months for it to be comfortable. I have been so lucky this time around because Waylon has a great latch, so once I got past severe engorgement and a mild case of mastitis, it has been such a joy. I'm so glad you had a good LC consultation!

[RachelSerena]

Congratulations! I came back here a few times to check if you'd had your babe yet, I was so happy to see you did! He is gorgeous!
I am glad the feedings are getting better!
BTW I loved seeing all of your diaper crafts! I do the same thing